The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-03-05
A Gang of Swindlers Indicted.

W. COLSON AND "CASH" ROBERTS.
The Boston Daily Herald of March End contained
full expose of the methods practiced by gang of
swindlers who have been fleeing farmers of Yer
mont, New York, Ohio and Illinois under the pre-
tence of conducting bona ide produce commits
sion business. Three of these men, Oliver w. Rop-
er, II. w. Colson and j. W. Harris, are now await.
ing trial for conspiracy, but the fourth, who is
well.known to the police, has not so far committed
himself as to be amenahe to the law. The practice
OF the gang was to adop firm name differing only
a single letter from that of the same house doing
le- Inmate business then to have printed lot of
letter heads which were circulated among farmers
together with circular offering prices for produce
in excess of the current market quotations. If the
farmer was curious to the firms standing a
glance at the commercial agency reports would APP.
parently satisfy him, in his hurry slight differ
ence in the firm name would escape his notice and
he would find the rating of the legitimate firm to be
frstclass. In addition to different bogus produce
firms that have been started oy the swnders, they
also engaged in banking business under the name
of the National Loan and Trust Company in Bos
ton. This WAS run auxiliary to The produce
sNindlc they assuring their victims that they bank
ed with that company, and that drafts upon that
concern would be duly honored. In many cases
the unsuspectng farmers drew upon the company
only to have their drafts returned dishonored
Among the names under which these men have
operated the following: l. w. Randall & Co.,
NJ. a. Burbank & Co., Russell & Co, Dean Il Rop-
er, Barnes & Moies, W. +. Barnard 4 Co., A. F.
Loue Il Co, Alien Morse & Co. Under the title Of
the Cooperative Dairy Company, they secured
many victims. In one of their ventures the name
of D. W. Pond & Co., reputable traders OF Burling-
/ fhn
in similar transactions in Chicago and Louisville,
KY and so extensive have been their dealings that
is confidently asserted that the loss to consignors
throughout the country will aggregate, at the low
est calculation 81, 100000. Their operations in the
vicinity of Boston cover a period OF about seven
years.
&C. Roberts, formerly of Stockton is mentioned as
one of the partners of the National Loan and Trust
Company, of Boston. and IL. W. Colson As one of
The members of the firm of NJ. a. Burbank, Somer-
Vile Coson Roper and Harris were arrested
some time since, indicted and are awaiting tri-
al just where Roberts in is not stated, but
some Interesting correspondence found on the per
son of Roper throws light the Waldo
county statesman. The following is copy OF a
letter written by Roper to Roberts
Boston, Sep. Is, 1884.
{. C. Roberts, Esq, Chicago iiI-Dear Sir Your
letter OF the 18th inst received, and must say
| am somewhat surprised at its contents,
although can only say that for some time past
have been convinced that you did not intend TO pay
me cent of the money you borrowed of me, or for
the 10 barrels Of flour you for.
And your letter only goes TO subsantiate my con
victons. You sum ii all up in nutshell that 0-0-0.
Now that there may be no mistake made in the mat
tel, and that you may have an opportunity to clear
up with me any misunderstanding, and further, to
give you an opportunity to adjust the matter, with
out going into details which you fully understand
transaction
ild not fulfil your part. was TO borrow from
some $500 or more. For this money have never
received anything, only your promise to pay me
when ;he brick block at Stockton, Me, was burned
or when you got your pension. | understand that
you have received your pension and also that the
Orlck block has been burned. wish to ask if in
this case 0-0=0: The next transaction you had
with me, i'll which YOU have Tot fulfilled your part
OF the bargain, failing with me in such manner
that should think you would have very poor
opinion of yourself, was to receive from l25
barrels OF flour or more and not even to pay one
cent of 1t. our excuse is that you have never
ceivcd hut $40 worth of potatoes and $35 in cash.
or had a hiii paid for that amount Why you
Snouid lie to me in such a manner cannot under
stand In the first place, know that some 50 or
40 barrels OF -four retailed and that YOU have
made settlement with j. II. Lafolly for the bal
hncc, which may have been in the form of a note
Now Ii Sou can hold his note held il in pay
ment of the balance of the flour, why did YOU NOT
or TO You not turn it over to me? Also, why did
you not turn over the 30 barrels of flour which
were retaed? Also, why did you give
some money W en- you received your pension: Or
/
wheh have reason to believe you have received
Ldt"lly has received some Sl,l00 from one insur-
ance o., but the other has not settled yet. The
pany which has not settled declares that IT will
-pcndlls last dollar but hat the matter shall be
llaed, so one of the agents whom am acquainted
with tod me. He also ked me several times bout
yea, but have refused to give him any nforma
lion so far There also has been several other
parties to see me about you, but refused to give
them any Information.
Now, Mr.. Roberts, have placed this matter be-
fore on, and hereby appeal to you for justice.
which Il all ask. >hoult you decide settle with
me fairly, am your tllend- This is my last
appeal, and shah expect a reply by return mail
which should reach me not later than Tuesday, the
pad inst ours truly, .. W. ROPER.
y letter from Roberts, found among Co!son's eff
fects, dated NOV. o. lss4 reads AS follows
81 am getting ready for war with 0. W. X. (Os-
mrr Roper OF any other man who attacks me.
nave nothing to lose, while you know that ii
choose. can make ilie Il burden and dreary waste
10 thai man ana his silent partner over in Boston
(Nhu takes the lions sltre). What in HI do they
/ mean: Why they will persist in forcing
7trlkr back pasaelh my apprehension Think of
sim Ellis atttcking me! " ny. can send him ana
hI- i rnt partner 10 Concord 10y simply writing
letter. They arg ID foolish, and don't the
Ill -htest reason to justify them. am my mcttle
n"" i- have been betrayed 10y some one. Henry
-pt my ,uUircs9 ana jumped at me here, but set
MIN Back easy. II never pays t" bite III
ONES nr~e L. spite the face, and don't intend to do
IT, tni ncl who have been engaged in business TO-
gothcr Cannot AFFORD to do it. How you "mak
lll- ii with .Iohn L. and what did yea do at New
Hampshire? OF course, you do expect me to
take IN that steamer story. If You 90 to Salem,
please sick that ieamoter. This last expression
probably refer, To the man VINO exposed the uper
tIi"ns of The gang at salem. have IA scheme that
i liable to ; me down III Boston next spring.
rms is -"pd town for some kinds of business, but
la still another letter 10 Colsou, Roberts refers to
Roper III these words "Dil YOU see o. W r.?
lie writes very loud to me. | SAW Charles FRYE
hare. lie >,ty the people down East talk loud
nbuut his brother; and also met Amos Carver of
Ne" York He says his cousin Eugene the
STOCKTON people pay fun price for Old bricks and
tAc result l. hr cannot sell his lot
Ia sill another communication Roberts advises
C"lson that he >Ropert-) is assured that he can
have an $500 position lnder Cleveland but that he
does not want it. Continuing he says, 1--WE can all
Il" better when get started" He refers to send
ing C"-on commercial agency book, and con
cIueS in this wise You had better follow the
ilustri0us advice Of James g. Blaine, and uurn
these letters"
The Boston Herald says: All of the above men.
toned letters refer to the business relations that
have existed between the parties at some consider
able length in addition to what has been published,
and show conciusively that they all members of
one gang, with lea Ter, or leaders, whose names
nave not yet been disclosed. The first letter relates
to The burning OF block of stores al stockton, Me,
IN The month OF April. 1854. On this block both the
Neptune Fire and Marine and the Boylston
panits had policies of insurance. The frst-named
company settled the claim, but the Boyston refused
TO make settlement, and the matter is now in ti-
CATION 1t will come up for final adjudication next
month, but with what result is difficult to deter
mine This letter also refers to the -four transac-
lions between the parties, result of which there
are evidently hard feelings. In the other letter,
only portion of which is quoted Roberts refers to
Transactions in the produce business, he having
been, by his own admission, engaged in the swim
dies.
Roberts came from Stockton, Me-, where he was
at one time a member of the board of selectmen,
and from which town he was also sent to the Maine
Legislature. He is a man of engaging appearance,
%
business, as many people throughout New England
can undoubtedly testify to their sorrow and as the
above quoted letters plainly indicate.
Letter from Augusta.
WALDO COUNTY MATTERS BEFORE THE LEGISLA-
TuKE. LOOK IN THE COUNTY TREASURY. THE
RAILROAD BILL, ETC.