The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-10-27
CAUGHT IN A TRAP.
Ex-Indian Agent Powell Bays
q Mattress Factory.
4 .nAlr-inTEaEsr- swnDLE.
rswx ra.~ugyasars wa-x sxa~s-se 60 Get
Ela ef@n rnprahsshls Bnssae<s-Ihs
saasp~rs Arr~ss.sa-

- = y
ths arrsss OF r. e. GrsfEin John Harrng-
o. carries Feed ard Louis j. 0'Fs-rsGi
skss~vss. Essn obtaining nspney under false
x~,s~1cs~. uroa warrants zvern OFT By
xahor W. T.. Powell. sx-i7dsan agent Al
Nsah gsv, who was the victEn Ut me
sehsz1e.
TIE crime for which these men we're az
r.xtsss has rshind Il az interesting tale.
Major Powell came 70 the Ctr few weeks
sfnce with the insention OF investing few
hundred dollars ia some psying basinezs.
He vas introduced 20 Gris1n-who for a
sew snonfhs past has been running mat
tsszs Gsesory--by 0'Farreal. Of the firm o.
ofFsrrsll & Pratt. and vas By him sold a
half-.nssrcst Ia the factory for
500. snrn trsbie the worth
81 the whole concern. Charles
Reed. known a. the proprietor OF ques-
tionahss intelligence oifice. now appears on
the scene and induces Major Pows. 70 buy
the remaining half interest for 800 more
for "a imaginary purchase. leading him on
with the promise Of . profit Of $40. To
this Major Powell agreed and paid down
$50 IN cash and eaye his note for $50.
The note has been rscogered. but Major
Powell h out 81 80 IN cash. Harrington :
connection With the case il the assistance
he rendered In bringing about the two
transactions.
HOW THE HAfT Vas SET.
Major ". 4. Powell arrived in the city
earsv sIsis month with the intention Of
huying an interest in some manufacturing
concern and making his home here. The
following advertisement. published in tie
PosT-isTsLEtsKzeEg. attracted bis atten-
ton:
I-og SALE fxTKgrsT ~ PAVING manu-.
4 isesafipg business. Pratt 4 UtsaEseti, 90
gsDes street
He determined 70 follow the matter M
and on octofser IL caisesi upon the real
estate firm mentioned Isy o'FarreIl he
was told that the paying manufacturing
business" was mattress factory owned by
Mr r. II. Grillin. He was taken around
10 The factory by o'fsrreii and introduced
to passey Griffin.
THU Tnsr srRHxs.
On inenifing about the amount 81 husi-
ness transacted. MAJOR Powell was shown a
huge order hook containing oTsinrs ahead
for several thousand mattresses. The major
was delighted. and the 500 asked for a half
interest in the concern was readily pro-
dueed. Grim told the major that he
wanted partner to look after the inside
business while be solicited for orders on the
eutsfde. This was also highly satisfactory
- the new partner.
rHET nIU BIG BUSINESS.
With the assistance az several OF his
friends. who would rush in and place an
order for 20 or f6o mattresses To he delivered
during November, Griffin made the firm of
Griffin & Powell do a rushing business.
Major Powell was delighted with his pur-
chase. and the Thought OF wealth and hap
piness in his old age doomed up IN his
minds eye. But his pleasure was short
lived
SECOND TRAP sET.
Abent a week after he had purchased the
interest in the concern. Charles Reed, the
employ msnt agent. went 20 Major Powell
and told him that he had purchaser for
half interest In the business and advised
him 10 buy out Griffin. He said that
James Marshall, Of Whatcom, would give
1890 fer the half interest Griffin was
consulted and he said that while he did not
wish 10 part with his business he would sell
his interest for 81 leo.
THE sEcoSp TRAP SPRUNG.
Here Major Powell saw an opportunity
TO make 500 without hardly turning
hand. aud he went deeper into the mire by
accepting the chance. The transfer was
made Monday. October n. Major Powell
paid $40 in cash, gave his note for $3.50.
and the remainder was to be paid on time.
raE VICTIMS SUSPICIOUS ARousEp.
Several days passed and. as James
Marshall. of Whatcom did not appear.
Major Poweil's suspicious were aroused
and he wired To Whatcom, with the result
that be found that so such man lived there.
The actions OF soma OF Grfiin's men added
Ia his suspicious. He found mattresses
IN the rear OF the store that had been
hauled out through the front way aud
carted off as ordered the day before. 1t
finally dawned ON him that he had been
taken in and lac determined In right mat
tiers 50 Tar as be could. He employed
counsel Friday and on advice decided TO
have the whole crowd that hal swindled
him arrested.
An AUpACioUs sWINpLEg
The note he had given Griffin became
due yesterday, and IN the morning papers
yesterday notices warning the public not TO
accept the note were published. Early YES.
;er'iay morning Major Powell went 20 see
Griffin and the note was presented for nav
ment, MAJOR Powell, Indignant over the
sadasity OF the man, seized ii and tore IL
into fragments. The small scraps were
however, saved, and will be used as eyi.
denee.
TIE swtsnLEss kRExsrEp.
Warrants for the arrest of the four mart
ners were sworn ont Yesterday morning
snd served ia the afternoon. Reed and Nc
Farrell were arrested in their respective
Offices first. Harrington was taken at the
mattress factory on Third street later OF.
and orighn. hearing that he was wanted
surrendered himself last
Al four Dreaded innocence GriiHn
called the affair business transaction.
Harrington was innocent Of any crime.
oFsrreil was also innocent, while Reed had
little 10 say. Grilbn was released on S-no
BAH furnished hy William Garrett and
John NcCarys Harrington on 500 bali
furnished hy Lilies i Jordan. Ssloonkeen-
ers. and O PARED GA $50 cash furnished
hs himself. Res@l. ap 20 late houv last
night, Was unable 10 obtain bali The cases
were set fos hearing on Monday morning.
rBo TaE swiNplEgs Axr.
Griffin and Harrington are eari char
actsrs. Both have served terms in the
state prison IA California. Crifhn, Il Is
Sad. WAS gwen shree years for harrlsrv.
lie has been in Seattle for nearly two
Wars. during which time lie has enrzer,,t
Ia different tainEs. he hrss teade, bar.
vas next : political bass la the FIRST ward
snt last ho has tseen manufacture of
mattresses.
haFrtnricn was three times coaXi cted ~
is3eay in Ssa Francisco. snd served a.