Clarksville Chronicle

[From the New York Herald.]
A Well Plotted Swindle.

Fifteen Young Ladies Brought to the City under the pretence of taking them South as Music Teachers and then robbed of their Money and Baggage—Their Appearance at the Hotel.

One of the most remarkable cases of swindling which has been perpetrated for a long time came to light last evening, in which it appears that, as alleged, fifteen young ladies of Philadelphia were duped by a person named Johnson, who, under the pretense of hiring them as teachers of music in Southern families, managed to get them to this city, and then decamped with about one hundred and fifty dollars of their money and nearly all their baggage, amounting in value to between four and five thousand dollars.

The circumstances of the case go to show that the party who carried out this swindle had laid his plans admirably, and so successful was he that several leading merchants of Philadelphia were also victimized by him. It seems that about two weeks ago an advertisement appeared in the Philadelphia Ledger stating that 15 young ladies were wanted to go South and teach music in private families. The party advertising had also called upon the firm of Smith, Woodman & Co., publishers, No. 609 Chestnut street, who frequently furnish music teachers, and stating his object to them, they at once agreed to procure the required number, and those answering the advertisement were requested to call upon the above firm. The result of the advertisement as might be expected, brought very many applications, and the addresses of the young ladies being furnished Johnson, he at once sought an interview with them. Various stories were related to them respecting the positions that were required to be filled, and after several days some fifteen young ladies were accepted by Johnson. From the fact that Johnson had succeeded in misleading the above firm, many of the friends and parents were led to suppose that all was as represented, and they were immediately fitted out for the journey. Some six were to be promised situations in the family of a Mr. Brooks, in Alabama, while others were to be located on various plantations. Moreover, they were each to pay half their traveling expenses, and Tuesday, the 30th ult. was allotted as the time of departure. Accordingly, on Tuesday evening the young ladies were at the railroad depot, and under the care of Mr. Johnson they left for New York, intending to take the steamer for Alabama yesterday. Soon after they left Philadelphia, the conductor of the train called for their fare: when Johnson refused to pay, and told them that he did not pay part of their expenses until they left New York.—They were accordingly compelled to pay their own fare to New York.

On their arrival in this city yesterday morning, eight of them were conducted to the Howard Hotel, Broadway, and the others to some other hotel; their whereabouts not as yet having been ascertained. Their baggage was all sent to the Stevens Hotel, Johnson stating he had engaged rooms for them at that house, but they being somewhat crowded they could not be accommodated until evening. Soon after breakfast he called upon them at their rooms, and stated that he would require their portion of their money, as he was going to procure their tickets in the steamer.—Accordingly each of the young ladies handed him over fifteen dollars, and saying he would return soon, he left. He proceeded to the office of the hotel and there succeeded in getting the loan of five dollars and departed, saying that he would be back in a short time. About 2 o'clock the proprietors of the hotel received a letter signed by Johnson, stating that he would not be back until 4 o'clock, owing to his not being able to arrange his banking papers. One of the young ladies finally became suspicious that all was not right and proceeded to the Stevens Hotel to make inquiries about her baggage, when to her surprise she found all the baggage, with the exception of a few trunks, had been removed, and that Johnson had called for them.

The fact was accordingly made known to the proprietor of the Howard House, and upon further investigation no traces of the whereabouts of Johnson could be learned, or where he had carried the trunks. Deputy Superintendent Carpenter being made aware of the fact immediately detailed detective Slowey to work up the case, but up to a late hour last evening he had obtained no clue to him. It is thought that he had fled the city. He is described as being a man about five feet six inches in height, sandy hair, and was dressed in a brown sack coat and check pants. The trunks belonging to one of the young ladies is said to have contained $1,000 worth of valuables. Last evening they were all congregated together at the hotel in the greatest state of excitement. The proprietor, however, informed them that they could remain at ease, as his house was open to them until they could return home. Several of their friends from Philadelphia, who were here in the city, called on them, having heard of their unfortunate position and offered them any assistance required. Johnson represented that he owned a large plantation in Alabama and over one hundred slaves.

Latest.—Since the above was in type, we learn the scoundrel has been caught by Chief of Police Goddard, and Lieutenant of Police McHenry. He was recognized as Henry P. Leslie, heretofore temporarily employed as a laborer in the Patent Office. Some of the citizens of Washington had been swindled by him. His valise contained a large number of letters from various parts of the country, the contents of some of which show that he has traveled South and was extensively engaged in dishonest schemes. He has a wife living in Washington. Two large traveling trunks claimed by him are at the Express Office, and are supposed to contain many valuables belonging to his victims. He has been committed to await the requisition of the Governor of New York.