The Confidence Man of Tacoma

Some weeks ago, W. B. Brackenridge, of San Francisco, appeared in Tacoma and was introduced to J. H. Hall, a real estate dealer, to whom he made a proposition to buy timber lands and trade in timber claims. His references seemed satisfactory and Mr. Hall agreed to his terms. A number of plats were ordered from Seattle and soon they came along with a bill for $63, which Mr. Hall paid. Brackenridge then wanted $75 to meet some pressing claims, and Mr. Hall gave it to him. Then Brackenridge wanted $15 more, a part of which was to be expended in a compass. Then he wanted $10 more for other purposes, and then he disappeared from Mr. Hall’s sight. Meantime, Brackenridge had asked Verdon Bros., cigar dealers, to cash a check for him for $130 and they obligingly did so and the check was honored. He asked them next to cash a check for $160 on the Merchants’ National Bank, signed by himself, and they complied with his request, but payment was refused, as Brackenridge had no account at that bank. Since that time, Brackenridge has disappeared from their sight, and there are several other businessmen looking for him. His forgeries and swindles amount to about $1,500.