The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-16
SMOOTH swINDLERS.
"wiison Bros. - Who Bought Goods,
hut Didn't Paw for Them.


The Wilson Brothers." notorious swind-
lers, who have operated In Sacramento.
Stockton and Portland, have made an at
tempt 10 get a foothold in this city. but
things got too warm for them. and they
have LETT for new fields and other victims.
In their operations this gang used the
favorite method OF creating confidence by
having a fine letter head. Of which the
following is a copy: Wilson Brothers.
exporters and dealers IN hay, grain, -four,
feed. potatoes, eggs and dairy produce.
Office. 625 Chamber OF Commerce Building.
Warehouse. Front and Washington streets.
Portland. Or Then up in the left hand
corner appeared the following: Branch
office room go. Seattle National Bank
hhlding, Seattle"
Judging from the letters IN the hands
OF Chief OF Police Rogers and Detective
Cudihee the Wilson Brothers had a very
simple method Of beating their customers.
They bought goods and did not pay for
them II was said M police headquarters
last evening that the Wilson's skipped out
Of Sacramento last August. Word was
sent here 70 look out for them. bat Is
they did not make their appearance the
matter was lost sight Of Evidence shows
that the Wilson's went 10 Portland and
commenced business. As usual things be-
came torrid after a while. and they left
the city IN the night time: in fact. just
IN time 80 save themselves from unpless-
am happenings, as Sheldon Bros OF the
Valley Roller Mills. AZ Rockford. Wis,
were after them hot and heavy.
Chief Minto. OF Portland, wrote 70 Shell
don Bros. after having investigated the
Wilson's as follows: we find that the
Wilson Brothers have been here doing
business tn the same manner that they
have throughout the state, They are the
same people that are reported as having
been in Sacramento and stockton not long
ago They nave skipped ont OF this place
and thtuk have located 80 Seattle. as they
lefi here very suddenly. IN fact. started
81 the Night. and ! understand Tor Seattle.
They have brother there. or some one
representing himself 10 be. ] suppose they
have gone there. where they VIII proceed
20 skin rs many people as possible ard
then cross the water. I send you a de-
sc~.pIion % the mem No. About feet
$ inches tan. in pounds. black mustscse.
about D years old dark complexion. dark
SttY hat. broa8 English accent. wears rep
per and salt suit No. Five feet sis
inches tan about = years old. light com
plexion smooth face. light hair. strong
English accent Roth are reported az he
saE good dressers. The younger usually
wears a corduroy vest They left here
February 7"
In yhe letter sheldon Bros. sent 20 Chief
- Police Rogers they said that they
shipped the Wilson's a car load OF four
bar the pay vas NOT forthcoming. accord
ing 10 the agreement. Several letters COW
erluE the spo14eHce with the Wilson's
were enclosed. one dated January = sa{5.
Your -four = giving satisfaction We
shall 90 our best 20 keep II before our GUS
TONERS and hope 10 send YOU an order in
tire course Of \ week. We shan send vol
a check for the last car on the Ist E,it
Ire letter never came. and the Wilson's
skipped.
Yesterday afternoon a letter was re
ceIved By Chsef Rogers about the Wilson's
and Re Immediately detailed pera-tg,-a
C4dihec - investigate. The detective tas
no trouble IN finding traces Of one Wtisos
CT man Who called himself N-Rsoa hnF
the same old story came out cncs more
Wilson had skipped Several rsa,nle
have called for Wilson az room 90 in fhe
Seattle National bank sGll4ln. 62rias Ia