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yVOL. LXI. NO. 12.SHELBY COUNTYMan Claiming to Be Long Lost Adam Trees Gets $1,300 From John Trees.CLAIMED TO HAVE AFORTUNE IN CALIFORNIAHad Been Pronounced Dead by • Courts in Settling Estate of His Parents.HE WAS A SMOOTH SCHEMERThe story of a confidence game perpetrated within the confines otShelby codnty and upon a resident of Shelby township has just come to light although the afTair was enacted sometime during last January. It was not a gold brick scheme or the sale of blue sky for well drained and fertile land, but was a game of the long lost brother variety. The long lost brother succeeded in getting awy with $1,300 of cold cash belonging to one of his dearly beloved Brethren.John Trees, of Shelby township, •was the victim of the bunco man and was led to believe that the man who claimed to be his brother Adam, who left this county some twenty-four years ago and has qot been heard from since, was really and truly such as he claimed to be.— By the many tricks of the trade known to confidence men, the self constituted brother Ingratiated himself with his beloved brother and succeeded In getting his consent to take Into bis keeping some $1,300 which John kept on his person because of a lack of confidence in banks. It Is needless to sa that brother Adam and the $1,300 did not long stay in the company ot brother John.The story of the afTair is an interesting one and dates back to the leaving of Adam Trees about twenty-four years ago. The family were never informed as to his whereabouts and after the passing of so many years it was thought that Adam had surely died among strangers or some information concerning his welfare would have reached them.A number of years after the departure of Adam and about thirteen years ago. the father William Trees died and a few years later, about nine years ago, the mother followed the father through the valley of death. They left an estate of some $7,000 including ninety acres of fine,land in Liberty township.There are six members in the family besides Adam, who arc as follows, Mrs. Michael Zoble, of Shelby township, George Trees, of Madison county, John Trees, of Shelby township, the victim of the self-constituted hro ther, Aaron Trees, of this county, Newton Trees of Henry county, and Mrs. Missouri Meltzger, who resides near Gwynneville. About four years ago the estate was settled in the Shelby circuit court, and by the processes of the law, Adam the absentee, wa» declared dead and his part of the estate was divided among the other members of the family. The settlement of the estate was consumated by Attorney W. A. Yarllng of this city.All the members of the family were pleased with the settlement and thought the matter closed. In January of this year the man claiming to be the long lost brother Adam appear ed on the scene and after learning of fhe residing place of each of the family through questioning persons In this city” he revealed his “fake identity to the several members of the family who received him with great hospital Ity Into their homes.Imposter, as he undoubtedly was from his subsequent actions, he told the eagerly listening relatives of his success in business during his absence and spoke of a great fortune ■ed magnificent farms which were his In the far away state of California, tlw unsuspecting r*ladves''began grUmHiy to believe that tt was rmi-ly the long lost brother Adam although there was a semblance ol doubt In the minds of some of the family. He promised to take them to bis home In California and though he said he was somewhat hurt that the estate had been settled during his absence and he had received none of the property of his parents, he would forgive them as he had a competency without the small share of the estate which would have been his.Everything was being made ready for the trip to the home of Adam, which to his relatives was not unlike the Eden of the forefather for whom he was named, when Adam went to the home of John to remain for a few days. He learned while there that John had on his person some $1,300 which he would not place In a bank on account of lack of confidence. Here was his opportunity. He cautioned his brother and suggested that he be allowed to see that the money was safely cared for. He ? entrusted with the funds and within the short period of a day had vamoosed.Some of the family are yet of the opinion that the schemer was their long-lost brother, Adam, but it would be difficult to convince John that he was. No efforts were made to effect his capture and he has probably duped several other unsuspecting persons since the episode in this county.Enter DePrez Hardware Store—Scared Away by Watchman Magill.Entrance was made to the J. G. DePrez hardware store aoout one o’clock Tuesday morning by some person or persons with robbery as a purpose. The burglar was frightened away by merchant policeman Mu-Bin.The night watchman was makingBURGLARS AGAINhis rounds about the hour named and found the back door of the DePrez hardware store had been entered by breaking the glass with a stone which lay inside the door. He entered the store but found no one and locked the doors. He then notified Gus DePrez and on returning the door w’as repaired and a search made. Nothing was thought to be missing at the time but a bucket containing seven or eight revolvers were found and It was evident that the thief had dropped them In his haste to get away.This morning it was discovered that two Smith Wesson revolvers, one a 38 and one a 32 caliber were missing.This robbery recalls that of several years ago which occurred at the DePrez hardware store in which Mr. Magill succeeded In capturing his man after a pistol duel. This is the same criminal who escaped from the penitentiary several months ago as given In these columns at the time.It was remarked by some who know of the affair that A1 Gels went Into the building with Watchman Magill and that he is a very brave? burglar hunter.THlBryan In VDes IV in an a quet, Sa People, tlon thj waning now reg In sui Bryan c a prim; Illinois, He ci of a Rlt; sas def pany an or of Glt; trol of r taken b The can safe financla said, ”w throw c magnate control trust tc the cou Conce an said lost In jority h ty Is sti any tin 1892, b. ground proving tion tal-‘The keepingthe flna The for are as at work bring fe that Is In the Democr 1908.”AMECLERICAL TENNIS CLUBMinisters Organize an Athletic for Recreation.ClubThe ministers of the city have organized a tenuis club and have prepared the grounds in the rear of the First Presbyterian church for the use of the club.The ministers who are Interested in the club are Rev. W. E. Price, of the First Presbyterian, Rev. H. O. Pritchard, of the First Christian, Rev. L. F. DImraitt. of the First M. E.. Rev. J. H. Heady, of Christ’s church, (Episcopal), and Rev. J. H. Deere, of the First Baptist. Rev. H. O. Pritchard has been named as president and Rev. W. E. Prloe, will serve as secretary and treasurer.The grounds have been put in good shape and will be open to the ministers and their wives. The young people or the churches will be privileged to use the grounds If they comply with certain conditions.Viewed■iorOn P sioners bers of resenta of Grelt; viewed voting shop.After the mat that 11: with th The will mlt; directo: the con Harry ’ os Port Root a: now chine manufaNEW APPOINTMENTSOfRural Free Delivery Carriers Shelby County.InDispatch from Washington states that the following rural free delivery carriers, for Shelby county, have been appointed: Shelbyville, Conrad Ne-Ugh, Simon Thompson, Edmund Abel, Fred Brown and Rollyn Barnes; Flat Rock. John Collett; Fountalntown. John Rohm; London, George B. Jo-daa and Willard Means; Morristown. Charles Bruner.Load iMilWhll pike i Monda J. W. ’ 11am M Is emi throwr severe Thej from t er Sal of the the wi and tb merdc bones tired ,1tonm
Newspaper Details
Shelbyville Shelby Democrat
Shelbyville, Indiana, US
Thu, Apr 06, 1905
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Janet F.
KY, USA 01 Apr 2017
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