St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-08-02
VICTIMS OF A SHARPER.
MONEY UNDER FALSE PRE-
LENSES.
OSborne's EX-Partner Secured
Money From Italians on the
Pretcnse OF Employment.

A nice state of affairs was disclosed in
the police court yesterday. when Ii. ".
Osborne and Frank Rogers were called
TO the bar OH a state warrant charging
them with obtaining money under false
pretenSeS.
Mr.. Osborne is wide and favorably
known as railroad contractor. and
bears an unblemiShed reputation. To
see him made defendant in an action
of so grave character was a surprise
TO those present, many Of whom had a
personal acquaintance with him. Rogers
is young Italian who often plays an
Important part as middle man between
his countrymen and employing con-
tractors, owing to the fact that he
speaks English well and is familiar
with the language of the Italians.
AS the story developed both men are
the innocent victims OF tine-haired
scoundrel who is still at large. The
complaints bad been preferred by some
irate Italians who had been duped. and
when the case comes up for hearing this
afternoon it is likely that both men will
be honorably acquitted. Some time ago
Mir. Osborne was in partnership with
one E. Johnson. They were engaged in
railroad contracting and supplying
lab0rers to the various roads centering
in St. Paul. Having found out that
Johnson was,as asserted,an undesirable
man 10 tie to, Osborne dissolved the
partnership arrangements on
short notice. This was nearly
year ago. Some few weeks ago
Mr.. Osborne took a trip
to Montana to look over the field. Not
finding any outlook for business he de-
cided to spend brief season fishing in
the trout streams of the Rocky Moun-
tains. During his absence his late part
ner arrived here, and, having fertile
brain. conceived as said the idea of
making a stake easy. So be sent for
Rogers and informed him that he
wanted number of laborers to 90 to
Montana. He would supply the men
with jobs and transportation for the
payment of St apiece. About fifty-siX
Italians were sent to him. and he
received the cash, collecting about $3.50
in all. The men, remembering him as
former partner Of Mr.. Osborne's,
! placed implicit confidence in him. That
night. as alleged, he skipped out for
Chicago. johnson is said to be an
inveterate gambler. Arrived at CHI
cago, he wrote to Mr.. Osborne as fol-
| lows:
Now have $3.50 of Italian money
! and am going to win out tomorrow so
that l can pay it back Sunday"
On Monday letter was received, in
which ne says: Il tried to make a
plunge Of 800 on Lucky Dog, in a
three-horse race, but l got nosed our.
The question is, can Osborne take care
of the Dagoes. If not, it means h for
me-"
These letters were shown in court and
to the press reporters. LII all commulli-
cations johnson makes the usual pitiful
talk about his wife starving and other
| charity lodges. When he came here
soule months ago he was flush with
money he had made in the South. But,
as stated, he gambled every cent away
When Mir. Osborne learned the true
state OF affairs he at once paid to every
one of the Italians who held note
| signed by johnson the amount due him.
At that time he did not know that a
warrant had been sworn out against
him, or else he would PROBABLY not have
paid the money. Mr.. Osborne is held
Dlameless of the transaction.
Judge Twohy continued the case over
till this afternoon, and allowed both
men to go on their own reeogniZance.
Assistant County Attorney Donuelly
| Informed a GLOBE reSorter that he did
not believe that the case could hold
since hearing the true evidence of the
matter.