The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-08
TEE FREIGHT" RACKET.
1t Was Successfully Worked on a
Confding Youth.
Two of the Bunco Fraternity Rob Him
of His Hard-Earned Wages
One Under Arrest.

Louis Gustason Kaeding. an intelligent
Swede. was made the victim Of two
shrewd confidence men on Saturday, who
extorted from him the sum of $50 on the
well-worn freight charge scheme.
Kaeding is not a man OF verdant nature
and the sharpers were evidently taxed to
their utmost to delude him, but they did
it and he didn't know he had been done
until Officer Clark informed him.
About o'clock on Saturday afternoon
a stranger informed officer Clark that a
man was being worked by two we'll
known operators, and volunteered
description of the three. He said that
two OF them had gone toward the depot.
Clark went at once to the depot, and
after some little difficulty found Kaeding,
who was awaiting the return of his de-
ceiver, who had just stepped aside
moment in the crowd. The ofncer
presently saw the man and arrested him
in the presence of kaeding, who was
greatly surprised, and began protest.
Never mind, now" said Clark. How
much money have you paid this man ~
kaeding admitted that he had lent him
SS5.
well, you've been robbed said the
officer, and he marched the fellow off to
the police station, followed by the sur
prised Kaeding. At the station the al
legged crook denied acquaintance with
Kaeding and all knowledge OF any trans
action between them, giving his name as
William Becker.
Kaeding was interviewed yesterday at
ternoon and told his story. He has been
at work on a ranch, and lately came to
Sacramento, having finished his work at
his last place. On Saturday morning he
met a well-dressed stranger on Is street,
and after a brief interview was told by
his new acquaintance that his name was
Strobel, and that he was a Swede.
Strobel talked more like Dane, but
Kaeding received his advances in good
faith, and Strobel finally announced that
he was on the eve Of opening hardware
and cutlery store in San francisco, ana
had goods en- route there.
He told Kaeding further that he needed
an assistant TO care for his horses and as
sist in the store, and offered him per-
manent situation, which Kaeding decided
would suit him.
The two men walked down to Front
street, between n and o, where they sud
denly met man provided with what ap
peared to be railroad freight-books, and
who was apparently a very busy clerk.
Strobel inquired about his freight, and
the stranger said it was here and would
be forwarded to San Francisco on pay
ment Of the charges-about $50.
''Pll pay the charges In San Francisco"
said Strobel.
You can't do that" said the supposed
railroad man; you'll have to pay here,
and if you keep them here after tonight
storage at the rate of 81 per hundred
pounds will be charged
Quite heated discussion took place
between Strobel and the agent" which
, ended by Strobel saying he only had S25
in cash, enough to pay his hotel bill here
and his fare to the city.
He then turned TO KaeGing and asked
If he had the amount, but the latter said
he had no money with him.
The agent finally said he was very busy
and must go.
warded," said Strobel. where can see
you again?'
The agent said he had to 60 home to din
ner, out near the Capitol, and that if Stro-
bel was there he would meet him at noon
Then Strobel told Kaeding he was in d
fix. He had good watch and check
for $1,000, but could not raise the $50 to
pay the freight.
Kaeding was suspicious and very 10th
to advance any of his hard-earned dol
lars, but he was induced TO draw it from
the Peoples Savings Bank and meet Stro-
bel and the agent at Capitol Park.
They met according to appointment,
anu long parley euSueu, during which
the "agent" had business and started off,
Kaeding refusing for some time to ad-
vance the money. Finally he succumbed,
rather than offend his new employer, and
handed Strobel 800.
The two then walked hastily after the
agent, overlook him, and after Strobel
had given Kaeding the $1,000 check on
Wells, Fargo d Co. as security, the
money was paid to the agent, who APP
peared to be much aggravated at the de-
lay.
Strobel even went to store and had $40
changed so as to make the $50, and re-
turned s. to kaeding.
Everything was now settled, the
"agent' left, and Strobel took kaeding TO
the depot, whereithey were to embark flor
San Francisco, but were intercepted by
Officer Clark.
Kaeding added, after telling his story,
that he is disguised with this country.
During his stay here of three years he has
been working very hard, and has been
repeatedly deceived by protested friends.
He is evidently well-inforlned, honest
fellow, and would never be duped by an
ordinary sharper. He blames himself
for being too credulous, but says he
thought most men were honest until he
learned differently, and has several times
helped his own countrymen who were in
distress only to be swindled by them in
the end.