The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-12-29
NORTH DAKOTANS
ARE SWINDLED
FARMERS ALL OVER NORTHWEST
DUPEs or CROOKED COMMITS
sIoNER WHO OPERATED FROM
ST. PAUL-TRAcKED BY POSTAL
SLEUTHs.

Word was received in Fargo today
of a slick swindle which has been
worked on many farmers through the
northwest in the past few weeks in
Guiding many in North Dakota.
The st. Paul Pioneer Press says of
the affair:
Word has just been received by M.
G. Fosnes, postoffice inspector in
charge of the st. Paul district, from
postal authorities at Chicago that a
man apparently answering TO the de-
scription of one j. H. Johnson, wanted
here for working a swindle last fall
on the ancient and we'll known prod
uce commission plan. is being held
there until measures for his identif-
cation can be taken by the officials
here. These are already under way.
Miss Maude S. Bryant, a stenographer
who was employed by Johnson in get
ting out his advertising circulars, is
now in Chicago, and will be present
as witness at the hearing today.
johnson came to st. Paul on Aug.
last, He opened small account in
two Of the principal banks of the city.
He then started a produce commission
business at 26 West Third street.
renting a storeroom there, buying fur
niture and hiring a stenographer, a
clerk and porter.
Worked for Love of 1t.
His initial move was to send out
circular of inquiry to the freight and
express agents. as to the names of
produce shippers to this place. He
also informed the various addresses
that he would pay them good prices
for their stuff, pay the freight on it
here and charge them no commission.
Responses came from Iowa, the Da-
kotas and Minnesota in the shape of
butter, eggs, chickens, etc, to ]. H.
johnson & Co., as the firm was known.
These he sold upon arrival for cash
to local dealers and placed the pro-
ceeds in one Of the banks he did bust
ness with.
Proceeds were just beginning really
to come in when Inspector Fosnes
grew dubious as to the legitimacy of
the concern and began an investiga-
ton. OF this Johnson must have got a
''hunch,' for he at once disappeared,
not, however, without first securing
his bank deposits. Mr.. Fosnes found
at the abandoned office a new batch of
700 circular letters, wrapped and even
stamped, ready to be sent to prospec-
tive customers. 1t was further learned
that in the one week that produce
had been coming in Mr.. Johnson had
cleaned up over $1,000 above all ex-
penses. On the heads of his adver-
Using. circulars he had the names of
the two banks of his patronage
printed. One was scratched out as
objection had been made by one of
the banks. .
Turns Up in Indianapolis.
!, Johnson neXt turned up at Indian
apoIis in October, where he worked the
identical game, though under the cog
nomen of j. b. Allen this time. In
spector Fosnes, who at the time OF
the swindler's departure from Lere
had advised the various postal in
spectors of the country of Johnson and
his habits, received word of the prod
uce business going on in the Indiana
capital, and went there. He arrived
forty eight hours after Johnson's
leave taking with his loot.
Allen made stay of Just twenty
three days in indianapolis. and dwelt
in the twin city the same length of
time.
The last information is that man
who, from the description of Johnson
Allen maybe either one or both, has
been caught perpetrating a swindling
deal in Galesburg, III. He was ar
rested and taken TO Chicago, where
his identity will be looked into.
While in ST. Paul Johnson lived at
81 East College avenue with a wife
and infant daughter.
A vest with the initials ]. r. B.
sewed in the lining was found in his
rooms at Indianapolis. This is be-
lieved To give a clue 10 hts real name