The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-16
WORKS new BUNCO
GAME IN ST. PAUL
Poses as Landlord and Collects
From Tenants by Promising
Reduction in Rents.

Something new in the ICON" game
line has been practiced in st. Paul
recently, and the police now have the
alleged swindler in custody. He was
arrested yesterday afternoon after
operating, as far as is known, about
two weeks.
Renters in all sections Of the city
have been the victims of this scheme.
The man, who gives his name as Will
liam Miller, it is claimed, has been
calling at small houses in various parts
OF the city, representing himself as the
owner of the premises, and demanding
the payment of rent.
After introducing himself as the
owner he explained to the tenants that
he had just come from North Dakota
with a little capital which he had in
vested in ST. Paul realty. He assured
| the tenants that it was also the inten-
| ton to make many Improvements
| about the houses and that, being
liberal man, he would reduce the rent
few dollars.
he would reduce the rent 81, and in
other places 81, monthly. The tenants
of course, were delighted with their
new landlord, and in several instances,
| it is said, made payments.
Promises to Make Repairs.
The man when he called first at each
| house made a careful inspection Of the
| premises, noting all the needed i'm
| provements and assuring the tenants
| that they would be attended to prompt
| ly. AS he needed money, he said, he
| would be obliged if the tenant would
advance the next months rent, to cover
4 h. Of II n
| ing, papering, Shingling and painting
| were promised wherever needed.
| William G. Reed who acts as agent
for large number of houses in all
parts of the city, began receiving in
quiries over week ago in regard to
the alleged transfer of houses, and
whether payments of rent should be
made to the stranger. AS several SINH
| lar inquiries were made, and as one
| tenant, M. J. Cooley, 498 Woodward
avenue, had actually paid a months
rent to the stranger, Mr.. Reed reported
| the matter to Chief of Police O'Connor
| and an Investigation followed.
Woman Has Him Arrested.
Last week Miller called at a house
on st. Anthony avenue, and the woman,
suspecting something wrong, told him
! to call again Saturday night, when
she said she would have the money
She then notified the police and Satur-
| day evening detective was placed in
the house, but Miller did not appear.
He called yesterday afternoon, how
ever, and while he was detained in the
| house one of the children went to
| telephone and notified the police.
| Patrolman Guerin was sent to the
house, where he arrested Miller.
There is little of the appearance of
the professional ICON" man about Mil
Ter. He is rather poorly dressed, and
has none of the traditional flash Of that
class. He is forty-two years old, and
| gives his occupation as plasterer.
| The police already have reports of
attempts to swindle by this game from
all parts of the city. Complaints have
come from Dayton's bluff, st. Anthony
hill, the West. side, the Fifth ward and
| the Eighth ward. Operations were
confined to small houses, the rent OF
which ranged from So to $12
| About a month ago the same game
was quite successfully worked in Min
neapolis, the buncoer making his es-
| cape when the police got on his track.