YANKEE SWINDLERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 18, 4 January 1912, Page 3

YANKEE SWINDLERS.

CREDULITY OF THE PUBLIC

The arrest at Chicago of America’s king of “get-rich-quick” swindlers, S. O. Potter, just as he was about to conclude a £-11)0,01)0 mining swindle on a company of wealthy Englishmen has given great satisfaction to the police of many cities where Potter is wanted for various kinds of “gold brick” operations.

Potter’s career has been’ an extraordinary one. Working with his partner, Emil A. Starklotf, ho has victimised people on both sides of the Atlantic, according to the police, of more than £500,000, by many ingenious methods. One of the most successful frauds was practised almost exclusively on English people. It was based on the wills published by '.he newspapers of deceased persons. A'o such custom prevails in America. Starklolf, under an assumed name, would write from Yew. York, to the dead person, pretending he had no knowledge of his death. He would recall an imaginary incident in 1 which the Englishman had befriended him, at a. critical moment of his life, and had put him on the road of fortune. Then, he would say he wanted to show his gratitude by permitting the Englishman to share with him in a rich mine he was about to secure. In many ceases the bait was taken by the dead man’s relatives. They would visit America, would meet Starklotf, who would introduce them to Potter as the mine owner from whom the purchase was to be made. The Englishmen would part with their money, tiie amount varying usually from £IOOO to £SOOO, and . then would start for home with mining ' shares, Which later, they would find Co be worthless. “The Cross-roads Swindle.” Another trick of the pair was known as “the cross-roads swindle.” Doing into an agricultural district, they would hud a wealthy farmer, anci would offer to purchase his land at his own valuation. They would declare they must have the land on a certain date, and would demand that the farmer deposit £IOOO witli his lawyer or anyone else he chose in a town near by as evidence of good faith. When their victim started for town with the deposit they would meet, him at some lonely place, hold him up, take the money, tie the farmer to a tree, and escape. They were also adepts at the “green goods” game. They would pretend to have secured from one of. the Government mints a quantity of the green paper, made by a secret process, which the Government uses ror manufacturing its paper money, and also the Government’s engraving plates. They would announce to credulous persons of unscrupulous morals they were making paper money exactly the same as that turned out by tiie Government, and would sell it at 50 per cent, discount. They secured targe sums by this means, which was a safe game, for after their .victims. found the “money” they had bought was in reality nothing but a bundle of blank paper, with a real note; or two on top, they were, reluctant to complain to the police, not wishing to damage their own refutations.

The Satchel Trick. Selling bricks supposedly of pure gold, .in. reality' having .only; a. cover’of the yellow metal, "\vas- also a favourite ' game of'the .two Inen. Some, time, ago Potter and Starkloff yprkcd , a . satchel/swindle ;dn’ it, Belgian ‘in 1 Piiilaaelphia..' j ‘ Belgian was standing in hire. lobby pf a wellknown' ’ 'hotel,! yl'ieii I, ' ‘' picked' y satchel, which lie had in the corridor a short timb ! ombre, and remarked that they ought - to keep it until the owner returned. A few miutes later Potter rushed into the hotel, looked wildly about, and said he had left his satchel behind, which contained valuable papers. He recognised it in Starkloff’s possession, and was profuse in his, thanks. The , three had drinks "together; and then Potter introduced a business proposition. Starkloff was immediately taken with the scheme -,and after/ a little urging tlie Belgian'decided itbgo into it. He produced £240., as initial security. it wys handed to, Starkloff, and in a few’4hOni6ntsHhe two made an excuse for leaving the Belgian for a moment or two. That was the last he saw of.his money.. Starkloff is the son of a wealthy St. Louis 5 physician,-' who /was’ former-. ,ly in the United States consular service. As a boy he spent three, years in the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, but was dropped before graduation because of want of application. He is 55 years old. Potter is GO. Starkloff is stout, good hatured in mien, and looks like a prosperous business man. Potter is white-haired, and walks with a stoop. He has a high forehead and the intellectual features of a professional man. Both are more than 6ft in height. The two were arrested in May, 1910, at Philadelphia, on swindling charges, but “jumped’ ’their bail of £2300 each. * Starkloff has not yet been found by the police, who are searching all over the country for him. When the two were taken into custody last year they were living in luxuriant style at Wynewcod Manor, a fashionable suburb of Philadelphia.. Each occupied a separate house, was active- in society and church affairs and made friends easily. Potter had similar luxurious quarters in Chicago, where he was arrested recently. In his apartment was found a long list of former and prospective victims. The list is said to contain a larger number of residents of cities than rural inhabitants.