The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-09-17
DOLD ATTEMPT AT SWINDLING.
Sharpers Attempt 80 Vietimlxe Green
Bay Banks TO ,tfae Tune OF s2l.GOo.

A couple of sharpers who have been
loa6og about the city for few days past
and have evidently been during that
time maturing their plans for whole
sale bank swindle, to day attempted to
carry their plot into execution, and
made descent upon two banks of our
city, viz the First National and National
Bank of Commerce Their manner of
procedure had been carefully arranged
and they succeeded in making everything
look straight and reliable. They appear
ed at the two banks at nearly the same
time during the morning. shortly be-
fore dinner. The swindle attempted was
nearly the Same In the case of both hanks
and they went about it after the follow
ing fashion:
A man appeared at the counter Of the
bank and presented letter signed
Phelps, Dodge & Co.. of New I ork, in
Producing NJ. G. E. Dawson, and desir-
ing that in case Mr.. Dawson should
leave his funds in their charge they
would give credit to the Cashier of the
respective banks in New York. with
which those banks cid business. They
had shrewdly obtained the names of the
cashiers, and in the letter to the First
National they named the cashier Of
the. Central National Bank of New
York, while In that to the Bank of
+ Commerce they named the cashier Of the
Ninth National Bank of New York.
The letter went on to say in regard to
Mr.. Dawson ''as his transactions will be
exclusively cash and requiring to credit
facilities, We hope the account may prove
advantageous" (Signed) Phelps, Dodge
& Co.
At the First National Bank he present
ed for deposit certified check for $l3,-
900, and said that during the day he
would come in and draw against it for a
small amount TO close up real estate
transaction In Fort Howard. MIR Strong
requested him to come in the afternoon.
bringing somebody to identify him and
his wants should be attended to.
At the Bank Cf Commerce another and
younger man at the same hour present
Ell certified draft for SS. 900, drawn by
Phelps, Dodge & Co., and wished 1t
placed to his credit. The paper hao
everv appearance Of being genuine, even
10 the smallest details, including stamp
IN blue lnk giving the certificate OF COR
rectness by Phelps, Dodge & Go. Mr..
Curtin received the draft, and gave him
bank book with the credit In it. At
the. same time the pretended Dawson
stopped to the desk and drew check for
S3, 900, saving that be wished it before
dinner to close ian investment 10 estate
that he had just made. Mr.. Curtin S
suspicious we're aroused and he told him
that the amount being so large be would
have to wait until the officers Of the
bank came In. This he didn't like to do,
as he really thought it would Interfere
with his borgain. He finally saw that it
was no use TO press the matter and hasti~
ly decamped. A telegram was immedl-
ately sent to Messrs. Phelps, Dodge &
Co, inquiring about the man, and an
answer promptly obtained that they had
no account with such an individual. The
last seen Of these sharpers they were in a
bus bound for the Milwaukee train
which left at I:3O. Descriptions OF the
men have been telegraphed ahead and it
is to be hoped they will be secured be-
fore they succeed in victimizing any body.
Green Bay Gazette on Friday.