The National tribune., 1906-11-29
THAT PARROT MAN.
A Long-LegRed Scoundrel Who Is Vic.
thinking the Veterans of the West.

A Lons-Legged Scoundrel Who Is Vic
thinking the Veterans of the West.
Editor National Tribune: Any ex-
perience with bunco men and deadbeats
is unpleasant. In the Army, in the
hotel business in Chicago. the native
heath of the swindler, and in my pres
ent relation to the Grand Army / have
met many unfortunate members of the
cult, but it remained for a man claim
ing to be of my own regiment, the 7th
H., to give me a new experience.
Nearly three years ago I received a
letter dated Jan. II, 1908. Alton, ILL.,,
claiming to be from Rush Deskin, a
member of the eth. He said he was in
temporary embarrassment. he had
been robbed, was alone, and with
out money He had thoughtfully
wired his wife in Winfield Kan,
to send me a draft for $50 for
his use when he reached Springfield,
but would I send him the necessary 81
to enable him to reach that point. He
added that he was bringing me as a
present fine Brazilian parrot, which
he had raised from a pair captured in
Africa by his son, who belonged to the
American Navy.
The prospect of owning this rare bird
dazzled the members of the family, but
l sent no money, his wife sent no draft
and no parrot came to prattle in our
home, and I regarded the incident
closed until other letters were received
and forwarded to me.
In February [ heard that Comrade
Shankland, of Co. ], 7th ILL.,, living in
Dawson, ILL.,, had been entertaining 81
comrade making about the same repre-
sentations. and I sent him Rush Des-
kin's' letter. He replied that the hero
of his tale claimed to be Geo. Parker,
of Co. F, 7th ILL.,, but that the hand
writing was Identical and the subject
matter much the same. He recalled
himself to Shankland as a comrade in
Andersonville Prison, naming Joe Burk-
hardt, Jim Mathie and Matthias Kerr,
fellow-prisoners. He said he had son
and daughter living I'm Litchfield, ILL.,,
and was on his way to visit them; would
like to stop and visit Comrade Shank
land en- route BY way of holding the
interest of his host-to-be he mentioned
the fact that he had stepson, Lieu
tenant in the Navy, who had brought
home some African parrots, from which
he had raised great number, and he
would be delighted to give Comrade
Shankland pair. The offer of the
parrots was thankfully accepted, and an
invitation extended to the eX-prisoner of
war. which he promptly accepted. Com
rade Shankland became a little dubious
about his guest, and as soon as he could
consistently with the hospitality for
which he is noted, steered him down to
Jack Hesser's comrade of the 73d Ill,
who had extended him a cordial invita-
ton. In the meantime a letter of in
quiry was written to Comrade T. W.
Harrington, of Litchfield. who replied
that he had had a similar experience
with a man claiming to be Jim Hodges,
Co. X of the 7th. He had written to
COmrade Harrington asking to borrow
six or seven dollars, saying that he had
been waylaid and robbed of s45, all the
money he had with him, but he had
written to his wife to send him $50 at
once in HarringtOn's care at Litchfeld.
He generously offered n pair of parrots
to Hesser, a pair to Shankland's son
and a pair to Harringtons daughter. In
graceful Acknowledgements of these rath-
er unusual favors all parties gladly ad-
vanced the money required to send
them. He carried off Shankland's regi-
mental badge, but presented him with
a book, "Hardtack and Coffee" which
he said he had purchased expressly for
him, but which he had stolen from Har-
rington. In return for Comrade Hesser's
hospitality he wrote home directing
that fine blooded calf and two bushels
of rare peaches be sent to his host, hint
ing strongly that the express money
should be advanced to him. Next in
the story came a letter from Comrade
L. D. Barnes Nashville, Tenn. making
inquiries concerning Comrade Henry H.
Raltzell, Co. E, 7th ILL.,, who staid with
Comrade Barnes two weeks. Here he
represented himself as very wealthy and
as owning a large tract of land in In
diana. He promised to send the two
grandchildren of his host pony, par
rots and several other things. He left
IL rtr1rp
his adieu.
J. B. Sweetland, Co. 3, 7th ILL.,, Of
Mansion, Wis, says that a man giving
his name as William Rayburn, Co. b,
7th Ill, came to his home and claimed
his hospitality. So many years had
elapsed since the war, and the years
had brought such changes, that it was
impossible to identify the man by his
face or voice, but his knowledge of the
regiment, of It's officers and members,
past and present, was such as to leave
no doubt that he belonged to it. Com
rade Sweetland took him in and treated
him royally. He advanced money to
pay express on some fine peaches which
never came; letters ordering the
peaches We're returned unopened This
time he took money from bureau
drawer in this home. Other comrades
in the same town We're victimiZed.
lie ldSL Noiii's' AiOiAi
Gen. NJ. D. Flower, Postmaster at st.
Paul. He writes as follows: yes; I
have been victimiZed, and there are a
number up here in st. Paul and Min
neapclis who are In the same boat. I
am still waiting for my peaches, upon
which I advanced the express charges.
I admit he played the stuffed pocket
book game" on me good and plenty.
He could not have worked me except
through comradeship in the old 7th.
He went by the name of T. J. Carpenter,
of Co. C, 7th Ill. c was my old COM
pany, and we had man by that name
in it. AS had not seen him since 1863,
/ could not remember his face, and age
has changed us all. This man is tall.
with a smooth face, an army hat with a
gold cord. and an army button. He was
very familiar with the history of the
old 7th, and talked of it's affairs in a
most interesting way. I took him right
into my home and proceeded to kill the
fatted calf. When he went away he
stole several things from the bureau
drawer in his room and borrowed a
fishing outfit worth $40 from my broth
er, which he did not return. The last
time 1 heard of him he claimed to be
William Raybourne, of Co. B. 1 think
a stop should at once be put to his
high-handed career"
The scene, the State, the name
changes as the exigencies of the case