East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-03-19

man received letter from a Mr.. j.
r. Rundell of Kelso, Washington.
asking for information concerning a
runaway accident near Pendleton in
which a man by the name Of Patten
was. supposed to have been injured,
He was told that no such accident had
occurred in this vicinity and in re-
ply a letter and newspaper clipping
has been received, which explains the
cause of the inquiry.
The clipping is as follows:
Who and where is James A. Patten,
the alleged wheat king whose
swindling operations were called to
the attention of the police last night ?
Through his bold effrontery and
suave mannerisms the venerable old
man is said to have succeeded in blk
ing various persons out of sums of
money on the pretense of purchas-
ing market stocks at profit. The
extent of his operations are unknown.
He is believed to have fled from the
city since the announcement was
made Monday through telegraphic
manipulation, whose earnings in that
regard are we'll up in seven figures,
was to retire from active business life.
The alleged "Patten" according to
himself recently came to Portland
from California. He sought out the
real estate office of r. Peterson & Co,
226 1-2 Morrison street where he
made his headquarters. To the mem-
bers of the firm and their customers
he posed as James A. Patten, the
wheat king. incognito." As a reason
for wearing shabby clothes, "Patten"
averred that he was "endeavoring to
keep away from the newspapermen
so that he might get little rest"
For several days he quartered in
the real estate offices, conversing and
becoming acquainted with customers.
To these only did "Patten" confide
his ''real identity" Each one he
approached was willing to take a fling
at the stock market, and, at his So
licitation, several gave him money
with which to purchase blocks of mar
ketable stocks on Wall street. From
one unsuspecting individual, "Patten"
was seen to take a handful of gold
coins" with which he promised to
put him on the inside of the stock
market"
Following this transaction, "Patten"
abandoned his haunts in the real es-
tate office and has not been seen
since. Conscience-stricken after he
had fathomed the apparent game of
high finance" foisted upon one of
his customers, Peterson hied himself
to police headquarters and told what
he knew of "Patten."
Rundell's Experiences.
Rundel's letter of explanation fol-
lows:
Newburg, Ore, March 13, 1910.
Editor East Oregonian:
Pendleton, Oregon.
Dear Sir:-Your kind favor of the
7th received. In reply would say that
my inquiry regarding an accident to
a brother of Patten the wheat king,
has to do with the enclosed clipping
from the Portland Oregonian.
Since you were so kind to reply to
my letter if the story isn't too tire
some will say we, Mrs Rundell and
1. made the acquaintance of the al
legged Patten spoken of in the Port
land paper. (No it didn't cost US a
cent? We had come from Kelso,
Wash, to Portland to visit real es-
tate sharks. Passing the Portland
chamber of commerce, not the big
building on Stark street, we dropped
in ~ ir-ol of h. a1a 20 +la
address of a man We wished to meet.
He told US to go to the chamber of
commerce building on Stark street.
Within the enclosure was man of
rather striking appearance. He step
ped out and said: my friends, come
with me, do not go to those big office
buildings know some poor but hon.
est boys up here who will treat you
right"
The clerk said, "You are in good
hands. Go with him.
Well, we went, and on the way the
chap modestly informed us that he
was Jim Patten of the big wheat deal
fame and that brother was in a run
away at Pendleton. Horses frighten-
ed by an auto ran over a cliff and
killed themselves and badly injured
the driver. So our friend, "Jim Pat
ten" received a message at his home
in Los Angeles. Had II minutes to
catch a train and had come for the
brother whom he brought to Portland
and placed in hospital. He was
avoiding the reporters (modest and
much honored man)).
Well, at 226 1-2 Morrison street we
went and were introduced to Messrs.
Taylor & Peterson.
Now" said Jim Patten, "you
treat these poor people, looking for
a home, right or darn you, I'll see to
you"
Well, We were to go with Taylor to
McMinnville. Also, Patten was to
meet us at the Lennox at 1880 He
was there on time and in his pocket a
description Of some property. Bless
the dear old Santa Claus. If it was
beyond our means he would help u.s.
He was willing to aid those who ap-
preciated it. And further If we
would invest our money and in a week
our Golden Argosy" would come
sailing in, laden with gold beyond the
dreams of Midas.
The doctor, that's what he was
called, was arranging to lecture at the
city hall On the subjects of astron-
omy, geology, etc. Really he was en-
on those subjects. He
would take us to dinner but he was