The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-04-18
SPANISH SWINDLER
ST. Is under ARREST
Madrid. SPAIN

Madrid, SPAIN SPECIAL
Eduardo de Blanco Cooley. the
Spanish nobleman, who has for some
twenty-five years been languishing in
spanish prison in Madrid. and who
mas been appealing by means Of sew
eral thousands OF letters annually to
various persons in Virginia to come
to his relief and to save his fair
young daughter and get a large share
OF an immense estate, which is con-
tanned in a bank, a secret. as a re-
ward for taking care of and educating
the daughter" has been captured
He is in jail.
That is the news which reached the
city today from Charles L. Hoover
the American consul at Madrid. Just
how the swindler, the man who has
been fleeing the guilible American
public for years, was taken into Gus
tody is not stated, but the letter
states that the particular swindler
who sent them out has just been ar
rested"
There are scores and scores of
hundreds O. men in this CITY who
have received these letters. and they
have, as a rule passed them no and
paid no attention to them. Several
times the receivers Of the letters have
sent to the chief OF the secret ser
vice of the United States, TO be advised
that there was no way whereby the
man could be reached. AS a matter
or fact, there appears to have been
a duly organized syndicate for the
handling of the American dollars
that have been sought for. and the
fact that the swindle has been kent
up for years proves that il has been a
money maker.
sam Bigger, Sherlock.
Several months ago d. T. Collev.
the messenger in the State Corpora
ton Commission, received one Of rho
civ
OF the unfortunate condition in which
the grandee finds himself and who is
anxious as to the fate of his beauti-
ful daughter, and rubbish about being
the owner OF a large fortune which
the government will cOnfiscate because
of the fact that the writer is charged
with a political offense
In order to get the money. and the
girl, the letter states that the partv
VINO receives the document must re-
ply by cablegram, as he is not allowed
to receive letters. The fortune is al
ways anywhere from $4,000 to $780,
600. Sometimes the offender is a Rus
sian banker, often Spanish prisoner.
sometimes a Frenchman, and always
swindler of the sickest sort. In
order to get the prize, the receiver of
the letters had to send about $500 for
emergencies"
Mr.. Colley, when he got the letter
proceeded to consult Mr.. Sam w. Big
ger, the balin of the commission. and
at once named him as his secretary to
conduct the correspondence and bring
Things 10 head. Letters were ex-
changed, Mr.. Bigger doing the work.
documents, newspaper clippings. pic
lures of the beautiful daughter. stories
OF the hardships endured and all else
were rushed to Mr.. Colley, and Mr.
Bigger kept all the papers and then
ueclded that Mr., Colley did not need
the money in question. So the papers
were all bundled up and sent to the
American consul at Madrid for. such
action as he might deem proper.
Swindler i'm the Tolls.
Ioday the following letter came to
Mr.. Colley, being copied verbatim.
showing that after lapse OF many
years the Spanish authorities have got
ten one Of the gang who has been
operating:
American Consular Service.
~ Madrid, March %. 1912.
Dear Slr,-In reply TO your letter of
recent, date. beg 10 inform YOU that
me whole matter is a swindle and an
attempt TO obtain money from you by
raise pretences.
There has been in existence in this
country for many years an apparently
wen organized band Of swindlers. who
work upon the same lines that have
been used in the attempt 10 deceive
you. you may be sure that there is
no truth whatever in the statements
mace TO you by the people on this side
IN TINS connection. II you We're 10
continue the correspondence with these
or court DEGREES, testaments, wills. etc
all tending to support their state
ments, / am sir,
Yours very truly,
CHAS L. HOOVER,
~. American Consul
Many thanks for the papers We
particular swindler who sent them out
has just been arrested. II.