The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-07-11
sWINDLING FARMERS.

Lightning Rod and Hay-Fofk Operators
in Iowa.
Especial Correspondence of the Chicago Trib-
une.l
DIES MONIES, Iowa, July 3.-Much
as has been said, and wide as has been
the warning given, of the swindling
practices of lightning rod agents and
vendors of patent rights, they still ply
their vocation and rope in victims.
There have been operating for some
time in the northern portion of the State
several gangs of agents of a certain
lightning-rod company, with convenient
ostensible headquarters in the various
localities in which they operate. By
their frauds they have swindled the peo-
pie of Iowa out of hundreds of thou
sands Of dollars They have no fixed
residence, nor do they give the names
of any persons, but do all business un-
der cover of corporation. They sweep
over section Of the State in a hurry,
and move to another. A few days ago
an advance-agent went to 5, s. Crosby,
arwealthy and prominent farmer near
Fort Dodge. In consideration of his
prominence in society, which would
help make sales in the neighborhood, he
offered very low prices. Crosby didn't
want the rods, but, the fellow finally
offered to put up the rods on his house
and barn, and throw in a weather-vane
consisting of q bronze horse, for $24,
with three years. time, at s per cent. in
terest. Crosby accepted the offer, when
the fellow produced memorandum
book for Crosby to sign, that it might
be sent to the men who were coming to
put up the rods, that they might know
what to do Crosby, supposing it TO be
all right, signed it. The next day the
gang came, and they covered the house
and barn with rods and points so thick
that lightning could not have reached
the house if poured out of seive. When
they had finished the job, they figured
it up, 30S feet at IS cents per foot, max
ing total of 1875, and presented note
for Crosby to sign. Mr.. Jones, another
man in the same vicinity consented to
receive rods to the amount of S12, and
his bill was oyer 800. The result was
they refused to pay and went to see
their lawyers, while the scamps went
through the process of plastering a me-
chanic's lien on the building. War
rants were issued for their arrest; and
they were gobbled up. To give, bonds
for their appearance the next day, they
delivered to the Court notes OF farmers
in Webster and Hamilton Counties val
ued at over 81, 500. When the examin-
alton came, they backed water, and, to
save themselves from criminal prosecu-
ton, accepted from. Crosby S24, and
from Jones S12, paidthe costs, amount
ing to about 500, and travelled:
They turned up in Black Hawk, Fay
cite, Butler, Hamilton, and other coun-
ties-moving rapidly. Near Waterloo
an Oily Cannon went to Peter Recht-
fertig, wealthy German, and made the
usual offer to put up the rods, as a
g starter" for S24. He read his men,
orandufn, which, he told the German,
was not an order, but simply a memo
randum that he consented to take the
rods. Mr.. r. not being able to read
English easily, took the fellows word,
signed the paper, aud went to blowing
in the field. He had scarcely got fairly
started in his furrow when his daughter
came running to him, telling him that
the barn and house were all covered
with men, and they were putting iron
all over them. The surprised German
made quick tracks for. the scene, and
protested; but, while he, was arguing
with the giib-tongued agent, the job was
finished, anda sill presented for $3.50,
with a note ready to be signed, He re-
fused to sign. when the gang proceeded
70 tack ofif the meshsHie's Tsns which
was msgni6ed ints a. big lsas-suis in the
United States Courts az QesAoines, big
costs, lawyers fees, and buildozing
generally, until the German farmer, to
save .trepblessignsd the note a neigh
Dor, BY the same process, was Induced