Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-07-21

Methods, adopted only by profess
sional swindlers and jugglers of high
finance, have during the past ten
days been carried on in this city with
artist at the game as is seldom seen
around these parts. His chief pas
time has apparently been the whole
sale distributing of bogus checks
purported to be those issued by re-
sponsible manufacturing concern of
Maiden, Mass, but upon investiga
ton have been found to have been
worthless and his victims are left
high and dry. Those suffering from
his activities appear to be many
business men along Water street,
The Augusta Trust Company and u
few of his young lady employees.
According TO reliable information
this man, giving the name of j. f.
Williams, appeared in the city about
TWO weeks ago and made arrange
ments with Grants Candy store and
Edison Locke's market for the demon
stration of Moss Rose Marmalade,
manufactured by The Pogm Com
pany of Maiden, Mass. The demon
STATIONS and sale of the product
were to take place on the two sue
ceeding Saturdays and accordingly
five local young ladies were engaged
by the man to assist. Everything
went we'll for two weeks; business
was conducted only on Saturdays
and the stock for sale and demon
stration purposes was produced.
During his stay here the man made
the most of his time by getting ac-
uuainted with his intended victims
and possessing a captivating person
atty found no difficulty in mixing
with a number of the city's younger
business men. His activities varied
somewhat. some of his lady assistants
received their promised pay for their
first days work but as the latter part
of last week came around they re-
ceived checks instead.
At Greenwood and kenney's
brokerage office the man tried to
procure Liberty Bonds but checks
we're refused although no fraud was
suspected at this time. He agreed to
come in with cash the following
Monday Just what loss was suf-
fered by the Augusta Trust could not
be ascertained as the officials at that
institution refused to give out for
publication anything of material con-
sequence. although it is understood
that it was material.
1t was learned yesterday that dur
ing his stay here he entertained some
at the Augusta House leaving there
his checks in payment. Among 9TH
ers reported to feel the results of his
operations are The p. NJ. Lawrence
Motor Company. Alton Grant, man
ager for the Grant Candy store, Ed
son Locke, grocer. his so called
private assistant. Miss Helen Butler,
and the other girls who conducted the
demonstrations and sales and several
acouaintances whose condolences he
had gained while stopping in the
city
The man appeared to be about the
age Of thirty years good looking. and
evidently knew his game to the point
If perfection.
The affair has been reported to the
proper Officials for investigation and
il was learned Tuesday that detec
lives arrived in the city Monday
night and arc now working on the
case with the hope that the, man will
re shortly aporehended The checks
offered by the man were checks
which appeared to have been for
warded him by the company. en-
dorscd by the proper officials and
looked good.
From Waterville came the report
that the same individual has been
operating in that city and that one
bank there vas "stung" double the
amount OF the Augusta bank.