The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-25
Mr.. EASYMARK.
Illinois Man With Tender Heart
Is Fleeced.
Refuses to Give His Name or Ad-
dress.
STORY OF DEAD SISTER
Worked by Sharper and Got All
Strangers Cash.
STORY OF DEAD SISTER
Victim Stopped Over and Tele-
graphed for Money.

One man from Illinois sustained his
states reputation by being an easy vic
| tim to one of the rawest bunco games
| pulled Off in Topeka for a long time
AS result he spent last night in the
| Union Pacific depot without a cent in
MS pockets and not a friend in the
| state. When seen by a reporter he re-
| fused to give his name or residence
ana said that he desired no notoriety
which would be caused by his sucker
qualities.
1t seems that Mr.. Easymark was on
the Union Pacific train last evening
coming into Topeka from the west.
I" ME sitting in the smoking car with
a big black cigar between his teeth a
stranger approached him asking him
the time, his destination. A conversa-
ton was soon worked up and the
stranger, who was a well appearing
young man of about 80 years of age,
told him of a dead sister who was in
the baggage car ahead He told the
Illinois man of the excellent personal
qualities of her character and how she
was loved by all who knew her. When
Mr.. CRATER saw he had his victim 'go-
ing" he said that his sister was to be
buried in Topeka and as the train
neared the city he asked if the inter
ested passenger would not help him lift
II.
philanthropist was glad to be of service
to the bereaved young man and he
anghted from the train at the Union
Pacific depot with the stranger ready
to help him carry the box containing
the corpse.
AS the two men walked toward the
front of the train they were met near
the baggage car by a supposed railroad
official who was bareheaded and had a
pencil behind his ear. He informed the
10
or the body could not be removed from
the train. Then came the climax
What shall I do? I can't let my
poor sister remain on this train! And
the train will leave in a few seconds.
All have is a draft for $500 and not
another cent! have no time to cash it
and the train will leave at once! Great
God, man, can't you let me take the
corpse and pay you in the morning."
The young swindler grew frantic with
grief and could not control himself.
Huge crocodile tears ran down his
cheeks like rivers to the platform. He
tore his hair and plead with the sup
posed railroad official but to no avail
Finally, with tears of sympathy in
his eyes the man from Illinois took out
his pocketbook and gave the required
SIS to the cold blooded official. Mr..
Crook handed him the 81 800 draft and
| the body was lifted from the train. OF
course the easy mark had to stay in
| Topeka until he could cash the draft
and then continue on his journey. But
| he grew suspicious at once. The two
men who wrangled over the disposal of
the dead BODY left the depot at once
and started on a run for North Topeka.
They ran west on Railroad street and
| it is supposed that they took the S:15
train for the east. Phone calls were
sent to Lawrence to head them off and
another to Bonner Springs but not
thing has been reported to the local
police station.
The stranger from Illinois left this
morning for home after wiring for
enough money to purchase a railroad
ticket. He was disguised with himself
for allowing such thing to happen but
said his sympathy got the best of him
in the deal.
Between 6 O'Clock last evening and
O'Clock this morning there were TWEEN
ty arrests made at the police station.
This is big business. The worst part
of the Increased activity was the
breakdown of the patrol wagon, neces-
stating the "hoofing' of prisoners to
the station. The breakdown occurred
in the Bottoms while a disorderly
house was being raided. The deep
mud was too heavy for the loaded
patrol and the hame snapped. The
through that downpour of rain was a
handicap to both officers and pris-
oners.
Wn1I6 waiting LOT d 1IOCk 1Sldild
train at the station last evening two
farmer boys, James Clark and Jim
Riblin of Maple Hill, were arrested by
officer Brown. They had just pur-
chased two bottles of beer and were
in the act of tipping them to their
faces when the janitor at the station
caught them. He called Brown at
once and the beer and all was taken to
the police station This misfortune
together with a fine of five dollars each
constituted an unlucky. day for the two
farmers.
Five plain drunk arrests last night.
J. F. Kenney took first prize. This is
his fouth offense for the month of
November and he was caught by Off
Ger Fribance. Henry Smith, a baker,
was taken up by officer Bryant. Jas.
Westbrook painter. captured by
Officer Parcels. J. B. Phil, a laborer,
by the ever ready Fribance. James
Howe, an engineer, by Officer Costello.
Five dollars each was their disburse-
ment.
Dick Johnson, who keeps a restaur-
ant on Kansas avenue, between Fourth
and Fifth street, narrowly escaped
good old fashioned fine and imprison-
ment last night. Two farmer lads, Lou
Blard and Edgar Swain, were caught
by officer Fribance in this restaurant
in the act of drinking intoxicating
liquors Fribance caught them just as
the bottles had been opened and the
fizz was humming. The two farmer