The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-17
ghe 9Slailg Atens,
coNTEMFT1BLE swINDLrNG.
The Wholesale Robbery of Little Gill
dreu.

Says a western exchange: No matter
how just the grounds, to assail the charac.
ter of a young man who has long stood
we'll in society is disagreeable duty, but
when that duty should be no longer neg |
lected then all personal considerations |
should be waived.
For the last two years H. NJ. Dickson,
well known in this city, but now resident
of Chicago has been claiming to publish a
paper for children. At first he called it
"Our Young Folks" but after that name
had had its run in extracting money out OF
children, he changed it, having issued but
one number of the paper,t to Our Boys and
Girls,"
He advertised largely in the country
! papers, and perfect torrent OF letters
from children in all parts Of the western
country came rolling in to him, almost
every one of them containing money in
sums ranging from ten cents to tye or SIX
dollars. He offered prizes and gifts of
various kinds to parties forming clubs and
advancing the money, but only in isolated
cases where additional victims could be
caught by it were the prizes sent. In a
year or eighteen months but four or five
numbers of the Boys and Girls" were is
sued, always with excuses for the delay
but with increased appeals for more sub
scriptions and with extra inducements in
the way of prizes.
The number of complaints Dickson re-
ceiyed personally through the mails will
never be known to any save himself, but
something over year ago Mayor Woods
received some letters from the country
making complaint on account OF the non
fulflment of d. S contracts, declaring that
money had been sent him with no res
ponse, and asking information. An ex-
posture of the swindle was imminent at the
time, but Dickson getting wind Of it, gave
what was then thought satisfactory ex
; plaDation by saying he had made arrange
ments to change the name OF "Our Young
Folks" to Our Boys and Girls" publish a
larger and better paper, and that, as soon
as he got it started, he would send it to all
the first subscribers in lieu of the promised
paper.
Thus matters continued until, a few
5 weeks ago, Dickson disposed of his Office,
and then the enormity OF the swindle
became apparent. Mr.. Perry, proprietor
, of the Price Current, purchased the Office,
- but no interest in the swindllng paper,
n and Dickson's mail matter has been left
with Mr. Perry. Almost daily large NUM-
DorS OF pOSLdl cdTuS anu letteES cOuo Ill,
, all of them from children, stating theii
grievances and begging their money back
Some of them had been waiting fol-
several months since sending their money
O andshad received neither paper nor The
= prizes promised, and for which they haG
paid in advance. One little writer haC
}. sent Sc so, and the stories of their trial
in working to raise the subscription from
among the neighboring children are yer.
pitiful. One victim says the persons from
whom he collected money demand it bacl
q as they have been waiting for months 70
their papers, and the little fellow says h
don't know what to do if Dickson d. es no
refund the money, as he is very poor an
don't know where else to get it Many G
them are not at all choice in their terms c
Es calling Dickson swindler, and some of tn
letters are as amusing as they are paint
n to reflect upon.
', Dickson may doubtless claim, as he di
Oh before that he has gone to Chicago to Ell
large his sphere, and that he will yet flu
- fill his contracts; but with all the evidenc
against him, it will be an impossibility
ses make is tory acceptable.
- This expose will DOUBTLESS pain and su
prise many of his friends and acquainta
ces here, but the swindle was too despic
bic to suppress longer on account Of pc
- sonal feelings.