Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-02-16
TALK ABOUT TOWN.
A Rock Island Woman Worked
by Swindler D. n. Craig.
LOANED HM $500 BORROWED MONEY

LOANED HM $500 BORROWED MONEY
And Has Been Repentant Since, rs In All
His Other Dealings, He Never Liquidated
press Messenger-severai Rock Islanders
Get Scare.
There goes another of his vic
TINS" remarked a gentleman to his
friend while they were standing in
the doorway of business house the
other afternoon discussing the last
swindling scrape. in which d. IL.
Craig, who formerly conducted the
Commercial house in this city. had
figured SO conspicuously in Chicago,
Moline widow being his victim.
You don't say so; well-how do
you mean. in a financial way?"
Eyes; if her statement is anthem
tic. he swlndled her out OF something
like $500"
well. it's queer that it didn't get
out before this. Why didn't she
prosecute him? remember of
Craigs frequenting her house quite
regularly, but as far as obtaining
any money from her. l was totally
ignorant until you just spoke. But
how did he manage to get it?"
ION the strength of one of those
gilt-edged and hasty investments, !
suppose" was the reply. '.although
she did not inform me as to his pre-
tentions. You remember three OF
four years ago when he was proprie-
tor of the Commercial house, he con-
Quoted his place in such a manner
as to subject the management of that
hostelry at the time to some pretty
strong criticisms. He was scarcely
settled here when his reputation as a
very warm admirer of the gentler
sex was established. He used to do
some funny things. This Mrs. -
being a rather attractive lady, Craig
struck up an acquaintance with her.
No, she has not lived with her hus-
band for several years. l believe
he deserted her and went west.
Yes, she has children. They had
been acquainted but a short time
until they became very intimate
friends, and her residing but short
distance from his place of business,
they met very often; in fact, it was
a difficult matter in the minds of
their neighbors to decide where he
spent the most of his time-at the no.
tel or the home of his lady friend.
But of course, you know how some
people will talk. Now, as l under
stand it, Craig, with his sleek tongue
and manners, succeeded in winning
the confidence of the woman to such
an extent-apParently with only the
financial question in view, which CO.
incides identically with his other ro-
mantle offers-that she would sacri.
fee almost anything rather than lose
his friendship. OF course, being
aware of this, and firing of the wO-
mans company, he tried the borrow
ing racket to the extent of $500, and
it worked. The worst part of it was,
SO she says, that it was not her
money, as she had to borrow it from
relatives, not having the desired
amount in her possession. Her
happening along just at the moment
when we were talking about the man,
recalled to my mind what she told
me some time ago, in regard to her
dealings with Craig, or it would have
otherwise escaped my memory"
Georges Downfall.
An ARGUS reporter was talking
with a man who has run in here a
good many years on the Milwaukee
road the other evening about old
times and old timers. lie was speak
ing about how quickly some men
who have been trusted and honorable
60 down when once they get started.
You remember George, don't you?''
said he, "who ran in here so long for
the American Express Co., Windy
George and Jolly George the boys
used to call him. He was one of the
most whole-souled fellows you ever
met and as good messenger as the
company had in its employ at that
time. But his failing was that OF
many another good man. he couldn't
stand prosperity. Things we're COM
ing too easy for him. He had a nice
home at the other end of his run and
an amiable little wife, but it made nc
difference. He began to dissipate and
in a short time had lost the esteem
of his superiors. He had barrel OF
maple syrup come to him at his home
Office with the charges c. o. d.
George didn't have the money to pay
for it, SO it was put in I cellar to
keep cool until he had sufficient com.
ing to him to pay the charges.
Every morning before he went out
on his run he would 60 down cellar.
draw off some of the syrup and sell
it until by and by there was no syrup
and no charges paid. That ended it
with poor George. The company
dropped him and so did MANY that
had formerly been his friends. 1t
was only the other day the boys made
up q little purse and sent it to his
wife; but they seldom speak of George,
as he is only shadow Of his former
SELF"
A Good Scare.
Several people from this city who
attended a dance given at Turner