South Branch Intelligencer

A SWINDLER CAUGHT.

On the 1st ult. a man having the appearance of a gentleman, calling himself Lyman, presented at the counter of the Clinton Bank of Columbus, a draft purporting to be drawn by the Decatur Branch of the Bank of Alabama, on the Union Bank of New York, payable to and endorsed with the name of David Leight. It was cashed by the Bank, paying 1000 dollars of their own notes, and a draft on the Phenix Bank of New-York for 2000 dollars. The draft was forwarded to New York for collection, and returned as a forgery. Officers immediately on ascertaining this fact, started in pursuit, to Cincinnati, and there ascertained that the draft for 2,000 dollars had been cashed by a broker of that city, under the same name James Wilson; whose description answered that of Lyman. Without any further trace, the pursuers proceeded to Louisville, where, on enquiry, they found that a broker had changed three 50 dollar bills on the Clinton Bank of Columbus, for a respectable gentleman of that city, of the name of Ludlow. They then went to Ludlow's house, to ascertain where he got those bills, and on presenting himself they recognized in Mr. Ludlow, Mr. Lyman, and a clerk of the Cincinnati broker recognized him as the identical Mr. Wilson. They arrested him on the spot, examined his trunks, and found 1600 dollars in money, engraved plates, dyes, stamps, seals, certificates of stock, fac similies, etc. books, 2 gold watches, chains, diamonds, broaches and other trinkets, which was secured and will nearly remunerate the bank. He said he was the son of a wealthy planter of South Carolina: had leased a house for 3 years at 600 per year; had it splendidly furnished, and was to have been married in a few days. It is believed, however, that he is from New York. Ludlow was taken to Columbus, examined and committed for trial. He is about 25 years old, small and genteel stature, dark hair, and mild and handsome features.