Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-23
FRAUD CHARGED.
f. Cobb, Vassa|bo:o, Says
That He Was Cheated
In Exchanging His Maine Farm for
Property Near Boston.
Agent w. N. Langley Arrested and
Brought to This City.


w. N. Langley of Boston, said to be
a real estate agent. was arrested in
Portland, Saturday, on a warrant sworn
out by c. F. Cobb of Vassalboro, charg-
ing him with cheating under false pre-
fences. Deputy Sheriff Morse went to
Portland, Saturday afternoon, and
brought Langley to this city on train
II, and placed him in Jail. Langley
has retained l.. Cowan, ESD, of Bos-
ton, as counsel, and a hearing will
probably be held at the Jail, at o'clock
Tuesday morning.
The story of the case, as told by Mr..
Cobb to his attorney, is that he re-
Gently traded his farm in Vassalboro
said to be worth $4,000, with hay valued
at $1,000, and stock and farm equipment
valued at $4,000, with Langley, for two
houses in Chelsea, Mass, and house
in Everett.
Cobb wanted to sell his farm, and
met Langley in Boston. The latter
talked the houses up to him, showing
aim one of them. Cobb returned nome
and on Oct. the real estate agent
appeared at the Vassalboro farm. He
showed Cobb three deeds of houses,
two in Chelsea and one in Everett
made out by Mary E. Norfolk, who was
represented to own them, but with no
grantee named. Cobb was told that
the three houses were worth $9loo
above encumbrances, and that three
mortgages and the taxes for the cur
"ent year were the only claims on the
property. Cobb's farm had a mortgage
Of S145O on it and $104 in taxes were
due.
Without further investigation COBB
gave Langley a deed of his farm run
ming to Mary f. Norfolk and a bill OF
sale of everything. Langley wrote
Cobb's name into the deeds of the three
houses and delivered them to him. On
Oct. II Mary e. Norfolk conveyed the
Cobb farm to Henry f. Boynton OF
Townsend. Mass Langley scattered
posters throughout the county an
,ouncing an auction sale of everything
IN the farm, and it took place, last Sat
lrday.
Soon Cobb received notices of overdue
interest, 1902 taxes unpaid ard an attach
nent on the Everett property. Threats OF
BOSTON and consulted a real estate man,
Who told him the Chelsea houses were
Worth but $500 apiece, and the Everett
,ne but $4,000 Cobb arrived home from
Boston, Saturday morning, and met
,ancley at the railroad station, the lai-
err taking train CT for Boston. COBB al
)nce swore out a warrant and had MN
detained on reaching Portland, his arrest
GLOWING as above stated.
Mr.. Langley was seen at the Jail, Sun
lay afternoon, and did not seem to be
much concerned as to the outcome OF the
ase He was not inclined to talk much,
aying that he would tell his side of the
tory to the court When asked if he had
zen the story in the Sunday papers, he
eplied that he had, and that while &
PORTION of it was correct, there were some
acts which were misrepresented.
When asked to cite some of these facts,
le said in substance:
Il showed Cobb the two houses in Chal
sea and one in everett, as he claims, ana
id not place any estimate upon the prop
,rty Nothing was said about the taxes
IN the Everett house, and | supposed the
axes on the Chelsea houses for 1902 We're
,aid. When | found they were not paid /
allowed the amount on the note. and
hree weeks interest, which Cobb said
vas due.
And when | found that there was an
.ttachmcnt of $15 on the property of Ed
win ID. Holmes, by whom the property
vas transferred to Mrs. Norfolk, that at
achment was paid at once and release
)ffered Mr.. Cobb.
MIR. Cobb's farm was mortgaged for
1526.3o. including interest. and | paid the
mount due to date, Saturday OF the at
achment on the Everett property which
1T.