Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-05-29
A New Swtndle.

THE Chicago Times of the 23d contains an
exposition of new swindle attempted to be
played upon farmers and those of all classes
who are anxious to increase the purchasing
power of their dollars.
One A. W. Locke, who claims to be the
manufacturers agent for English-made sew
ing machines, from some supposititious ware
house on Dearborn street has sent to Masters
of Oranges and others in Iowa an ingeniously-
worded circular, giving certain alleged facts in
relation to sewing machines which would nat
urally attract the attention of buyers with at
tenuated purses. According to that veracious
document the cost of manufacturing first
class sewing machine does not exceed $1,000,
even in this country, and in England, in con-
sequence of the cheapness of labor, it
is somewhat less. Thereupon Mr.. Locke
entered into calculation: To man
ufacture "Singer" machine in London
would cost, say, $1,000; freight across the
ocean to Canada, S2.00; importation into the
United States, S4.00; express charges, 50 90;
profit, 400; total cost OF machine, $22 90. This
was grand. What was the use of paying from
$500 to $4,000 for a sewing machine when
by buying of Locke the cost would be only
$22. 1t then seemed to occur to our great
philanthropist that at this season of the year
even $22. 90 could not be found growing on
every bush by every wayside in Iowa, and so
he offered to take the note Of any farmer who
should be recommended by the officer of any
Grange, running three months at 10 per cent.
interest, for all of the purchase money with
the exception of the 800 required by the Gov
ernment upon the importation of the ma
chimes. The customs officers would not trust,
as he would. In conclusion he advised his
correspondents to remit by mail. Registered
letters were an abomination in his eyes, since
they were a constant temptation to dishonest
clerks, and he preferred to have his money
placed in well-sealed letters and sent in the
ordinary way, with nothing upon them to in
dicate their valuable contents.
simultaneously with the dispatch of these
circulars Mr.. Locke rented box in the Post.
Office, and in his clearinghouse waited for
the answers. 1t was not many days before
the box was filed with letters containing re-
mittances and letters of inquiry, and Locke
gathered in lots of shekels. But there came
an end to this sort of thing. The Secretary of
a Grange thought the news too good to be
true, and wrote on to inquire about Locke. A
detective was directed TO investigate,
and it was soon discovered that Locke
was a myth and the whole thing was a
snare and delusion. Unfortunately, up to
the morning of the 23d the swindler
had not been identified, but boxful of letters
had been retained, which would be returned
to the sendcrs. OF course the fellow did not
intend to redeem the magnificent promises he
made in his circular He only wanted the
four dollars advanced TO pay the duties, and
considered that his duty" in connection with
the transaction was ended when he trans
ferred the current scrip of the Republic from
the mail-bags to his breeches pocket The
moral to this story is so plain that blind
man can see il.