By Roy Vataja

Forgery, larceny and bunco — all fancy words for theft — have existed in every town and village and will continue to until the end of time. There is very little difference between the past and present when it comes to people who perform elaborate ruses to steal from others, as these tales from the very early days on the Harbor show that crime, sometimes, pays.

A ROW IN COURT — “If I can’t have the check I want the money back,” said the witness, and with that he collared the attorney and undertook to take the money away from him. It happened Monday in Justice Andrews’ court during the progress of the trial in the case of State vs. Tullis for obtaining money under false pretenses. Several days before Tullis had borrowed money from Ole Vammen and gave him a check on the bank for $20. The check proved worthless as Tullis had no money in the bank subject to check, but had a certificate of deposit for $70. Vammen put the check in the hands of I.W. Mason for collection, who failed to make collection. Complaint was then made by Vammen in the name of the State and Tullis was arrested.

The evidence showed that Tullis had lost most of his money gambling and drinking in Vammen’s and in Dolan’s saloons, with exception of $20 of the certificate of deposit that he had turned over to Dolan with which to pay the check. The check had not been paid and was in possession of the court as evidence in the trial.

The defense placed Dolan on the stand to prove that he had been ready and able at all times to pay the check. This he claimed to be. Upon cross examination he reiterated his readiness to pay the check, whereupon J.C. Cross, who had charge of the case for the county attorney suggested that he pay the check then and there. Dolan took $20 out of his pocket and laid it on the table. Cross passed the money to Mason, who acknowledged that payment of the check and put the money in his pocket. Dolan got possession of the check and put it in his pocket, the judge told him he could not have it then, McKinley, attorney for the defense, also objected. It was at this point that the incident mentioned in the opening sentences occurred. A scramble ensued until they were separated, Mason kept the money and declined to pay it into court, Adjournment was taken until today.

This morning another sensation was sprung by McKinley asking that Mason and Cross be committed for contempt of court until they returned the $20, but the judge declined. The case was finally dismissed, there not being sufficient cause for action. And the county foots the bill. — Aberdeen Herald, January 7, 1897

Charles Wooldridge, who has hitherto borne a good reputation, packed his grip one day last week, strode his bike and rode to Hoquiam, there taking passage on the Del Norte for San Francisco, leaving numerous creditors to mourn his unceremonious departure. Isaac Crawford is the heaviest loser, and after he had especially befriended the man, having boarded him for months while out of employment and therefore out of money. Wooldridge had worked on the carriage to the big saw at Weatherwax mill for several years, but had been out of work since that mill shut down last summer, excepting part of the time during the winter when he had worked in the same capacity at the West & Slade mill. He had been worrying over his debts of late and his friends hope that when he secures work he will do what is right by his creditors. — Aberdeen Herald, April 22, 1897

Geo. Bixler, who resided in this city for several years up to about a year and a half ago, when he suddenly took his departure, leaving many unpaid bills, fell under a freight train, near Jackson, Mich., a few days ago, and lost both his legs below the knees. The report failed to state the cause of the accident, but it is inferred among those best acquainted with him that he was “beating” a ride at the time. — Aberdeen Herald, May 20, 1897

A man giving the name of John Murphy was charged with petit larceny, the accusation being that he had stolen some blankets and tried to pawn them for whisky. He was given twenty days in the county jail.— Aberdeen Bulletin, April 6, 1903

ON CHARGE OF FORGERY — Marshal Carter arrested E.J. Isenberg on Saturday on a telegram from Elma. The dispatch was rather indefinite, but the marshal got the man in a saloon by reaching the conclusion that the coat worn by him was on some respects identical with the one described in the message. He threw Isenberg off his guard by addressing him in the most friendly way and calling him by his first name and insisting that they had met before. The fellow became communicative and gave himself away and was arrested.

Isenberg was taken to jail and held awaiting a warrant from the Elma officers and further identification. Officer Birmingham while at the jail Sunday discovered an attempt of the prisoner to secure his liberty. He had forced off one of the windows with an iron bar and probably would have accomplished what he set out to do had not the officer arrived in time. He was then handcuffed and his ankles placed in irons so that he was on hand when Sheriff Graham called for him this morning and took him back to Elma.

Isenberg is wanted for the forgery of a check in the sum of $200, on a lumber or logging firm near Summit, a little ways from Elma. The particulars of this crime could not be learned here. The man is about 35 years of age. — Aberdeen Bulletin, January 9, 1905

BUNCOED SIX ABERDEEN SALOON MEN OUT OF $110 — David Geary, or a stranger who placed this name on half dozen checks and signed the name of David McLafferty, buncoed at least this number of out of $18.50 each Saturday night. As long as strangers are ready to sign their names to checks or some one’s else name these will be found persons in Aberdeen ready to cash them.

Geary had his checks cashed in the saloons of M. Kaufman, John O’Hare, Fred Hewitt, Frank Reeder, the Pioneer saloon and at Heffron’s. Naturally Geary spent part of the proceeds in the saloons named as an inducement to get the money and it proved a good investment.

All of the checks were issued on the State bank and the men who accepted them do business with Hayes & Hayes. They were turned in with the cash deposits on Monday morning and it was not until late in the afternoon when the clearing house methods between the two banks led to the discovery that the checks were forged.

Geary had all the time in the world to disappear. He probably left Aberdeen Sunday morning and had two days to get well away from the scene of his operations. A description of the fellow has been sent to other cities but it is likely he made good his escape. So far no other checks have turned up. — Aberdeen Bulletin, May 23, 1905

M. RIGHTSMAN SKIPS — M. Rightsman, one of the heaviest contractors in the building line of the city, has disappeared – no man knows whither, but there are many good men in Aberdeen who would greatly rejoice if he would return, with his pockets bulging with sheckels of fine gold and sheckels of fine silver, to pay them the accounts that he owes them.

Mr. Rightsman worked up a large credit among business men who had confidence in his integrity, but he is gone. McLafferty & Sons are probably the heaviest losers. Grave charges have been preferred against Rightsman, among them, forgery and the charge of absconding, and diligent search will doubtless be made for him. The fact that Rightsman would do as he has done, would indicate that there is nothing in a name. — Grays Harbor Post, January 6, 1906

WRIGHTMAN IN CHICAGO — M. Wrightman, the Aberdeen contractor who left the city too suddenly for some people, is reported to have recently turned up in Chicago. — Aberdeen Bulletin, January 20, 1906

CHARGED WITH FORGERY — J.T. Ginnis is under arrest and held in jail awaiting a hearing on that charge of issuing a forged order and securing the cash at Edward Dolan’s saloon. — Aberdeen Bulletin, February 23, 1906

Judge N.W. Bush is receiver for the Columbia Theater. The manager, J. Harry Smith, to use the expressive language of Attorney E.E. Shields, “has flew the coop,” leaving behind some $190 worth of checks drawn on an imaginary bank account. As the state law makes this a felony, J. Harry is probably “gone forever.” — Aberdeen Bulletin, March 24, 1906

Roy Vataja is the son of Finnish immigrants and to avoid being buncoed, cleverly hides his money in his left shoe where no one would ever think to look.