San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-08-17
SWINDLING FARMERS.

lSDcClhl OoIIcnPo""S",'
DEs MONIES, Iowa, July 3.-Mucf
as has been said, and wide AZ 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 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 I'M
der cover OF q corporation. They sweep
over section Of the State in hurry,
and move to another. A few days ago
an advance-agent went to ). 5. Crosby
q wealthy 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 weather-vane
consisting of bronze horse, for 1924,
with three years time, at 8 per cent. in
terest. Crosby accepted the offer, when
the fellow produced q 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 a seive. When
they had finished the job, they figured
it up, 1903 feet at IS cents per foot, max
ing total of 1915, and presented note
for Crosby to sign. Mr.. Jones, another
man in the same vicinity consented to
receive rods to the amount of $12, and
his bill was over 800. The result was
they refused to pay, and went to see
their lawyers, while the scamps went
through the process of plastering 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 exan.in-
alton came, they backed water, and, to
save themselves from criminal prosecu-
ton, accepted from Crosby S24, and
from Jones $12, paid the costs, amount
ing to about 800, and travelled
They turned up in Black Hawk, Fay
cite, Butler, Hamilton, and other coun-
s-moving rapidly. Near Waterloo
an Oily Cannon went to Peter Recht-
fertig, a wealthy German, and made the
usual offer to put up the rods, as
starter" for 1924. He read his men,
orandum, which, he told the German,
was not an order, but simply u memo
randum that he consented to take the
rods. Mr.. II. not being able to read
English easily, took the fellows word,
signed the paper, and 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 glib-tongued agent, the job was
finished, and u bill presented for $3.50,
with note ready to be signed. He re-
fused to sign, when the gang proceeded
to tack on the mechanics lien, which
was magnified into big lawsuit in the
United States Courts at DesMoines, big
costs, lawyers fees, and bulldozing
generally, until the German farmer, to
save trouble, signed the note. Aneigh-
Dor, by the same process, was induced
to sign II memorandum for 1885,, and
subsequently note for over $50.
Wherever they go, they rope in their
victim in like manner, and they got lots
of them.
The following is copy of the So
called memorandum-that portion down !
to the word Mr.. =" being in very
small type:
II is expressly understood by the signer of
this order that he signs the same upon his |
own judgment, AFTER uue utllDtlhtlOn DN MN, !
without any undue influence having been /
used, or relying on any representation made I
by the agent, other than written orprintedi in I
this order. In this order slOO may be added /.
rs liquidated damages for failure To comply ]
with the conditions of this order. and notice 4
of suit may be issued by publication.
NAME OF COMPANY
This order can not be countermanded with ]
out the signer paying the profits on the job. .
ORDER FOR THE ERECTION or LIGHTNING ,
RODS.
It Is agreed by tile signer ofthis order TO re.
ceive said work within 80 days from date
of ordcr.)
Mr.. -, a agent or said Company:
You will please erect, or deliver at your
earliest convenience, or cause the same 10
be done, on my (house, barn or building) a
.ysiem Of circuit conductors Of the --I
company in accordance with the rules and
regulations set forth on the back Of this or
Ter, Of five-eighih rod, with which am well