Connecticut western news., 1900-01-11
GENTEEL SWINDLERS,

Probably every town is "worked" more or less by genteel swindlers, but apparently North Canaan is good field for these rowing characters. At least 1t has leaked out that several persons have recently been imposed upon by "slick articles" who make their living by tray cling around the country and beating boarding house keepers. The tramp who comes to the door and begs for something to eat does not deceive any one. At least he frankly asks for ehari- ty-no matter whether he is worthy or not. But there is another class of tour ists who are too proud to beg, and they prefer to get their living by fraud. This class dresses we'll and have the ap. pearance of business men or their agents. Patent right swindlers, bunco men, ble.riggers, and legion of other frauds have so often found vic- tins among farmers and business men and their games have so often been exposed-that 1t has become necessary to work some other racket. Boarding house keepers have lately proved an easy prey, but if they would only promptly make known the fact when ever they are swindled it would expose travelling frauds and prevent other boarding house keepers from bei"g g de- frauded. We will mention as follows several ''incldents" that have occurred in this village-and which have recent ly come to our knowledge-but we do not feel at liberty to mention the names of the victims:
 Two men appeared at boarding house and represented they had the contract to build new telegraph line on the Berkshire division of the N. T., N. H. X H. R. R. They wanted to board in Canaan because this was cen- tral point and they could oversee the work north and south of here. They engaged board for several weeks. They both received supper, lodging and breakfast and then started out to super intend their work, and return in the evening. That was many months ago, but they have not yet returned. Per haps they have been captured by the Bosrs
 man beat 8 poor woman out of a whole weeks board by representing he was employed in putting on tin roof in this village. He came to every meal, but after he had vanished it was learned that nc tin roof had been put on and the man had not done a moments work but had kept out of sight until each meal time.
 Two men beat another hard working woman cut of supper, lodging and breakfast by representing they had some contraction work in this place. They engaged board for long time or while the contract lasted. But some accident must have happened to the men or to their contract-at least they never came back aftsr leaving the house soon after breakfast
 On Monday, Dec. 18th, about 10 o'clock Tn the morning, 8 middle aged man, we'll dressed, called at & boarding house In thls village and represented that he had number of men at work for him putting in steam heaters in diff ferent towns north and south of Canaan He wanted to engage board for himself and four of his men for 8 week or long, CT. He made a bargain in regard 10 the number of rooms to be occupied, and the price He said the four men would be there to supper and he would come with them. He could not stay to dinner because he must go right along to where the men were at work, but he asked for lunch to take with him. The landlady put him up good dinner in tin pail and he started out Then sue got the rooms ready for the five boarders that would come at supper time, but none of them have come yet About noon that same day that tin pail and the man were seen gong east through East Canaan. Perhaps the pail kidnapped the man.
 We presume the foregoing incidents are only few of many similar ones which transpire in this town. The vic- tims of travelling frauds ought not to let false pride defeat the ends of justice. Instead of keeping mum about being swindled 1t would be better to immedi- ately notify the police and the news papers and thus promptly put tue pub- lie on guard and probably catch the rascsls.