Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-10-30
CONFIDENCE MEN
FIND A VICTIM
r. N. BOWEN, AN AGED ELpoN
MAN. is FLEEcED BY THE
USE OF OLD sWlNDLE
Wins a Bet From Stranger and Money
is Put in Small Box-Another
Stranger, In on Bet, Gives Box to
Bowen in Trust,

Never too old to learn is an adage
amply illustrated by the experience of
R. M. Bowen of Efdon, an elderly man
of some Is years Of age who was con
fidenced out of 1888 Wednesday by
two strangers who worked an old. old
trick in a manner that can scarcely be
called original.
Last Monday, a stranger, whose
name a not now be ascertained,
came to Eldon and going to Mr.. Bow
en-, represented himself as wishing to
buy three farms for the use of himself
and relatives. He stated that he want
ed Mr.. Bowen to go with him as he
understood very well the values Of
land In the country surrounding Eldon.
The stranger offered to pay the Eldon
man 81 per day for his services.
Bowenss story of the subsequent
events, told today to a friend in Ell
don Is as follows: Wednesday he and
the stranger drove to the farm Of
George Warren three miles north Of
Eldon to look over some timber. While
examining the timber they met a man,
who stated that he was from Ken
lucky. The Kentucky man is said TO
have announced that he possessed
sporting preclivities and wanted to
play cards. But neither the other mar
nor Mr.. Bowen could play cards and SO
the matter was dropped. Then the
Kentucky mar desired to bet. He Of
fered to bet that he had more money
than Bowen and the Des Moines man
together.
This bet was accepted and the three
men drove to Ottumwa. Arriving here
Bowen went to one of the local banks
and borrowed $3.50. The purpose Of
this loan is not known exactly, but It
is supposed that 1t was in order that
he and the Des Moines man might
have the most money,
At any rate, they did have the most
money, when 1t was all counted and
put into a little box. Bowen was then
given the box with all the money in 1t,
except a sum that was taken out to
buy a ticket for the Kentucky man
who as a result Of losing the wager
was penniless, back to his southern
home.
The Des Moines man and Bowen
then drove to Agency, where Bowen
got out to walk home. The other mar
told him to keep all of the money In
the box and that he would come tc
Eldon in a day or two and get his
share.
Tells at Wager.
Bowen in confidence told some O
his friends about the winning of the
wager and also told them of the box
Becoming suspicious they asked him
ito open the box. Bowen however re.
fused to do this as he stated, he was
keeping the money in trust.
At last he was prevailed upon to al
low the box to be opened and when
the W was lifted there was found
resting peacefully within, instead OF
rolls of bills and piles of coin, two
small stones.
Son In ottumwa.
AS far as is known in Ottumwa nc
clue of the identity or whereabouts O.
the swindlers has as yet been obtain
ed. s. NJ. Rowen, a o of the Eldon
man, who is employed in the Office Of
John MorreA & Co. Ltd, stated this
morning that he knew nothing of the
matter except the reports that he had
heard from others. He has moi
heard from his father he stated, but
intends to go to Eldon tonight to in
vestigate the affair.
Mr. Bowen stated that his father
was of an unsnspeeting nature and
might very easily become the victim
of INSCRIPTIONS men. WEDNESDAYS
when his father borrowed the none
here, Mr.. Bowen was cor 3ulted owe
the phone by the bank, but having nc
idea what the money was wanted
for, he did not object to the loan.