The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1908-11-26
CLAIM BIG FRAUD
HAS BEEN FOUND
ARREST OF J. MONTEFIORE MEYERS
IN PITTSBURG CAUSES IRE
MENDOUS SENSATION.
MILLIONS WERE INVOLVED.
Australian Declaring Himself to Be Rep
resentative of Rothschilds Now
Charged with Larceny.
WANTED COAL AND OIL OPTIONS.

PITTSBURG, Pa. Nov 23.-The po-
lice authorities here have made two 9TH
er arrests in the case of j. Montefiore
Meyers, said to be from Australia, who
was taken into custody ut the Hotel
Schenley last Saturday and held for the
New York police on an alleged charge of
grand larceny. Shortly after Meyers
left this city yesterday in charge of De-
tecuye Sergeant Nelson of New York,
tor the east the local police arrested w.
A. Fitzpatrick in Il bank building, where
he was talking over an oil deal with q
business man. Last evening John A.
Fitzpatrick, brother. was also arrest.
ed as he stepped from Il Baltimore &
Ohio railroad train in this city.
Said to Be Confederates.
The Fitzpatrick brothers are said to be
from lonia, n j., and are alleged to be
coniederates of Meyers. Superintendent.
of Police and Detectives McQuaide of
this city arrested the Fitzpatricks on in
formation furnished by Richard Brinsley
Sheridan, wealthy coal operator Of
Wilkes Barre Pa, and John A. Garmani
of the same place, chief counsel for Col.
j. NJ. Gutfey, the millionaire oil operator
of Pittsburg.
According to the police, 7. n. Barns
dali, also millionaire oil operator Of
eral deals by Meyers. The case has de-
veloped into sensation here. Meyers
and Fitzpatrick are alleged to have been
promoting deal to buy options on coal
and oil lands Meyers, it is said, repre-
scented that he controlled several million
dollars of the Rothschilds.
Meyer a Smooth One.
Meyer, who has an engaging person
Atty, had little trouble in interesting
Mr.. Sheridan. Col. Guffey and Mr..
Barnsdall. Just how many more wealthy
Pittsburgers were interested, the police
refuse to say at this time. Referring to
Meyers and his deal, Mr.. Sheridan said:
Meyers came to see me in Wilkes
Barre some time ago. | have not seen
John A. Fitzpatrick in connection with
this transaction, but have known him
for some years, and a letter from him
introduced Meyers to me. Meyers said
that he represented the Rothschilds and
thought Wilkes Barre would be an eX-
celent place TO build factories and mills
on account of its contiguity to the fuel
fields. He suggested that before start
ing to build, 1t would be a good idea 10
get options on coal lands, to ensure n
fuel supply. He insisted that local cap
ital support the project, as some faVorS
might be wanted from the Legislature.
Il will confess that Meyers won my
complete confidence, which was strength
ened when | learned that he had in
terested Col. Guffey. l introduced him
to number of men who | thought might
be of service to the project and spent
considerable money IN boosting the
thing"
Both Grew Suspicious.
"To make the whole thing look better.
Meyers brought Col. Guffey to Wilkes
Barre. | do not know what caused it,
but Garman and myself grew suspicious
and as Meyers said he was from New
York. we asked the police there about
him. 1t was then his record in that
city was uncovered and his arrest on
charge Of. grand larceny followed on
Saturday"
Supt. McQuade said today. Prom
all | can learn, Meyers and his confed-
crates secured very little if any money,
but they were just about ready to I'M
load a swindle that would have torn
things wide open in financial circles.
| am not at liberty now to divulge any
names in connection with the affair, but
may do so in day or two