Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-23
ROBBED AN OLD MAN
4 Skin-Game Real Estate
Shark i'm Peril
FOR CHEATING JOHN C. PARKER
A Lake County Farmer Out Of His Farm
and Personal Properly in Snids
Exchange for City L0ts.

writ has not been served, but Under
Sheriff Walsh Is searching tor Pattsr-
son.
John C. Parker is 90 years of age.
Ali mis- life be has been . farmer, and
by hard work and frugahty he &C
CURED 800 aeres of land IN Lake county
near Baldwin. There was no encuni-
beranee of any kind upon il. IL was
well stocked and supplied with modern
farming implements. His son Charles
had left the farm and come to Grand
Rapids where ne learned the moulder's
trade, and Is now working for the
Aldine Manufacturing company. A
snort time ago ne visited his son IN this
city. tie told how lonesome Il was on
the farm for himself and wife. He Was
getting old and thought II would be
nice II be could sdvantageously dis
pose of his farm and move to Grand
Rapids. He would then be with his
son and life would be much pleasanter.
Charles thought so too, and by his
fathers request went IN search OF
bargain. He canvassed the real estate
dealers. and among others visited
Fogg * Brown, who referred HIM To Ed
ward III. Patterson, a real estate dealer
who boards at the Warwick. Certainly
he mad real estate which he would ex-
change. but the Young man had APP
preached him Just in time. as he con-
templated selling 1t.
offered = Big snap.
Charles Parker's feet fairly few as
he FASTENED home TO inform his father
of the good luck. The old man was
pleased. The farm was worth $500,
but on . trade he would put it in at
5000. That would be . sharp deal and
he wou q show the city chaps how to
do business The next day he called
on Patterson. A carriage was pro-
cured and together they started out
South DIVISION street. They halted
Just this SIDE of Ed Carmon's road
house. Patterson waved his hand in
the direction of q broad expense of
land and said every lot was worth $500.
The entire piece was worth $4,000. If
held . short time il could easily be sold
for $4,000. There was An encumbrance
of $1,000 on the land, and he would
trade il, subject To the encumbrance,
for the farm. he wouldn't do it, but
somehow or other the old mans APP
pearance struck nim favorablyzADd he
liked him. Farmer Parker was too
snrewd to trade on tine spot spd~asked
Patterson to refer him to come reliable
real estate dealer with whom he could
consult. Patterson scratched his head
q moment. A beam of intelligence
seemed to strike him. "Why, there's
Slater" he SAID. Dawson u. Slater.
80 and see him. I'm not very well ac-
qualnted with him, but l understand
hes all right" The day following
Farmer Parker called on Slater. Slater
didn't know anything about the land,
put would go out and see it, so they
vent out. He assured the old man
hat he had struck bargain. and told
aim TO lose no time In closing the deal.
Farmer Parker took the train for
Baldwin . happy man. He drew up
me deeds for the farm and sent them
o ms son Charles with Instructions to
urn them over to Slater. The latter
,ad previously been asked to examine
he title to the Division street property.
lie wrote to Farmer Parker and said
verything WAS o. X. Without wait
az further Slater, taking 1t upon him.
elf to act as Parker's agent, closed the
teal. giving the deeds to the farm to
'atterson, who Immediately recorded
hem.
Swipsd the Personal Property.
so far everything was lovely. Pat
srson went TO Baldwin TO look over his
arm. He noticed several fine horses
md other personal property. He told
barker he would have no use for any
hing of the kind IN Grand Rapids,
md If he wanted to dispose of il, he
,sd other real estate and would give
em good bargain. Parker had con-
ldence IN Patterson and traded him
everything on the farm. Patterson
but most of il aboard the cars and
hIpped il to this city where he dis
,osed of II. Farmer Parker moved
II his household goods to this
nty and rented place on West
bridge street. He went up TO see
gater preliminary to taking POSSESSION
VI his land. In regard TO the 5000 en-
umbrsnce he had been told that 10
would come due the let Of May, but
n he had TO do was to have 1t extend
M or sell few lots and pay it off.
Iater told Parker after he had been in
he offics few minutes that he want
vi a settlement. He had transacted
he business and asked $3.50 for his
rouble and commission. Parker re-
BE had received no money out of the
jeAl, but would give him one of the
ots-
slater Didn's Want Ieta
Slater didn't want lot. lie already
rad more real estate than be knew
what TO do with. Then Parker Of
fered To give bim two lots. telling him
hat he said they were worth $500
spiece, and that would be $1,000 for
ESQ. But Slater didn't want any lots
The old man started out. but Slater in
ereepted MIN and closed the door.
Is then advanced threateningly to-
ward Parker, and said he wanted $50
md wouldn't wait another minute for
g. Parker became alarmed and took
"a. Of his pocket a gold watch, an
isirloom. he had also with him an
ut rife These he gave 10 Slater with
note for s2oo-
When IL came to take possession of
he property Parker found he could
los Co so. The only claim Patterson
Iver had 10 it vas that he had pur-
'hssed Il from wenthrop r. Csdy on .
entrsct for $500. which amounted 10
sethins more than an option. and the
ontrsct bad been forfeited. Mr.. Csdy
sving notified Patterson TO that effect.
sses to Recover Bis ows.
Before this trAnspired Patterson had
conveyed half of the farm to FoRg n
loown. real estate dealers. and they
ssd transferred half OF their half to
later.
Clappsrtou n Hin ,. attorneys. were
rated By Parker. I'VE old man had
pern deeced cut II everything he bad