The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-08-30
FAKER IN Los ANGELES
POSED AS J.E.R|NGLMG

woman whose home is at No. 1926
Cresty Hill, Berkeley, John H. Hud
son alias John E. Ringing, whom
the police say is one of the smooth
est real estate swindlers that ever
attempted to operate in Los Angeles
was taken into custody by Detectives
Mccain Williams and King.
Posing as one of the Ringing
brothers, of circus fame, staying al
the best hotels in this city and San
Diego, spending money lavishly and
writing checks for large figures, Hud
son quickly won the confidence OF
Miss Spence.
He won her consent to a marriage
by writing her blank check, and
handing it to her with the remark:
Marry me next Tuesday morning
and you can fill out that check for
any amount your dear heart may
desire. We have a bank account OF
$54,O0O,OOO.
Made Play For High Stakes.
"Get-Rich- Quick Wallingford" never
played for higher stakes in fiction
than Hudson admits he did in real
ity in this city and San Diego. He
was on the verge of securing title
to a large acreage tract in the south
ern city, and was considering a
$4,000 bonus from Venice to locate
the winter quarters of the Ringing
shows there, when one of his large
checks was returned marked mo
funds"
1t appeared upon the scene few
days sooner than he calculated, and
his carefully laid plans came to
naught. The suspicious of the real
estate firm he was dealing with in
San Diego were aroused and Hud-
san was followed to this city. These
same men caused his arrest.
Why He Took Name.
Hudson, who freely admits that he
assumed the name of Ringing to fur
=, Their his land deals, is being held on
suspicion" by Captain Flammer. The
latter says he is thoroughly con-
WINGED that Hudson is a crook with
an eastern reputation. He will be de-
tanned here until the authorities in
eastern cities can be heard from.
In the interim the detective de-
partment will investigate the report
that Hudson secured $4,000 under
false pretenses from Louis j. Wilde,
former president of the American
National bank at San Diego. At the
same time an effort will be made
to collect worthless checks which
Hudson is said to have fioated in
Los Angeles, San Diego and Venice.
When taken into custody Hudson
had more than $500 in a wallet The
police believe he realized the sum
from bad piece of paper 1oated
in the southern city.
Was to Buy Winter Site.
He came to Los Angeles about two
weeks ago. as nearly as the police
can learn, and registered at the Alex
andria. After a few days he took
some newspaper men into his conf
dence to the extent of telling them
he was here TO buy site for win
ter quarters for the circus.
1t was about that time he met Miss
Spence through a friend of hers. He
professed to be greatly smitten by
the grace and charms of the young
woman and she seemed dazzled by
his display of wealth and claims
that he was one of the Ringing
brothers.
Hudson then went to San Diego
He was followed by the friends
with whom Miss Spence is visiting
There the young man pressed his
suit with renewed fervor. He was
so successful that Miss Spence prom
ised to marry him, and he gave her
the blank check, signed Ringing
Bros"
Buy For Winter Quarters.
Miss Spence returned to Los An
geles to make preparations and Hud-
son to spread the news that he was
there to buy winter quarters for the
circus. The San Diego papers gave
him long notices, and the real estate
firm of Harrison, Landswick e Rice
secured large tract of land for him,
for which he was to pay $4,000
Hudson bound the bargain by Civ
ing a $1,000 check on the Austin
State bank of Chicago 1t was the
notification of the San Diego real
estate dealers by this institution
raised their suspicious.
The explanation given by Hudson
did not allay the feelings of the
San Diego people, and they followed
him to this city.
e. WISeo UP" TO Fakir.
While Hudson was carrying on his
negotiations in San Diego he was
also trying similar deal in Venice.
He took up with leading company
there the purchase of large tract
of land in that vicinity for winter
quarters" Upon his return to the
Alexandria Saturday he found a tele-
gram signed by the company saying
the Venice people were prepared to
give him a bonus of $4,000 to To-
cate the quarters there.
When the San Diego people be-
came suspicious of Hudson they sent
wire to Omaha, where Hudson said
the other Ringing brothers could be
found, making inquiries. A reply was
received, signed Ringing Brothers."
which would under ordinary circum-
stances have allayed suspicion. The
circumstances, however, and the eva
slveness of the reply caused the firm
to conclude the answer was sent by
confederate
Located Actual Brothers.
Steps were taken to locate the
actual brothers. They were found
in Atlanta, Iowa. When they were
asked If Hudson was empower
ed to buy site in Southern Califor-
MIA for the circus winter quarters,
the following reply was received
Man representing himself as John
Ringing an imposter. If he has laid