The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1921-07-21
ESTABLISHED 1894
SLICK NENGRO SWINDLER.
How He BambOOzled Rock Hill Dar-
key-Old Trick CIeverly Worked.

key-Old Trick CIeverly Worked.
Rock Hill, July Peter Jones, a
well-to-do negro farmer, living about
TWO miles from Rock Hill on the
Cherry road, is victim of we'll
plapned confidence game, and the
Cross Roads (colored) Baptist church
treasury is minus $24Q, as a result
A few days ago a negro man, rath-
Ell well dressed and of a ministerial
appearance, made the acquaintance
OF j-he Cross Roads neighborhood and
introduced himself as Rt. Rev. George
Washington Moore, of Columbia. He
was welcomed into the home of Peter
Jones, treasurer of the church, and
for several days administered spir-
itual needs to the family. Feeling in
disposed the second Sunday after his
arrival, he remained at the house
while Jones and his family went to
worship. On returning Jones was
astounded to learn that gold, in large
nuggets, had been found on the place
by Rev. Moore. He stated that during
their absence he strolled around the
farm and accidentally discovered the
gold, but as 1t was not his, he would
not touch it until their return that
night. Moore suggested that they 60
at once for the treasure, but caution
ed that he would have to "conjure the
Spirits" before it could be found
whereupon the Jones decided to wait
until daylight. Early next morning,
after gathering necessary articles,
goblets, a Bible, some vinegar and
cotton, picks and spades the party
started in search of the hidden treas
ure led by Moore who carried an in
strument that he claimed would To-
cate it. The place was found and all
were cautioned to be quiet, and not
word was to be spoken lest the
spell of the spirits be broken
With everything quiet and sol
emn, not sound to be heard excep,
the turning OF the leaves of the Bible
Rev. Moore assumed a serious express
sion, mumbling strange and mysteri-
Gus words, between weird means and
words, between weird means and
groans, while he placed the goblets
over the hidden treasure He then
poured vinegar in each glass, and had
the negroes stuff cotton in their ears
so that no sound might enter, and
placed large piece Of cotton in the
center of the space around which
the glasses were placed. He thel
poured on dark liquid which he
stated would "annoint the spirits.
and tossed a match into the mystic
square. A flash and dense smoke fol
l"w&d-all was agreeable with the
'slisi.its." Digging with a vim and
soon nuggets of yellow metal, having
the appearance and weight of gold
Were unearthed With eyes bulgine
and tongues paralyzed in eXcitment
nervous hands brought forth the
treasure.
The Rev. Moore prepared the
bullion for shipment by express tc
the treasury department at Wash.
ington. While waiting for an answer
from Washington the preacher was
much honored guest of the Jones'
The letter came after due time wa:
allowed for its return. The amount
due the negroes was given. The neg
rces We're then informd that in order
" fStl lHt lllOlitN llOll w lOi
he knust send money TO an official in
Columbia, and that he would require
a certain per cent for his share
Treasurer Jones having no money OF
his own. willingly drew from the
church treasury $240 for the purpose
The money was placed in a return en-
velope and mailed in Rock Hill
Moore doing the mailing.
Every one concerned was jubli
ant, and great feast was to be
held that night at Jones. Moore wa:
to be the honor guest He went tC
Charlotte to get his fiancee TO helI
enjoy it. The feast was prepared and
eaten but Right Rev. Geo. Washing
ton Moore failed to return. The un
cal ID for envelope came back, filled
with scrap paper.
This same scheme has been work
ed in other sections of the county, il
is said, supposedly by the same neg
ro, and officers are on the alert fol
oRc Rf. Rev. Geo. Washington Moore
of very drak hue. aged about 4(
years, and about feet 10 inches il
height.