The Conman of the Grand Pacific

Yesterday morning there appeared in the Ledger an article on the fifth page, headed: 'Never Saw Its Equal. That Is What a Liverpool Man Says of Tacoma's Harbor. An English Syndicate Will Invest Money in Property Here.' Then followed a long interview with the Honorable J. W. Smith, a capitalist of Liverpool, England. There was a half column of this sort of thing. There is no such man as Hon. J. Smith, and thereby hangs a tale. Charley Uhlman, proprietor of the Grand Pacific Hotel, appeared in a stir suit of clothes on Thursday and the 'boys' about the hotel inquired who the stranger was. Uhlman saw the joke, and going to his register wrote: 'Hon. J. W. Smith, Liverpool.' A Ledger reporter appeared and seeing this entry inquired for Mr. Smith. Uhlman introduced him to a stranger named Semple, who was 'in the joke,' and the Ledger reporter was highly satisfied to have an hour by the discourse of this commercial traveler on syndicates and things. The reporter called again last evening, but the 'Hon. J. W. Smith' sent down word that he was too busy buying islands to see anyone.