Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-06-12
6rmeral 9ntelli9enfe.
The SwindIers of New York.
From the New York Post

The Swindlers of New York.
From the New York Postl
New York. like all large cities, Is the re-
sort of hundreds of sharpers, who live by
swindling the ignorant and unwary. Many
ingenious methods are resorted to for the
purpose of accomplishing this result. Some
of these men display an ability which, If
directed towards any useful purpose, would
secure them O competence; but the laws
for the protection of the community against
swindlers are loosely drawn and easily
evaded. The persons who are swlndled
usually live in the country, and the amount
obtained from each is so small that few
persons are willing to come to the city and
lose the time necessary to conduct prose-
cution The police authorities and Post
master Kelly have endeavored to stop all
lottery schemes coming to their notice, but
thus far without success. More compre-
hensive laws are needed to protect the pub
lie from these swindlers.
We give below a sketch of some of the
methods by which the ignorant are SWIM
died:
THE ADVERTISING swINDLERs.
The first of the present race of advertis-
inc swindlers was probably Joseph Adley,
in England, who, about the year 1880, adj
vertised extensively that on receipt OF a
shilling he would inform any inquirers of
something greatly to their advantage. His
reply was some friendly advice as regards
diet and exercise. He secured large for
tune. His successors followed in his steps
with but little originality for several years,
but gradually improved the system into one
of much ingenuity.
A humble follower of Adley, many years
ago, IN this country, wrote to numerous IN
dividuals that he had received package OF
papers to their address from England,
which he would send on thelrpay1ng seven
ty-five cents charges.
A well-known man advertised himself a
dozen years ago as a retired physician
whose sands of life have nearly run out,
and offered to send an infallible prescrip-
ton for consumption on receipt of twelve
cents in postage stamps The prescription
was duly given, but contained an ingredi-
ent not procurable at drug stores generally,
and only to be obtained, price one dollar,
at the store of the advertiser in Jersey City.
Among those who advertise sure receipts
for making fortune, instances OF amusing
mpudence occur. Victims, on forwarding
their money, learn that peddlng cigars,
keeping bar, or some other low pursuit,
will pay handsomely. At times they are
informed that honesty and strict attention
O@~O oNeAA~-E
had the GOODNESS to ask inquiries how they
could be fools enough to suppose he had
anything worth telling. One man lately
advertised that on recei 1t of ten cents he
would send a splendid steel engraving of
that noble old hero General jackson. -
The splendid steel engraving" proved to
be two cent postage stamp.
Ingenious swindles of the kind might be
cited at great length. The advertisements
circulate chiefly in the country papers,
whose readers are ignorant and easily i'm
posed upon. They include 'loye pow
ders, which create an unbounded affection
ON the part of the recipient towards the
person who gives them; gold finders,
which indicate spots where gold mines ex-
ist; portraits of the individuals whom in
quirers are to marry; jewelry, medicines.
&c, all to be sent on receipt of more or less
money.
THE CIRCULAR SYSTEM.
Advertising is not the only mode adopted
In this range of swindling. Names of the
inhabitants of each country district are as
certained IN various ways, either by state
directories or information of residents One
plan is to find the name of an intelligent
person, and apprise him of design to pub |
lish state directory. Accompanying the
letter is a table with printed headings of
various trades, such as storekeepers, milli-
ners, blacksmiths, DC, and q request that
he would give the names of those following
such pursuits in his neighborhood, togeth-
er with any others of either sex that he
might think of. The reward was to consist
either of copy of the elaborate and expen-
sive work, when published, or a splendid
copy of Byron's poems. When the names
had been procured, circulars of gift jewelry
enterprises, obscene books, lotteries, &c,
were forwarded
Among the later swindles of this kind is
that of a man who has personited two
firms in this city. He sent in one of his
circulars large picture of building ON
Broadway, upon which were represented
three enormous signs. Readers were pro-
foundly impressed, and presumed that the
fictitious firm occupied the entire building,
whereas they had but a small room in the
upper story. The'circular announced en-
ormous stocks of goods of every descrip-
ton, conspicuous among which was jew
elry. 1t stated that owing to the fall in
gold after the war, many jewellers became
bankrupt, and were compelled to sell at en-
ormous sacrifices. In this crisis the firm
had stepped in with their immense capital,
and bought entire stocks, which they would
dispose of in the following novel manner:
Each article of the supposed stock was
numbered, and a card similarly marked
was sent for twenty-five cents. This card
informed the buyer that lottery would be
drawn, and any article which the number
OF the card they held indicated could
be had for So. In time, O notice would be
sent to card-holders that some specified ar
tiele of far greater value than So CORE
sponded with their cards. They would
then Immediately send the money, but no
goods were returned. Upon application,
the rogues would reply that the articles
had been sent by mail. That was all the
satisfaction obtained.
Another man has advertised and sent
similar circulars, under the names of seven
firms which did not exist. He forwarded
his scheme by carrying on an advertising
agency, and procured many insertions of
his advertisements in country papers, I'M
der promises to pay at q certain date in
orders on Jay Cooke & Co. The devices
proposed by him were numerous and all
rascally. When his letters were finally
stopped at the New York postofice, he
issued circulars stating that the mail was
unsafe, and that remittances should be
sent to him by express
Other rascals announce '.gift enter
prises, indehcate books, one hundred and
twenty-five dollar watches for one dollar,