anaheim-gazette 1908-12-03

A SHREWD GAME OF BUNCO HOW ONE THOMPSON TOUCHED PROF. MILLS FOR $75 With Mr. Stiles Signed Note at Fullerton Bank—Had to Settle—The Game Being Played Upon Graduates of Kansas College—Exposed A. A. Mills was recently made the victim of a shrewd bunco steerer who touched him for a loan of $75, claiming to have been robbed of $400 and other valuables in Los Angeles the day before. The bunco-steerer was J. S. C. Thompson, former superintendent of printing in the Kansas state agricultural college, whence Mills graduated a number of years ago. In August last Thompson arrived at the Mills home here, and on making known his identity was invited in and entertained over night. Many incidents of college life were recalled, and Thompson proved himself to be not only a welcome but an entertaining visitor. After their supper he unburdened a blood-curdling story of having been robbed in Los Angeles of $400 and a draft for a large amount. He requested the loan of $75, "until he could get back home," and Mills very naturally permitted himself to be stung. Jointly with Mr. Stiles of the Chapman ranch, Prof. Mills signed a note for the amount at Balcom's bank, and this week had to pay the amount, together with three months' interest. A little investigation among K. C. people on the coast convinced Mills and are here reproduced: Berkeley, Cal., Nov. 18 My Dear Mr. Mills.—Thank you for the warning. A year after summer J. S. C. Thompson and told much the same tale you. Pockets picked on the between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Cash, check and a tie Nevada stolen. It was imp that he proceed to Nevada night. Would I lend him $20? I declined and have not sent since. He asked for the advice of several K. S. A. C. grazing none of which I could give him. Ten years ago he introduced self as a dear friend of my brother He called my brother by his name, and offered me as a favor, some "gilt-edged stock did not buy. Afterwards I that my brother hardly knew He has struck a mine in the fraternal feeling of the student the K. S. A. C. It seems to me he ought to posed in the "Alumnus." I amry for your loss. Land him where he belongs. Sincerely Bridgman, 1715 Boute Ave., ley. San Luis Obispo, Nov. Mr. A. A. Mills, Anaheim, My Dear Mr. Mills: Your warning dated 13th inst., and added to my daughter May is at and I know I have her entireation in hereby acknowledgment and thanking you for your tfulness. Fortunately for us (and for victimizer also, I assure you was "up against it," when he along one evening about a week awaiting an invitation to dinner stay over But somehow what could get back home," and Mills very naturally permitted himself to be stung. Jointly with Mr. Stiles of the Chapman ranch, Prof. Mills signed a note for the amount at Balcom's bank, and this week had to pay the amount, together with three months' interest. A little investigation among K. C. people on the coast convinced Mills that Thompson had similarly victimized many former students of the college. In fact it appeared he was traveling from one end of the country to the other on easy money. Mills laughed good-naturedly yesterday on being made an E. Z. mark, and with some reluctance yielded up the following correspondence showing the trail of the bunco man: Claremont, Cal., Nov. 9, '08. My dear Mr. Mills.—It was with deep regret that I learned from yours of Nov. 7th that J. S. C. Thompson had been at his old trick of borrowing money from K. C. acquaintances. Wherever he goes he leaves a trail of unpaid loans. We have heard from others who have been victimized in the same way. I understand he left many unpaid accounts in Manhattan—certainly he owed Dr. Fairchild money which was never paid. I believe him to be entirely unreliable in money matters. He borrowed nothing from me when here, but tried to sell me mining stock which I refused to consider. I doubt if he has any property, though I don't know anything positive of his affairs. Sincerely yours, Francis H. White. Satisfied that Thompson was up to the same game in other parts of the country, and that exposure was the only means of saving others from similar fraud, Mills sent the following letter to a number of K. C. graduates in different parts of the country: Anaheim, Cal., Nov. 13, '08. Dear Kansas Collegian.—Some three months ago J. S. C. Thompson, ex-Supt. of Printing, K. S. A. C., after calling on Dr. F. B. Royer, '95, Los Angeles, Cal., called at our home visited and spent the night. He told warning dated 13th inst., and added to my daughter May is at and I know I have her entire information in hereby acknowledgement and thanking you for your helpfulness. Fortunately for us (and for victimizer also, I assure you was "up against it," when he along one evening about a week awaiting an invitation to dinner stay over. But somehow what girls came in they treated her chilly, an ungrateful third old K. S.A . C. folk to do. He resented himself as a mining neer, and interested in miningerty in Nevada and selling stock. He had dropped out so long ago back in Kansas had entirely forgotten the end of the advent of his magazine Manhattan, and its stillborn and the paid-up subscribers sundry other shady things weed of him within the K. S. A. rizon. Well, we had just thanked lucky star for getting rid of when, lo! he came around to next day with a tale of woefar to the one that softened and Mr. Stiles' heart. "Had among thieves down in Pismo took his pocket book at the with $75. Had telegraphed partner in Nevada but failed how to hear from him." As I am easily moved, especially appealed to by old college foll this time the Demon Distrust pered in my ear, all is not right this thwarted his game. Then another lie on his lips he sent out to the polytechnic school terview the schoolmarms. He May he had lost $200 and that sent him to her. Then he wan sell mining stock to Miss H The marms would not bite. It is humiliating to all old-ti S. A. collegiate and to all connected with that grand institute that this black sheep should disgrace to the old Alma Mater. At the request of May I have four copies of your letter which will send up coast as far as tle. Why not send a note to similar fraud, Mills sent the following letter to a number of K. C. graduates in different parts of the country: Anaheim, Cal., Nov. 13, '08. Dear Kansas Collegian.—Some three months ago J. S. C. Thompson, ex-Supt. of Printing, K. S. A. C., after calling on Dr. F. B. Royer, '95, Los Angeles, Cal., called at our home visited and spent the night. He told wife and I, as he had told Dr. Royer that he had had his pockets picked in Los Angeles of $400 cash and a draft for $400. Wanted a loan to carry him to his family at Victoria, B. C., We did not have the money loose, but Mr. Stiles and I got the bank to let him have $75 for thirty days. Have heard nothing from him since and today we paid the note, charging to "Good Samaritan" account. Wrote to Prof. F. H. White, Claremont, Cal., co-laborer with Thompson at K. S. A. C., making inquiry as to Thompson. I quote him: "It was with deep regret that I learned that J. S. C. Thompson had been at his old trick of borrowing money of K. S. A. C. acquaintances. Wherever he goes he leaves a trail of unpaid loans. We have heard from others who have been victimized in the same way." Check him up. He may call on you. Pass the word along. Sincerely yours, A. A. Mills. To this letter came many answers, proving that Thompson was swinging around the circle, putting K. C. people's eyes out with uniform sang froid and suavity, from one end of the country to the other. Portions of them make interesting reading sell mining stock to Miss H. The marms would not bite. It is humiliating to all old-timer S. A. collegiate and to all connected with that grand institution that this black sheep should disgrace to the old Alma Mater. At the request of May I have four copies of your letter which will send up coast as far asattle. Why not send a note to Alumnus and expose this man's euvers? I remain very truly Ed. Etiwanda, Cal., Nov. 20 A. A. Mills, Anaheim, Cal.-Mr. Mills: Yours of the 13th ed. Am very sorry that you have fallen a victim to Supt. The son. I had been informed that was operating along the lines deed by you but was rather intended to give the Supt. the benefit of doubt I felt in the matter. He a day with me here in Etiwanda most a year ago. At that time posed as a most successful promoter and told me of the good things he was handling in stock. He urged me to in some sure winners he was sighing But knowing something of the cases in mining I believed that wanda offered more satisfactory opportunities than the stock med. For several days after here I received letters and twice called to the phone in an attempt to persuade me that I was ing a chance of a lifetime if ed to invest. I was even to be sured against loss. The thing ed too good to me, and I used money to secure some Etiwanda- are reproduced: Wakeley, Cal., Nov. 17, '08. Mr. Mills.—Thank you morning. A year ago last S. C. Thompson called much the same tale he told sets picked on the train in Francisco and Los Annies, check and a ticket to olen. It was imperative proceed to Nevada that hold I lend him $20? and have not seen him asked for the addresses K. S. A. C. graduates, which I could give him. Is ago he introduced him ear friend of my brother's. my brother by his first offered me as a special "gilt-edged stock." I Afterwards I learned brother hardly knew him. mock a mine in the strong beling of the students of A. C. to me he ought to be exe "Alumnus." I am sorloss. Land him in jail; belongs. Sincerely, Lillie 715 Boute Ave., BerkeLuis Obispo, Nov. 19, '08. Mills, Anaheim, Cal.— Mr. Mills: Your note of ed 13th inst., and addressaughter May is at hand; I have her entire approbereby acknowledging it you for your thoughtly for us (and for the also, I assure you,) he against it," when he came evening about a week ago, invitation to dinner and But somehow when the perty that was for sale at the time. Of course I do not know that the stock I was expected to purchase was not all that it was represented to be, but in the light of subsequent events I very much doubt it. I am exceedingly sorry that such action should be called for, but do we not owe it to others of the K. A. C. who may be victimized to warn them of the danger? Would it not be well to put Thompson in the columns of the Alumnus. I understand George Munger of Los Angeles advanced money as you did, also Ed. Joss of Portland, Or. With kind regards, I am truly yours, Isaac Jones. Santa Monica, Nov. 21, '08. A. A. Mills—Dear Mr. Mills—I recognized your signature even before reading the body of your letter. I regret to say that two previous experiences with J. S. C. Thompson had convinced me of his unreliability and he cannot victimize me upon any plea whatever. Am very sorry he succeeded in doing so in your case. I do not doubt that the K. S. A. C. people who have listened to his schemes, and in many places helped him, may be numbered by hundreds, and the money he has secured by thousands. Fortunately for me, I have never been in a position to help him, had I believed in him. I think your experience should be made generally known. Had others shown the courage you have in exposing him, he would long since have desisted. His family, as I have been told, live in Oakland. Parker S., his son, is doing a legitimate business in some correspondence school, caring for his own wife and his stepmother and half-sister and brother, the family of J. S. C. Thompson. It is a sad story of lost grip on the hundred dollars and depawill pass the word along as my best to warn others. truly, Manhattan, Kan., Nov. My dear Mills—I was awato hear from you but wouhave preferred to have chocferent subject. We here up to date in this particuwe have received word seferent times regarding the in high finance of my old Thompson.. I am very soris acting in this way, and I effective way to prevent succeedsing may be discover I to understand that you athat I should have publish Alumnus your letters or stions thereof as I may t so that those who are smay become awareo,f the for us (and for the also, I assure you), he against it," when he came evening about a week ago, invitation to dinner and But somehow when the in they treated him ra- an ungrateful thing for C. folk to do. He rep- self as a mining engi- terested in mining prop-ada and selling mining had dropped out of sight back in Kansas that I my forgotten the episode of his magazine in and its stillborn birth, laid-up subscribers, and shady things whisper within the K. S. A. C. ho- had just thanked our for getting rid of him, came around to me with a tale of woe, simi- one that softened your les' heart. "Had fallen down in Pismo, who pocket book at the hotel Had telegraphed to his Nevada but failed some from him." As a rule moved, especially when by old college folk. But Demon Distrust whis-ear, all is not right, and his game. Then with on his lips he started polytechnic school to in- schoolmarms. He told lost $200 and that I had her. Then he wanted to stock to Miss Howell. would not bite. relating to all old-time K. dates and to all others with that grand institution sheep should bring the old Alma Mater. rest of May I have made of your letter which she coast as far as Seatot send a note to the think your experience should be made generally known. Had others shown the courage you have in exposing him, he would long since have desisted. His family, as I have been told, live in Oakland. Parker S., his son, is doing a legitimate business in some correspondence school, car- ing for his own wife and his stepmother and half-sister and brother, the family of J. S. C. Thompson. It is a sad story of lost grip on the part of the father, but brave effort on the part of the son. With all best wishes for your prosperity and happiness, I remain, very sincerely yours, Lucy Hamilton Waters. Portland, Or., Nov. 20, '08. A. A. Mills, Anaheim Cal.—My dear A. A.: Well, so you got a "stung" too did you? Thompson was last in Portland about a year ago, when I made him two loans—one for five and one for twenty. I have not seen or heard of him since. He borrowed money from all K. S. A. C. students that he could reach. Sincerely, H. W. Stone. Seattle, Wash., Nov. 20, '08. A. A. Mills, Anaheim, Cal.—Friend Mills: Was glad to hear from you but sorry to learn that you fell a victim to Thompson's game. He was here about one year ago and worked two of the boys for small sums, but I escaped. Trust you are get- ting along nicely. With best wishes to you and thanking you for your thoughtfulness, I remain, yours respectfully, Grant Arnold. Los Angeles, Nov. 24, '08. Mr. A. A. Mills: Dear Friend—Your kindly letter of warning was receiv ed and caused some excitement to May and Silas. The gentleman had been to see May when he was here and told a pathetic tale of robbery—two hundred cash and four hundred draft, and of his great need of getting to San Francisco that day. May let him have all the money she had on hand, which fortunately was about four dollars, but did not feel called upon to give him a check. Mrs. D. Cotey, 5035 Echo street. Fresno, Cal., Nov. 23, '08. A. A. Mills—My Dear Fellow Al- stock to Miss Howell. I would not bite. relating to all old-time K. dates and to all others with that grand institution stock sheep should bring the old Alma Mater. nest of May I have made of your letter which she coast as far as Seatot send a note to the to expose this man's maneain very truly yours, Ed. Secrest. anda, Cal., Nov. 20, '08. as, Anaheim, Cal.—Dear Yours of the 13th inst. was sorry that you should victim to Supt. Thompbeen informed that he along the lines describout was rather inclined Supt. the benefit of the in the matter. He spent here in Etiwanda alago. At that time he most successful mining told me of the many he was handling in minde urged me to invest winners he was selling. something of the changI believed that Etimore satisfactory opman the stock mentioneral days after he was selved letters and was to the phone in an atuade me that I was missof a lifetime if I failI was even to be inloss. The thing lookto me, and I used my ure some Etiwanda pro- here and told a pathetic tale of robbery—two hundred cash and four hundred draft, and of his great need of getting to San Francisco that day. May let him have all the money she had on hand, which fortunately was about four dollars, but did not feel called upon to give him a check. Mrs. D. Cotey, 5035 Echo street. Fresno, Cal., Nov. 23, '08. A. A. Mills—My Dear Fellow Alumni: Yours of the 13th inst. was duly received. Several years ago our friend Thompson was at my home for a couple of days. At that time he was promoting a fake trust concern in San Francisco and was handling the stock out to any suckers he might be able to find, more preferably those of his old college acquaintances. I did not see fit to invest any with him and only a short time afterward the bank examiners closed his institution and some of the leading spirits had to scurry over the boundary lines into other countries to escape prosecution. Yours very truly, H. V. Rudy. Manhattan, Kan., Nov. 23, '08. A. A. Mills—Dear Friend: Knowing of Thompson’s former efforts to live off his friends, I am not surprised to hear that he has “used” you to the amount of $75. The leopard can not change his spots. Thompson left here in 1897 under a cloud of similar charges. He owed bills in many stores, had his furniture attached at the depot, and left several of his friends to credit his ledger page as you say that you did. He started a Kansas monthly, of which he published one number, on account of which he collected several dollars and departed. I am the word along and will do to warn others. Yours J. D. Walters. Shattan, Kan., Nov. 27, '08. Sar Mills—I was awfully glad from you but would much deferred to have chosen a dif- subject. We here are quite late in this particular line, as received word several dif- fences regarding the escapades finance of my old friend n.. I am very sorry that he in this way, and hope some way to prevent him from ing may be discovered. Am understand that you are willing should have published in the your letters or such por- reof as I may think best those who are subscribers come awareo, f the conditions and placed on their guard? I am inclined to think this would reach a good many and perhaps forewarn them. It is a bloody shame that a man should so degrade himself, but it is a condition and not a theory that we are confronting, and the question is what is the best way to meet it. I shall not take any steps until I hear from you again. Yours for the "good of the order," C. M. Breese. Do you know you can increase the flow of milk from your cow by feeding sugar beet pulp at 50 cents per ton from LOS ALAMITOS SUGAR COMPANY? One pound of Gold Nugget coffee at 25 oents, beats any two pounds on the market. Western Tea and Coffee store. WE PAY 6% ON ONE YEAR TERM 5% ON MONTHLY BALANCES WE WELCOME accounts of any amount from $5.00 up. Currency may be safely sent through the mail by registered letter, or remittance may be made by express money order, bank check or draft, which need not be registered. Loans are made only on improved real estate or for building purposes. PROVIDENT Mutual Building-Loan Association J. M. HUNTER, Sec.y and Mgr. 135 Se. Bdwy. Los Angeles, Cal. 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