The Italian Swindlers

Last slimmer .Toseph Toofany, an Itulian, came to Ar.n Arbor from Sault Ste Marie to have his eyes treated. His eyes were in need of treatment, that is certain ; but some Ann Arbor merchants and some students are so mad that they declare even the eye business a fraud. Joseph started a restaurant in the vacant store next to Kandal I's art gallery on Huron-st. He wore good clothes, showed a roll of money, and paid a number of bilis oromptly. He claimed to have had many years' experience in the restaurant business in New York city. To all appearances he was a " hustler," and did a thriving business, and gained the confidence of mot-t of our business men. In reality, however, Joe often found it hard to meet his bilis. He was followed here by his wife,- a very Amazon, of English descent, - an invalid brother who recently died, and a cousin named Frank Toofany. Joe representad that his brother had nothing to do with the business, but that he atui Frank were the proprietors. At the time of the death just mentioned, Frank claimed that Joe was only the manager, aud liiat ilie deceased was one of the proprietors. In the faü ïoofany Bros. began taking students as boarders.selling 21 meal tickets at first lor $3.00, and then giving board for 2.50 per week. About twu months ago they began selling meal ticsets at the rate of $2.25 for 21, providing tickets for ten weeks in advance ere purchased. A large number of students availed thetuselves of tlns cüance, and inany to their sorrow. About a week ago Josepu ïoofany left A"n Arbor, claiming that he wasgoing to Saiilt Öte. Marie to close up some real estáte ventures while the boom was on. Last aturday Frank ïoofany and Joe's wife went out shopping, raking m a goodly suoply of jewelry and clothing. Creditors had been told that the Christmas trade wonld enable them to settle up in full, and they did sell a good part of their stock, niuch of it at extreinely low prices. ïuesday evenine Frank and Mrs. Joe celebrated Christmas by attending the theater: then placed a note on their door announcing that they would not return again, and took the rnidnight train for Chicago. There was consternation and ndignation on the faces of many studente and business men. The business men naturally expect a few losses when they do a credit business, bat it'a hard on the stndents. There were about 25 students takiag meals of the Italiana. Some of them are at home now and don't know of their loss. ïvvo hizh school students, - J. L. Lawrence, of Ligonier, Ind., and J. M. Willis, of Bloonungburg, O.,- wül lose $20.00 each, ba ving purchased tneal tickets for 10 weeks at $2.25 per week only a week ago. Other studente were throvving their tickets around the sidewalk, yesterday morning, in a very discontented frame of mtnd, and were obliged to seek for pastures new. Martin Hal ier and W.G. Dieterle, the furniture dealers, took the goods away that they were interested in, and J. K. Harkinssecured two stoves. A mortgage on the stock for $10:!.00 is held by Thorp, Hawley & Co., of Detroit, the eonlectionery men. Most of the A mi Arbor merchants, however, who trust ed the Italians, immediately took out attachmentH on the goods. The Toolanys must have taken away a goodly sum of money, fortheir Christmas sales were large. And besides they went well clothed. The Am Arbor mercliants involved so fiir as developed at present, are the following : Wagiier & Co., $23: The Two Sams, $17.25; Fred Hoelzle, $25 ; J. C. ds W. W. Watts, $13 ; Chas. Kiser, $(0, for cigars; Kinsey & Seabolt, $75 ; J. J. Goodyear, $3 ; Ed. Hangsterfer, $:!■"; Winea et Worden, $S5; S. & J. Báümitartner, Dean& Co., V. G. Dieterle, Martin Haller, Fred. Schlanderer, K. Kutredge. Joseph Toofanyprobably wentto Chicago, inetead of Sault Sie Marie. For more than a week his wife and Frankhave been shipping glassware, linen, and other things to an Italian address in Chicago, üoxes of goods received were sentón to Chicago unopened. Morgan O'Brien, the drayman, paid freight to the amount of S8")0 for this swindling tribe. The tempors of the Italians were ily eScited, and the English wife of her" calean proportiona was a regular lioness in wrath when aroused. It was frequently aroused and the pitched battles in the kitchen of Toofany brothers afforded the students some relaxation from their studies, a relaxation for which they have dearly paid.