The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-04-04
Tacoma Bunco Steerers.

perpetrating a huge swlndle upon
thousands of unsrspecting timber
claim seekers in this state during the
past year as fair way to test opera
tons. Although the victims who have
been tieeced of their funds are in no
position to institute legal proceedings
against the concern, they threaten to
wreak vengeance upon individual
members of the company who are
spending their hard earned money.
The corrupt practices of the peo-
pie who compose this company were
shown up yesterday by one of the
duped individuals, who informed "a
Journal reporter that lie came to this
city after having saved several hun
dred dollars by working at the Discov-
cry mills.
"Onc Donovan, who is connected
with the Tacoma company, located me
on what supposed was fine timber
claim in township 90, range g." said
he. Gle charged 800. 1 went to
good deal of expense and finally
proved up. congratulating myself that
| had fine piece of property. The
other day went to a timber buyer
and offered the claim for sale. He
sent g. man to look it over, who re-
turned with the information that there
WAS no timber on the quarter and that
the claim was practically worthless
Here [ am, broke, but shall stay in
town until [ have an interview with
Mr.. Donovan" and there was a mean
ing in the mans voice which BODIED
no good to the Individual referred to.
The Washington Land and Locat-
ing company Is realizing a clean profit
of not less than $S00a week by reason
of the frauds perpetrated on these I'M
fortunates, and it must be said that
they are II clever set Of swindlers. They
conduct two offices, Ostensibly oper-
ated by firms in no wise connected
with each other One is the locating
office, while the individuals in the 9th
er represent that they are buying up
all the timber land obtainable. In the
employ of the concern are IL number
of "cappers," who hang about lodging
houses, hotels and other public places
both In Tacoma and Seattle and be-
come acquainted with those individ-
uals who are desirious of being locat-
ed on timber claims. They steer them
either to the company's Office in Ia
coma or against some member of the
concern who is in the city. The vic
tim is told that he will be located on
one OF number of claims for from
700 to 500, according to the amount
OF timber on it. He is introduced to
an alleged cruiser, whose travels, it is
safe to say, never extend further than
from the land office to the nearest sa-
loon, and the latter assures him that
the claim he will locate ON has from
100000 to 100000 feet of timber
on 1t. He Is next taken to the office
OF the company, where is informed
that they will purchase his claim and
pay sum ranging from $500 to
$2,OOO, and if the claim-seeker hasn't
sufficient money to pay the purchase
price to the government, promises are
made that the necessary funds will be
advanced to him. Everything is ap-
parently SO straight that the individ-
ual is buncoed out of his money and
gets no returns for it, for the claims
are generally worthless.
When the "cappers" fail to send
enough men to the concern, ADVERTISE
ments are inserted in the papers guar
anteelng that 5000 can be made in
three months. The offer made of a
guarantee of 500 or 5000 is a fraud
on the face OF it, us it is impossible
Tor any one to guarantee q return of
such Il sum, unless contract was en-
tered into before the timber applicant
Was made 10 sell the claim.
Ii the entryman does make such a
contract he is violating the law. as the
law states expressly that the applicant
upon ming must swear that he does
not apply to purchase the land des-
crlbed Tor speculation, but in good
faith to appropriate it to his own ex-
elusive use and benefit, and he has not.
directly or indirectly, made any agree
ment or contract in any way or man
ner, with amy person or persons whom
soeyer. by which the title he NAV ac-
qulre from the government of the
United States insure in whole or in
part to the benefit of any person ex-
cept himself. The entryman who takes
up claim after signing such con.
tract Is guilty of perjury and can he
sent TO the penitentiary when convict
ed thereof. ''O'
The law provides also that the an
pilcant must swear that he has been
ON the land, but he is informed bv the
company 1t is not necessary to do so.
Ii they can induce the unfortunate TO
commit perjury, so much the better
TOR them, for he is then in their mower
and no matter what they do to him he
cannot prosecute them without COM
hitting himself.
Ii he persists In seeing the land. he
Is taken to some claim that is really
covered with fine timber. He then
makes entry to find out that he has
been located on land which is valne.
less, and which lies miles AWAY from,
tho one ne has been shown. Perhans
the cruisers have located him ON
piece or land on which pre-emption
ana homestead have already been
made, and he does not know If tha
fraud till he goes to prove up. Sinonlar
10 relate, the crooked cruiser has or
ranged matters SO that the entrvman
perhaps lnnocently, has rendered him.
sell ilaoie to prosecution This is
nearly always done by the shrewd
cruiser When the victim threatens
the cruiser with prosecution. he is told
W Keep quiet or he himself will be
laiied for perjury or some other in
traction of the land law