Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-05
SLIPPERY SWINDLERS
Two Confidence Men Secure $4,000
From Beaver Falls Farmer
BY A CLEvERLY WORKED SCHEME.
A Washington, Pa, Tough Attempts to Clean
Out Picnic and is Arrested.
GENERAL NEWS OF THREE STATES
sPrc1AL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArc

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsP ATcH.i
BEAVER FALLS, July 4-The greatest
swindle ever perpetrated in this county has
lust been brought to light, the victim being
joseph Shannon, wealthy farmer, resid-
ing at Homewood, five miles west of here.
About year ago man Of genteel appear
ance walked leisurely up to Farmer Shah
mons door and introduced himself as Har-
ris E. Harper, of Pittsburg. He wanted to
buy a farm, he said, and was willing to pay
Mr.. Shannon we'll for any trouble he might
go to in helping him to select one. he nao
the utmost confidence IN Mr.. Shannon, as
the latter had been recommended by udge
Wyckham and Lawyer Daugherty, OF
Beaver. The Baker farm, short distance
north of Homewood, was selected, and the
terms agreed upon. Harper left ana on
two occasions thereafter came back. he
also wrote letter dated at Plttsourg, IN
which be regretted his inability to get down
but promised to call soon. He represented
himself as the SON of a banker, and wanted
the farm for a summer residence for an In
valid brother. He also took care to display
large sums of money each time.
THE OLD, OLD swINDLE.
Last Monday Harper paid his third and
last visit to the Shannon homestead. Har-
per stated he had come to make final ar
rangements to buy the farm, and in COM
pany with Shannon started to the Baker
homestead in buggy hired from Graham's
livery stable, in this city. About mile
down the road, small man, who talked
like Southerner, came out from under a
tree and engaged them in conversation and
showed them how he had won $4,000. A
short time before Harper became interested,
and at last, stated he could select
marked card. He did, and won Sl1, 600,
which the small man handed over. Farmer
Shannon was told that it would not be gam
bling if he guessed. He never gambled, he
said, but thought he could pick out GER
tain card. This he did, and won $4,000,
which the stranger handed over in $1,000
bills. Turning to the two men the little
man told them the money was theirs, but
they must prove to him that they could
have produced that amount had they lost.
Harper agreed to go to Beaver Falls and
get the amount, Farmer Shannon consented
also, and the two drove to this city. Shan
non went to the Exchange Bank and got
81, 900 on note payable in three days. From
there he went to the Economy Bank and
drew S., 600 in the same way. He was soon
found by Harper, and the two started back
to Homewood.
THE MESSAGE HE RECEIVED.
About half way back, in a secluded spot
in'the road, the men were hailed by the small
man, and the two men put the pile in big
tin box, Harper claiming that he did not
get the full amount, but would go to Beaver
for it. The little man agreed to go with
him, and the two consented to allow Shan
non to keep the box. The two then took
the buggy and started back, Shannon walk
ing toward home with his treasure.
Three days passed and the men came not,
Yesterday he opened the box. There was
nothing in it but brown paper aud a note
which read: ''You gambled and lost You
are able to stand it. If you tell il, every
body will think you the biggest
fool in the county," They had changed
boxes. The two men drove across to Wur-
tumberg and sent word to the livery stable
keeper to come ana get his horse and buggy.
This is the last heard of them. Harper is
about 35 wears of age and is about 3 feet 10
inches, with auburn beard. His accomplice
is about the same age. Joseph Shannon,
the victim, is 63 years old and worth $50, ,000
He is considered one of the shrewdest men
in that locality. He offers $1,000 of the
amount for the arrest and conviction of the
men. Shannon is one of the best known
men in the county. To your correspondent
he made the story Of the swindle public
to-day.