Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-09
DEED WAS BOGUS.
Attempt to Swind|e a Rich
Monmouth Man.
r..-4
Portland Real Estate Dealer Also Near
ly Victim Of the Men.
Two Portland and One Westbrook Par
ties Under Arrest.

Portland, Me-, March Harry B.
Russ, well-known young local lawyer,
and Orvill A. Bean, both of this city,
and Wadsworth Spring of Westbrook
are under arrest here.
On Feb. w. F. Dresser, a real estate
agent and broker, received a letter
posted on a railroad train at some point
between Bangor and Portland, but
dated at Monmouth, and signed Charles
NJ. Cumston. In substance the writer
said that he wanted to secure loan OF
$4,000, on property located on Deering
street. this city, assessed for $1,000 and
unincumbered. He wrote that pei
cent interest would be paid, and in add
ditiOn small commission.
The writer said that he should prob
ably be in Portland the following
Wednesday at 11.30 and hoped to then
receive his money; that he would bring
his own deed with him, and Mr.. Ores.
ser, III case he made the loan, was re-
quested to have the mortgage and note
prepared in accordance with the deed to
himself. The book and page where the
deed would be found recorded were
given.
The letter seemed to be perfectly
businesslille and Mr.. Dresser secured
the money at once, and was given q
check for $4,000. He went to the asses
sors' office, ascertained the assessed
value had the title looked UP and
found it was satisfactory. He then
made personal examination of the
property.
So thoroughly businesslike did it all
appear that had the writer of the let
ter carried out his original arrange
ment and come here at the appointed
time he would probably have received
the $4,000. but for some reason he did
not appear.
After waiting a few days Mr.. Ores
ser sent a letter to Mr.. Cumston and,
not receiving a reply, sent second let
ter telling him that the $4,000 he wanted
to raise on his Deering street property
was ready for him.
Mr.. Cumston. who is a wealthy resi-
dent of Monmouth, bought the property
in question for William NJ. Ingraham,
1 Portland lawyer, and had conveyed
it to him. but as it happened, he had
not recorded it. Mr.. Cumston wrote to
Mr.. Dresser that he had not attempted
to secure loan, and asked him if any
one offered and represented himself to
be Charles M. Cumston to have MIN
arrested. At the same time he wrote to
Mr.. Ingraham, who laid the matter
before County Attorney Whitehouse.
Yesterday, while Mr.. Dresser was in
Boston. telephone call was received
by Walter p. Currier his bookkeeper.
rs this Mr.. Dresser's office?" came
over the phone.
YES" replied Mr.. Currier.
This is Mr.. Cumston, Charles M.
Cumston of Monmouth, said the party
at the other end of the phone. 1T the
matter of my loan of $4,000 on my Deer
| ing street property all right
Il think SO. Mr.. Dresser is away.
When will you CALI" said Mr.. Currier.
| AT 11.3O tomorrow, said the other
| party. Will my money be ready?"
| Il think that everything is all right,
| said Mr.. Currier.s3.
| At 11.30 today Mr.. Dresser was in his
private office when Wadsworth Spring
| of Westbrook walked in. Inspector
| Pickett and Mr.. Ingraham were in the
| outer office Mr.. Ingraham was per-
| fecty astonished. because Spring en-
| tered Bowdoin College while he was
| there. He was not graduated, but left
| at the end of his first year.
Il am Charles NJ. Cumston," said
| Spring. and Mr.. Dresser asked him to
i take seat.
The bogus Cumston said that he hae
/ been prevented by sickness from coming
| in before. He asked if Mr.. Dresser hat
the papers ready. and the note and mort
gage we're handed to him. He was asked
i if he had his original deed. and he replied
! that he bad and produced oeea whlcf