The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-04-26
THE SIOUX CITY SWINDLE.
The Journals Account of the 3d.
500 Swindle.

The Sioux City Journal gives a very
lengthy account of the manner in which
Tie casinRs DAM VI tl.at oitr --~s swi-a
led out OF $500. 1t shows the mode of
operation to have been almost exactly
the same as practiced successfully on
one of the Mankato banks last fall, and
leaves no doubt but that the swindIers
are the same men.
The Journal says that about a month
ago an elderly gentleman, of genteel
and sanctimonious appearance, attended
the First Presbyterian church of that
city, of which Rev. Geo. Knox was
pastor. He had every aspect of a de-
vout worshiper, but he was not attentive
and did not re-sppear until some time
later. Shortly afterwards he appeared
at Ponca, Neb. He was man of quite
striking personal appearance, fine con-
versationalist, well informed and espec-
tally versed in scientific and religious
information. He was a regular attend
ant at church, and became at once ac-
quainted with Rev. VIM. A. Smith, pas
tor of the Presbyterian church at Ponca.
Soon it leaked out that Mr.. Simpson was
q man of wealth and that he had large
braska. A little later In Ponca paper
appeared an item speaking of Mr.. Simp-
son as the owner of /, 600 acres of fine
land in Cedar county, which he was inn
proving and that he would make Ponca
his place of residence. He was received
into the church on certificate given at
Bristol, Tenn. He also spoke in the
Sunday school with good effect. A week
ago Simpson went to Sioux City with a
letter of introduction from Rev. Smith
of Ponca to Rev. Knox, of Sioux City.
Simpson made himself agreeable to Rev.
Knox and was especially we'll informed
IN church matters In Tennessee, where
he claimed his old home was. All his
statements tailed exactly with Rev.
Knox's knowledge of facts. Incidental
ly the Ponca newspaper abiding to Mr..
simpsons property inter sts came I'M
der the pastors eve. Mr.. Simpson ex-
planned his business in Sioux City. He
had some money to deposit, etc., and TO
which bank would Mr.. Knox recon-
mend him to 90? A few hours later
Simpson walked into the Savings Bank
and called for Mr.. Stone, the cashier to
whom he gave letter of introduction
from Rev. Knox, in which the latter
stated that Simpson wanted to make a
oCpOoio a. ihtCiC0t anu W haNC luOuCy
from which to draw by check to meet
current expenses. He told his plans to
Mr.. Stone, saying that he was On his
way to Yankton to buy some real estate.
He had draft on New York for 5000,
which he wished to deposit. As he
would want only 81, 800 for use at Yank-
ton and 81 500 on deposit to draw against
for current expenses, he would have
81 900 which he would deposit for six
months. He deposited the draft, drawn
by the Bristol National bank on the Ma
tIonal Bank of the Republic, of New
York City. The draft was perfect in
every observable particular, even to
having the amount cut out by bank
punch. In short, Mr.. Simpson seemed
to be desirable deposltor. The chain
of evidence which he presented was per-
feet in every aspect. He was accommo-
dated. As he was going to Yankton
where he had no acquaintance he
thought he had better take cash than
drafts. He got cash-two 81 900 bills
and $500 in currency of smaller denom-
inations. The draft later came back
from New York rejected, having turned
out to be forgery. Simpson was q
forger and the letter from the Bristol,
Tenn, church was a forgery. His large
landed interests near Ponca is a myth.
The Ponca newspaper article was mis-
take. The Ponca and Sioux City pastors
were deceived.