Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-08-09
WILD WEST OUTFIT REFUNDS
FURTHER SUM TAKEN FROM
DALLAS MAN BY CARD
SHARPERS.
CASH ATTACHED AT SALEM
Proceedings Instituted in Marion
County Circuit Court Bring Re
suits: Eriesen Brings Action For
$11OO and Interest: Compromises
For $500.

Five hundred additional simoeOns
were added to the worldly stock of
Bernhard Friesen, of Dallas, by the
management of the Kit Carson Buff
falo Ranch Wild West show at Salem
on Tuesday, the result of attachment
proceedings instituted against the
outfit by Salem attorneys in the en-
ploy of Mr.. Friesen, who was swim
died out of $500 by card sharpers at
the show grounds when it visited this
city on Wednesday, July 81.
1t will be remembered that the
show people refunded $4O0 of the
$500 on Wednesday night, the day
the trick was turned, and after Mr.
Friesen had placed the matter in the
hands of the authorities. At that
time he signed an agreement TO ac-
cept the amount and to say nothing
about the affair. He later changed
his mind, on the advice of friends,
and went after the balance, when TIE
show visited Salem.
Show Is Attached.
Friesen filed his case in the Marion
county circuit court and Sheriff
Mimic was given the papers to serve.
The latter waited until the afternoon
performance was about ready to be-
gin, and the ticket wagon was loaded
with coin, then he swooped down on
the ticket seller and attached the
wad. OF course there was roW,
but rows are meat and drink for the
Marion county guardian of the law,
and he said mix, on the jaw music
come through with the money"
Friesen had sued for the balance of
$11O0 and interest amounting 70 $50
additional.
Offer $4OO Compromise.
OF course the show people loudly
proclaimed that they had nothing to
do with the swindiers, but their ar
guments didn't phase the Marion
county official. Finally they offered
$4OO in settlement, which appears TO
be their pet figure, and this PROPOSE
ton was telephoned to Dallas, but
Mr.. Friesen declined to accept it.
Later the ante was raised to $500,
and, under this proposition com
promise was reached. The money
was paid over, the suit withdrawn
and the attachment proceedings an
nulled.
1t is stated that the present man.
ayers of the show are not the wn-
ers of the outfit, but merely have 1t
under lease, and that this knowledge,
gained by the authorities, impeled
them to accept the offered compromise
which, under other circumstances,
would not have been done Friesch's
signed agreement given in Dallas
also, it is said, weakened his case to
some extent.
Crooks Have Flown.
1t is said that the men who pllled
off the trick in Dallas are not with
the show; they probably skipped as
soon as the trick was turned. The
outfit went from Dallas to Tolelo,
and Sheriff Grant wired the authori-
ties there to look out for the crooks,
but no suspicious characters We're
discovered. The same result was true
of other places where the show ap-
peared in this locality, and it is
thought that the trio will not again
join the show until it travels out of
the danger zone.
Show Visited Sunday.
Sheriff Grant, Deputy Richter.
Sheriff Mimic Of Marion county, and
Friesen went to Mt. Angel Sunday,
where the show was exhibiting. for
the purpose, if possible, of Identify
ing the crooks who had fieeced the
latter out of his money. Mr.. F'riesen
was disguised. so that he escaped de-
lection by the show people, but Sher-
if Grant was not so fortunate
However, no trace Of the men was
found
Inside History of the Deal.
Further information regarding the
swindle worked on Fries IN discloses
that the game was not a thrae-card
dodge. but swindle, pure and sim
pie. Friesen had been induced 20 90
into company" to be formed for
the manufacture Of electric belts He
was told that the belts could be man
ufactured for s275. and that they
sold for SIS. He was asked to pu- IN
$500 into the company. and two
other men would put up $3.50 each
Then. in order 20 decide who vas 20
be the manager. each OF the fhree
were to draw lots. OF course the DO
sftiOn Of manager carried with It tle
holding and the distribution of tha
money. Two Of the cards were blank
and one bore some printing 70 was
agreed that the man who drew The
printed card should act az manager.
The three drew cards. OF c5uraa
Friesen-s card was blank. and one
Of the strangers proved 20 De thc
lucky individual who was to handle
the funds of the company" In order
to make good he promptly gr1hbe1
the visible assets and agreed 20 nan
age the business EverythinE ap-
peared all right. and Friesen id not
suspicion anything wrong unll D.
returned home and related the allair
to his family. when his daushter