Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-08-20

facts she based this opinion on, Miss
Eldridge said: "Mr. McCombs of
Young & McCombs came to the
house about 10 O'Clock this
morning. while I was busy packing
my rousseau. 1t seems that We had
bill there, and that he had given a
check TO pay it, We had been in the
aabit OF running accounts in various
places, and meeting them every month
Or so. Ny aunt signed the checks,
and gave them to Mr.. Warren. They
were blank, and he filled them in and
handled all of our affairs. The checks
we're on accounts at two local
banks, | never paid any great atten.
ION TO these matters, trusting Mr..
Warren absolutely, as did my aunt
de never made any accounting, and
intil today | never had any idea that
he balances were exhausted. Our eX.
)enseS at the home could not have
been great enough TO have taken all
)f the money there was in the bank
1t was a great shock TO me and to my
aunt when Mr.. McCombs stated thal
the check had been refused. After
Mr. McCombs left, the florist. Mr.
Gaethje came about 2 or 3 o'clock this
afternoon. He was furnishing the
flowers for the decorations, and some
If the flowers had been ordered from
Chicago. | never suspected Mr.. War
rem of anything wrong, although | re-
ceived anonymous letters several diff
ferent times, from Decatur and other
places. telling me that he was not
what he represented himself, and
warning me against him. His person
ality ovcrcame the little sentiment
| aroused by these. and | even showed
| them to him. In fact he has them yet,
or did have them"
Lavish With Gifts.
Mr.. Warren had given me great
. many diamonds. This morning he
| took with him my diamond ring. which
lie said he had paid $40 for. and a
| bracelet set with diamonds nearly as
| big as peas. He was 10 have these
cleaned at the jeweler 5, and J under.
stand he did have them cleaned. He
| has them yet. | had once or twice
accepted money from him. l felt that
] as we We're to be so much to each
| other that | could eccept these gifts
| from him with perfect propriety."
| One of the reporters asked: Miss
Eldridge do you not think that per
haps these gifts We're paid for with
money from your aunt's bank account,
| secured by Mr.. Warren with these
blank checks you say your aunt had
been giving Mr.. Warren since Deem
| ber?"
Il do not know. | think perhaps
they We're. But he always seemed 10
have money. Where he got it we did
not know. When the banks shut OFF
payments on accounts here he OBJ.
tanned money some way. Twice he
secured $500. saving that he received
it from the south. He got money in
Davenport too. He said he had property
and though | never made a guess as
10 what his wealth might be, l was
be that it was my aunt's money he was
using when he made those gifts to
me-
Wants Diamonds Back.
Have you made formal complain
to the poliee?" was asked.
Yes" replied the young woman
Il want back my diamonds and the
money he seems to have used from
the banks | do not want anything
to do with the man. | never cared ;
great deal for him.
Large sum is Gone.
NO, | do not believe he will come
: back unless he is compelled to by thu
authorities was the response to an
other question. Il have had no par
in all this. and | am absolutely innC
cent of any part in swindling my aunt
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