The Washington times., 1903-10-16
.BUNCO MEN GET $4,000
ON BOGUS MORTGAGES
Enter Land Sale and BOr-
row Money on Property.
NOTARY SEAL A FAKE
Former Discovers Fraud After Six
Weeks-Two Men Arrested May
Be Identified.

GREENSBURG, Pa. Oct 1e-That
they hold mortgages to the extent Of
5000 on nothing Is the sensational dis
coYery made by Michael Blank and
Joseph Shuster, farmers living near
here \ forgery and fraud unequaled
in the annals of crime I'm this part Of
the country has been brought to light
after six weeks in an accidental man
ner
The scheme was worked by two dar-
ing bunco men, who gave their names
as James r. Riley and William Adler.
Henry II. Smith. Of this county. has a
valuable farm in the fertile Ligonier
Valley. far from all railroad or tele-
phone communication. and where news
makes it's way slowly. About August
10 man who said his name was James
r. Riley, and who appeared to be re-
tired farmer I'm prosperous Circum-
stances. appeared at the Smith farm
accompanied by taller man, who was
introduced by Riley as my son-in-law,
William Adler" When Riley told that
he was looking for a farm, Smith re-
piled that he was willing to sell his
land for $4,000 While these negotia-
lions were in progress the confidence
men called at the office Of Notary Pub
lie G. b. Flight. where they managed TO
get the date of the officials commits
sion from his seal and had a bogus seal
made in due form.
Bogus Notary Seal.
Meantime Riley and Adler approached
Harry Blank a young attorney of this
place. and asked him TO accompany
them 20 the Smith farm on a tour Of
inspection f c. Griffith, a local real
estate and loan broker, accompanied the
party. for Riley had incidentally men
toned that in case he purchased he
would put a mortgage OF $1,000 on the
farm, and Griffith signifed his willing
ness to place the $1,000 loan.
Upon their return to Greensburg. At
torney Blank obtained a deed for his
clients. VINO took the paper and left
supposedly for the Smith farm TO have
Il acknowledged. In a few days they
returned with the deed properly signed
by Henry H Smith and his wife. Celia
Smith.
The name of Guy B. Flight appeared
on the deed as the notary before whom
the paper was executed. The bogus
seal. evidently manufactured for the
purpose. was also brought into play.
The letter Of the law had been carried
out in every respect The deed vas
filed the mortgage given. and the s. 600
turned over TO Riley and Adler. who
left town and have not been seen since.
Farm Sold; Didn't Know Il.
Then It came to the ears OF Henry
Smith that he had sold his farm. So
numerous did these reports become that
on Monday Smith visited Greensburg
and. after consulting his attorney. the
records We're turned over 10 him There
in a plain business handwriting the in
denture was drawn, showing the sale Of
Mr.. Smiths farm,
a visit to the Offices of Attorney Blank
and Mr. Griffith disclosed the swindle
Michael Blank and Joseph Shuster, for
whom Blank and Griffith placed the
money. were here yesterday. and infor-
nation which they have received from
Steubenville Ohio. leads them TO believe
that two alleged confidence men who are
held there may be the men Riley and
Adler A Greensburg man has left for
Steubenville to identify, If possible. the
prisoners.