Reed Waddell
American confidence man and swindler / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Reed C. Waddell (c. 1860 – March 27, 1895) was an American swindler, confidence man and underworld figure in New York during the mid- to late 19th century. He was one of the most successful men of his trade making nearly a quarter of a million dollars using his "gold brick" swindle, a con game which he invented and introduced to New York in 1880,[1][2][3] and from which the term "goldbricker" originated.[4]
Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Reed Waddell | |
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Born | Reed C. Waddell c. 1860 Springfield, Illinois, United States |
Died | March 27, 1895(1895-03-27) (aged 34–35) |
Cause of death | Gunshot |
Other names | Kid Waddell |
Known for | Swindler and confidence man credited for the invention of the "gold brick game". |
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Waddell was also involved in schemes with other prominent confidence men, including attempts to sell the Brooklyn Bridge,[5] before his murder by noted bunco artist Tom O'Brien in 1895.[6][7][8]