The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-05

S. b. Hosmer, the insurance sharp,
who defrauded a number of Scranton
physicians out of various sums OF
money ranging from $25 to $75, was
arrested yesterday at Niagara Falls.
His arrest was brought about through
DIR. +. d. Brewster, one of the physi-
clans victimized by Hosmer in this
city.
Hosmer operated here early in No
vember. He represented himself to be
an agent of the John Hancock Life
Insurance company, of Boston, reput-
able company, which has been as anX-
ious to see Hosmer under arrest as his
dupes have been. The bogus agents
game was to approach a physician and
engage him as local medical examiner,
after exacting a promise that the phys
ician would apply for insurance.
By this means Hosmer obtained a
number of applications, receiving cash,
checks or notes, usually the latter, in
payment of first premiums. The
checks he cashed at once. The notes
he had discounted just before his de-
parture and after he had operated
here for about ten days.
HOsMER WAS UNKNOWN.
The physicians, DR.. Brewster among
the number, hearing nothing of their
policies, communicated with the home
office of the company. They learned
that Hosmer was unknown to the COM
pany, that the applications had not
been received, ana that the agent was
probably a bogus one. Reports to the
same effect were received from Pitts
burg, the company's main Pennsyl-
vania office, and from Buffalo, which
city Hosmer had given as his home
| address. Efforts TO trace him proved
! futile.
On Tuesday DR.. Brewster received
| from Niagara Falls a telegram signed
"S. B. Hosmer," which contained the
| information that the latter had sent to
a Scranton attorney draft for $50, the
amount paid by d Brewster as a
premium on the policy which never
came. DIR. Brewster did not understand
the reason for such a course on Hos
mers part. nor did ne care to lose his
man by waiting for the draft.
No time was lost In reporting the
| telegram to the Scranton police depart
ment. The latter forwarded by tele-
graph a description of Hosmer to the
| Niagara Falls police with instructions
to arrest and hold him until further
instructions. Last evening word was
received here by telegram that Hosmer
was under lock and key.
| A warrant for the insurance mans
arrest has been procured from Alder
man Millar and today an effort will
| be made to secure an indictment from
the grand jury. Then application fol
requisition papers will be asked o.
the state department.
CAN HE BE EXTRADITED?
Hosmers offense is not felony, ac
cording to this states statute law, ant
it is not certain that he can be eX
tradited. If he is not posted he may
be induced to cross the border lint
with an officer without eXtradition anC
ther be arrested on Pennsylvania soil
In anticipation Of trouble in getting hin
| here, his several Scranton victims nat
urally want the widest publicity pos
sible given the case. as it is believed
he has operated in New York cities
and that notification of his arrest viii
lead to his prosecution in that state.
1t is said he has practiced the SAM
game in Binghamton and Deposit. G
| II. Matteson, of 736 Monroe avenue, al
insurance man who came here from
a. city in New York, mas knowledge o
| Hosmer's illegal practices in that state