The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-23
HAD A BIG SCHEME
Promoter Is Arrested on the
Eve of Success.
Charged With Stealing Five
Bonds Worth $500 Each.
HE HAD S2OO,OOO,OOO
VI European Capital at His COM
mand, He Says.
HE HAD S2OO,OOO,OOO
Came Near Victimizing Col.
J. NJ. Guffy, Millionaire.

New York, Nov. 23.-Claiming to have
the backing of European capitalists to
the extent of $2O0,0oo.O0O, according to
the story told by the police, Joseph
Montefiore Myers, who has spent the
last few months in Pittsburg endeavor-
ing to interest the capitalists of that
city in various plans requiring large
amounts of money, was brought to this
city today and charged with the
larceny of five bonds valued at 81, 500.
Myers, it was said, claimeT acquaint-
ance with many prominent people both
In this countr-- and abroad, and he was
introduced at the clubs and dined by
P1ttsourg fnanciers whom he interest
ed in his various plans. Some time ago
Myers secured an option on oil prop
critics owned by Colonel ]. NJ. Guffy in
that city, but failing within the time
limit to pay the purchase money,
negotiations came to an end.
Previous to going to Pittsburg Myers
had spent three years in this city and
by means of letters of introduction
bearing the names of well known men,
he succeeded in meeting men and wo-
men of prominence in a social and
business way.
Two More Arrests.
!, HlttsDurgI Ia, Nov. 23.-The police
have made two other arrests in the
case of ]. Montefiore Myers, said to be
from Australia, who was taken into
custody at the Hotel Schenly last Sat
urday and taken to New York under a
charge of grand larceny. Shortly after
of New York detective the local po-
lice arrested w, A. Fitzpatrick in a
bank building, where he was talking
over an oil deal with a business man.
Last evening John A. Fitzpatrick, a
brother, also was arrested as he step
ped from a train.
The Fitzpatrick brothers are said to
be from Iona. Micfl-s and are alleged to
be confederates of Myers. The Fitz-
patrickS were arrested on information
furnished by Richard Brinsfey Sheri-
dan, wealthy coal operator of Wilkes
barre, Pa, and John A. Garman of the
same place, chief counsel for Colonel J.
M. Guffy. the millionaire oil operator
of Pittsburg.
According to the police T N. Barns
dali, also a millionaire oil operator of
this city, had been interested in the
several deals by Myers.
here. Myers and the. Fitzpatricks are
alleged to have. been promoting a. deal to
Myers. o Il IS H SAID 4 repre 4 that he
Gontrolled several millions dollars OF the
ne Sad little h trou ah n
teresting Mr.. Sheridan, Colonel Gufry and
MI. B3rnSdall. Just now many more
wealthy Pittsburgers were interested the
police refuse to say at this time. Mr.
Sheridan said:
Myers came to see me in Wilkesbarre
some time ago. I have known John A
for some years, and a letter
from him introduced Myers to me- Myers
said that he represented the Rothschilds
and thought Wilkesbarre would be an
excellent place to build factories and |
mills on account of it's contiguity to the
fuel fields. He suggested that before |
starting to build it would be good idea
to get options on coal lands, to insure a |
fuel supply. He insisted that local capital |
support the project as some favors might |
be allotted from the legislature.
IT will confess that Myers won my COM
Dlete confidence which was strengthened |
when 1 learned that he had interested |
Colonel Guffy. introduced him to num- |
Der of men whom I thought would be of /
service to the project and spent consider
able money in boosting the thing.
ITO make the thing look still better
Myers brought Colonel Guffy to Wilkes /
Oarre. I do not know what caused 1t, but
Tarman and myself grew suspicious and
rs Myers said he was from New York we
isked the police there about him. 1t was
hen his record in that city was uncovered |
md his arrest on a charge of grand lar
,eny followed Saturday.
The superintendent of police said today:
From all I can learn, Myers and his
secured very little, if any
money but they were just about ready to
Unload a sWindle that would have torn
hings wide open in financial circles"