The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-06-02
HE LOST $4,000
ON AN old GAME
f. G. SCHUYLER is VICTIMIZED BY
CLEVER CONFIDENCE MEN.
1t Was the Old Device of Holding Up
Large Bait and Requiring the
Victim to Prove His Financial Re-
sponsibility-A Unique Letter.

F. G. Schiller, a local capitalist, was
fleeced out of $4,000 by clever conf
dence men yesterday. After securing
the money they succeeded in getting
away. but the police Of every city
In the country now have their de-
scriptions.
Mr.. SCHUYLER was about to leave his
room in the Hampshire Arms yester-
day at IL o'clock a. m. when a young
man came to the door, called him by
name and explained that he was from
the Northwestern National bank. He
said he had been calling upon a friend
in the building and had an extra
ticket for copy of a history of the
Old Settlers association which he
thought Mr.. Schiller would appreciate.
The history was at the office Of one
of the officers Of the association and
If Mr.. Schiller would accompany him
to the place they would get the book.
The office proved to be in a room
Ing house on Ninth street s, where an
other man greeted them and said that
OF books had been damaged in ship
ment. But one would be sent from
the next consignment. He asked to
see their tickets and then explained
that the ticket entitled each of them
to draw from the lottery, cash prizes
fered. Both Mr.. SCHUYLER and his
friend drew and each got a blank.
The man explained that both were
entitled to another draw. Each drew
$4,000 prize. ~
They Proved Responsibility.
Now, before deliver these
prizes" explained the proprietor, II
must have some evidence that they
are being delivered to the proper per-
sons. What kind of evidence can you
show me that you are responsible z
Have you any bonds or securities p
why. have some bonds and some
cash at the bank" explained the
young man who accompanied Mr.
SCHUYLER. What have you, Mr.. Schu-
ler?" .
well, I guess T can put up some
cash. responded the victim. How
much is necessary"
IF you are going to put up cash."
| explained the confidence man. you'll
have to put up as much as the prize
amounts to-"
Accordingly Mr.. SCHUYLER and the
young man ordered a carriage and
| drove to the Northwestern bank. The
young man went into the basement,
telling Mr.. Schiller that he wanted to
get his securities from the safety
vault, while Mr.. Schiller went to the
l.
! then returned to the room.
Mr.. Schuler's $4,000 was placed in
tin box along with $1,000 in cash
and $4,000 worth Of bonds" which
his companion had furnished. The
| man in charge Of the lottery then
prizes, and put it in the box, locking
1t up and wrapping 1t in paper.
(which Of you will take charge Of
rhis?" he asked,
you had better take it, Mr.. Schu-
ler." said the first swindler. Il have
considerable business to attend to and
will call at your room at o'clock
and we will open the box together.
You can go right home in that car
riage If you WISH" and without fur
Their ado Mr.. Schiller returned to his
hotel.
n Cruel Awakening.
When 6 o'clock came, and the
young man failed to appear, Mr.,
SCHUYLER and friend forced open. the
box. ALI that It contained was a
piece Of brick and the following note:
- APRIL FOOL.
My Dear Friend: -"
No doubt you Will be surprised wher
you open this box, but this is our bust
ness-lool1ing around the country after ole
suckers like you and getting there money
now you can tell everybody but if you do
they will give you the laugh and all thu
school children will point you out on the
street and say there goes that old fool.
No one con do you no good as we be owe.
in Canada, drinking and smoking on YOU
expense.
Do as tell you and you'll be all right
Put this box in the sewer and tell no on,
and say ,.
THIS is A GOOD LESSON FOR ME.
If you tell any one all the papers will
make fun Of you and the church peopl,
will make fun Of you and bar you from
church for gambling.
You are old gambler and you go
fooled. We are thousand times obliged
Do as I tell you.
Three Card Monte Bill.
AS soon as the trick was discoy
cred the police were notified, bu
could find no trace Of the confidence
men. At their room it was learned
that they passed as artists and hat
hired the room for a studio. The
iandlady said that their uncle" hat
, visited them and that they had lef
Immediately afterward.