The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-07
PAYS BOGUS CHECKS.
More of Thomas L. Kempter's
Business Methods.
BLANK PAPER FOR SECURITIES
The smooth Old Man From springbrook
Engages in Peculiar Hotel and
Potato Transactions.

Thomas 1. Kempster, the swindler, is carrying
his work so far that he seems q fit subject for
the attention OF the prosecuting attorney.
he Came from his home at 0rillia in December
and took room at the Brunswick hotel Tell
ing K. A. Chisholm, the proprietor, that he was
man OF means, he said he wanted to buy the
hotel outright, and asked the price.
When Mr.. Chisholm gave it, be assented with
out hesitation, and demanded that the papers
for the transfer OF the property be made out at
once. There was some delay in this legal bust
ness, and meanwhile Kenpster lived at the
hotel and had the best that the house afforded.
he even borrowed money of the clerk-sl5--.to
meet a few current expenses"
little later he gave Mr.. Chisholm, to bind
the bargain, check for $500 on Dexter Horton
d Co.; but he had no money at the bank to meet
the check. Then when the time came he could
not raise the unlimited fluids of which he
talked when he was first going TO buy the prop
erty. So he was turned out into the cold world
having nevertheless gotten several weeks board
from Mr. Chisholm.
While the dicker over the hotel was going on
he conducted another with John B. Agen, the
commission merchant, on the corner of West
and Marion streets. Mr. Agen thus described
the transaction yesterday: 81 had stored in the
cellar OF the Brunswick some 80 tons of pota-
toes. When kempster was looking over the
building with the avowed intention OF buyipg
it, he asked what wanted for the whole lot of
potatoes
sMy answer was that / didn't care to sell
them all, but would dispose OF fifty tons at SIS
O ton.
"kempster. who represented himself as a man
OF large landed interests in California, Oregon
and Washington, agreed and said he would
make payment as soon as the potatoes were
weighed out. He would let them lie in the cell
lar, however, for he thought the potatoes good
investment.
"During the week ending January II / wanted
some money and told kempster that as the po-
tatoes were weighed out and i'll his cellar-I sup
posed he had practically secured control of the
hOtel-i should < ol he
"Kempster was quite willing to pay. Indeed
he would have the money by two in the after
noon. Then he professed to be disappointed in
some OF his financial arrangements and post
poned payment till the next day.
FINALLY about o'clock January IL he came
10 my store and said he would only give 800
But instead OF paying cash he drew check for
800 on the Commercial National bank. He
wanted TO know if he could take four or five
tons OF the potatoes and dispose OF them. The
rest or the money be would give me in few
days.
II told him had no objection to his taking
some of the potatoes. Meanwhile sent mes
senger with the check to the Merchants National
bank, where have an account, with the request
that they get il certified. In a few moments
they sent it back with word that the Commercial
National bank didn't know kempster.
"Thereupon informed him the check was dis
honored. With as bold face as ever saw on
man he asserted that he had left securities Mt the
bank that very morning, and he couldn't see
why they refused the check.
81 Come along / said, and we went to the
DaIlk IOgeIner, where the cashier declared In
Kempster's face that no checks would be hon
ored unless there was deposit. The securities
were worthless.
"Having learned this, warned Kempster that
II he came near my place again he would be
kicked out"
at the Commercial National bank yesterday
PosT-lNTELLIGE NCER reporter was informed that
kempster wanted them 10 cash checks drawn by
him on the strength of money he ex-
pected from England. The bank refused.
Then he left an envelope contain
ing what he called securities" and
checks drawn by him on the bank began to be
presented every day or two There were eight
or ten III all When the checks began to come
in the cashier opened the envelope and found it
contained blank paper-nothing more.
As drawing checks upon bank in which a
man has never had deposit Is misdemeanor
it seems as if Kempster has overstepped himself
and become liable TO criminal action.
It was also learned yesterday that he tried to
sell some OF Ar. Agen's potatoes for SIS ton in
cash, which would give him clear profit of SIC
a ton
On Thursday he tried to buy some furniture
from the Hull Furniture Company, but they re-
fused his notes.
The $3.50 piano which Kempster got from G. A.
Heinnger, OF this city, and neglected to pay for,
was taken from his home, at Springbrook, yes
terday, by the sheriff. Kempster got the piano
from Mr.. HeidiDger, who is agent for D. s.
Johnston, nearly two months ago. A week ago
the instrument was replevined, and Kempster
WIGS given few days in which to file bond or
pay over the cash. He did nothing satisfactorily
and yesterday Deputy Sheriff jack Mcdonald
was sent out to Springbrook to take the piano
out OF the house, but was directed not to use
force in entering the premises.