Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1915 — SHREWD STRANGER VICTIMIZED FARMER [ARTICLE]

SHREWD STRANGER VICTIMIZED FARMER

Fred Bachman Paid S. Grier S4O for Electrical Machine Which Never Arrived.

Apparently Fred Bachman, who lives just north of Rensselaer, was victimized three weeks ago by a traveling spectacle man The m-n was traveling in an automobile and had a driver with him. Mr. Bachman is of the impression that the driver was from Rensselaer, although he was not acquainted with him The stranger gave the name of S. Grier and tested Mrs. Bachman’s eyes for glasses and left two pairs at the house for her to use. He then stated that- he was also the agent for electrical mar chines and batteries to be used in treating rheumatism. He said that the ma'hines were worth S3OO each and that they were rented for S4O, supplied with batteries that would run them for three months. It was necessary, he stated, to have a machine adjusted the size of the foot of the person taking treatment and he was told-the size of the shoe Mrs. Bachman wears. He was a smooth talker and left no doulbt with Mr. Bachman that the machine and batteries would be sent according to agreement. He left a penciled note with Mr. Bachman, which he was to give to a man who was to come later, and Which stated that If the batteries did not prove entirely satisfactory they were to be taken up and he was to be paid back S4O, which amount he gave the stranger. Mr. Bachman did not have the money at his home and came to Rensselaer and drew it out of the Trust and Savings Bank and in the bank the man gave him a receipt for the money. The receipt was drawn on the ordinary blank receipt form. The transaction occurred on Jan. 16th and when the machine did not arrive and he did not hear from it he became suspicious and wrote to “S. Grier, Chicago, Ill.” The letter was returned to him

and he was then quite well satisfied that he, had been swindled. He called at The Republican office today to see if any information could be secured as to whether the man had done any other business In the county or if any one was able to give any information that might lead to the man’s arrest. *lGrier” did not stop at the Makeever hotel the night before the morning he was at the Bachman home and was not registered at that hostelry. It is quite probable that he is a professional ‘bunk” artist and it is to be hoped that he can be apprehended when he tries to operate in other parts of the state. Any information concerning him will be welcomed by Mr. Bachman.