Valley Spirit

Home of the of the numerous oil companies, which sprang up like mushrooms during the past year or two, are getting into trouble. Some time ago, several gentlemen engaged in that branch of speculation, were before the courts in New York on charge of quite a number of dupes to the tune of thousands, and recently some of the victims in Philadelphia have waked up to the fact that they have been taken in and done for. Many of the companies were the baldest kind of swindle-um-well company would, in a short time, raise him to the position of a millionaire. The fondly cherished hopes of speedy wealth are no passing away as the morning mist, and those who tempted fortune by investing their hard earned cash in oil shares, are realizing the fact that they have been overreached, and that they will see their money again-no more forever.

Since the thing has been brought into the courts it may be expected that a number of these swindles will be thoroughly ventilated, and such a rattling of dry bones, as there will be among the oil stock operators, will astonish the natives.

As a specimen of the way things have been done, we give the following developments made at a hearing before Alderman Beitler in Philadelphia, a few days ago, which we clip from the Bulletin. A perusal of which will be quite refreshing to those of our citizens who have invested in "ile," particularly that part of it in relatition where the dividends came from:

George H. Ashton, President; Fred. E. Swope, Treasurer; and T.R. Serrill, E. B. Harper, S. C. Hansey and John V. Barton, Directors of the Atlas Oil Company, charged with making a false statement in the prospectus, had a further hearing yesterday before Alderman Beitler.

P. W. Wiltbankds, the Secretary of the company was examined among other witnesses, and made some interesting and rich developments. He says: "The Atlas Oil Company, I believe, owns one-sixth of the interest in the Jersey well; it is nearly all paid for; he price was $190,000; I think $120,000 has been paid; there was an agreement in writing; the original is in the hands of the company's attorney (a copy was produced); by that agreement $100,000 was to have been paid on the 7th of October, 1864; $100,000 within twenty days thereafter, and $100,000 in forty days; I think that the first and second instalment were paid; I am not sure about the second; the company never received any oil from the Jersey well; there were $100,000 shares of stock issued; the corporators paid $1.50 per share; the corporators took all the stock; the company then sold it to subscribers at $2.50 per share; when parties came to the office I told them it was in the company's stock, and not the corporators; about 20,000 shares were sold at $2..58 per share, and the money was divided among the corporators.

The company was divided into 50 corporate interests of 6,000 shares, each being entitled to hold 4,000 shares, making a total of 200,000 shares at $300,000; don't know of any stock being issued which was not paid for; heard of some; think it was 12,000 shares; it was to have been issued by the Treasurer; the dividends were paid out of the money put into the treasury to pay for the Jersey well; there were three dividends, amounting to $45,000, declared; the fifty acres not mentioned in the prospectus is 500 yards from Cherry Run, and is not described; it is more than a mile and half from the Reed well, and is not bottom land; George H. Ashton, the President, received dividends upon 21,600 shares-10,6000 in his own name, and 11,000 as trustee; he originally owned 16,000 shares, which he got at $1.50 per share; don't believe that over 4,000 of Ashton's shares were sold in the office; Serrill and other of the defendants originally held 6,000 shares; at the first dividend Serrill had none; Harker had 5,333 shares originally; at the first dividend he had none; Barton held 4,000 shares; at the dividend he had 3,450; Swope had no stock when the first dividend was declared; he had a great deal originally; I think about 20,000 shares.

The Courts-The October term of the several Courts of this county commenced on Monday, the 20th ult. The new Court Hall being so far advanced towards completion as to be prepared for the comfortable accommodations of the Court, was for the first time used for that purpose. The Hall is beautifully frescoed and when finished, will be one of the largest and best arranged Court rooms in the State. The sessions were continued through the entire week and quite a large amount of business was disposed of. The second week of the term commenced on Monday last and Court is now in session with a long list of causes to try which will occupy the entire week.

The following are the causes disposed of last week:

Common Pleas

Commonwealth vs A. H. & G. H. Stump-Feigned issue to test the right of the Commonwealth to Collateral Tax on the Estate of Abraham Stump, dec'd-verdict for defendants.

George Zentmyer vs Daniel W. Royer-Action of Assumpsit on Note for $375. The defence was that the note was a forgery-Verdict for deft.

Quarter Sessions

Commonwealth vs William Barger and John Riley (of H)-Malicious Mischief-Lawrence Barger, Prosecutor-Verdict.-Guilty-Sentence each to pay a fine of five dollars and costs of prosecution. Stenger for Com; Sharpe for Deft.

Com. vs Dr. John Vandyne and Thomas D. French-Assault and Battery-Jemima Scott, for Prosecutriz. Thomas D. French one of the defendants not havin been arrested the trial proceeded as to Dr. John Vandyne. Verdict, not Guilty, but deft to pay the costs of prosecution. Stenger and George Eyster, Esq., for Com; Sharpe for deft.

Com. vs John Burkholder-Fornication and Bastardy-Rosanna Martin, Prosecutrix-Deft pleads Guilty and the Court passed the usual sentence.

Com. vs Jane Furley-Larceny of one bushel of Pears-Solomon Hollar, Prosecutrix-Verdict, not Guilty. Stenger for Com; Sharpe for Deft.

Com. vs Theodore Colby and David B. Greenawalt-Conspiracy to cheat and defraud Dr. A. H. Senseny of $150 being the amount paid by Senseny to Colby for a horse purchased from his which was afterwards seized by the Government. The jury having been out about seven hours and failing to agree, was discharged. Stenger, Kimmell and George Eyster for om; Sharpe and Stumbaugh & Gehr for Deft.

Com. vs Samuel Richardson, William Cuff and William LeMott-Riot and Assault and Battery-Samuel Johnson, Prosecutor-Defts found Guily of Assault and Battery. Sentence of Richardson, a fine of eight dollars and costs of prosecution-of Cuff and LeMott, a fine of ten dollars each and the costs. Stenger and George Eyster for Com; Orr and Stewart for Defts.

Com. vs Samuel Johnson-Surety of the Peace-William LeMott, Prosecutor-Court refused to bind deft over to keep the peace but sentenced him to pay the costs Stenger, Orr and Stewart for Com; Geo. Eyster, Esq., for Deft.

Com. vs John R. Turner-Assault and Battery-George Washington, Prosecutor-Deft pleaded Guilty-sentenced to pay a fine of $5 and the costs. Stenger for Com; Kimmell for Deft.

Same vs. Same-Assault and Battery-Wm. H. Davis, Prosecutor-Deft pleaded Guilty-sentenced to pay a fine of $5 and the costs. Stenger for Com; Kimmell for Deft.

Com. vs Jame Andrews, John Andrews, and F. M. Andrews-Cruelty to Animals-killing one hog and maiming another-Verdict, not Guilty-Prosecutor to pay 2/3 of the costs, defts 1/3. Stenger and C. S. Eyster foor Com; Sharpe for Deft.

Com. vs Joseph Thompson-Larceny of two turkeys-Benjamin Uglow, Prosecutor-Verdict, Guilty. Deft decamped and the recognizance of bail was forfeited.-Stenger for Com; George Eyster, Esq., for Deft.

Com. vs. Charles E. Wilder-Assault and Battery with intent to kill-Wm. E. Hollowell, Prosecutor-Verdict, Guilty-not sentenced yet. Stenger and Kimmell for Com; Brewer and Sharpe for Deft.

Same vs. same-Larceny of articles amounting to near $200-William E. Hollowell, Prosecutor-Verdict, Guilty-not sentenced yet. Stenger and Kimmell for Com; Brewer and Sharpe for Deft.

Com. vs. William H. Boyd, William H. Boyd, Jr., John Reasner, Michael Houser and Wm. H. Wannamaker-Charge of taking sand from the public road so as to injure the road in divers ways-Samuel Keefer, Prosecutor-Defts pleaded Guilty-a fine of five dollars and costs. Stenger, Brewer, and Kimmell for Com; T. B. Kennedy, Stumbaugh & Gehr for Defts.

Many cases were settled by the parties and several bills were ignored.

Dr. S. D. Kell, convicted at the April sessions of Perjury, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment in the Eastern Penitentiary and to pay the costs of prosecution.

The Philadelphia papers announce that a large number of counterfeit $20 greenbacks are in circulation in that city. They closely resemble the genuine. 50s and 100s the same. 5s photographed, paper stiffer than the genuine, and not so good. They have a blurred appearance, while the signature show through more plainly than on the good note. 10s altered from 1s; vig. On upper left oval portrait of Chase, 10 below it; 10 on the upper right; the signature of both Register and Treasurer are on the lower right corner; they are well done and calculated to deceive the unwary; although nothing like the genuine, which have for a vignette a spread eagle with 10 on each side; on the left is the portrait of President Lincoln, on the right end a full length female figure; the signature of the Register is on the lower left, and that of the Treasurer on the right; in the altered note they are both on the right end, with two stripes of lath between them. 1s, imitation of genuine. The green ink is somewhat lighter than the genuine; some parts of the note are scratched. The head of Chase is darker. The bill has a coarse appearance. 2s altered from 1s; portrait of Chase on upper left corner.

For some time past, the citizens of Manor township had reason to suspect that a person calling himself Patterson, who was collecting money to that township ostensibly for the relief of the Chambersburg poor, was an imposter, and, accordingly, A. R. Witmer, Esq., set to work to ascertain whether this man was an authorized agent to collect money for these unfortunate people. He succeeded, after much difficulty, as the sequel will show, in establishing the fact, beyond a doubt, that he was a swindler. Patterson called on Mr. John H. Hershey, about the 25th of September, having previously been collecting about Columbia. He had certificates signed by the Cashier or President, or both, of Chambersburg Bank, the Prothonotary, Sheriff, Judges of Court, and other public men of Franklin county, stating that he was authorized by a committee there to collect for the suffering poor of that place. Patterson is resident of Fawn township, York county, where he owns property, but represented that he was from Chambersburg. Mr. Hershey, who formerly resided in York county, said: "You are Bill Patterson that I used to know in York county." Patterson answered: "No, I never lived in York county, I live in Maryland." He, however, made no attempt to collect more money in the neighborhood. He boasted after he went home, that he had collected $600, in Manor township. He was so independent that he would not take less than $5, in some instances. In other cases, where he was refused, he wold afterards put down $5 or more to mislead others and induce subscriptions. Several persons who had paid him money laid the matter before A. R. Witmer, Esq., Justice of the Peace, who took means to ferret out the matter, and delivered that Patterson still resided in York county; upon which he issued a warrant for his arrest, had it backed by a Justice in York county, and placed in the hands of J. B. Hess, the constable of Martie township, for execution.-Mr. Hess proceeded to the village of Gatcheiville, York county, where Patterson resides, on the 23 inst., and made the arrest. Patterson professed to be able and willing to show that all was right, and produced the certificate from the public men of Chambersburg, above referred to, which Mr. Hess read and said he would keep; when Patterson snatched it from him and a scuffle ensued. This took place in Patterson's house, and Patterson's wife, two daughters and two sons, young men, coming to the rescue, he finally got loose from the constable and ran for a thicket near by, pursued by Mr. Hess, who tired three barrels of his revolver at him, and he thinks hit him once, if not oftener; but his speed was too great to be overtaken, and he got into the woods and made his escape.

It appears that there is a respectable man named Wm. Patterson in Chambersburg, and who had authority to collect money for the sufferers , and this man ascertaining this fact, forged the certificate referred to above and personated the authorized collector.

A reward of $50 is offered for the arrest of Mr. Patterson.

We would say to our Lancaster county friends, that there is no "respectable man named Wm. Patterson in Chambersburg, who had authority to collect money for the sufferers, nor is any person authorized to collect money for any such purpose, at this time. If the Legislature, the coming session, do an act of simple justice to our citizens by indemnifying them for losses sustained through the public enemy, our people will be abundantly able to take care of themselves, without appealing to the charity of citizens of other portions of the commonwealth.