The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1921-08-05
CHECK ARTIST
DOES BUSINESS
{. Ross Irvine Victimizes Merchants
and Others for Considerable Sums
Escapes With Car.

One C. Ross Irvine, a check artist
with several frills to his plan of op-
Grating, has victimized some of our
merchants, Sam Grossman, Oscar Ho-
Wind and William Leonard, and So far
as known escaped with Mr.. Leonard's
car. He is wanted at Spokane for
like offenses, according to word re-
ceived in Glasgow last Monday.
He arrived in Glasgow last week
and registered at the Shannon from
Republic, Washington; he seemed to
have plenty of money and paid rent
for choice room, week in advance.
Commencing operations at once, he
called at the Valley county abstract
company's office, and stated that he
was intending to ship in 100 head of
cattle, and wanted to buy good range
, land for them; he was impressed with
the porcupine country and was ac-
comodated with information regarding
that country and shown plats, contain
ing owners names etc. He used as his
credentials, a pass book showing de-
posits of over $4,000 in bank at
Wilbur, Washington. He got in touch
with Oscar Hovind and others, having
had contracts drawn by Hurry, Kline
& Slattery, he signed up with the
owners for the purchase of different
tracts of fine grazing land, giving in
each instance checks, for varying "a
mounts, on the Washington Bank.
In the meantime he had heart to
heart talk with S. c. Small, cashier
of the Milk River Bank, showed the
pass book and stating that it was nee
essary for him to have local banking
connections, opened an account, de-
posting a check on the Washington
bank for $4,000. He was told by Mr..
Small, who did not like parts of his
confidential talk, that he could not
check until the $4,000 check was clear
ed.
The man Irvine had by this time,
though working rapidly established
something of business acquaintance,
and with the aid of the trusty pass
book and the fact that he had formed
local banking connections, which only
awaited the clearing of the $4,000
check, he was given credit by Sam
Rugg, Chas. Behner, and others in
cluding his attorneys, each of whom
accented checks on the Milk River Ma
tional. Sam Grossman either con-
vinced him that he could not do bust
ness without a Ford, or he convinced
Sam that a man of his standing was
Handicapped without car, anyway a
Ford more or less was nothing IN
Sans life, so he looked at the two
pass books and took Mr.. 1rvines check
for the price, delivering the car, upon
condition, it is understood, that the
check would be cleared.
The stage now being set with some
Incidental profit Sunday was selected
as the day for the big stunt and the
getaway. Irvine called at Mr..
Small's house. and said that he was
obliged to go away for a few days
on business, and before he left want
ed to clean up the different options
on lands, by cash payments; that IL
would be a great accommodation 10
him if the bank would let him have
thousand or so in currency at once
as the check would come through any
time, and everything be all right. Mr..
Small said that it was with the deep
est regret that he announced that the
time lock on the bank safe was set
for Monday morning, and that there
fore to grant the request was an M
possibility. This is evidently where
the confidence frame-up collapsed,
and Irvine then made up his mind to
get away with the car. Sunday night
he was on his way, and while near
William Leonard's place, the Ford
got off the road and stuck in mud; he
enlisted Leonard to help him out, and
this plan failing, he told Leonard that
it was highly necessary that he be at
Nashua at once, in order to receive and
unload 800 head of cattle. An arrange
ment was made by which he borrowed
Leonard's car, leaving his Ford and
check for some 5000, which Leonard
was to cash if he did not show up by
noon Monday Irvine left with
Leonard's car and at this writing has
not been heard from.
On reaching Glasgow Monday Mr..
Leonard was told that Small had
been notified that the $4,000 check.
on the Washington bank, was no good,
Irvine having no account there: In
the meantime Grossman claimed the
Ford and trouble sprouted in all dl-
rections from the trail left by the
ron man.
Legal proceedings have been insti-
tuted by Leonard and warrants are
isued and an alarm out for Irvine,
from Sheriff Halls office. 1t is very
likely that he Will be apprehendeo. ne I,
is a dangerous man, as his apparently
coarse wook seems to get over, IN most
instances. The very simplicity of the
work seems to make it effective.
Later: Thursday morning the sheriff
reports that Mr.. Leonard's car has
been recovered. 1t was found out OF
commission at the Porcupine. Meme
sis was on Irvine's trail Sunday night
but he was very resourceful. He sue
ceeded in employing farmer to take
him to Nashua, for which service ne
gave him another, of the now cele,
brated checks, for ten dollars. Al
Nashua it is supposed he took train
in which direction is uncertain.
Portland, Me-, Aug. 2.-Presiden'
Harding arrived here today on the
presidential yacht Mayflower. He ano