New-York tribune., 1868-01-31
GIFT STINDLES.

Since the expose Of Gift swindles in The
TRIBUNE aud the determination OF Postmaster Kelly not
10 deliver the letters sent 10 notorious firms through the
mails the authorities have received bushels OF eommun
cations rural victims. asking for return OF money
sen and advice relative to the that should be
pursued The arrest, few days ago, OF Of these
my thical firms who in the full tide OF their business II
II has light their success IN the git
business has made widely known the plain intent
o swindng which these gift enterprise operators so long
sought conceal by every specons vindcatlon. The
announcement that the examination Of the member
members Of the firm of Clark Webster q Co 10 be
held veserdny at the Toms brought 70 city several
hundreds OF victims from the rural districts Two puDd
trai. an of whom had Invested money IN the
gift swindcs. and were anxious TO see with their own
eyes hr 'ohlS WIo nau :, & tir ,, % ~, nhu g.
NOUS traps aud to learn Win thelr Own ears ta elt en-
ierrsc- swindle- The courtroom IN winch tho
utmost ine"st was mnniesieu in le procee9ihss, INC
victims did not conceal their FEELINGS several times our
er1mbngs; thieves" 'scoundrcs." "rogues," dead
beats "swnders some OF the expressive eplthets
made use Of The complainant was Mr. Daniel W. De
Forest resident Of Brooklyn. Henry Elias was
tho defendant, he being supposed % be either
the only member one or the members
OF the mythical Clark Webster 4 Co.. with headquarters
AT No. 6! Broadway. Mr, DE Forest bought urket at
cair Mr wilcox, clerk IN the place. Some time after
hs ticket been reached Sinclair said that he thought
Ar DE Forrest had drawn prize. After going through
sone preliminary examination Of books and tickets with
great foraly he Expressed his satisfaction and pleas
e in being able 10 announce that Mr. De Forrest had
drawn splendid gold watch, the value of which was
,a00 upon which however, there was o commission of
go Mr. De Forest had only $40 about him. and, leaving
The oco without The watch went to consult with
gennt Slater relative TO the affair stood Sergeant
Slater recomne nded Mr. De Forest TO call the office
again. and when lac had got the watch, to walk away
with IT. Acting on these instructions, Mr. De Forest
again visited the headquarters. and having got the
watch in his possession was about 10 take his
leave when Sinclair jumped the counter and colared
him Not satmhed with regainng the valuable prize,
re"dd on charge Of esy The case went to court
next day but as Sinclair failed to APPEAR Mr. DE Forest
Sinclair. meeting Mr De Forest accidentally. Informed
hun that the o matter had been settled and consider
By the experience he had bad unbosomed himself of the
sgn to cheat the city boys" their efforts being e1elu
svey directed against the country folk AZ evidence
the of the "beat II may bo mentioned that the
600 Clark Webster Co gold watch OF the value OF s.
Justice Bowling announced that he would render ms de-
crowd gave expression 10 thelr Feelings ih various
wHys, using most insulting language To the ao-
he was freely peed With snowbas and obliged to listen
to the jcers on every side of him, until, assisted
ana got into sdo street; The following n
rf % or"ev wT% Co%rirey Is ono o those alluded to above
Justice bowling exhibited IN Court yesterday 100 letters
which hc had received within lew days from the vie
''D'' VI O''''"' '''' Jan. o. 1853
Dis,r,ctAaorney CouRTSEY-DEAR SIR / purchased
nine tickets OF Clark Webster Co. OF No g. broadway
of your city, called the Bankers and Merchants Grand
Prcefaon Enterprise Well. every ticket was TO draw
nrize M was postponed month TO month from August
until October; but Just before the drawing 10 take
,lare | was notified that, owing 10 delays and dlsap
p"ntinents the met aud laid all prizes
under $500 per cent ON the $780, aud 10 eenage on
ali sums over $500 They also notified me that It would
take them 5o days to draw all the prizes and rs our
tickets would DO drawn We would be notified Of II,
and we must send ON the assessed percentage and
they would send the prize have received four letters
stating that my tickets have drawn prizes. follows
The hrst 500; second 500 third s25 the fourth. gold
watcn valued at s2oOi making IN all sI2s But nave NOT
sen on per centage for 1t not the contract When
bought said tickets bave all their letters ana circu-
Lar, OH file carefully preserved. ,
Can you do anything for me am poor man. VIII
freely give you half will send you the letters ana cir
clars Immediately, II you think there is any chance
The letters aud circulars written and printed rs pln
as eau be. Please let know II you can do any thhg
Very respectfully, j. HARVEY CobukN,
Uniontown, Fayette County, Ia.
To this letter. Mr. Courtney replied as follows:
OyFlcE OF TUE DIsTRrcT-ArroRsEy or THE UstTED)
STATES FOR TIg SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW-(
YORK. NEW YORK, Jan. q. 1908.
I HARVEY CoBuRS, UriOntOtcn, kupette Co., rom.
sR: Your letter Of tho 22d lust. on the subject OF