Spirit Of Jefferson

A couple of years ago a young gentleman calling himself Mr. Steck, and sometimes it was Mr. Brown, came to Shepherdstown and gave it out that he was a Government detective. On this assertion he took up quarters at the Entler Hotel and acting as clerk pretended to scrutinize all the money that came in, looking for counterfeit. Shortly after he became engaged in the business of taking orders for enlarging pictures, and while thus engaged made Shepherdstown his headquarters, traveling around the country.

On one occasion he made a descent on the quiet village of Boonsboro, Md., and with a couple of friends succeeded in taking in the inhabitants by selling them a wonderful soap, making about 1,000 per cent profit. Not much has been heard of him for several months, until last Monday two men from Emmittsburg, Md., G. T. Beam and J. W. Krigle, came to Shepherdstown inquiring for Mr. Steck. They stated that he had hired a horse and buggy from them and forgot to return it. They made an investigation of the matter here, and found their horse and buggy in the possession of Mr. Thomas Jones, near Shepherdstown.

Steck had traded the team with Jones, receiving another horse and $25 to boot. The gentlemen from Emmittsburg took their team, leaving Mr. Jones lamenting. He was out one horse and $25 and Mr. Steck had left for parts unknown. Mr. Jones' horse was afterwards found along the canal, near Mr. Blackford's, having evidently been deserted by Mr. Steck. Mr. Steck had not deserted the $25 however. At this writing Mr. Jones' pocketbook is still in mourning, and the whereabouts of Mr. Steck are unknown.

[Shepherdstown Register.