On This Date in Minnesota History: May 6

May 6, 1903 – Otter Tail County Sheriff Sawyer returned from Granite Fall, Minn., to Fergus Falls, bringing with him a man who is believed to be a foremost crook and swindler. The man has been going under the name of Harry Hargrave, but has half a dozen aliases. He is wanted in North and South Dakota, but it is believed this county has the most charges to prefer against him. The warrant that Sheriff Sawyer took with him charges Hargrave with having swindled Mrs. Berg of Battle Lake out of $1,013. He represented to Mrs. Berg that he was her long lost cousin and proposed to secure a stock of goods for her at about half the ordinary price—a $2,000 stock for $1,000. Having won her confidence, Hargrave then secured her money.

The authorities also believe that he is the same individual who, under the name of Harry Penrose, deceived and robbed Miss Emily Anderson of Parkers Prairie, this county. Penrose came to Parkers Prairie a few weeks ago and stayed several days, representing himself as a postal inspector. He met Miss Anderson and induced her to accompany him, promising to marry her once they reached the Twin Cities. He stopped off at Cold Springs and Osakis, and finally told the girl that business called him to a village a few miles out on a branch line. He stated that there was an excellent engraver there, and persuaded her to give him her watch and some other jewelry on the plea that he wanted to have her initials engraved upon them. He took her money—about $150—from her satchel and she has heard nothing from him since.

The Minneapolis Journal; “All-Around Crook. Cases at Fergus Falls Which Are Likely to Make Hargrave Smart.”; May 06, 1903; p. 2

Otter Tail County Courthouse, Fergus Falls, Minn.
http://www.mnd.uscourts.gov/Courthouses/images/Fergus-02.jpg 

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