The Mankato free press., 1909-01-29
From THURSDAYS Dailv.

nave nad us origin III Ine uays vi
Noah. 1t was the old trick handing
out checks for goods purchased and
receiving the balance due in cash.
Late Tuesday afternoon an elderly
man, about fifty years of age, of per
possessing appearance. and kindly de-
meanor, called upon one of the local
citizens and rented a house, rendering
a check for $25 in payment for the
first months rent The rent being
only SlS, the owner gave the gentle
man in question 81 in change. Upon
being asked when he would move in,
the stranger, who was APPARENTLY every
deaf, replied that he was in the en-
ploy of the Illinois Central as trouble
man for the telegraph service, seem
ngly, not understanding the question
that was asked. Leaving property
owners face a perfect wreath of smiles,
from his queer replies, and the pros
departed.
Called on Furniture Man.
His next call was on the furniture
man and the proprietor being out ne
was waited upon by one of the oblig
ing assistants in the store. The stranger
said he wanted to get some household
goods and furniture to furnish up the
house he had just rented and the young
mans eyes opened wide as the funny
old man made his way about the store
selecting the finest there was. When he
had finished his selections he asked
that the goods be delivered the fol-
lowing morning, as he wanted them
right away. He then rendered the
young man check amounting to $500
and received $S in change, as the pur-
cnases only amounted to S292.
Hardware Man Also.
The strangers next call was on
the hardware man, for he couldn't
well get along without range and
a fine baseburner in the cozy little
home he was furnishing up for him
self and wife. So selecting two of
the finest in the store, ne rendered a
check for 800, receiving $4 in change,
after which the supposedly well-heeled
purchaser departed for parts unknown,
taking advantage of the fine night
train service out of Albert Lea to
make mis- getaway.
1t was not until yesterday morning
that the discovery of the fraud was
made. The furniture dealer, desiring
to promptly crafty so good Gus
toner, started the delivery wagon with
the fine assortment of furniture, for
the reidence, which the customer had
rented On arriving he found the
house locked and deserted, and the
supposed renter nowhere to be found.
He just started inquiries when the
delivery wagon of the hardware COM
pany arrived. Naturally a conference
pecting something might be wrong they
telephoned their respective firms and
asked for instructions. 1t did not take
| the dealers long to start an inquiry,
which soon disclosed the fact that
the checks were worthless and to real
ize that instead of turning a nice
little piece of business, they had been
stung.
The man who turned the trick was
about fifty years of age, clean shaven
face, gray hair. He stood about five
feet eight inches in height and pre-
tended to be deaf. The way he played
his part throughout indicates that he
is a very clever swndler, and that
this is not his first try by any means.
In fact, the local bankers are inclined
to think he is the same man that
pulled off the same thing here couple
of years ago, working the local bust
1t is not known yet. whether or not
there has been more than three of the
worthless checks passed. but the above
three are all that have come to the
knowledge of the bankers up to Inc
| present time.
The case is now in the hands of
Sheriff Subby, and he has notified all
the surrounding towns and it is pos
sible he will have the man in limbo
within the next few days.
Winona, Jan. 23.-That nice looking
old gentleman who trimmed Il number
o. Albert Lea merchants, having
worked the draw back" scherle to per
lection, put in an appearance at Win
ona but here is where the gentleman
with the sanctinonious countenance
and the gray locks fell down. The
story is told like this:
Called on the Hardware Man.
An attempt was made on Wednes-
day evening to work off "a worthless
check at the store of the c.. A. Baeu-
erlen Hardware company, but William
+. Brandt, the secretary and treasurer
of the company, was a little too sharp
for the man trying the game and he
decamped without any money and
leaving his bad check behind him, and
he has not been heard from since
Late Wednesday afternon a strang-
er came into the store and inquired
about houses to rent in Winona, and
then departed to look at some he had
been informed about He was a man
apparently between fifty and sixty
years of age with smoth shaven face