The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-09-07
And Attempted to Work On tile
Credulity of a Well
Known Farmer.
PLAN WAS FORMULATED.
For the Apprehension Of the "Green
Goods" Man in This City.
BY AUTHORITIES, MONDAY.

There Was Some Interception and the
Farmer Did Not Meet the smooth
individual Who wanted
to Sell Him Some
Bills.
A "green goods" man who evidently
thought he could work upon the credu-
lity of Stark county farmer, with
his smoth methods and his stock in
trade, very nearly came to grief and
apprehension by the local authorities
Monday. The fact Is the handler of
the bogus money did not show up and
therefore he could not be arrested. The
planning Of the arrest Of the man has
been in progress for several days, and
there were very few Of the officers
who were acquainted with the story.
The story as related by one Of the
parties interested. was to the effect
| that a few days ago q green goods"
man called upon q wealthy farmer
named Clapper, living near the town
Of Orrville, just on the western county
line Of Stark. Clapper was busy in the
field with his workingmen and he at
first did not pay much attention to the
man. The stranger, however, asked
Clapper to step aside few moments,
and then he invited him to step into
his buggy and take a short drive with
him down the lane away from the
| house. Clapper became interested in
the strange proceedings through curl
osity as to what the fellow was about,
and he readily acceded. When they
had driven out Of hearing Of the men
In the field, the stranger asked Clapper
what his politics were. Clapper re-
piled that he Is q Democrat. The
| stranger said he Is a Republican md
that he would be in need Of funds this
campaign, and that he had some STUFF"
to sell which It would be worth the
while Of the farmer to look after.
After conversation the man opened a
valise which he carried and he exhib-
tied big pile Of bills to Clapper.
COULDN'T CATCH HIM.
The sturdy farmer was not to be
caught in such an unlawful act, but he
thought there might be some plan
whereby the stranger with his bogus
bills could be apprehended by the po-
lice. He therefore interested himself
and finally when the stranger left it
was agreed that Clapper would send
him word to meet him in this city or in
Cleveland and that Clapper would bring
along about 5000 in cash which he was
to exchange for $1,000 of the bogus
goods.
When the stranger left his place,
Clapper Immediately formulated a plan
for the capture of the fellow and he
drove to town and informed the au-
thorities. 1t was believed that Canton
would be an excellent place for the
two parties to meet, and therefore q
telephone message was sent to this
city, which was responded to by the
mayor, and arrangements were made
that Marshal Reinhart go to Orrville
Saturday, and hold a consultation with
the officers there. and
AGREE ON A MEETING PLACE
In this city. The marshal returned
home Saturday afternoon after discuss
ing the plan, and Clapper was to send
word to the green goods man to meet
him at q place in this city. and the
police here were then to be given orders
to surround the building and place the
man under arrest, with the bogus
money in his possession.
The parties were to meet Monday in
this city, and the place to meet was
q public one. However, It appears
that some obstacle arose which pre-
vented the meeting and as Clapper did
not show himself to the local authori-
ties Monday, they concluded that he
was unsuccessful In his plan.
The Orrville police were elated over
the story and the opportunity Of ef-
fecting the arrest Of the stranger when
the marshal visited that city. They
We're quite certain that he could be ap-
prehended and possession obtained of
the bogus money.
Clapper was unable to estimate the
amount OF money which the stranger
carried in his valise, but he stated that
1t must have been very large. He at
first asked him for 5000 for 81 900 in
bogus money. When Clapper thought
also talked In a favorable manner as
to the meeting him to buy 1t. Then the
stranger asked Clapper II he could not
pay him $400 as well as $500. telling
him he would receive 1t all back again
as soon as It had been passed. Clapper
A WELL KNOWN MAN.
Clapper is one of the most prominent
men In that part Of the county and
has an excellent reputation, and this
probably caused the green goods man
to approach him, as he has done here
tofore In other parts Of the country.
AS to whether or not the green goods
man. had he met Clapper would have
had his valise filled with bogus money.
IL questionable. The police records
show that these willy fellows always
provide themselves with good money
upon such first meeting, so as to
avoid any completely In counterfeiting
should he be apprehended. The first
meeting then leads to second meeting
place or some swindiing game whereby
the victim 10 parted from his money
and receives nothing In return
A good many years ago two men were
arrested in this city. who were sup
posed to be green goods handlers It
is understood that they offered to cell
their bills to a certain party. When
the party arrived to meet them, they
carried many bills, but when the local
police searched them all the bills found
In their possession were good ones, and
the authorities were compelled to dis
charge the men. Frequently citizens
receive these green goods circulars, In
which generous offers OF large sums
are made In bogus money for all small
sums OF good money A telegraph ad-
dress 10 usually contained In the circu-
lar directing the recipient Of the mail