Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-09-07
L. A. Drew Cuts a Wide Swath
In Local Realty
Circles.
GETS STATE STREET LOTS
Secures Subdivision. AN Officc, Fur
niture aud a stenogrspher on
Credit, Makes Collections.

graces OF several local real estate own
ers. building companies. Office supply
stores and numerous others, l.. A.
Drew, alias The Western Craftsmen.
alias the Builders Investment COM
pany, purchased without consideration,
options on building lots ana in one case
an entire subdivision, sold some OF the
lots to guileless homeseekers. started
the building OF the houses and then
new out into the wide, wide world with
the initial payments Of his victims.
Drew. who had the demeanor of the
capitalist, came to salt Lake city early
in August, representing TO the adver-
Using departments OF the local news
papers that he had large inanctal hold
Ings in ST. Louis and that his drafts on
a ST. Louis bank we're gilt edge. AS
early as the LIST Of August, wary man
ayers smelt a rat ana teiegraphed the
st. Louis bank referred ~ ana re-
ceiyed the dlscOnccrting reply tnat tha
gentleman was not known in that
neighborhood.
Going to the agent of the Newhouse
building, Drew represented that he had
practically unlimited funds in State
Bank OF Idaho at HALEY, Idaho. which,
however, he would be. able to draw on
the 10th of August Relying for a
time on his pretensions, the agent or
tine building rented room 52s to Drew.
who had western Craftsmen painted
on the door.
LfIrtY NIT,fTRE IN CREDIT.
Visiting the Breeder ONCE supply
company, Drew and his unknown
partner bought desks and office nix
lures Of the value OF $500 giving a
check Of $40 In part payment. After
getting his office nxturcs, which, how
ever. have now found their way back
to the company, Drew put cap on
matters by purchasing $40 worth of
stationery, drafting instruments ana
supplies.
q 4. Hayes OF 749 east Twelfth South
street as stenosrapher, he commenced
opsrarious Neta's mother sad this
morning that the girl worked three
weeks and received 80 cents and
car book.
BUYS" AN ADDITION.
Going to j. $ Johnson, property
0MItl Win Oil&ft " INV Ahhi'llh bi'NiN ~
the corner OF Second South and state
streets, who Is at present at Alta, ac-
cording to the report OF Messrs. Nor
ris and Dowse. agents for Johnsons
state Street addition, Drew represent
ed TO Mr.. Johnson that he had un-
limited capital behind him, and that
he would like 20 buy Johnson's State
street addition and pay for IT as the
purchasers of houses paid him What
followed is told by Mr.. Morris as fol-
lows:
prev succeeded i'm convincing Mr..
johnson that he was the embodiment
OF honesty and accordingly MI john
son gave him without consideration
aO-day option on l05 lots in Johnson's
state street addition at Thirteenth
South and State streets, receiving no
money for the same
PECULIAR CONTRACT.
"Mr. johnson had him sign a con-
tract agreeing to sell 40 lots in so days
and Drew proceeded to hunt UP cus-
toners lie took one man down to the
addition, showed him two lots and
agreed to erect a house and sell the
man lots and house for $3.50 down. tho
deal was closed and Drew made out
contract designating lots and salt
Bakc city Despite this indefinite de-
scription." says Mr. Morris, building
companies were conferred with and
house practically built. Another Gus
toner was taken down and the process
repeated. the foundation of the house
in this case being laid Other purcnas-
crs made their payments down on the
easy plan. but only building material
was placed on hand, no ground being
dug"
"A peculiar part Of the matter was
The fact that Mr.. Johnson had an
agreement with the Utah Savings e
Trust company to make all contracts
and SEQ to the signing OF them. He
therefore," said MIR. Morris. was ig-
norant Of what Drew had done"
Not content with his gains from
Johnson's state street addition. Drew
extended his operations elsewhere. &C.
cording TO Mr. Morris and another
large real estate firm From DR. J. q.
Evans with ofice in the Utah Savings
& Trust building. he procured two lots
in Lockwood addition on State ST. Get
between Twelfth and Thirteenth South
streets. and again rcsold them, started
a house. and pOcketed the first pay
ment. TO the purchaser OF this pair
Of lots. Drew said that he had to 60 to
Boise for a few days to take care Of
some OF his big holdings there; but
that the house would be attended to
Immediately on his return.
other lots on the northeast bench
were. according to the reports Of real
estate men. sold on the same plans and
the money pocketed.