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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 1983)
October 21,1983 Page 3 Spilyay Tymoo Local merchants hoodwinked by con man By Pat Leno It is not too often that a young, non-local Indian man decides to set up a law practice in Central Oregon. But when it does happen, then it could p ossibly appear in local newspapers as a hum an- interest story—“a boy makes good” sort of thing. But when that same young man is apparently a con man and passes himself off as an attorney, passes large bogus checks and acquires thousands of dollars worth of merchan dise for literally nothing, then the story becomes something quite different. It's news, hard news. Beginning October 6, the bizarre story of Thomas Two Youngman, which affected many Madras and Warm Springs merchants, began to unfold. Checking into Kah-Nee-Ta R e s o r t on O c to b e r 6, Youngman represented himself as a well-to-do Canadian Indian attorney who intended to set up a law practice in Madras. Initially, Youngman hired a local Indian woman, Janet Tom Billey, to work in his office as a secretary. She was told that she would be one of two secretaries needed to take care if Y oungm an’s Ferlin Good Rider aka paperwork. Youngman’s next step was to go to Madras where he looked his work would be prog for office space for his law firm and a house in which to live. rammed into a computer,a which was being Billey accompanied Youngman computer shipped from Canada. since she knew the area better Billey described Youngman than he did. Youngman told as being well dressed, wearing her that he had been through suits with a western cut, the Central Oregon area a few cowboy boots and a Stetson years before and that he was hat. He spoke in a quiet and impressed with the area then, confident manner and he thus his return. While he appeared to have a good looked at various offices, he knowledge of law. She said he discussed how he would run didn’t appear to try to fast-talk his office. He stated that all of anyone with whom he came Thomas Two Youngman into contact, his speech pattern was slow, clear and distinct. He was not the typical fast-talking con man sort, according to Billey. The outlandish chain-of- events which followed left local merchants open-mouthed with shock and anger. Youngman purchased $600 worth of c l o t h i n g a t R a n s o m ’s Department Store in Madras with a bogus check drawn on a ficticious Canadian bank. He also purcnasea merchandise at Olson’s Saddle Shop and purchased a used car from Guy Davis Chevrolet valued at $8,000. Youngman reportedly paid for the car with a check that had been made for the sum of $ 16,000. So at the time he purchased the car he also received $8,000 in cash and checks from the dealership. All Y oungm an’s checks were reported to have been drawn on the same ficticious bank. Madras merchants were not the only ones to be taken in by Youngman. The Information/ Gift Shop in Warm Springs reportedly sold Youngman thousands of dollars in beaded items and he reportedly cashed a sizeable check at the Kah- Nee-Ta Resort in payment for lodging and food. His checks were reported to have been written for an amount well over the am oun t o f purchase. Youngman is notorious for his underhanded dealings. He is wanted throughout the N orthw est for the same scheme. However, Youngman is known in other states as Ferlin Good Rider, Carl Good Rider, Dewayne Gladstone, Dewayne Strong, Felix Aripa and John J. Red Horn. His usual method o f operation is to arrive in a town boarding an Indian reservation at the end of a week, usually Thursday or Friday. He writes checks during the weekend and usually leaves town before the banks reopen, several thousand dollars richer in cash and merchandise. In the past, he passed himself off as an attorney from another tribe, a BIA agent or new attorney wishing to set up pratice. He also passed himself as a professional cowboy. According to local law e n fo rc em en t o ffic ia ls , Youngman (whose real name is Ferlin Good Rider) is currently being sought by the FBI, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and various state and local law enforcement agencies. Local police feel he left the Warm Springs area just in time, as an article concerning Good Rider appeared in the Oregonian just after he reportedly left Warm Springs. According to an unidentified tribal employee, this was not the first time he had been here. In 1981, the person said he had posed as a member of the U.S. Army’s Special Forces and he was here to set up a camp for troubled youth. He was seeking monies with which to start and run the camp. He reportedly, at that time was being pursued by law enforcement officials. He also cashed a number of checks at various stores in the area. At that time there was also the question of his checks being worthless. Not only did local merchants get taken by Youngman/Good Rider, but Janet Tom Billey also suffered. After being umemployed for most of the summer, she thought she had at last found a job. He took her hopes of being employed with him when he left. Youngman/Good Rider is a native of Cardston, Alberta Canada. He is an Indian from the Blood Reserve. He weighs about 170 pounds. He is 5 feet 9 inches tall. He has been reported to carry a handgun. He sh o u ld be co n sid ered dangerous. The FBI asks residents living near or on Indian reservations to contact them if they should have any in fo r m a tio n on G o o d Rider/ Youngman. Thanks so much Family, relatives and friends, Perhaps you sent a lovely card, Or sat quietly in a chair. Perhaps you sent a floral piece, If so, we saw it there. Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, As any friend could say; Perhaps you were not there at all, Just thought of us that day. Whatever you did to console our hearts, We thank you so much, whatever the part. The family of Ruby E. Coone Tourneys scheduled Invitational 3-on~3 tourney The Wind River Warriors October 28 A ll- In dian In v ita tio n a l basketball tournament entry deadline is October 25, 1983. Entry fee is $125. The tournament, with both men’s and women’s teams is scheduled for November 2-6, 1983 at Great Plains Hall in Arapahoe, Wyoming. Trophies will be presented for places one through six in the men’s division and one through four in the women’s. For m ore in fo rm a tio n contact Clara Blackburn at 2 5 5 -8 2 4 3 in A r a p a h o e , Wyoming. Entry deadline for the Warm Springs 3-00-3. tournament is Friday, October 21. The fee for entry is $50 per team. Spilyay Tymoo photo by Shewczyk Young Dancers Registration for the true double elimination tournament takes place Friday, October 28 Little Miss Warm Springs contestants are getting ready fo r the competition by practicing their a t th e W arm S p r in g s dancing techniques. Daisy Ike tells them they must move back and forth. Dancing and drumming Community Center from 5:00 practice is held each Monday night at the Community Center. p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Games begin that night at 7:00 p.m. and continue through Sunday. F or m ore in fo rm a tio n contact the Warm Springs Community Center at 553-1361 or Intertribal Sports at 553- 1141. Employee Halloween costume contest 8 c t © ^ r ^ ~ —
