The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-07
OFFICERS TRAIL
SMOOTH SWINDLER
EVERETT PRINCE OF WESTERN
GET-RICH-QUICK MEN.
Worked His Scheme, Which Involved a
Mythical Philanthropist and Alleaid
Government Bonds, from Butte,
Mont, and Lead, s. D.-Farmers the
Principal Losers.

Special to The Journal. ~
Butte, Mont, April What is believed to
be one of the most extensive swindles perpe-
trated In the west for many years was UNI
earthed in Butte last night and United States
officers are now securing the country FOR
man posing as Henry a.. Everett I proprietor
pany, who Is believed to be at the head of
get-rich quick scheme involving about $S5 900.
The alleged Victims number nearly 400, pr1nc1-
pally farmers residing in Missouri, South Da-
kota,: North Dakota, Kansas, Minnesota and Ne
braska. aE 49, -~ 49,. e.. 80.
I, ;Everett's scheme is pronounced to be one of
the cleverest and most original that has come
to light in recent years. His alleged victims
were to receive several thousand dollars worth
Of government bonds free. r.. y. -. rs... -.
Last week he mailed 400 letters to farmers
one, G. H. Harding, a phianthropist, had died
and bequeathed to each one a legacy consisting
of several thousand dollars worth of govern
ment bonds. Everett posed as the executor Of
the estate. He explained that the bequest
was made in return for fayors shown Harding
when he was poor man years ago. For the
| purpose of showing his appreciation Of kind
ness Harding SO the letters stated, purchased
4 per cent government bonds on the tnstallment
plan In 1895. 1t was his intention to pay for
them himself and bestow them upon the per-
sons who had assisted him in his period OF
| distress Z. - -. -. .@. =, a
But Harding had died while there was vet one
| payment due upon the bonds. The payment In
most cases. amounted to $e5. This amount
| Everett Informed his correspondents must be
| paid before April or the bonds would become
the property of .Harding's heirs, who. he said
were already wealthy Fearing the beneficial
ries might be hard pushed for cash, Everett
generously advanced the amount of the fna
payment, enclosing checks upon the First Ma
tional bank of But S. The checks were worth
less, Everett had no money ON deposit here
i In his letters, Everett advised the persons wht
Il were to receive the bonds to cash the enclosed
checks Immediately and forward the amount t.
]. Lawrence Ferguson at Lead S. D., who, hi
said. was the trustee Of the Harding estate
Ferguson and Everett are supposed to be ont
and the same person. and consequently the pro
moter would realize the face value of his worth
less checks. - '',''
In the meantime Everett sent sightdraft 70
; $4,000. to the First National bank Of Butt
! drawn the First National bank of New, Yorl
city for the purpose Of securing delay Ever
= EFT had neglected to indorse the instrument. L
= a letter that accompanied the draft Everett
! said that H. the; event the checks came to tn
: bank to be honored before the sight draft ha
been passed upon to notify him by mail an
q he would wire sufficient money to cover tn
, amount of the checks
= He had planned to secure delay in order tina
', he might have time to obtain the money tina
= had been mailed to him at Lead under the nam
q Of J. Lawrence Ferguson. The draft would hav
to be returned to him for Endorsement and J
b the meantime he would have been abb to CO
lect the money forwarded by his victims an
| escape - ..a
Among Everetts dupes is Rev. H. P. Bond
4 Clifton Hill, Mo- According to letter sci
Bond by Everett the minister was to receiN
q SO, 800 worth of government ''fours." Evere
enclosed d check for $65, the amount Of tt
final installment. which Bond Endorsed and pr
= scented at the local banks: The clergyman w
II la trife suspicious, and after consulting wi
r. the cashier, forwarded the check and Everett
n letter to the officers Of the First National bar
s., here. Then followed an investigation that di
ve closed the fraud. 49,