Take the Money and Run: Pelham Town Supervisor Sherman T. Pell and the Worst Political and Financial Scandal in Pelham History

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Small town scandals inevitably set small town tongues wagging.  Pelham tongues were wagging from Pelhamville to City Island during the spring and summer of 1893.  Democrat Sherman T. Pell, who had just completed seven years of service as Town Supervisor but recently had been defeated in his bid for reelection, had disappeared.  So too, it seems, had much of the Town’s money.  Rumors swirled.  Pell was on the run.  Pell was in Pittsburgh.  He was in Florida.  He was in South America. 

This is the sad story of the worst political and financial scandal in Pelham history.  It involved Sherman T. Pell who took the money and ran. 

Background 

Sherman T. Pell was a son of Samuel Pell.  Samuel Pell, in turn, was a descendant of John Pell, so-called Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham (the first of the Pell family to reside, permanently, in the Manor of Pelham).  According to one account, by 1850 Samuel Pell lived on City Island in the Town of Pelham working as an oysterman.  Known as “Captain Pell”, he married Elizabeth Scofield and built a Second Empire style home that still stands at 586 City Island Avenue.  The couple had twelve children including Sherman T. Pell, the oldest son (born in 1853).  

The Samuel Pell House that Still Stands at 586 City Island Avenue,

Built in About 1876.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

It is believed that before his marriage Sherman T. Pell lived for a short time in the Samuel Pell House after it was built in about 1876.[1] Shortly after Samuel Pell built his beautiful home, Sherman T. Pell married Alzina Aurelia Rowland.  The couple had two children.

Detail from a Samuel Pell Family Photograph Showing a Young

Sherman T. Pell Standing Behind His Mother, Elizabeth Scofield

Pell, at About the Age of Fourteen.  This May Be the Only Surviving

Photograph of Sherman T. Pell.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

As a young man, Sherman T. Pell worked as a “provision merchant” in the South Street Seaport.[2]   His firm, Seymour & Pell located at 237 Front Street in New York City, seems to have run into some difficulty in 1883.  In an account entitled “Business Embarrassments”, The New York Times reported: 

“Bradford S. Seymour and Sherman T. Pell, comprising the firm of Seymour & Pell, wholesale provision-dealers at No. 237 Front-street, made an assignment yesterday to Henry C. Henderson, giving a preference to [Sherman Pell’s father] Samuel Pell for $7,807.15.  They succeeded J. W. Norris & Co., in September, 1879”[3] 

According to another account, thereafter Sherman Pell “entered the real estate business.”[4] 

Sherman Pell Enters Pelham Politics 

Sherman Pell reportedly was popular in Pelham.  People remarked that he carried the town “in his pocket.”[5]   In 1885, Pell ran as a Democrat against Republican Robert H. Scott for Town Supervisor of Pelham.  The election was a close one.  Scott beat Pell by ten votes.[6] 

The following year, Sherman Pell ran once again against Republican Robert H. Scott for Town Supervisor.  The election was even closer than the previous one.  On March 30, 1886, Sherman Pell won the election by a single vote, but not without the shadow of scandal. 

Pell’s Republican opponent announced that he intended to contest the election.  He alleged that Democrats had imported non-resident paupers from Hart Island to vote for Pell.  According to one account, Scott said he would contest the election results “on the ground that 25 persons who voted for Mr. Pell were brought over from Hart’s Island, and that two-thirds of them were New-York paupers having no right to vote.”[7] 

Election authorities declared Pell the winner of the 1886 election.  Pell then worked tirelessly to consolidate his political power.

The Postmaster Flap 

Soon Sherman T. Pell became known as “The little Democratic Napoleon of Pelham.”[8]   He called in political favors and had himself appointed as local postmaster by the Democrat Grover Cleveland administration after he worked tirelessly toward Cleveland’s first term victory.[9] 

The ham-handed way Pell gained the postmaster’s position and its $1,600 salary (about $56,000 in today’s dollars) upset most of the Town of Pelham.  At the time, the acting postmaster was a popular City Island resident named James Hyatt.  According to one news report, in seeking the appointment, Pell called in favors owed him by ex-Assemblyman Billy Catlin of Rye who was well-known to President Cleveland and had done him “valuable service.”[10] 

When Pelhamites learned what Pell was trying to do, they circulated a petition opposing Pell’s appointment and asking that the acting postmaster, James Hyatt, be appointed permanently.  According to one report, 190 of the 238 voters on City Island signed the petition.[11] 

The petition was presented to the Grover Cleveland administration.  Cleveland promptly appointed Sherman T. Pell as postmaster, effectively ending James Hyatt’s employment.  Pelhamites were “indignant at the insult which the President has put upon them by his deliberate disregard of their wishes.”[12] 

Not long afterward, another local dispute foreshadowed what was to come.  Sick of Pell’s heavy-handed tactics, Town officials began calling for an investigation of him in 1890.  A New York City newspaper, writing of the dispute, stated: 

“Justice of the Peace John P. Hawkins accused Supervisor Sherman T. Pell of trying to ‘boss’ the town, of mismanaging its finances, failing to report his transactions to the Justices, and acting generally in so negligent a way that the tax rate has been raised very materially.”[13] 

A group of Pelham residents decided to act.  Twenty-five of them filed a special petition to commence a proceeding before New York Supreme Court Justice Bartlett seeking “a summary investigation of the financial affairs” of the Town on the grounds that “public moneys are being unlawfully and corruptly expended.”[14] Justice Bartlett promptly dismissed the proceeding, finding that the petition was based on mere rumors and lacked the factual allegations necessary to support entry of an order directing an investigation of Town of Pelham finances.[15] 

Sherman Pell had defeated his opponents again.  That said, local residents were sniffing around the edges of his administration and Town finances.  Pell, however, was emboldened.  He sued one of the principal proponents of the petition, John F. Scheller of City Island, for defamation, seeking $10,000 in damages.[16] 

First the provisioning business failure, then allegations of voting fraud, then calling in political favors to destroy a man’s livelihood for his own benefit, claims that Pell acted as a Democrat “Boss” who was mismanaging Town finances, failing to report financial transactions, and driving up the Town tax rate, and now a court proceeding asking for a financial investigation of Pell – what might be next?  Pelham soon would learn. 

The 1893 Town Supervisor Election 

For the next couple of years, Pell secured successive, close (and some would say “suspect”) reelections to retain his position as Town Supervisor.[17]   In 1893, however, Pell faced stiff competition in his reelection bid from Republican William McAllister.  The 1893 Town Supervisor election turned out to be Pelham’s own version of the hanging chad dispute that marked the 2000 U.S. presidential election. 

On Tuesday, March 28, voters in Pelham went to the polls to choose between Pell and McAllister.  Early the next morning, The New York Times reported that Democrat Sherman T. Pell had won the election.[18] 

The following day, however, the Times retracted its report, saying “William McAllister, Republican, was elected in the town of Pelham, instead of Sherman T. Pell, Democrat.”[19]   Subsequent reports indicated that on election night, “the count showed that Mr. McAllister had been successful by a narrow margin of two or three votes."[20]   Pell demanded a recount. 

Two constables reportedly guarded the ballots for nearly a week “to prevent their being tampered with.”[21]   On April 6 a recount gave Sherman T. Pell an incredible sixty-five vote lead.  According to one account: 

“An examination of the ballots to-day showed that the apparent majority of Mr. McAllister had been caused by an error on the part of some of the Inspectors.  In many cases the Inspector in detaching the numbered stubs had failed to follow the scored line, and in this way had torn into the tickets and thus cut off Mr. Pell’s name.  The recount gives Mr. Pell a majority over Mr. McAllister of sixty-five votes.”[22] 

Pelham Republicans cried foul and demanded another recount.  When the Town Board (led by Sherman T. Pell) refused, the Republicans applied to New York Supreme Court Justice Jackson O. Dykman (also known as J. O. Dykman) in White Plains for an order directing such a recount.  Justice Dykman issued the order, but four members of the Town Board still refused to conduct the recount:   Sherman T. Pell, John P. Hawkins, Charles Wand, and Ethan Waterhouse.[23] 

Justice Dykman had a simple solution to the standoff.  He imposed $250 fines against each of the four men, held them in contempt of court, sentenced them to imprisonment for thirty days in the county jail and issued arrest warrants to be executed by the Sheriff.[24]   Soon the Republican candidate, McAllister, was declared the winner. 

It turned out that there was a significant reason that Pell had orchestrated such a vigorous scam to retain his elected position.  He had been engaged in a fraud involving Town funds for years.  The jig was up.

Where Is Mr. Pell? 

In early May, William McAllister called on ex-Supervisor Pell and asked for the Town’s account books and moneys.  According to McAllister, “Mr. Pell then stated that he would deliver all books, vouchers, and moneys to me on Thursday, May 18.”[25] 

McAllister dutifully appeared on Mr. Pell’s doorstep on May 18.  McAllister later told one reporter: 

“’his wife informed me that he had sent her a message from New-York City by his brother, Henry Pell, stating that he was compelled to go to Pittsburg on business and thus could not keep his appointment with me.  I have called at Mr. Pell’s residence every day this week, and his wife has stated to me that she had received no word from her husband, and that she did not know where he was.  I hope Mr. Pell will return and thus put an end to the various ugly rumors that have been put in circulation.  If he does not return we will be compelled to take legal measures.  What these measures will be I cannot say, as the matter is now in the hands of my counsel, Martin J. Keogh.’”[26] 

Ex-Supervisor Pell had provided a $10,000 bond in support of the good faith discharge of his fiduciary duties as Town Supervisor.  There were several additional bondsmen including his father, Samuel Pell.[27]   Soon the additional bondsmen wished they had never agreed to bond Sherman Pell’s performance of his duties.  Indeed, Samuel Pell eventually was required to sell his house as a consequence of his son's dishonesty.

The newly-installed Town Board tried its best to audit Sherman T. Pell’s accounts.  Initially the Board concluded “there was an apparent balance of moneys in his hands of $1,700.”[28]   According to one report: 

“Nobody knows where that money is, nor does anybody know where Mr. Pell is.  He has been away from home for several days, and his counsel is reported to have said that he is in Florida looking after legal matters connected with the Carll estate which have arisen through a recent decision of the Court of Appeals giving a grant of land under water. In the absence of the ex-Supervisor’s books it is impossible to say how much he has taken in since his account was audited and how much he ought to turn over to his successor.  He officially receives the taxes collected by the Receiver of the town, back taxes, excise moneys &c.  The amount is variously estimated at from $8,000 to $10,000. It is not supposed that the town will lose anything, even if Mr. Pell is unable to meet the demands made upon him by the Town Board, as one of his bondsmen is James Hyatt, a wealthy City Island butcher.  Mr. Hyatt was Mr. Pell’s predecessor in office. [sic]”[29] 

Another report indicated that an audit of Pell’s accounts on March 27, 1893 showed a cash balance remaining in his hands of $8,585, but it was believed that “the total at this date will considerably exceed that sum.”[30] 

Little did they know the extent of Sherman T. Pell’s defalcations.

The Scandal Grows Darker 

By June 10, 1893, the extent of Pell’s scheme was becoming clearer.  For years Pell had executed notes on behalf of the Town, forged the signature of the Town Clerk, and sold the forged bonds on Wall Street to obtain funds ostensibly on behalf of the Town.  According to a variety of reports, in this fashion he raised amounts that totaled between $30,000 and $100,000.[31]   All of the money – and Pell – remained missing.  Moreover, Sherman T. Pell left his wife behind.  He also left his father, Samuel, and his brother, Percy, holding the bag.  They were two of his bondsmen who had provided $10,000 bonds to secure the honest performance of Sherman Pell’s duties as Town Supervisor. 

Pell’s scheme was devilishly simple.  State law at the time required the collectors of taxes in the various Towns of Westchester County to provide Town Supervisors with a sworn statement of unpaid taxes owed by Town taxpayers.  On or before May 1 each year, each Town Supervisor was authorized “to borrow, upon the credit of the town, a sum not exceeding the amount of the unpaid taxes” reported by the collector for use of the Town.[32]   Pell dutifully arranged for such borrowings from a single bank each year with the full knowledge and participation of the Town Clerk.  However, he also went to other banks and presented multiple sets of forged “certificates” for the same authorized amounts of unpaid taxes (i.e., municipal bonds) that he sold to different banks to avoid detection.  In this fashion he collected tens of thousands of dollars about which no one in Pelham knew until it was too late. 

As things turned out, Pell’s house of cards had begun to collapse more than a year before he lost the election in March 1893.  Broadway Savings Institution of the City of New York acquired seven of the forged notes.  In February 1892, the bank commenced an action against the Town of Pelham seeking $6,800 payment on the seven notes.  The summons in the action reportedly was served on then Supervisor Pell, but he “put in no defense and judgment was taken against the town by default and was entered April 2, 1893.”[33] 

These seven notes were not the only ones Pell had forged.  By June 10, the Town of Pelham was aware of seven additional notes held by Broadway Savings Institution of the City of New York totaling an additional $7,600.  Other banks in Westchester County held even more such notes.  As The New York Times reported on June 11, 1893, “the financial affairs of the town are beginning to look worse than most of the townsfolk had expected.”[34] 

Supervisor McAllister was the first to discover the extent of Pell’s scheme.  Shortly after he became Town Supervisor, he learned of the default judgment entered against the Town.  He obtained copies of the notes and viewed the originals in the bank’s possession.  He arranged for the bank to show the original notes to the Town’s counsel and to the Town Clerk who confirmed that the “signatures” were forgeries.[35] 

Lawsuits Fly 

The Town of Pelham applied to New York Supreme Court to set aside the default judgment entered against it on the grounds that the notes were unlawfully issued and that the Town Clerk’s countersigning signatures were forgeries.  The Court set aside the default judgment and reopened the case for further proceedings.[36] 

The bank, in turn, commenced at least one additional lawsuit against the Town of Pelham on the seven additional notes.[37]   Other banks sued to recover on other notes.  In late July or early August 1893, the Town of Pelham filed a civil action against Sherman T. Pell, Samuel Pell and Percy W. Pell to recover on the $10,000 bond.[38] 

Bondsman Samuel Pell, Sherman’s father, saw the handwriting on the wall.  He sold his home to one of his daughters shortly before the Town of Pelham sued him on the bond.  According to one account: 

“On June 30th [1893], a little over a month before the Town of Pelham brought suit against him and Percy for $10,000, Samuel Pell sold [his house on City Island] and the lots on the west side of Main Street to his daughter Lydia Scofield, who had inherited considerable property from her late husband and had developed an extensive and successful real estate business.”[39] 

Initially, a verdict was rendered against the Town of Pelham finding the Town liable to Broadway Savings Institution of the City of New York to pay off seven notes worth $7,600, $85 interest and an additional $250 “allowance.”[40]   An appellate court quickly overturned that decision, directing that a new trial be held.[41] 

Things got even more interesting when New York City annexed portions of Pelham including City Island in 1895.  New York City assumed the “debts” represented by the forged bonds and took over the defense of the actions by the Broadway Savings Institution and several other savings banks seeking payment on the notes.  According to a report published in 1898, the case was tried before Justice Smith of the New York Supreme Court in the spring of 1898 and a verdict was rendered in favor of the City.[42]   This meant the banks would have to bear the losses.

Conclusion 

Sherman T. Pell, as they say, was never heard from again.  A news account published years later in 1906 claimed that Pell was “said to have died in South America a few years later, a penniless tramp.”[43]   Other accounts suggest that he fled to Florida though nothing more was heard of him.[44] Sherman Pell's wife, Alzina Aurelia Rowland Pell, soon moved to Brooklyn, then to Belvedere, California, and died in Los Angeles in 1929.  Census records for the intervening years before her death list her as a "widow."

Captain Samuel Pell, Sherman Pell’s proud father who had been forced to sell his beloved home on City Island, died in 1894 shortly after the scandal broke.[45]   Pelham weathered the defalcations and dishonesty of Sherman T. Pell, apparently without serious financial loss.  But the scheme did have an impact on Pelham.  Among other things, construction of the original firehouse located in Pelhamville (on Fifth Avenue on today’s parking lot next to the present firehouse) was delayed until early 1895 because another appropriation had to be made and levied in taxes due to financial uncertainties created by the scandal.[46]

ENDNOTES

[1] New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, Samuel Pell House, 586 City Island Avenue, Borough of the Bronx, Built c. 1876,  p. 3 (Oct. 29, 2002) < http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2115.pdf > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[2] Id. 

[3] Business Embarrassments, N.Y. Times, Apr. 14, 1883, Vol. XXXII, No. 9861, p. 8, col. 2 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20489199/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019).  See also Business Troubles, The Brooklyn Union [Brooklyn, NY], Apr. 19, 1883, Vol. XX, No. 183, p. 1, col. 8 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/541840896/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[4] Samuel Pell House, supra, n.1, p. 3. 

[5] No Tidings Yet of Mr. Pell, N.Y. Times, May 28, 1893, Vol. XLII, No. 13,029, p. 9, col. 7 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20536988/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[6] City and Suburban News – Westchester County, N.Y. Times, Apr. 2, 1885, p. 8, col. 5 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20355513/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[7] Westchester County, N.Y. Times, Apr. 3, 1886, Vol. XXXV, No. 10,791, p. 8 col. 3 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20503908/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[8] City Island, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 16, 1892, p. 1, col. 7 < https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2018/Mount%20Vernon%20NY%20Daily%20Argus/Mount%20Vernon%20NY%20Daily%20Argus%201892/Mount%20Vernon%20NY%20Daily%20Argus%201892%20-%200853.pdf  > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[9] National Capital Notes, Democrat and Chronicle [Rochester, NY], Apr. 19, 1888, p. 1, cols. 4-5 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/135100307/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019); Lord Pell’s Descendant Gets an Office, The Evening World [NY, NY], Apr. 19, 1888, Evening Edition, p. 1, col. 3 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/50639419/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[10] City Island’s “Reform” Postmaster, New-York Tribune, May 4, 1888, Vol. XLVIII, No. 15,146, p. 10, col. 3 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/85633796/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[11] Id. 

[12] Id. 

[13] Pelham’s Little Row, The Sun [NY, NY], May 23, 1890, Vol. LVII, No. 265, p. 2, col. 5 < https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%209/New%20York%20NY%20Sun/New%20York%20NY%20Sun%201890%20Feb-July%20Grayscale/New%20York%20NY%20Sun%201890%20Feb-July%20Grayscale%20-%201382.pdf > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[14] Pelham Won’t Be Investigated, The Brooklyn Daily Times [Brooklyn, NY], Aug. 20, 1890, p. 1, col. 8 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/555837424/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[15] Id. 

[16] Campaign Lies and Libels, The Standard Union [Brooklyn, NY], Apr. 3, 1891, Vol. XXVIII, No. 7, p. 2, col. 4 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/542270223/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[17] See Barr, Lockwood, A BRIEF,  BUT MOST COMPLETE & TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE SETTLEMENT OF THE ANCIENT TOWN OF PELHAM WESTCHESTER COUNTY, STATE OF NEW YORK KNOWN ONE TIME WELL & FAVOURABLY AS THE LORDSHIPP & MANNOUR OF PELHAM ALSO THE STORY OF THE THREE MODERN VILLAGES CALLED THE PELHAMS, p. 172 (Richmond, VA: The Dietz Press 1946) < https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/21802/dvm_LocHist007642-00057-0 > (visited Nov. 23, 2019) (noting that Sherman T. Pell served as Supervisor from 1886 to 1893).  See also Elections in Westchester County, The Sun [NY, NY], Mar. 28, 1888, Vol. LV, No. 210, p. 2, col. 7 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/79114460/  > (visited Nov. 23, 2019); Westchester Elections, N.Y. Times, Mar. 27, 1889, Vol. XXXVIII, No. 11,724 p. 4, col. 6 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20380735/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019) (indicating Pell had been reelected Town Supervisor as a “Democrat”); Democrats in a Majority – Result of the Town Elections in Westchester County, N.Y. Times, Mar. 30, 1892, Vol. XLI, No. 12,666, p. 1, col. 3 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20521661/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019) (noting that early returns indicated that Sherman T. Pell likely had been reelected Town Supervisor on the Independent and Republican tickets); County Legislators 1892-3, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Apr. 5, 1892, Vol. 1, No. 4, p. 2, col. 1 < https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2018/Mount%20Vernon%20NY%20Daily%20Argus/Mount%20Vernon%20NY%20Daily%20Argus%201892/Mount%20Vernon%20NY%20Daily%20Argus%201892%20-%200014.pdf > (visited Nov. 23, 2019) (providing a “correct list of the Supervisors elected” including “Pelham – Sherman T. Pell, Dem.”). 

[18] See Westchester Elections – Supervisors and Town Officers Chosen – Sharp Contests, N.Y. Times, Mar. 29, 1893, Vol. XLII, No. 12,978, p. 5, col. 2 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20507176/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[19] Westchester County Supervisors, N.Y. Times, Mar. 30, 1893, Vol. XLII, No. 12,979, p. 9, col 3 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20508111/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[20] See Trouble at City Island, The Evening World [NY, NY], Apr. 6, 1893, p. 4, col. 2 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/78944284/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019).  See also Mr. Pell Is Supervisor of Pelham, N.Y. Times, Apr. 7, 1893, Vol. XLII, No. 12,986, p. 5 col. 4 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20513235/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[21] Id. 

[22] Id. 

[23] Pelham Citizens To Be Fined – Judge Dykman Declares Them in Contempt for Not Recounting the Town Vote, N.Y. Times, Apr. 30, 1893, Vol. XLII, No. 13,005, p. 3, col. 4 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20525216/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[24] Id. 

[25] Ex-Supervisor Pell Missing – Considerable Money of the Town of Pelham in His Hands, N.Y. Times, May 27, 1893, Vol. XLII, No. 13,029, p. 10, col. 6 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20536372/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[26] Id. 

[27] Id.  See also No Tidings Yet of Mr. Pell, N.Y. Times, May 28, 1893, Vol. XLII, No. 13,029, p. 9, col. 7 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20536988/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[28] Id. 

[29] Id. 

[30] Ex Supervisor Pell Missing, Buffalo Evening News [Buffalo, NY], May 27, 1893, Vol. XXVI, No. 41, p. 5, col. 3 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/327111418/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019).  Other reports suggested up to $28,000 in Town cash was missing.  See News In Brief, The Standard Union [Brooklyn, NY], May 27, 1893, p. 8, col. 7 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/542157609 > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[31] Compare Pells of Pelham Sued – The Town Wants Them To Pay $10,000 on a Bond They Gave for a Relative, N.Y. Times, Sep. 8, 1893, Vol. XLII, No. 13,118, p. 8, col. 3 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20386157/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019) (stating “In May Pell absconded, and the town believes he took with him $30,000 belonging to the Public Treasury”) with “Honest John Shinn” Short – Ex-Supervisor of Pelham’s Accounts out $17,971, N.Y. Times, Jun. 20, 1906, Vol. LV, No. 17,679, p. 1, col. 2 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20356428/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019)  (stating that Sherman T. Pell “forged the Town Clerk’s name to $100,000 worth of bonds and sold them in Wall Street”).

[32] Broadway Sav. Inst. of City of New York v. Town of Pelham, 83 Hun 96, 63 N.Y. St. Rep. 814, 31 N.Y.S. 402, 402 (App. Div. 2nd Dep’t 1894) (citing the provisions of Chapter 193, Laws 1877, entitled “An act to amend chapter 610 of the Laws of 1874 entitled an act to authorize the sale of lands for the nonpayment of taxes and for the collection of unpaid taxes in the several towns of the county of Westchester”). 

[33] Signatures Were Forged – Affairs of Ex-Supervisor Pell of Pelham Assume a Darker Aspect, N.Y. Times, Jun. 11, 1893, Vol. XLII, No. 13,041, p. 8, col. 4 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20543424/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[34] Id. 

[35] Id. 

[36] Id. 

[37] Id.  See also Suit Against the Town of Pelham, N.Y. Times, Jun. 1, 1893, Vol. XLII, No. 13,033, p. 8, col. 4 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20539034/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[38] See Pells of Pelham Sued – The Town Wants Them To Pay $10,000 on a Bond They Gave for a Relative, N.Y. Times, Sep. 8, 1893, Vol. XLII, No. 13,118, p. 8, col. 3 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20386157/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019); Samuel Pell House, supra, n.1, p. 3. 

[39] Samuel Pell House, supra, n.1, p. 3. 

[40] See Town of Pelham Must Pay, N.Y. Times, Mar. 31, 1894, Vol. XLIII, No. 13,267, p. 9, col. 6 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20449806/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[41] See Broadway Sav. Inst. of City of New York v. Town of Pelham, 83 Hun 96, 63 N.Y. St. Rep. 814, 31 N.Y.S. 402, 402 (App. Div. 2nd Dep’t 1894). 

[42] Old Town of Pelham Bonds – Indebtedness Assumed by the City Declared Fraudulent and Void, N.Y. Times, Jun. 7, 1898, Vol. XLVII, No. 15, 103, p. 12, col. 4 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20612745/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[43] “Honest John Shinn” Short – Ex-Supervisor of Pelham’s Accounts out $17,971, N.Y. Times, Jun. 20, 1906, Vol. LV, No. 17,679, p. 1, col. 2 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20356428/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[44] Samuel Pell House, supra, n.1, p. 3. 

[45] Obituary Notes, N.Y. Times, Mar. 30, 1894, Vol. XLIII, No. 13, 292, p. 5, col. 2 < https://www.newspapers.com/image/20449192/ > (visited Nov. 23, 2019). 

[46] Village of Pelham, Village of Pelham Online:  Village News – Interviewed in 1935 Mr. Edinger Told An Interesting Story (visited Apr. 24, 2005) http://www.villageofpelham.com/home/00-00-35.shtml (an archived copy of the article is available via the Way Back Machine via https://web.archive.org/web/20030304032321/http://www.villageofpelham.com/home/00-00-35.shtml) (visited Nov. 23, 2019).

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Revolutionary War Patriot David Jones Pell Served as Westchester County Coroner After the War

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John Ryer was drunk.  He was really, really drunk.  He also was a ne'er-do-well who came from a respected and affluent cattle family.  He was, however, a black sheep of the family.

Ryer was in Hunt's Inn (also known as Hunt Inn), a tavern and stagecoach stop in the Hunt's Point area of Westchester County (now the Bronx).  It was the evening of May 17, 1792.  Ryer, who already had had frequent run-ins with the law, was making trouble in the tavern; so much trouble that he had attracted the attention of a local Constable who found it nearly impossible to deal with the drunken rascal.  The Constable asked for local Westchester County Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith to help him subdue Ryer.  

Deputy Sheriff Smith burst into the tavern that night and encountered Ryer who held a loaded flintlock pistol in each hand.  Smith courageously told Ryer he was under arrest.  Ryer raised the pistol in his left hand and fired a bullet deep into the chest of the law enforcement officer.  

As Deputy Sheriff Smith lay dying on the tavern floor, Ryer ran outside, took Smith's horse, and fled.  Smith, a Revolutionary War veteran, farmer, and doctor who served as the first Supervisor of the Town of New Castle in Westchester County, died that evening.

Hunt's Inn.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

During the Revolutionary War, Tory James DeLancey

frequented Hunt's Inn with other like-minded Tories

during the British occupation of New York City.

In contrast to American Patriot Isaac Smith, his murderer fought with the British during the Revolution.  After murdering Smith, John Ryer fled to Canada.

The next day, one of the Westchester County Coroners from Pelham, David Jones Pell, held a coroner's inquiry into Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith's death.  David Jones Pell was a son of Philip Pell II and Gloriana Tredwell Pell.  He was an officer during the closing days of the Revolution and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the 3rd New York Militia.  Pell was born in the Manor of Pelham on January 13, 1761.  On March 7, 1790 he married Hester ("Hetty") Sneden.  David J. Pell inherited the farmhouse built by his father that now forms a portion of the home known as Pelhamdale that still stands at 45 Iden Avenue and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  The couple had at least ten children whom they raised in the Pell farmhouse that, at the time, overlooked Old Boston Post Road (today's Colonial Avenue) and a valley that swept down to the Hutchinson River.  

After the Revolutionary War, David Jones Pell served in a number of local capacities including, for a time, as one of the coroners of Westchester County.  The day after the murder, on May 18, 1792, Pell's inquest concluded that Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith was "inhumanly murdered, while in the due execution of his said office."  Despite fleeing the jurisdiction, Ryer was charged with the murder of the peace officer.  

Within a week, New York Governor George Clinton issued a proclamation offering a $500 reward "to any person or persons who shall apprehend and deliver the said John Ryer to the keeper of the common Gaol of the said county, so that he may be brought to justice."  The proclamation specifically noted that David Pell had conducted a coroner's inquest.  The proclamation stated, in part, as follows:

"WHEREAS by an inquisition taken before DAVID I. [sic] PELL, Esquire, one of the Coroners of the county of Westchester, on the eighteenth day of May, instant, it appears that ISAAC SMITH, deputy Sheriff of the said county, was on the seventeenth day of the said month, inhumanly murdered, while in the due execution of his said office; and that a certain JOHN RYER, late of the town of Westchester, in the county of Westchester aforesaid, stands charged with the commission of the said horrid crime".

Apparent bounty hunters from Westchester County took off for the Canadian frontier to track down John Ryer.  John Hutchens and two others found Ryer in New Brunswick and took him into custody.  

Ryer was returned to the "gaol" (i.e., jail) in White Plains.  After a one-day trial held in September, 1793, Ryer was found guilty of the murder of Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith.  

Thereafter Ryer confessed to the crime and published it with an account of his life.  See Ryer, John & Ryer, Margret, Narrative of the Life, and Dying Speech, of John Ryer:  Who Was Executed at White-Plains, in the County of Westchester, State of New-York, on the Second Day of October, 1793, for the Murder of Dr. Isaac Smith, Deputy-Sheriff of that County (Danbury, CT:  Printed by Nathan Douglas for the Publisher, 1793).

As the title of the book indicates, on October 2, 1793, Ryer was marched to a tree behind the old Westchester County Courthouse where a kerchief was tied over his face.  After he prayed next to his waiting coffin and thanked jailers and family for their help in his travails, he was hanged from a limb of the tree until dead.  See Liebson, Richard, Crime Scene:  Deputy Sheriff Was Felled by Flintlock, LoHud.com (Mar. 24, 2015) (visited Oct. 12, 2019).

At about the turn of this century, Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith's name was added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.  See Forgotten No Longer, Law Enforcement News, Jun. 30, 2000, Vol. XXVI, No. 536, p. 4, col. 4.  

Pelham's David Jones Pell, a Westchester County Coroner, played a role in bringing the rascal John Ryer to justice -- another brief chapter in Pell's long life of service in a host of public roles.

*          *          *          *          *

Proclamation by New York Governor George Clinton

Offering Reward After Westchester County Coroner's Inquisition by

Coroner David Jones Pell Concluded a Local Deputy Sheriff Was

Murdered.  Source:  Proclamation by His Excellency George Clinton,

Esquire, Governor of the State of New York, May 24, 1792, From Printed

Ephemera: Three Centuries of Broadsides and Other Printed Ephemera

Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress

American Memory Collection.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"Proclamation

BY His Excellency GEORGE CLINTON, Esquire, Governor of the State of New-York, General and Commander in Chief of all the Militia, and Admiral of the Navy of the same.

WHEREAS by an inquisition taken before DAVID I. [sic] PELL, Esquire, one of the Coroners of the county of Westchester, on the eighteenth day of May, instant, it appears that ISAAC SMITH, deputy Sheriff of the said county, was on the seventeenth day of the said month, inhumanly murdered, while in the due execution of his said office; and that a certain JOHN RYER, late of the town of Westchester, in the county of Westchester aforesaid, stands charged with the commission of the said horrid crime; and whereas it is represented to me, that the said JOHN RYER hath fled from justice:

NOW THEREFORE, I have issued this my proclamation, hereby offering a reward of FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS, to any person or persons who shall apprehend and deliver the said John Ryer to the keeper of the common Gaol of the said county, so that he may be brought to justice. And I do by these presents strictly enjoin and require all officers, civil and military, and all other the good citizens of this State, to be aiding and assisting in the premises to the utmost of their power.

And I do further hereby enjoin and require the Magistrates of the said county, to cause to be apprehended (if that is not already done) every person who may have been in any wise accessory to the said offence, who may have aided the said John Ryer in his escape, or who may have with-held that assistance which was required of them by the said deputy-sheriff in the execution of his said office, and which, by law and their duty as good citizens, they ought to have rendered, in order that they may be held to answer for the same.

GIVEN under my hand and the privy Seal at the City of New-York, this twenty-fourth day of May, in the year 1792, and in the sixteenth year of the Independence of the said State.

GEO. CLINTON."

Source:  Proclamation by His Excellency George Clinton, Esquire, Governor of the State of New York, May 24, 1792, From Printed Ephemera: Three Centuries of Broadsides and Other Printed Ephemera Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress American Memory Collection.

*          *          *          *          *

I have written about David J. Pell on numerous occasions.  For a few of many other examples, see, e.g.:

Thu., Oct. 26, 2006:  Genealogical Data Regarding David Jones Pell of the Manor of Pelham, Revolutionary War Officer.

Thu., Jan. 03, 2008:  Charges in 1808 Against Lieutenant-Colonel David J. Pell of Pelham that He "Indulges in Inebriety and Habitual Drunkeness".

Tue., Jun. 24, 2014:  Story of Pelhamdale, the Old Stone House by the Bridge, Once Owned by David J. Pell.

Wed., Mar. 08, 2017:  Stephen S. Pell of the Town of Pelham, a Son of Colonel David Jones Pell of Pelhamdale.

Thu., Mar. 09, 2017:  Record of Intestate Death of David Jones Pell of Pelham in 1823.

Wed., Mar. 22, 2017:  Ogden Philip Pell, a Grandson of David Jones Pell of Pelham Manor.

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Green Goods Bunco Artists Terrorized Pelham in 1899

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In the late 19th century, the White Hotel stood in the tiny Village of Pelham (today's Pelham Heights) near the southwest corner of the intersection of today's Wolfs Lane and Third Street.  The hotel structure still stands, although it has been split into two adjacent buildings located at 303 Wolfs Lane (Stiefvater Real Estate building) and 307 Wolfs Lane.

The White Hotel was notorious and hated by many Pelhamites.  Its manager was a shady character who maintained gambling apparatus in the hotel.  The hotel was frequented by thugs and criminals who, occasionally, preyed on the region while using the tiny hotel as a base of operations.  Such was the case in 1899 when a group of so-called "green goods" bunco artists and robbers operated out of the White Hotel and terrorized the region.  To make matters worse, at least in the eyes of some Pelhamites, there was a baseball field behind the hotel where raucous and rowdy spectators watched games including Sunday afternoon ball games!

The "green goods scam" was widespread in the late 19th century. Con men would claim to have high quality counterfeit U.S. currency that they were willing to sell for pennies on the dollar based on the face value. A victim would be shown a bag containing large sums of genuine currency and would be told that the money was counterfeit. Once distracted, the con men would switch the bag containing the currency with an identical bag containing green paper, sawdust or the like and would "sell" the worthless bag to the victim for a substantial sum. Victims reportedly would rarely go to authorities because purchasing counterfeit currency was a crime.

During the summer of 1899, a gang of bunco artists operated out of the White Hotel.  They used the green goods scam and other scams to separate victims from their money.  Things got so bad that an undercover agent for the Secret Service attempted to pose as a victim upon which the gang could prey.  When he met with the gang to "purchase" the supposed counterfeit money, he attempted to take them into custody but was set upon by gang members he did not know were present and was nearly beaten to death.  I have written about this encounter before.  See, e.g.:

Fri., May 01, 2015:  After Secret Service Detective Was Nearly Beaten to Death There, the White Hotel of Pelhamville Was Closed, Moved, and Split Into Two Buildings That Still Stand in Pelham.

Wed., Aug. 26, 2009:  Fed Up with the Notorious White Hotel, Pelham Authorities Took Action in 1899.

Tue., Aug. 25, 2009:  Crimes Committed at the Notorious White Hotel in Pelham in 1899.

Thu., Mar. 12, 2009:  The Reason the White Hotel was Shut Down and Split from One Building Into Two Cottages. 

Wed., Mar. 18, 2009:  A Little More Information About the Closure of the White Hotel.

Today's Historic Pelham article collects accounts of a number of such bunco scams operated out of the White Hotel during the summer of 1899.  Following such alarming events, authorities shut down the hotel which subsequently was split into two adjacent structures that were used as residences for many years.

Farmer White from Jackson, Michigan

During the summer of 1899, an "old farmer" named Edward White from Jackson, Michigan somehow began correspondence with men in New York who claimed to have a large sum of counterfeit U.S. currency that they needed to dispose of quickly.  The men offered to sell the counterfeit currency to the old farmer at a massive discount.  Farmer White agreed to meet the men in Yonkers, New York.

On Wednesday, August 23, 1899, White arrived in Yonkers from Michigan.  He carried $250 and a train ticket to Buffalo which he hoped to visit after buying some counterfeit cash.  Two men met Farmer White at the train station in Yonkers.  They escorted him onto a local trolley car.

The three men traveled by trolley through lower Westchester to a stop in Pelham near the White Hotel where they disembarked.  The two bunco men escorted White to the third floor of the hotel where he sat at a table in a room filled with gambling equipment.  As he waited to complete the transaction, each of the two bunco men whipped out revolvers and held them to his head.  One said:  "Give us your money or we will blow your brains out."  

The old farmer offered no resistance.  He sank into his chair as the men went through his pockets.  They took his $250, all the money he had with him.  One of the thieves then said:  "You can go now, and don't you try any fresh games on us.  If you make any trouble you will never get back to your home in Michigan alive."

White left, but was followed by the confidence men.  They stood at the door with their revolvers leveled at his head until he disappeared.  White made his way back to Yonkers where he reported the crime to the police.  The Yonkers police, however, told him they had no jurisdiction.  He then reported the crime to the Mount Vernon Police who began an investigation, but determined that the crime took place in Pelham.  

Farmer Edward White returned to Jackson, Michigan $250 poorer.  Authorities believed that the old farmer was not really named "Edward White" though. . . . 

Man Purporting to Act for Secret Service and Hot on the Trail of the Con Men is Badly Beaten

A man named John Whittaker, a midwest farmer, may have been the first man scammed by the green goods bunco artists in Pelham.  Some time during or before the summer of 1899 he reportedly agreed to pay the bunco artists $2,000 for $10,000 worth of counterfeit currency.  When he arrived home with his bundle, he discovered it was a bundle of blank white paper cut the size of five dollar bills with real bills on the outside.  Unlike most, he reported the scam to the Secret Service in Chicago.  The Secret Service showed him little sympathy. . . . 

Whittaker vowed to the agents that he would track the con men down.  The agents reportedly deputized him for the purpose, but cautioned him to seek their assistance if he actually found the bunco artists.  

Whittaker began corresponding with farmers throughout the country trying to find any who had received correspondence offering to sell them counterfeit currency.  Finally, one such farmer contacted him.  Whittaker instructed the farmer to reply that the farmer's "brother-in-law" would buy the counterfeit currency.  Whittaker then posed as the brother-in-law and traveled to the White Hotel in Pelham, New York where he arrived on Saturday, August 26, 1899.  

Local historian J. Gardner Minard documented the entire affair.  His entertaining account appears in full immediately below, followed by a citation and link to its source.

"Old White Hotel a Colorful Spot In The Early Days Of The Pelhams 
----- 
Confidence Game Exposed After Farmer Had Been Fleeced Of $2,000. Hostelry Which Formerly Stood at Wolf's Lane and Third Street of Questionable Character ----- By J. GARDINER MINARD 
----- 

Whenever old residents of Pelham get together for an extensive talk, there is sure to be some mention of the White Hotel; but it is doubtful if one-half of one per cent of the present residents of the town are familiar with the history of the rather infamous building. It was a three-story, frame square building painted white, situated on the southwest corner of Wolf's Lane and third street,, and was the headquarters of a rather unsavory group of men and women. Rooms could be engaged at any time of the day or night; there was no registering; no baggage requirements and no questions asked. The few residents of the little village of Pelham tried desperately to wipe out the blot but the proprietor seemed to be above the law. In the summer of 1900, however, he overstepped the bounds and was forced to close. Here is the story. 

There lived in the middle west a young properous farmer who one day received a letter from a man in Chicago requesting an appointment to discuss an attractive proposition. The appointment was made and the farmer, Whittaker by name, was warmly greeted by a very genial gentleman who took a roll of $5 bills from his pocket and handing him one, asked his opinion of it. Whittaker examined it and pronounced it genuine. The stranger laughed and said it was a counterfeit and, taking him to a secluded spot, told him how a trusted employee of the Government bureau of engraving and printing decided as an experiment to smuggle out the plates for a five dollar bill. He succeeded, and then secreted a bundle of the paper on which the bills wee printed and carried this out under his coat. He intended to bring them back, but the loss was discovered and he became frightened and gave them to him to be destroyed. Instead of doing this, he went to a friend who conducted a printing office and the latter agreed to run the risk for half the money turned out. This amounted to $100,000 and the printer took one-half and he had spent all the remainder except $10,000. He feared capture and would sell the whole business for $2,000. He then took from his pocket what purported to be a clipping from a newspaper telling of the theft and the great alarm felt by the government, as the counterfeits could not be uncovered until redeemed by the government and the duplicate numbers found. 

He told Whittaker to take it to his bank and change it as a test and if the bargain was agreeable, to get the $2,000 and meet him at a given spot. Whittaker did as told and the next day with his money in his pocket kept the appointment. The stranger hailed a carriage and they drove some distance, after which they got out and the stranger paid the driver with one of the $5 bills and received his change. He called Whittaker's attention to this and the latter was satisfied the bills could be easily passed. He insisted upon blindfolding Whittaker before leading him to his home, for 'protection.' Another long walk and they entered a house and once inside the room, the bandage was removed and Whittaker told to sit at a table opposite the stranger. The latter then opened a drawer and took from it a package which he opened and handed to Whittaker, telling him to count it. It contained 2,000 $5 bills. Whittaker produced his $2,000 and the stranger insisted upon wrapping up the bundle again, meanwhile ringing a bell for a waiter and ordering drinks. The package tied up, he handed it to Whittaker, who pocketed it and, after again being blindfolded and led some distance, he was cautioned to tell no one, not even his wife, about the transaction. 

Upon arriving home, he went to the barn and opened the package and discovered he had a bundle of plain sheets of paper with a good bill on each end. He notified the secret service and two operatives were sent to Chicago. They listened to his story and gave him scant sympathy, telling him that the department has been spending generations warning farmers against just this same trick. No plates or paper had been stolen from the government printing plant and none could as frequent checkings made it impossible and the newspaper clipping was a fake. He vowed to dedicate his life and money to running the crooks down and asked to be appointed a secret service man for that purpose. Chief Wilkie appointed him but warned him in the event of getting on their trail to notify the nearest branch and two experienced men would be sent to assist hiim. Whittaker traveled all over the states visiting farmers, telling the story and requesting them to send a telegram collect to his home where his wife would relay it to him, should they receive a similar offer. In July, 1900, he received word from a farmer in the central part of New York that he had received such a letter. Whittaker hurried there and instructed the farmer to reply saying he had no money to invest, but his brother-in-law had $2,000 to invest and would meet him. The appointment was made for the Mount Vernon station. 

Here is where Whittaker made a mistake. He disregarded the instructions to notify headquarters and obtain aid, instead deciding to go it alone. A dapper little man met him at the station and, after cordial greetings, hailed a strange hack and drove off. There was the same long drive and getting off and walking blindfolded to the house and finding himself in a room with a table and two chairs in a corner. The stranger remarked that Whittaker was carrying a gun and as evidence of his own sincerity, asked Whittaker to search him and see he was unarmed. He then waved him to a seat in the corner with the wall behind him and the stranger sat opposite as usual. He then opened the drawer and produced the bundle of good bills. At the sight of the money, Whittaker made a grab for it and at the same time reached for his gun, but just then a blackjack crashed down on his head. When he awoke he was in a large field. He called for help and a driver on a delivery wagon heard and came to his rescue, taking him on the wagon. Whittaker hurried to the New York office with his story and was again berated for trying to work alone. Two agents came with him to Mount Vernon and, getting into a hack, instructed Whittaker to take the front seat and follow the road over which he had traveled. He stopped at east Sixth street, near the Pelham boundary line and said he was where the driver was dismissed. The agent informed him that the driver was a confederate. He knew he must have crossed a small stream and passed through a cornfield close to the building into which they went. Crossing the water would bring them into Pelham and the next step was easy. There was but one cornfield in sight and that was in the rear of the White Hotel. The agents followed Wolf's Lane to midway between Sixth and Third streets and came to the old brook that flowed through. They followed this and found where the crossing had been made. The tell-tale tracks showed through the cornfield as well as the wide swath when the employees of the hotel carried the unconscious man away. Going to the hotel they were met by the proprietor, who denied anything had happened there or having seen Whittaker. The agents were insistent upon searching the building and, after awhile Whittaker identified the room. He was asked to point out the spot where he sat and the agent examined the wall and after tapping it, smiled and instructed Whittaker to take the same seat while he went out of the room. Whittaker did as told and in a few moments the second agent told him to look behind him. There framed in the moulding of the missing panel was the other agent holding a blackjack over his head. It was the old sliding panel game. The agents then gave the proprietor the choice of closing up or going to jail and he chose the former. This ended the infamous hostelry." 

Source:  Minard, J. Gardner, Old White Hotel a Colorful Spot In The Early Days Of The Pelhhams, The Pelham Sun, March 15, 1929, p. 16, cols. 3-5.

Edward Lewis, Prominent Texas Merchant, Scammed Out of $1,000

Edward Lewis was a wealthy and prominent merchant in Austin, Texas.  On Friday, August 31, 1899 he was on his way to New York City on a business trip.  He was traveling by train.  As the train neared Newark, New Jersey, he entered the smoking car to enjoy a cigar.  As he lit his cigar there was a light tap on his shoulder.  When he turned, he faced an expensively-dressed gentleman wearing a white waistcoat, a silk hat, and a diamond stud that glittered in his shirt bosom.  The gregarious gentleman said "Why hello, Lewis, old man.  How are you?"

Edward Lewis had no idea who the man was.  He remarked that the stranger had the advantage of him.  The gentleman responded that he had met Lewis during "the carnival" (likely Mardi Gras) in New Orleans.  The stranger recounted a number of incidents at the event that Edward Lewis remembered perfectly well.  According to one account, "the Texan began to consider himself lucky in meeting such an affable gentleman."  The con was on.

The gregarious stranger insisted that once the train arrived in New York City he would treat the Texan to a nice lunch at the stranger's hotel.  The stranger took Lewis to the Astor Hotel and paid for a lovely lunch.  During lunch, the pair was approached by another man whom the gregarious stranger introduced as a friend of his from New Orleans.  The man joined them.

Following an enjoyable luncheon, the two strangers prevailed on the Texas merchant to join them for a day's rest at their country outpost, a hotel in the suburbs.  Weary after the trip and open to the free hospitality of his obviously-wealthy new acquaintances, Lewis agreed.

The two men took Lewis on a confusing, "roundabout" route.  The three men arrived at about dark "at a quiet spot near Pelham, where a small hotel loomed up out of the shrubbery."  The two strangers arranged a room for the Texan and treated him to a hearty dinner and a smoke on the plaza.  The three then retired to a private room for a game of cards during which the two strangers let the Texan win a sizable sum of money.  Throughout the game the strangers plied the Texan with plenty of liquor.  Finally, about midnight, everyone retired to their rooms for sleep.

The next morning, with the Texan still sound asleep, the door to his room burst open and the stranger he had met the day before on the train rushed into the room screaming "Lewis, ther've been burglars in the house.  They went through my clothes last night and got my watch and pistol and $300."

Lewis leaped out of bed to check for his belongings.  As he did so, the stranger hurried downstairs.  Lewis went through his waistcoat and found that his watch was safe.  However, his money (about $1,000) was gone.  He hurriedly climbed into his clothes and ran downstairs only to discover that he was alone -- the two strangers were nowhere to be found.  When Lewis approached "the man he supposed" was the proprietor of the hotel and another man there he "got no satisfaction."  

Lewis found a woman in the hotel and asked her where he could find the police.  As soon as he asked the question of the woman, men in the hotel "set upon" him claiming he had insulted the woman and began clubbing him.  They chased him out into the streets of Pelham where he ran for his life.

The plundered Texan finally made his way back to New York City where he informed business colleagues of his plight.  He reported the incident to New York City police who dispatched two detectives to assist him.  The Texan and the two detectives returned to the White Hotel in Pelham that evening (Saturday, September 2, 1899), but the three men learned little and the robbers remained at large.

303 Wolfs Lane (Stiefvater Real Estate) on Top

and 307 Wolfs Lane on Bottom. Photographs by the Author.

Detail from 1899 Map by John F. Fairchild Showing Location

of White Hotel. Source: Fairchild, John F., Atlas of Mount Vernon

and Pelham, Plate 21 (John F. Fairchild, 1899) (Lionel Pincus

and Princess Firyal Map Division, The New York Public Library).

*          *          *          *          *

"ROBBED AND CHASED AWAY.
-----
A FARMER FROM JACKSON, MICH., RUNS AGAINST A WESTCHESTER COUNTY GREEN-GOODS GANG.

Another victim of the gang of bunco steerers which has been operating in Pelham was found yesterday.  The man, who is an old farmer, and had travelled [sic] all the way from Jackson, Mich., was not permitted even to see the greengoods, but was robbed and then chased away.  The man says his name is Edward White, but this is believed to be fictitious.  He began a correspondence with the confidence men several weeks ago, and arranged to meet them in Yonkers.

According to the arrangement, White arrived there on Wednesday, and was met at the railroad station by two men, who escorted him to a trolley car and took him to a place which Chief of Police Foley of Mount Vernon says answers the description of the White Hotel in Pelham.  The farmer was taken to the third floor of the hotel.  There he sat down at a table, and while waiting for his companions to produce the greengoods he began to inspect the room, which was filled with gambling apparatus, all of which was strange to him.

When White turned around again to close the transaction he looked into the muzzles of two revolvers, which were being pointed at his head by the bunco men.

'Give us your money,' demanded one of them, 'or we will blow your brains out.'  The old farmer was horrified, and, sinking back into his chair, made no resistance, while the men went through his pockets and took out $250, all the money he had in his possession.

After depositing the roll in his pocket, one of the greengoods men said:  'You can go now, and don't you try any fresh games on us.  If you make any trouble you will never get back to your home in Michigan alive.'

White left the place, and was followed by the confidence men, who stood at the door with their revolvers levelled at his head until he had disappeared.  He took a car to Yonkers, where he reported the affair to the police.  He was informed that the Yonkers police had no jurisdiction in the case, and thereupon informed Chief Foley of Mount Vernon.  He said that a ticket from New-York to Buffalo was all that he had left.  This is the third affair of the kind reported from Pelham within a week.  The Town Board of Pelham held a meeting on Friday night, and it is likely that its members will take some action toward finding the guilty parties and causing their punishment."

Source:  ROBBED AND CHASED AWAY -- A FARMER FROM JACKSON, MICH., RUNS AGAINST A WESTCHESTER COUNTY GREENGOODS GANG, New-York Tribune, Vol. LIX, No. 19278, Aug. 27, 1899, p. 2, col. 4 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link). 

"A TEXAN ROBBED.
-----
Confidence Men Sprang a New Game on Mr. Lewis.

A special from Mount Vernon, N.Y., in the St. Louis Republic says:  Edward Lewis, a prominent merchant of Austin, Texas, reported to Chief of Policy Foley of the city that he had been robbed yesterday by bunco men of $1000 in the White Hotel in Pelham.  This is the place where Whitaker, an agent of the secret service, was nearly killed last Saturday while trailing a gang of green goods men.

Mr. Lewis left home recently for New York and had an uneventful trip until the train reached Newark, N. J.  There as he was about to light a fresh cigar some one placed a hand familiarly on his shoulder and said:  'Why hello, Lewis, old man how are you?'

Mr. Lewis turned and saw a fine looking man about 40 years old standing over him.  The man wore a silk hat and a white waistcoat.  A diamond stud glittered in his shirt bosom.  Lewis remarked that the stranger had the advantage of him, whereupon the well-dressed person recalled that he had met the merchant at the carnival in New Orleans.  He mentioned incidents of that event which Mr. Lewis remembered perfectly and the Texan began to consider himself lucky in meeting such an affable gentleman.

Meanwhile, as they were [illegible], the train had reached Jersey City.  The agreeable stranger insisted on taking his friend to his hotel to luncheon.  So he called [illegible] on the New York side and drove to a fashionable hotel, where the stranger did the honors, incidentally introducing a friend.  During the progress of the meal the two New Yorkers proposed, as their Texas friend must be weary after his long journey, that they go up to their 'club house' in the suburbs and recuperate for a day or two.  Mr. Lewis acquiesced, and after a roundabout journey the party arrived about dark at a quiet spot near Pelham, where a small hotel loomed up out of the shrubbery.  The strangers told the Texan this was the 'club house.'  After a hearty dinner and a smoke on the plaza, they went to a private room and sat down to a game of cards.

They had several drinks, and at midnight Mr. Lewis, with his roll somewhat larger as a result of the card game, went to his room in a good humored and contented frame of mind.  The next morning before Lewis had awakened the friend he had met on the train rushed into his room and called out 'Lewis, ther've been burglars in the house.  They went through my clothes last night and got my watch and pistol and $300.'

Lewis jumped up, reached for his waistcoat and found that his watch was safe.  Before he had time to look for his money his friend had hurried down the stairs.

The merchant then discovered that every dollar he had brought with him -- about $1000 -- was gone.  For the first time [it] dawned on him that he had been victimized and robbed by bunco steerers.

Mr. Lewis soon got his clothes on and rushed down stairs and found that both his transient friends had disappeared.  He appealed to the man he supposed was proprietor and another man there, and got no satisfaction.  He asked a woman who stood by where he could find the police.  As soon as he had spoken, he says, he was set upon and clubbed, the men saying that he had insulted the woman.  They chased him out into the street, Mr. Lewis running for his life.

The plundered merchant finally got back to New York and told business friends of his experience.  He came back this evening accompanied by detectives, but as yet the robbers have not been caught."

Source:  A TEXAN ROBBED -- Confidence Men Sprang a New Game on Mr. Lewis, The Laredo Times [Laredo, TX], Vol. XIX, No. 70, Sep. 2, 1899, p. 1, cols. 3-4 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"Texas Merchant Robbed.

Since the disclosure made on Wednesday of the operations of a band of greengoods men at the White Hotel in Pelham another affair has come to light in that village.  The victim, although not assaulted and beaten, as was Detective John Whittaker, who made a futile attempt to arrest the swindlers, was buncoed out of nearly $800.

Edward Lewis, a prominent merchant of Austin, Texas, left his home several days ago for New York city.  At Newark, N. J., when Mr. Lewis was sitting in the smoking car and was about to light a fresh cigar, some one tapped him on the shoulder in a familiar manner and struck up an acquaintance, on the ground of having met Lewis in New Orleans, recalling incidents of the carnival which Lewis remembered.

Lewis accepted the stranger's invitation to dine at the Astor House, and on reaching the hotel was introduced to another well-dressed man, who, the stranger said, was from New Orleans.

Then the first stranger suggested that they take a ride up to his country home in the suburbs.  They went, and after some drinks and a game of cards retired.  About 8 o'clock next morning one of the men knocked at Lewis' door and told him burglars had been in the house.  The stranger went for the police and did not return.  Lewis' money was gone.  He believes the drinks were drugged."

Source:  Texas Merchant Robbed, The Baltimore Sun, Vol. XXXV, No. 88, Aug. 26, 1899, p. 7, col. 6 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link). 

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