The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-20
THEY'VE GOT SWEENEY
IN ST. LOUIS jail FIR
kb.ITlAG BUCHANAN
Indicted for participation in Louisss
County Fraudulent Use of
--.e-. the Mails ....-....--
USED DEAD VETERANS
NAME TO GET TICKET
Even Uncle Sam "Fclr' to the Game.
Merchants All Over Nation Were
Victims Of this Clever HoIdup.

Merchants All Over Nation Were
Victims of this Clever Holdup
5 The capture OF Edward T. Sweeney,
in ST. Louis yesterday, through the ef-
. forts of Postoffice Inspector Hal B.
4 Mosoy. OF this city, after many months
spent in trying to get line on TINS
much-wanted gentleman. proves the
final chapter in what the postal au-
thorities believe to be the cleverest
piece of crooked work that has been
brought to the attention of the Unit
ed States court here In many years.
There lis now pending an indictment
against Ed Sweeney In the United
States court here charging him with
frauds and with obtaining transpor-
tat1on from Louisa County to the Sol
diers' Home in Maine, by represent
ing himself to be Selden e. Hester.
O dead veteran OF the Spanish Ameri-
can war. OF course the department
did not know that Hester was dead
when IL sent him transportation, which
L. alleged to have been received by
Sweeney, living under Hester's name.
The story of Sweeney 10 closely
connected with that OF one w s.
Buchanan. OF Louisa County. now
serving term in the United States
priso. at Atlanta for obtaining goods
under false pretenses by forging let
tiers which were sent through the
mails. Buchanan is probably the orig
inator of the scheme which Sweeney
is said TO have used to such advant-
age. Buchanan and Sweeney were
friends and partners. They met
somewhere on life's pathway while
Buchanan was enjoying a parole
from the penitentiary. having served
part of prison term for exactly the
same thing that will face him again
when he leaves prison. Not only did
he repeat his offense while out on pa
role. but he went to the same place
and operated along the same lines so
openly that his rearrest was matter
OF course.
His Destroying Angel.
Buchanan has the reputation OF be-
Eng a swindler of the shrewdest quail
ties His very audacity might have
saved him had not King Alcohol been
his destroying angel. Ii is a peculiar
story. this little episode OF Buchanan
and Sweeney. They must have agreed
20 hold all things In common. for. af-
ter Sweeney had gone to the trouble
OF obtaining government transporta-
ton for himself under the name of
she dead soldier. Hester he turned
this transportation over 20 Buchanan
who began the long Journey TO Maine
himself Whether he merely wanted
70 visit the Soldiers Home or simply
desired to take a long ride. trusting
his wits to get back again. Ia noe
matter of record.
Having learned TO love Richmond
Tn his early youth and knowing that
I'm this city there flowed freely much
beer, liquor. wine and other strong
drink. and. feeling particularly hap
DIV over the success he believed him.
self to be. Buchanan introduced him
self TO the harkeepers OF Richmond
ss the Spanish American war veteran
ana found IL easy to celebrate his
Deeds OF vaior through the encourage
ment Of those who looked upon him
as a soldier worthy of congratuintion,
Policeman Foikes. however, ran
across Mr.. Buchanan, of Louisa. at
time when the streets refused 10 keep
away from the visitors knees The
warrior" was arrested. taken to tina
police station and there Il was learn
Ell tkat he waa not what he pretend
ed to be. Further investigation led
the authorities back to Louisa whera
the alleged partner OF Buchanan was
operating Rat Swaenev- HAD gone.
buchanan Forgot Prison.
Buchanan's record shows that he
October. ftf9, On November +th
ne returned 10 Louisa. where he met
with a travelling telegraph opera
Or. calling himself Sweeney. who said
Is home was In Philadelphia. Buch- !
nan remembered the days of old /
'hen prosperity came down upon him !
night, forgetting that the officials I
( the United States government came |
ust as suddenly and with far more |
ras revived, and Mr.. Sweeney Ia said ,
have become partner. Certain .
etters held ny Inspector Moshv, upon .
hich the Indictment against Sweeney /
as based. indicate that he will have
stiff fght to keep himself from /
,ining Buchanan In Atlanta. He IL
rpected to he brought here In the
ext week or ten days.
tArhe pet scheme on which Buchanan
1t is alleged. Sweeney based their
ret ations was one OF unusual merit
an the standpoint OF righteousness
tafrfraud. MAGAZINES were carefully
two ana advertisers were answered I
be nut regard to what they had to
ties The record shows that the bus
ann done at Trevii.an and Gorions-
the In Louisa. included traffic in
upchinr from baking powder to wa
ern'wheels. n II had a selling value !.
adjtsconcern" took II over and con-
proximity passed II on.
he- Tesfimnnials Were FAsy.
Pskimonials were easy TO get. Any
sevetiser answering one OF Buchan-
the fttcrs was readily convinced that
was IN dealing with man OF hon
acQr1nd integrity. Even Hon. Claude
prorvanson. at present United States
eralipr from Virginia. was used by
has snan. A tribute from the con-
ceedi3an was sent to the advertiser,
hurrywith other valuable testimonials.
the sasre Mr. Swanson had not writ
ownerr testimo nial. nor had any OF
viii others whose names were used.
10 methods used by Buchanan
s. numerous and his ideas flowed
noiteely when the occasion arose that
stool not take him long to accnru-
to irr'te an assortment of articles.
lifted he sold when he could or stored
Elevfaway for rainy day. Sor,e-
cftv he used the articles IL thew
uuate his fancy. Numerous suits Of !
buildf that did not appeal to his
was ohre pawned here and elsewhere.
factor onisa concern" was no re-
~ thef Of persons Several iarwe
nentssle houses In Richmond "eeIl'
~, fhseraft Rut Richmond business
hean lere not alone. The campaign
ernme read over the land like the