The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-19

special to The Journal. SIS
Fergus Falls, Mimi, Nov 1o.-E $.
Porter was found guilty of seduction to-
day, the jury being out less than half an
hour He Is sure to get the full limit
Special to The Journal.
Fergus Falls, Mimi, Nov, 19.-Edwin s.
Porter the notorious swindfer, was
brought to trial in the district court to-day
on the charge Of seduction. this being one
of the three charges brought against him
by the grand jury. Porter has been oper.
ating under various aliases for years, and
has been caught In swindles in several
places and served prison sentences In
Galesburg, ILL.,, and also in Arkansas. His
general plan was to sell goods to girls and
women, collect in advance, and move on
to greener pastures. &E
Shortly before coming to this county he
was arrested at Vermillion. s. D., but
made his escape by "a novel method. He
and one other prisoner were the
solo occupants of the Jail, and he remarked
to his companion that there was no OBJ
ject In remaining when they could just as
well leave. He then pretended to be SUI
fering intensely from cramps and, calling
the sheriff, urged him to bring him some
medicine In haste. The latter complied
and Porter and his companion hid behind
the Jail door, The sheriff returned, left
the keys in the door and fastened to the
cell where he expected to find the prisoner
in agony. The two men stepped out.
turned the keys and left the officer locked
up, In less than seven hours after this
exploit, Porter had victimized another
woman to the extent Of S27 on a pattern
deal. .,-
Miss Anderson's Case.
At the trial here to-day. it developed
that Miss Emily Anderson, of the town of
Eastern, this county, had met him on a
train in the vicinity of Wadena. She was
returning from Fargo, where she was EN-
ployed as domestic for several months
and he made himself very agreeable. Sew
eral letters were exchanged, and he then
went to visit her. He gave his name as
PenroSe at the time. and represented him
self as a postoffice inspector. He said that
his home was in Syracuse, N. Y, and that
he Was wealthy. He had become enamored
of Emily because of her resemblance to q
sister to whom he was devotedly attached
lie gave her a gold watch and chain, and
soon succeeded in winning the confidence
of her parents as completely as her own
Her father, a simple farmer, was very
much pleased with the match, and 1t was
arranged that the girl should accompany
Porter to Minneapolis to purchase her
wedding trousseau. Her parents made ev-
cry effort to fit her out in style. and she
vast TO return and the wedding was to
take place within few weeks. Porter
made stops at Osakis, ST. Cloud and other
pllIlle, LSiililS ueI ludC he lltlu TO inspect
the postomtces, and finally went to Cold
Springs, whore they stopped at q hotel
He complained Of heartburn, and asked
her to step out and get some soda wa ter
to cure it. While she was gone he left
the building, taking her pocketbook con-
taintns $S7, her watch, and some other
jewels, ard her sachel containing all OF
her clothing except what she was wearing.
The girl found herself penniless, and had
to be assisted In getting home. The state
introduced testimony to show that she
had always been girl OF good character.
Should the jury fail to return asyerdict of
guilty, Porter will Immediately be tried or
the charge of defrauding a Battle Lake
woman out of $1,000.
District Methodist Conferences
The district conference of the Methodist
church of the Crookston district closed
last evening with a popular meeting which
was addressed by Rev. G. E. Tindall OF
Warren. It was voted to hold the next
convention in Crookston during the Sec
ond week in April.
The program yesterday opened with the
customary devotional exercises. and the
first address Of the forenoon was delivered
by Rev. John Watson of Wadena. "The
Time Element In the Sermon" was dis
cussed by Rev. G.. r.. Satterlee of Crooks.
ton, who took the ground that the ser
mon demanded something condensed
brief, clear and decisive.
A laymens discussion on the Sunday
school as related to the church was lee
by superintendent J. A. Vandyl1e of the
city schools here and w. NJ James. the
publisher Of the Breckenridge Telegram
REV. ]. T. 3. Smith of Frazee read al
exceptionally able paper on Clerical Am
bitions.''
Petitions In Bankruptcy.
Darius III, Congdon, a merchant of Eagl,
Bend. Todd county filed a petition IL
bankruptcy placing his assets at 81, 255 II
of which s1.245 is exempt, and his liabil
tiles at S5.163.17. A petition was ais,
filed by l.. g. Larson of Aastad th
county, placing his assets at 1858, all ex
srnpt, and his liabilities at 81, 235.