Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-10-21
CONSP|RE 1O D[FRAUD.
Waterloo Attorney and Real
Estate Agent Parties in Crooked
Transactions.
Confession Of Fred Falk Leads to
Their Arrest Details Of
the Deal.
Advised Falk to Cheat His Own
Mother and Then Took His
Farm.
Special to Times-Republican.

Waterloo, Oct. 21.-M j. Butterfield,
an attorney of this city, was arrested
last evening on a charge of conspiring
to defraud. A warrant has also been
issued for S. I. Williams, a prominent
real estate agent, on the same charge.
The warrants We're issued upon the
confession of Fred Falk, a young far
mer, made while in the county Jail
awaiting trial on charge of forgery
of notes aggegating nearly $4,000, the
notes being given by Falk, with his
mother as surety. F'alk then conveyed
his farm to Mrs. S. j. Williams, the
transfer being made wholly without
consideration. Actions We're begun in
the district court by Leavit johnson.
National Bank, First National Bank
and Mayor j. N. Krappel, holders of
the notes in question.
The first mentioned suit made Fred
Falk, Magdalena Falk. Sam Williams
and Grace Williams defendants The
latter was the purchaser of Fak's
property, and Sam Williams, her hus-
band, engineered the deal. This action,
also charged that the transfer was
made wholly without consideration, and.
with the intention of defrauding cred
itors.
The statement details the trans
actions previous and subsequent to the
transfer of the property and is sub
scribed and sworn to by Fred Falk be-
fore S. NJ. Bentley. deputy clerk of the
district court. The affidavit was sub
mitted to County Attorney Reed, who
Immediately caused to be issued the
warrants.
The affidavit deals with the transact
ton in all its phases, from the time the
notes were given by Fred Falk which
bore his mothers signature. He asked
the advice of Attorney Butterfield and
Sam Williams, who are charged with
advising him to "sell your property and,
beat your mother out of the money"
This advice Falk says was given by
both Williams and Butterfield. and,
acting upon it. he took his wife with
him to their office and there Butterfield
drew up a deed transferring the Falk
farm and bill of sale transferring all
personal property and credits to Mrs.
Grace Williams.
Henry Schmitz, a young man en-.
ployed at that time in the office, wit
messed the transaction and saw Will
lliams pay Fall $500 on the deal. Falk
next states that he and Williams went
into the back office, where the money
was turned back to Williams. Both
IButterfieId and Williams, so Falk
swears, said they would stand by him
like brothers and see that he got his
property back after his mother had
paid the notes. Falk says he was then
given $50 to go to Cedar Rapids. where
/ he was to go to work and remain until
the matter had blown over
The next day. he says. he went to his
hotel and found Williams talking with
his wife What! ! thought you We're
under arrest by this time. Didn't you
know the sheriff was after YOU FallS
answered no" and Williams then
told him that Mr.. Eighmey had sworn
out a warrant for his arrest. He af-
terwar6s said: Fred. if You give me
away in this I'll Kill YOU He then
gave Falk $500 and told him to come to
Waterloo and pay the notes. He said
you needn't pay the 1870 note; I'll at
tend to that.
The affidavit continues with the trip
ito Waterloo. Fearing to go TO the de-
lpot lest he be arrested, Williams took
Falk to a livery stable and got a team.
Fall drove to Palo, caught a freight to
| Laporte walked TO his farm and was
driven by Lou Williams to Waterloo,
where he proceeded at once to the Office
of Butterfield & Williams. There, he
/ says, he waited until it could be as
certained just how much was the
amount of the notes giving immediate
trouble. Before the messenger re-
turned from the bank Sheriff Law had
4 invaded the Office and placed Falk un-
der arrest He mad the 5000 on his per-
son, of which the sheriff took posses
sion.
The subsequent proceedings have
been given in the preceding para
graphs. The affidavit was used as a
beverage to force Williams to give up
the property which they secured from
Falk, and the county attorney now
! proposes to use it in criminal action
against the two. charged in the con-
fession with conspiracy.
In addition TO the criminal action,
proceedings Will be begun by the bar
association for the disbarment of AT
torney Butterfield.
PROSPERITY AT HoLSTEIN.
Good Weather, Good Crops and
Plenty of Money.
Special to Times Republican
4 Holstein, Oct Give are having the