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Stranger Tries to Work Smooth Graft on Dakota House, But Failed.

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ENGAGES ROOM BY WIRE-

SENDS C.O.D. PACKAGES

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Attempts to Collect $25.96 on Two Express Parcels Containing Only Waste Paper.

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Had a certain Minneapolis radio swindler, going by the name of Frank K. Funk, known Mine Host F. W. Johnson of the Dakota House in this city personally, he would not have attempted to get “easy money” from the local hotel man.

Engages Room by Wire.

On January 12, Mine Host Johnson was handed a telegram, dated that day at Minneapolis, which read as follows:

“Reserve room with bath, January 19 to 23. Hold all mail and accept C.O.D. express. Will reimburse you on arrival. (Signed) FRANK K. FUNK.”

The room reservation was made in compliance with the telegraphic request.

Letter for Funk.

On the same day a letter, addressed to Frank K. Funk,c-o Dakota House, New Ulm, Minn., was received. The envelope bore the corner card of the West Hotel, Minneapolis. The letter was placed in the proper compartment of the transient mail rack at the hotel.

Two C.O.D. Packages.

Several days thereafter, two express packages, also addressed to Funk, and apparently sent by the American Radio Co. of Minneapolis, were presented at the hotel. The C.O.D. charges on each of these packages were $12.98, making a total of $25.96.

Things began to look rather suspicious to Mr. Johnson and he refused to pay the C.O.D. charges, where-upon the packages were returned to the local express office, which communicated with the Minneapolis office.

Contained Waste Paper.

On Tuesday of last week, Agent Arthur Bautz received a letter from the Minneapolis office, instructing him to open the mysterious express packages, which were securely and carefully wrapped. Upon doing so, he discovered a box, about the size of an ordinary cigar box, in each of the parcels,and found that these boxes contained nothing but worthless waste paper. Later, the letter addressed to Funk, was also opened and this revealed that the envelope contained a printed page from a popular magazine.

Sharpers Galore.

The number of shrewd sharpers, who attempt to make “easy money” by swindling the unsuspecting, public, is growing by leaps and bounds. A good policy to adopt is to refuse to enter into any financial dealings with strangers. Solicitors for alms should also be given the “once over.”

Brown County Journal,

Jan. 26, 1923