Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1923-11-22
CANNY BARN
WANTS To SEE
FOR AIN SELL
Family Cables from Across
Seas and Robinson Deter
mines upon Investigation
Scotchman Almost Led into
Trap Often Worked by Gle
yer Gang of Mine Swindlers

From far, far away in bonnie Scot
land, where the heather and the blue
bells grow, Alex Robinson. a typical
young Scot, ostensibly of the gentry,
arrived in Grangeville the other night,
on his way to Buffalo Hump, in quest
of a mining man, one Thomas, whom
Robinsons father, deceased since last
spring, was said to have befriended,
years ago.
On pleasure tour of America,
young Robinson, while on the coast,
was advised by cablegram from men,
bers of his family in Scotland, to come
to Grangeville and locate the old
prospector, whom his father, years
ago was declared to have grubstaked,
and who had "struck it RICH" in the
Robbins mining district, of Idaho.
MINE FRAUD SCHEME
another victim" remarked A. f.
Schultz, well-known Buffalo Hump
mining man, in Grangeville, when
Robinson was introduced to him by
County Auditor Telcher, upon whom
the Scotchman had called, Immediately
he arrived in Grangeville.
Aye, mon, but the canny young
Scot was not a victim of the clever
mining swindle that has been success
fully worked time and again by crooks
who usually operate in Canada, and
who sell to the unwary rich in Europe
fake mining claims on Buffalo Hump.
Robinson, rich, indeed, but thrifty
and sagacious, had come to Grange
vile to investigate for himself, and
thereby perhaps saved for his family
many a bawbee
LIVED IN BURNS COUNTRY
Not far from the bonnie braes of
Doom, in guide, auld Scotland, lived
wealthy family named Robinson. The
elder Robinson, who died last spring,
was known as a benefactor to the de-
serving and needy, and many a mon
had he helped DER the rough places
in life, so the story runs.
This fact became known to gang
of swindlers in Canada, and recently
members of the Robinson family re-
ceived letter written by one Watson
Davis, in Canada, telling them that
Davis knew. in the Robbins mining
district in Idaho county, man named
Thomas, whom the elder Robinson,
now deceased, had once helped finan-
cially, and that Thomas had made a
rich gold strike on Buffalo Hump.
Instead of the Robinsons commune
eating with Davis, who thus would
have been given a lead for laying the
plans for what, it is believed, would
have proved another gigantic mine
swindle, they cabled the laddie in
America to come to Grangeville and
see for himself And the BARN came
and saw what might have been
sight for sore cen.
HOW SWINDLE WORKS
The swindle usually is worked
communication established
with wealthy relatives of a deceased
man. who eventually are informed the
rich mine cannot be adequately devel-
oped because contiguous property,
which ii is essential to own, is held
by other persons, at a stipulated figure.
The mine owner has not the money
with which to purchase the adjoining
property, and seeks financial aid from
his friends, with the result that
fake mine is unloaded on them at
price ranging from $500 to 100000
Robinson was informed by Auditor
Telcher that he was being led into
a trap by swindlers, but in order to
convince the Scotchman OF
the fact, Auditor Telcher introduced
him to Mr.. Schultz. who is familiar
with the Buffalo Hump country. Rob-
inson left Grangeville the next MORN
ing n much wiser Scotchman.