Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-08-18

chribtendom, George w. PosL' WAS
arrested In Madison In 1891 and re-
turned to New York where he was
sent TO prison for ~ years and that
on July 18th last he walked out oil
prisou O free man through commu-
taton Of sentence by Gov. Black,
the crooks time being reduced two
years and q half. But while these
facts are quite generally known, 1t
has never been understood In the
west for just what crime Post was
sent up. The story OF the grand
bunco game 80 cleyerly worked by
him IL highly entertaining as told
by the Albany Argus. Post, aided by
Thomas O'Br.en, arranged the plan
through which John M. Peck, who re-
sided at No. IS Clinton avenue, AL
bany, was robbed OF $4,000 In cash.
Mr.. Peck, who has died since, was a
wealthy owner Of real estate, and
was said to have had enough cash In
Albany banks to make an ordinary
man independent
Post and O'Brien laid their plans
skillfully. Previous to playing the
game they appeared ut the house Of a
respectable family on the north side
OF clinton avenue, west OF Swan
street, Albany. This family was
acquainted with the family OF Mr.
Peck, lower down on the avenue,
The two gontlemanly appearing men
desired to rent the parlor for n few
days, and gave out that they were
architects there on business connected
with the ceiling OF tho assembly
chamber, and wanted to use the
room In order to hold business con
ferenCes with those who might call
TO sec them. That was, ut least, the
impression which the family had OF
their business.
II happened that ol that same day
one of the gentemanly appearing
men called on Mr.. Peck. This in
dividual was none other than George
w. Post, gentlemanly In appear
ancc, but crook by nature and oo-
cupatlon His call was Of social
nature, but during 1t he managed
TO impart to Mr.. Peck the informa-
tion that he was Il nephew of the
late Erastus Corning, Sr. To confirm
this, Buncoer Post shrewdly referred
To various business transactions
which had occurred years ago be-
tween Mr.. Peck and the late Mr..
Corning. His knowledge OF these
affairs was 30 familiar that Mr..
Peck accepted Post at his word and
thereafter addressed him as "Mr.
Corning"
Post had spread the net that was
70 ensnare the shrewd and ex-
perlenced real estate dealer. Mr.,
Fornlng's" conversation was crisp and
utertainl0g, and when 1t finally
turned on business and real estate
investments, with which Mr., Peck
was most familiar. his respect for
the visitor was heightened, Finally
Mr.. Corning" animated that he had
few thousand dollars lying idle
which he would be willing to In
vest. and he limited that perhaps the
best thing he could do would be to
try real estate. He spoke OF farm
mortgages and Ind thought OF try
Ing them, but came to tho conclusion
that real estate was tho most sure
and would yield tho best returns,
He limited that amy suggestions Mr..
would be gladly received. That was
the substance OF the conversation on
his first visit, and wheu he left II
was with an invitation to call again,
He called the next evening, and this
time gained still further hold upon
the confidence of Mr.. Peck. On n
third visit he mentioned that on TAX
ing walk up Clinton avenue that
day he had noticed house for
which he would he willing to pay
$4,000 In cash.
Post then described the location
Of the house, wondered who was the
owner, and appeared astonishcd when
Informed that Mr., Peck owned the
property. This must have been n
pretty little scene, and gave Post
al opportunity to display his ability
as an actor, Now $4,000 was All
amount which, It Is said, Mr.. Peck
never dreamed Of getting for the
property in question, and at first
thought u seemed to him hardly
possible that mfr Corning" could be
in earnest, but Post. with consum-
mate skill and moneys no object-to-
me style, insisted that he would like
10 become the owner OF that par
ticular property and no other, and
pressed his offer upon Mr.. Peck, Mr.,
Peck was reluctant, however, but
began to show signs OF yielding, and
finally MIR. Corning" withdrew,
bearing with him half assurance
that he could have the house and
lot for the sum named That even
Ing Post and 0'Brien were engaged In
secret conference and the meshes of
the net which was to ensnare Mr.
Peck were more closely welded.
Mr.. Peck went to bed that Friday
night with the understanding that he
WIS to arise early the next morning,
go with MIR. Corning" and show him
through the house. for which he was
to get $4,000 spot cash from Corn