“STRUCK OIL ”

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4207, 16 November 1900, Page 7

“STRUCK OIL ”

HOW AN AUSTRALIAN FARMER KEPT AN APPOINTMENT.

From Western Australia some weeks ago came a bronzed and bearded farmer named John Robert Harrison, it was a holiday trip. On Wednesday last (says London “Chronicle” of September 10) he visited the Crystal Palace, and while looking at the practice of the lire brigade in the evening a stranger named Jones entered into conversation with him, and they partook of refreshments together. They were soon joined by another man, named Watson, who invited them to drink with liim, and, speaking with a rich brogue, said he came from Ireland, and that an uncle who went to America half a century ago had discovered oil springs which brought him £85,000.

This same uncle, ho added, had in his u ,jil—which was found buried in an iron box in a, garden—stipulated that £IOOO should he disbursed in charity. Watson then produced a bulky pocket-book, which he said contained the £IOOO in notes. This, he said, was a burden to him, and he wanted someone to assist him’ in tho distribution. But ho mustbe a man of means and relability. Jones then said ne could satisfy Watson on. this point by a visit to the bank in tho morning. Watson was also orepared to givo Jones £3O out of his own private purse if lie assisted him to the extent of distributing £3OO, observing that it was 10 per cent. The fanner was then invited to assist to tho extent of distributing £IOO. Flo was asked what he possessed, and replied that ho had £75, but he, too, would have to make a visit to the bank. Although he actually had the money upon him he did net say so. After more conversation, they agreed to meet on the morrow at the Boil and Horns Hotel, Brompton road. Before he left Watson the latter exhorted tho farmer to keep Ins own counsel about tho matter, and not to let it bo known that lie had a largo sum to givo away to the poor. Thinking the oilei; too liberal to be genuine, the tnrinoi went to Scotland Yard and informed tbo police. Next morning the appointment waskept, and at tbo rendezvous both the fanner’s companions were arrested. This all came out at the Westminster Court,

when John Jones, sixty-four, courier, and Jehu Watson, sixty-two, who called himself a “eontidenco-triek man.” were charged as suspected persons attempting