Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-07-17
SWINDLING FARMERS.
Lightning-ROd and Hay-Fork Operators
i'm Iowa.

A DeS MONIES correspondent Of the
Chicago Tribune sends the following to
that paper, and at this time it cannot
have too great circulation: @ ~.
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-rig hts.
they still ply their vocation and rope in
victims. Thele 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 oper-
ate. BY their frauds they have swim
died the people Of Iowa out of hundreds
Of thousands Of dollars. They have no
fixed residence, nor do they give the
names of any persons, but do all bust
ness under cover of a corporation.
They sweep over a section of the state
in a hurry, and move to another. A
few days ago an advance agent went to
5. S. Crosby, q wealthy and prominent
farmer near Fort Dodge In consider
alton of his prominence in SOC ety,
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 a bronze
horse, for 1914, with three years
time, at 8 per cent. interest. Crosby
accepted the offer, when the fellow pro-
duced a memorandum book which he
said it was necessary 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 50 thick that lightning could
not have reached the house if poured
out Of a sieve. When they had finished
the job, they figured it up, 3O3 feet, at
80 cents perfoot, making total of 1915
and presented a note for Crosby to
sign. MIR. Jones, another man in the
same vicinity consented to receive rods
to the amount Of $12, and his bill was
over 500. The result was that
they refused to pay, and went
to see their lawyers, while the scamps
went through the process of plastering
a mechanics lien on the building. War
rants were issued for their arrest and
they were gobbled up. To give bonds
Tor their appearance the next day, they
delivered to the court notes of farmers
in Webster ahd Hamilton counties. val
ued at over $1,000. When the exam
ination came, they backed water, and,
to save themselves from criminal prose
cution, accepted from Crosby $24, and
from Jones So, paid the costs, amount
ing to about 500, and travelled. ....
They turned up in Black Hawk, Fay
cite, Butler, Hamilton, and other
counties, -moving rapidly. Near Wat
erloo an Oily Cannon went to Peter
Rechtfertig, a wealthy German, and
made the usual offer, to put up the rods,
as a starter" for $24. He read his
which, he told the Ger
man, was not an order, but simply a
memorandum that he consented to take
the rods. Mr.. r., not being able to
read English easily, took he 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 put
ting iron all over them. The surprised
German made quick tracks for the
scene, and protested; but, while he was
arguing with the gib-tongued agent,
the job was finished, and bill present
ed for $3.50, with note ready to be sign
ed. He refused to sign, when the gang
proceeded TO tack on the mechanics
lien, which was magnitied into a big
lawsuit in the United States courts at
Des MONIES, big costs, lawyers fees, and
bulldozIng generally, until the German
farmer, to save trouble, signed the note.
A nelghbor, by the same process, was
induced to sign a memorandum for
S.. SO, and subsequently note for over
$50. Wherever they 60, they rope in
their victim in like manner, and they
get lots of them. Il g.t E. n.9H.a.sa .
The following is copy of the So
called ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS portion
down to the word " MI. -" being in
very small type: 49,. l.y.. .. ."'|,
It is expressly understood by the
signer of this order that he signs the
same upon his own judgm ent, after due
deliberation by him, without any undue
influence having been used, Or relying
on any representation made by the
agent, other than written or printed in
this order. In this order 500 may be
added as liquidated damages for fail
ure to comply with the conditions Of
this order, and notice of suit may be is
sued by publication. an0 ste. a' 7
) NAME OF COMPANY. 49,.
This order cannot be countermanded
without the signer paying the profits
on the job. .s,.. H.. ~. ......'.. ss.
ORDERS FOR THE ERECTION OF LIGHTNING
Ut is agreed by the signer of this order
to receive said work within thirty
days from date of order.)
Mr.. -, as agent for said company:
You will please erect, Or deliver at
your earliest convenience, OF cause the
same to be done, on my (house, barn,
or building) a system of circuit con-
ductors of the company in