The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-09-13
TWO CONFIDENCE
men REPORTED
SECRETARY MAcFApDEN OF THE
STATE BANKERS ASSOCIATION
INFORMED OF MEN PERPE-
TRATINe FRAUDS i'm VARIOUS
BANKS OF THE STATE.

w. G. Macfadden Of the Commercial
oank' secretary OF the North Dakota
state Bankers association, was an
prlsed this morning of two very smooth
and daring confidence men who have
succeeded in passing two FRAUDULENT
checks to two banks in the central
part of the state.
The games work ID by both men were
very clever and demonstrates how
anyone might be duped Just as were
the Two state banks that were caught.
One man gave his name as Loney
u. Johns and purported to be the vice
president and general manager Of the
Central Realty & Finance CO. of Ash
vile, N. G. He was said to have been
man Of prepossessing appearance
and one that inspired confidence. At
the MOTEL where he was stopping in one
or the western towns of the state he
secured the endorsement of the hotel
proprietor on two checks purporting to
be signed by the secretary and treas
urer or the company he said he rep
resented.
inquiry at Ashville reveals that no
such company is in existence. although
johns used very attractive stationery
bearing his supposed firms name The
checks he issued were drawn
on the Battery Park bank of Ashyille
and We're returned with the statement
that that institution knew no such
party or firm.
Johns is described as a man weigh
ing about 400 pounds, of sandy com
pIexion, wore bow glasses. had brown
eyes and was about 81 years old,
The other case reported to Secretary
Macfadden this morning was from,
another bank In another part Of the
state where supposed real estate man
from P1ttsburg had been working
1t was stated that the second party.
VINO gave his business as a real es-
tate prospector, was particularly inter
ested IN all the details in connection
with North Dakota farming lands and
especially so about the titles of the
properties he looked up. He was taken
out by a number of real estate men
and shown over the county and then
decided that he would go to Bismarck
where ne said he had some other prop
critics to look up.
In day or so he returned and look |
ed over the ground again and then
stated he would have to return east
and report his Investigations to his
Drother-in-law with whom he intend |
ed to make the purchase and would
take the matter UP by correspondence.
Before leaving he issued a bogus |
cneck, which was cashed there at the /
bank. The check was drawn ON the |
Chase National bank of New York /
CITY and by the W'utern Electric q
Manufacturing Co.. with himself as |
treasurer Of the concern. It was /
learned that no such firm exists in
Pittsburg and the Chase National bank
In New York refused to honor the
check.
Tnis man spoke with slight Ger
man accent, is of light complexion and
wore tan shoes and dark blue suit
with a tiny white stripe. He was OF
neat appearance and easily made
friends. The Chase National bank in
telegram to the banking institution
which accepted his check, believes he
was the party involved in the issuance
OF a bogus check recently at Beat
rice, Neb
Secretary Macfadden has issued a
letter warning all the bankers in the
state to beware of men answering the
description Of the two who are given
here.