The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-15
SHREWD GAME FOOLED
An Attempt to Defraud the Union
Trust Company of $4,000.
Check Was Ready to Be Paid Over
Manager Eitel Suddenly Confront
ed the Confidence Man.

An unsuccessful attempt was made yes
terday afternoon to work a confidence game
on the Union Trust Company to the ex-
tent of $1,000. but it failed on account OF
the shrewdness Of Manager Henry Eitel.
The scheme was almost similar to that
which the Metzger real-estate agency
foiled some weeks ago, landing the operator
in Jail.
A week or so ago application was made
to the trust company for a tw~o-thousand-
dollar loan, a mortgage to be given on
the home property of John Tarlton, who
was formerly In the fish business in this
city. The application was made by an
agent who was evidently an innocent party
TO the affair. Manager Eitel knew Mr..
Tarlton, and had some business dealings
with him before; In fact, he had negotiated
a loan for Mr.. Tarlton, and knew that the
property was good security. AS is GUS
tonary in such cases, the company wanted
an abstract of title to the property, and
upon its request the abstract was sent to
the company by mail several days after
wards. This was examined and appeared
to be all right. The company had William
III. Daggett, of Duthie & Daggett, inspect
the property and see that 1t was in good
order. Mr.. Daggett found that the prop
erty was In excellent condition and ample
security, and so reported to the company.
In looking over the application for the
loan Mr.. Eitel saw that the age Of Mr..
Tarlton, as given. was much less than he
remembered it, the discrepancy being ten
years or so. He also saw il stated that
Mr.. Tarlton was unmarried, and Mr.. Eitel
remembered that Mr.. Tarlton was mar
ried. He thought. however. that perhaps
Mr.. Tarlton's wife had died since he had
met him. There was a little suspicion at
this time that an attempt was being made
to defraud the company, although Mr..
Tarlton had not been seen.
Yesterday afternoon the check for $1,000
was made out, and Mr.. Eitel decided TO
take 1T to Mr.. Tarlton in person. The agent
making the application had informed the
officers of the company that Mr.. Tarlton
could be oun at an office in the ingalls,
block. To this Office Mr.. Eitel went. Sew
eral men were in the room when the Union
Trust Company manager walked In and In
Il am Mr.. Tarlton,' said a large man
who was standing twirling a cane.
Mr.. o Tarlton. L mean." said Mr..
Eitel. +
THAT'S who am" insisted the stranger.
"Oh, no: you are not" replied Mr.. Eitel.
81 know John Tarlton too we'll"
"Well. 1 tell you l am" continued the
stranger. getting a little nervous, land
furthermore, 1 can prove 1T TO YOU"
But the stranger began to go to the
windward. swishing his cane as If anticipat-
ing some effort to apprehend him.
Il can prove it, l can prove it," We're
the last remarks of the man as he quickly
opened the door and disappeared down the
stairway. Mr.. Eitel returned to his office
with the check in his inside pocket, while
the stranger is still hunting his proof.
The tenants of the office where this scene
occurred did not know the man, and II
seems that he had been representing him
self as Tarlton TO them. He is perhaps
forty years old and well built. Mr.. Tariton
will be surprised to-day when he hears of
the affair.
About a month ago a man giving his
name as James Clark tried to sell through
the Metzger real-estate agency a house
owned by Frederick Stalhut a Massachu-
~setts-avenue grocer. Clark had rented the
house.. He obtained an abstract OF title and
represented TO the agency that he owned
il. He was arrested in the Office of the
real-estate agency, and made a bold dash
for liberty, but was secured and lodged in
Jail.