The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-10-16
RICH EASY TO DUPE
Clever SWindIers Find High SoCi-
ETY. a "GoId Mine"
American Crook Who Nearly Got Mil
lions in London for an Imaginary
South American RaiIroad--Pol-
ished Rogues Hard to Catch.

There's as much human nature In
some folks as there is in others, as
David Harum says. and the confidence
trick is not always pulled off on the
innocent Sometimes it is practiced in
drawing rooms or in the offices or
shrewd city financiers. "The chief
difference u.s." said Scotland YARD
man, according to London Answers,
that we sometimes catch the small
'bunco steerer,' but it is not often we
can lay our hands on the polished, cd
ucated rogues who fly at bigger. game.
There either isn't evidence enough or
the victims won't prosecute. It's a
safer game than burglary or forgery,
or any illicit way of making a Nv
ing-for the right man."
The men and women who quietly
plumber society stand in a class by
themselves. There are perhaps a doz-
en- of them all told, and they practice
their wiles all over the globe.
A year or two ago perhaps the clev-
crest of all the fraternity was -uncov-
cred. He was an American OF be-
tween forty and fifty years of age, well
born, and a delightful companion. lie
had been driven out of Mexico, con-
victed of swindling in Germany, ev1ct-
ed from Kansas City. In India, pos
ing under the name of well-known
millionaire. he had been received by
the best society, and the viceroy-
then Lord Curzon-even gave DIN
ner in his honor.
His cool daring never deserted him.
He knew that any moment he might
be unmasked, but he went smlllngly
on his way. coming to London at last,
where he put up at one of the most
fashionable hotels and began to make
acquaintances in the fashionable and
business world. He became MEMBER
of exclusive clubs. He spread MS net
for the richest men in England and
peers. bankers, directors began to
walk into his net. He needed $780,
100000 for a Chilean railway project
and he had not got it.
But an astute American lawyer re-
siding In London-Judge Goyne-be-
gan at last to suspect, and made IN
quiries. A photograph from the rogues'
gallery in New York was sent to Eng
land, and the game was up.
The masquerader was sent for by
his big dupes. He knew that he was
about to be denounced. but, imper-
turbable. smilingly innocent, he came.
He coolly admitted his identity.
well, what are you going to do
about it," he laughed, lighting a Gig
arctic.
When they spoke of prosecution and
exposure, he laughed. His knowledge
of human nature was bis stock In
trade. He knew tGAt his victims
would never tell jis open court how
nearly they had been outwitted by an
ex-convict. And he. was right.
The get rich quick wish is not con-
fined to one section of society. There
are many people moving in the higher
classes of London society who, while
they would not purchase gold ring
Just picked up in the street, have been
swindled by what is practically the
same trick on a larger scale.
Many women have practiced the
confidence trick on society. One OF
the most clever was Mrs. Helen Gard
ner. who long eluded the attentions of
the police of several countries. 1t was
at Nice that she brought off one of
her cleverest coupes. She lived at a
we'll known hotel and, clad in the
deepest mourning, posed as Lady Tenn
ple. widow Of Sir Edward Temple, a
London physician, who had just died.
Her bona fidcs were entirely accepted
by the English visitors and residents,
and the fact helped in an ingenious
scheme.
She advertised in medical pub
LEGATION thSt an extensive practice was
for sale and day after day she sue
ceeded in inducing doctors to go over
to Nice to discuss terms. sometimes
she would be overcome by emotion
during the interview.
II have had fnany good offers for
the practice, bu> none so far from
man such as my dear husband would
have wished to gucceed him. You are
a man after Sir Edwards own heart,
ard if you can furnish satisfactory
references l am sure we can arrange
matters
Then would be introduced the sub
ice; of price. This Lady Temple fixed
at $4,000. "That, of course, will be
dealt with by my solicitors. Perhaps
you would like to pay me a small de-
Dosit-say 5000"
The doctor would depart, having
arranged an appointment in London
a month later. But before that time
elapsed neither Nice nor England
knew Lady Temple more.