The Washington herald., 1907-11-16
DUPED BY 4 WOMAN
Mrs. Ruth MacCracken Is
Sought by Creditors.
THEY WANT THEIR GOODS
FaShiOnabIy Attired and Telling
story of Securities Which Could BE
TO Have Obtained Between 81 900
and 100000 Worth OF Furnishings.

According 70 announcements in police
circles last night, It is probable that to-
day efforts viii be made 70 cause the ar
rest OF Mrs. Ruth MacCracken, an edu-
Gated and refined Scotch woman. who
gave her home address as Berwich-ou-
the-TWeed. Scotland Although the per
sons alleged 10 have been vicumized by
the woman have made no official report
Of the matter. it is estimated that the
sum Of money concerned is between 1850
and NG0VQ.
Mrs. MacCracken made her appearance
in the city about the middle of septem-
Der. accompanied by tvo grown daugh-
ters and q son. sac 5 said TO have vis-
ited a number OF real estate men in
search Of a suitable winter house. These
agents say the woman told them she was
wealthy and a member of one of the
best Scottish families Her husband she
IS alleged 20 have said. had been dead
many years and she has been travelling
about the world almost continuously.
She Asked for Options.
When the real estate agents attempted
20 arrange terms Of payment for the
houses Mrs. MacCracken is reported 10
have told them she would be forced 10
merely buy options as her money which
was in the form OF bonds and certificates,
was not available AT the present time.
Mrs. MacCracken finally secured the
house at l225 Connecticut avenue. the
property Of Mrs. Susan p. Olie, OF S42l
r street northwest. A two years lease
was signed according 10 "A statement made
last night by Mrs Okie.
The woman. either in person or rep
resented by her son. a young man Of
perhaps twenty-five years. is then alleged
10 have put in supply Of furnishings.
clothing, and almost every kind Of article
AL of which We're secured on credit. Vis-
iting the most prominent house furnish
ing establishments in the city, she is
said 20 have told of her plans for the
winter and OF the lavish entertaining she
contemplated. Drapcrics. carpets, parlOr
furniture, and numerous other articles
were examined and arrangements were
made for their purchase on credit. At
one lace goods valued at $500 were Sc
cured.
During the visits to stores. the daugh-
ters were not idle, according 70 other
merchants. Mnlners received calls. hats
and expensive suits were purchased. and
numerous other articles enumerated
among the seasons latest novelties. In
every instance the things were secured
on credit. Notwithstanding the fact that
all of the members Of the family were
strangers In the city and unable 20 give
references. one merchant is said TO have
furnished suits and dresses valued at
$500
All Lines of Trade,
The visits were not confined to clothiers
and furnishing houses alone, but to
nearly every other line Of trade At hard
ware stores refrigerators. andirons. brass
goods, and ornaments were secured
Grocers and produce dealers in turn re
ceived calls. Druggists. dressmakers.
tailors. butter dealers. wine merchants.
and proprietors of shoe stores tell Of
visits, and from nearly all Of these goods
were purchased on credit
Il intend to do a good bit Of entertain
ing at my Connecticut avenue residence. "
Mrs. MacCracken is alleged to have told
the merchants.
The furniture and draperies were placed
IN the house. Carpets We're laid and
everything arranged. Then Mrs. Mac
Cracker Is said TO have started in search
Of "a country home. A real estate
agent says she appeared willing to spend
100000.
In automobiles and carriages. the
woman is said 10 have visited many citv
houses. but when attempts were made to
arrange terms of payment, Mrs Mac
Cracken always desired to get possess
sion Of the place with the promise Of
payment In several months. On the re-
turn from these excursions she is re-
ported to have insisted that the agent
remain and have tea. One agent even
went 50 far as 10 give a small theater
.e& party and dinnsF at a fashionable
hosiery.
\ Few days ago several NQf the mer-
chants suspected they had become VIC
Mr. Victor FreiSiurer