The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-01-04
t'QUEER" BUSINESS.
sorasrsst Township citi1sns Act the Part Of
Come ons,"
AND SUCCEED IN TRAPPING @GaEEN-
GOODS" GANG.

The following special dispatch was sent
out Thursday night from Allentown. Pa;
A gangof green goods men were caught
red handed to-day while trying 10 close a
deal with two supposed farmers. Thepo-
lice who made the arrest think they have
caught Jack Ryan. Of New York, the
head OF notorious band Of swindlers.
! The story Of the capture is an interest
ing one. About year ago Weldon g.
Win, Of Somerset county, came to Allen
town aud was fieeced by green goods
men. who. at the revolver's point, robbed
him Of $500 and sent him home with lot
OF counterfeit money VIII bad no alter
native but to go. However, he swore TO
be revenged, and to day his oath was ful-
fIled.
Some months ago his uncle, Philip Will
and Charles weigle received green-goods
circulars and decided TO come 70 Allen
town and help young VIII to do" the
swindlers.
They opened up a correspondence with
Mayor Lewis. and. following his instruc-
tions. disguised themselves as bacR woods
men aud came to Allentown on Tuesday
morning and met the green goods mer.
They registered at the American Hotel
under assumed names. The steerer soon
came ard conducted them TO downtown
place, where they were shown SEQ in
green goods.r
Mayor Lewis had instructed the ''coms
ons" not to go beyond the city limits, and
employed Fred H. Reichard to follow the
party and keep the police pos ed by tele-
phone as to their movements.
BIG LOT OF GOODS
The steerer took the victims 20 house
in Catasanqua. where they we're shown a
valise supposed to be filled with $4,000
worth OF counterfeit money, and where
the deal with the "old man" was TO be
consummated.
The come ons'' stated that they had
LEFT their money at the hotel and would
not be able 10 make the deal until to-day.
This morning the supposed victims left
the hotel separately and net the three
green goods men at Sixth and Washing
ton streets, here they boarded car for
Catasauqua. In the meantime the police
were kept informed of the new arrange
meDt, and early in the day Chief Harrity
aud Sergeant Knaus stationed themselves
at the lower Catassuqus bridge to watch
the cars. Officers Whitehead, Smith and
Frederick went to Catasauqua in cab
and were distributed along Front street.
The understanding was that the officers
were to surround the house by concerted
action, bet Officer Smith and Sergeant
Knsre, - 40 iIa,s joined them, forced their
way into the houae where the green goods
deal was going on.
A the sight Of the officers theswindlers
scattered, the fellow with the valise con-
tainlng the green goods escaping through
a second story window. The officers,
however, arrested the man supposed to
be Ryan, and the steerer. They were
placed in charge Of Sergeant Knaus, and
while Officer Smith was searching the
house, Ryan made dash out Of the hack
door, but Officer Smiths revolver brought
him back Meanwhile the steerer, who
was hsndcuffed, escaped out Of the front
door. The sergeant fired two shots at the
fellow who jumped out Of a second story
window, but they did not halt him.
Ryan. who is chief Of the gang. is about
65 years of age. He had 500 aud lot OF
jewelry in his clothes. He was commit
ted to Jail by Alderman Keiter. Officer
Frederick aud Sergeant Knsus searched
the house and found a complete green
goods outfit. The Wills and Weigle re-
turned home Saturday. They expect to
receive reward for trapping the gang.