The Unraveling of a Grifter
A well-connected drifter faces consequences after passing bad checks in local saloons.
Lon R. Dennis was found guilty yesterday in Judge Humes' court of obtaining money under false pretenses. One night some weeks ago, the defendant drew two checks for $5 each on the Pacific National Bank of Tacoma and had John C. Wilson indorse them. Both were cashed by L. Champaux, a wine merchant on Washington Street. When the checks were presented for payment, it was learned that Dennis had no account with the bank, and he was arrested. Dennis is the son of wealthy parents in North Carolina, but they refuse to recognize him on account of his bad conduct. About a year ago he came to Seattle and worked as a reporter. He has been in trouble in several places for his crooked transactions.
“He has been in trouble in several places for his crooked transactions.”
This story of a young man alienated from his wealthy family, scraping by through low-level fraud, is a classic trope of the 'frontier' city, where anonymity allowed drifters to reinvent themselves until the law caught up. It reflects a time when a $10 check could be the catalyst for a major criminal investigation.
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