A man giving the name of Thomas Sexsmith appeared in the vicinity about a week ago, and being a good talker, he succeeded in getting several of our prominent farmers interested in a patent milk cooler. His plan of operation was to leave a cooler with the farmer, with the understanding that it was only left for exhibitions, not sold. He then induced the farmer to sign what appeared to be a receipt for the same, but which was in reality what is known as a “slip note.” The receipt being put on over the note covering only the reading matter thereon, leaving the blank for signature below the place of contract being concealed by a black line. Thus when the receipt was removed the signature appeared on the note below, which he filled out to suit himself. In order to have a consideration he had a deed of territory for the patent made out when he slipped in the cooler when leaving.
It is an old game, but several men who “ought to know better” were caught by it to the tune of about $200 each. The next day some of the victims began to suspicion all was not right, and drove to this town in the evening to Iook the matter up. They called at the National House, and were informed that Sexsmith had retired for the night. The landlord, on going to his room, found he had not gone to bed, but still had his overcoat on as if in readiness to leave. This he reported to those in waiting at the office, and two of them immediately started for his room, but on opening the door they found he had got out of the window and left for parts unknown. Several men immediately started in pursuit, tracking him through the snow for about a mile, when they lost the trail and returned.
Sexsmith was a stout-built, sandy complexioned man, a fast talker, with a sort of hitch in his speech. He wore when here, a black slouch hat, heavy brown chinchilla overcoat, and black pants. He had been working in Geauga County before coming here.
Sexsmith jumped his board and livery bills here, having left the livery rig at Mantua Station. We learn that he had stated at the Bank here that he had some notes he would like to have discounted. He again turned to Braceville, Thursday, where he succeeded in trading one of the notes above referred to bearing Mr. Higley’s signature, and filled out for $200. This note he traded to a man named Shaffer’s for a horse and Shaffer’s note for $100. Mr. Shaffer’s wife on being informed of the trade was suspicious that there was something wrong, and Mr. Shaffer immediately started after this man whom he overcome a short distance from Warren. Sexsmith agreed to make matters all right on arriving in Warren, but when he got there he left Shaffer, saying he wanted to feed the horse, instead of which he rode right through the barn and off. Shaffer started in pursuit and succeeded in tracking his man to Bloomfield where he was stopped and compelled to give up the horse, but he himself escaping across the lots, minus his overcoat. Shaffer came to Windham Monday and delivered the note to Mr. Higley.
