The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-02-05
SCOOPED BY SHARPERS! ]!
How Henry Stevenson Helped His "Fa-
theirs Friend"

Some Two or three years ago, Henry q
/ Stevenson, son of John G. Stevenson, O
Liberty Township, this county, ran ava.
from home. The cause of his sudden de
parture was unknown to his father, wh(
was much grieved over the sudden whin
of his boy-for Henry was bright boy
possessing fair English education, and
his father was justly proud of him. II
was learned that he had gone away with
a neighbor young man, to seek employ
ment. But beyond this all trace of him
was lost. Being an old friend of Mr.. Ste
venson, we inserted, at his request, no.
tice that the folks were very anxious to
have Henry come back, and so worded as
to convey the idea that no i'll feeling pre-
vailed against him at home. But he came
not, and the father doubtless settled down
to the conclusion that we ourself arrived
| at, that the boy-who was almost young
| man-would be able to take care of him
sslf. But the sequel proved that both
were mistaken. The Cincinnati CONNER
cial Gazette of last Friday, contained the
following:
Henry B. Stevenson is a young country lad
from near Jackson, o.. He arrived In this city
yesterday afternoon, and on his way up town
was met by ''an old friend of his fathers, - who
after short conversation, gained the young
mans confidence. The "friend of his father
suggested that he go to the Indiana House and
check his valise, after which they would take
a walk about town. This was done, and Steven
son, with his newly-made acquaintance, started
down Fourth street. In the meantime "the
friend of the father" had told the young
man of a trunk full of valuable silks, &C., which
he had at the depot and which he was going to
take to Jackson. His little story completed,
when they were met at the corner of Fourth
and John streets by a confederate, who present.
ed bill for the silks. Mr.. Slick did not have
quite enough money to settle, and asked a loan
of s65 from the country lad, which of course he
produced, glad of an opportunity to show his
fathers friend that he had much money.
After paying the money to the confederate "the
friend of his fat her," and Stevenson proceeded
to the Central Union Passenger Depot There |
the trunk said to contain the silks was pointed |
to Stevenson by "the friend of his father,'' who,
at the. same time, asked to be excused for a
moment. After watching the trunk and wait |
i"g for an hour or two, Stevenson began to re-
alize that he had been beaten. The matter was |
reported at police headquarters, but no clews to
the bunko gents could be obtained.
That is the oldest and thinnest trick
performed by confidence men, and there
is not perhaps country newspaper in the
State that has not exposed it time after
time. 1t is certainly humiliating to think
that a young man from Jackson County
could be taken in by such thieves.
These sharpers watch the depots in the
for a mouse. 1t is from the
railroads they reap their harvest. Not
confidence man will hap
pen to be on train coming into the city,
ind thus be enabled to learn the name
ind business of the man upon whom he
md his confederates will operate after
getting into the city. Many green young
nan going into Cincinnati is dumbfound-
ID that the "old man" could have so many
acquaintance in the great city
when he knows that the old man has
lot been off of the farm in ten years, and
possibly never fifty miles away from
lome. Yet these sharpers fix up an eX-
plausible story.
People going into the cities should re-
lonest there as among the farming COM
nunities in the country. There are many {
,ood people in the cities, and these are S
ver seeking to protect the unsophisticat- /
d, but the bad people will get in their |
york. The safe plan in city, is to treat
verybody courteously, but make no ap-
ointments with strangers, and above all, l
eep your money in your pocket, or put it I
n the hotel safe. 1t is passing strange that 9
less an educated young
nan-could be prevailed upon to loan
money to an entire stranger, in great I
ity. There is good deal of valuable ed 9
cation that must be obtained by rubbing I
p against the world.