The Washington times., 1912-07-28
Police Unable to
Trace Swindler of
Real Estate Firm

The police today have been unable
to secure trace of the smooth swim
dler. who mulcted the Boss & Phelps
Real Estate Company out of $s,750.
This stranger, who gave the name of
G. B. Morse, a "millionaire from the
Pacific coast, who Intended to settle
in Washington for the winter" has
not been seen since he cashed a check
Tor 1880 at a local bank and walked
cooly away smoking a big perfecto.
Morse had the appearance to inspire
confidence and he acted well the role
of millionaire He was affable and
magnetic and held the fullest con-
hdence of the real estate firm. He
obtained the $9,s00 at about 2 o'clock
Friday afternoon. That evening at six
1t was discovered that a draft for
$4,000 deposited in the bank, and
totaling the account upon which the
draft was drawn, was worthless.
Played New Game.
The swindle was the smoothest that
the Washington police have ever been
called upon to untangle. The man laid
his plans well and operated them at
leisure, playing a game that was
brand new and never before duplicat-
ed. Also he lackes superstition, as he
began the operation on the 18th of
the month.
On the morning of the 18th he
appeared at the office of the realty
brokers, saying he was millionaire
from the coast, and wanted to purchase
q fine Washington home for the winter.
1t must, he said, be a nice comfortable
place with plenty of ground room and
dataChad
This firm had nothing that was
pleasing and referred the man to Boss
q Phelps. This firm showed him q
great number Of places. and finally he
of combination.of architectural beauty
and home comfort. The residence was
in Cleveland Park.
The man at the time was living at an
exclusive hotel. He had shown what
apparently were good. credentials from
the Coast, and in closing the "pur-
chase" said that he would just pay $500
down, and give the balance in cash
fer made.
Got Firms Endorsement.
He gave a check for $500 on the Ma
tional Bank Of Aberdeen, Washington.
He asked permission of the real estate
company to have his mail sent to the
realty office. He received his mail
tncTe anu DeCdHo DctteT
He had explained that he did not like
to carry large sums and that, as he
banked in Aberdeen, he had to get his
funds from that city, from whence the
cash for his purchase was to come.
One morning. the first Of the present
his mail with a disgusted exclamation.
THE darn FOOLS" he said, have made
this to the order Of Boss G. Phelps, and
1t is no good to me-"
Iv-af -
was indorsed over to Morse by the
frm. Whereupon he exclaimed that
II was cashable In that form and re-
peating that he did not carry large sums
asked where to bank 1t. He was taken
draft.
Withdraws the Money.
A day or two later he cashed a check
on this account for $3.50. Thursday he
sent a messenger from his hotel to the
bank to cash a check for $50 The mes
senger was slow in returning, and, evil
IDENTIFY apprehensive, Morse left the
hotel and later called by telephone to
inquire IL the messenger had returned
with the money. Receiving assurance
in the affirmative he made his appear
ance.
Friday last he called Boss & Phelps
by telephone and asked II they had
found the check all right They replied
In the affirmative. The check mean
while had gone through a local bank
mailed West for collection.
Al . o'clock that afternoon Morse
called at the bank and personally
cashed check for $500 and coolly
walked away. He has not been seen
since. That evening notice was re-
ceived by George F. Buell., of the realty
firm, that the draft was not good. Mr..
Buell. called upon the police.
Whole Country Alarmed.
Police of every Eastern city are on the
lookout for him. with a good descrip-
tim furnished from headquarters here.
The Pinkerton men are also on the
case. and a nationwide effort is being
made to track the alleged swindler
down.
He is described as sixty-fve years
old, five feet eleven INCHES tall, weight
lS5 pounds, ruddy-sallow complexion
mixed gray hair, smooth face. deep-set
dark green eyes well groomed. neat
suit and Panama hat.