The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-22
CAUGHT BY THE LAW AT LAST.
Miller, the swindIer. Turns I'D I'm
Kentucky as "a Bunko Man.

j. j. Miller. alias W. w Marstou. alias
W. H. Madison. bunko man and swindler
VINO, with the assistance Of his dsshing
handsome wife. obtained several good
sized bills OF goods from merchants in
TINS city January 81, 1854 but who ESCAPED
prosecution owing 10 the law about get
ting goods under false pretenses, has at
last fallen within the clutches OF the law
at Paris, KY, on three charges OF bunko-
Ing. He was arrested June 6, under the
name OF George A Taylor, and had IL not
been for 7. y. Valline. one OF the Pinker-
ton detectives, would have stood trial
without his record coming before the pub
lie.
w. A. Pinkerton. the great thief-catcher.
in n letter to the chief of police at Paris
said that there was no doubt that the pris-
oner was none other than J. j. Miller, a
dangerous criminal from Portland, and
one who should be put under heavy bonds
to keep him from FORGETTING them.
In giving Miller's record the Oregonian
says that he was convicted at Portland
and sent 20 the penitentiary for twelve
and half years, but Gov. Pennoyer par
doned him after six months in jail Con-
tinuing the Oregonian SAYS:
u. J. Miller was born in Johnstown, n
Y, and came to Portland first in 1862. He
had been a confidence operator for some
time previous. but. while in Portland. did
not attempt 10 turn any tricks during his
first visit. He had made the acquaintance
OF n young woman clerking in a store
She became so infatuated with him that.
when Miller left here. she Joined him in
Tacoma, where they were married. Going
to Seattle. they worked together. swind-
ling stores on worthless checks. but, when
exposed there, IL was discovered that there
was no statute 10 cover that particular
crime Leaving Seattle. the pair returned
TO Portland and in a little while Miller
and his wife were laying In stock OF Jew
elry and clothing. paying for them by pre-
senting worthless checks for sums larger
than the amounts OF their purchase. and
then pocketing the change. Miliers ca
reer was cut short by complaint of one OF
the swindled parties. and Detective Griffin.
who was detailed 20 work on the case.
soon had the man in custody. He was
sDeeduv Indicted on seven separate
charges and prompt conviction followed
his trial. lie was sent 10 the penitentiary
for twelve and a half years. Shortly after
his incarceration Gov. Pennoyer was APP
pfaled 10 by Mrs. Miller to pardon her nus
band. and her appeal resulted IN the sen
tence being commuted TO six months. ON
his release Miller went East, and COM
menced his confidence operations again,
until he was In the hands OF the law, with
a good chance Of serving long sentence.
The first that was ever known OF Milicr
in this city was January 81, 1S9i. when
Maurice l. Groeuhaum, proprietor Of the
CITY of Paris store. applied 10 the prose
cutting attorney for warrant for ms ar
rest under the name or W. II. Madison.
for obtaining 81 - worth Of goods under
faisa nre,enses The method employed by
Nattson or Miller was to present q caro-
on which his name appeared with that OF
7 7 McCilhcudv. announcing that the Co
1,n,hia Manufacturing and Discount COM
Many was doing business at room @s Burke
bIork. Being Of good address ana accom- o.
,auial nv n nne-looking, stylshly attired
,,.or,sn no had no trouble in getting tfe
,,or,bants TO take his individual check.
lie obtained SN50 worth Of goods from
T,llss Sineerman 4 co. and hill 81
at,o,,, the same amount from g H. Phil
~. ,rbe checks were drawn on the Guar
at,ea Loan and Trust Company where
Miller had no account
netective Cudihee located the gay sNind-
,o,s ~ "a house on Albert street. near ffith,
,,,t as the prosecuting attorney refused
:, tes,,e a warrant. the case was dropped
-, he sv,ndlers Immediately returned 20
T,ort1anS Their record since then mas
hean unknown in this city until the late
developments.