The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-18
GONE TO UKIAH,
BACK SUNDAY"
Investors On the Lookout for
Land.BrOker BrO0ker.
Neighbors Congratulate Themselves on Escap-
ing Loss-One Man Whom the Agent
Would Not Send North

The crowd of disappointed land Investors
who took out papers to settle on timber
lands in northern counties with the prospect
of making $500 each at the end of seventy
days are still looking Tor G. NJ. BROKER,
manager of the Chicago and Portland Land
Company, through whom they were induced
to pay S35 apiece down for the privilege, be-
sides other sums for surveying the land.
1t is thought that few of the investors es-
capped without losing $40, while others, ac-
cording to their creduty, paid more than
that sum. The Office of Blocker at S Sixth
street presented the same deserted appear
ance yesterday as it has for over a week. A
man named johnson stood before the Office
door fer short while yesterday. and said:
wanted the worst way to go up with
one OF Brokers parties, having about $500
to invest. A friend of mine named Moore
VINO lives on Post street. told me about him.
L had considerable experience in land mat
tiers, and was familiar with such operators
as Weaver & CO.. From Moore's repre-
sensations | thought that Brooker was all
right and when | visited his Office he ques-
TONED me closely in order to size me up.
Finally he told me a little about his schemes,
but L questioned him so closely about them
that he became suspicious
NO PROSPECTS OF A PARTY.
FINALLY he said that he had no prospect of
sending me up as he had determined to send
no more parties. That was six weeks ago,
and since then he has sent several. He did
not want me, as l told him If | found his
scheme was a swindle | would stand in front
OF his office door ana warn the public. After
that told Moore that he was the victim of a
swindle. but he would not believe me. He
is now waiting for his $780, He is out
about $40 and his time"
Il came here" continued Johnson "the
day that notice Gone to Ukiah. Back Sun
day. was placed on the door. That was on
January 0th l knew then that he had gone
for good. 1t is the old dodge. There was
no date on it, and 1t would last long enough
10 allow him to get away. Besides you will
always fluid that the swindler pays his rent
Tor month in advance. That is also done
10 allay suspicion. The victim invariably
inquiries OF the landlord, and is told that the
rent is paid for some time yet. He then
goes away convinced that the swindIer will
come back. He don't STOP TO consider the
trick. The paltry sum OF the rent is drop
in the bucket compared with the heavy re-
turns Of the absconding trckster."
MORE OF SUCH COMPANIES.
Johnson also stated that there are in the
city several other land companies similar to
the one operated by BROKER. They do not
advertise but have agents going about in
portions of the city to gather victims. " hen
the time comes for proving title 10 the land
at the Land Office they Will not be found on
hand. Still, he said, IL Is impossible to
make many people believe but that these
various land schemes aIe proper and right,
and that they are concerns in which a man
might III short time make a pile Of money.
The proprietorS of the various business
places patronized by BROKER in the neigh
boriood of his Office are congratulating
themselves having pSpanpI from
ing his schemes. A saloon man under Brook
er'S offi'e, where the latter spent considera-
bic of his time spending portions OF the in
yesters' money said that one day while
BROKER was in the cups he asked him about
his business.
Il would like to send several of my needy
friends up there and let them make 5000"
BrookeT, he states, turned around and said
You don't want TO do that; you will find
out before long who | am. and you Will be
glad you weren't in it." With other neigh
| bors BroOker always eYaded talking about
| land matters