Daily Republican., 1883-05-01
FRAUDS ON THE PUBLIC.
SOME or THE PLANS ADOPTED
BY sHARPERS TO FLEECE
THE UNSUSPECTING.

There are many ways adopted by
sharpers TO make money without earn
ing it by honest toll, and the newspa-
pers frequently but innocently aid
them In iieecing the unsuspecting, by
publishing their advertisements. 1t is
next to an impossibility for the dai y or
weekly paper to investigate the multi
tude of advertisements that are pre-
sented for insertion. Many of these
are obtained through advertising agen-
cies, and the publisher a. Il general
thing, knows nothing of the reliability
or go',,i faith Of the parties.
| An illustration can be found in the
case Of IA man styling himself the Rev.
Joseph T. Inman, who has been ad-
vertising very literally in all parts OF
the country. This man published ii
card, stating that he would send free OF
charge receipt that would positively
cure nervous debility, early decay and
loss of manhood. He said that this
great cure was discovered by mission
AIRY In South America, and could be
had by any one who would send self.
addressed envelope to Il certain station
in New York city. The parties who
answered this precious swindler re-
ceived Il circular extoling the merits
of the preparation, and stating if the
article named in the receipt could not
be had in the drug store, the prrpara-
rion could be had by sending 81. 80.
The receipt itself WAS a mixture Of
articles of which no druggist had ever
heard, and when the dupe had taken
the receipt from one drug store 10
another, without obtaining what was
named, he generally came to the CON
clusion that as it was new rem dy the
druggists were in ignorance of lis cx.
istence, and sent the money to the Rev.
}. T. lnnan, only 10 receive in return IA
packag" of cheap, useless heros that
would be dear at 10 cents.
This same party has advertised in
the name of John B. Ogden, Allison &
llearne, and other aliases, but the most
diligent search has failed to discover
the true name or the exact whereabouts
Of their place of business.
Another fraud that has been extern
sively advertised is the Portable Electric
Light Co. of Boston. These men offer
to send portable electric light for s.,
and parties who have answered their
advertisement, say that the arrange
ment, which consists Of nothing more
than a cigar lighter, is swindle Of the
basest description.
Some time ago the writer received
letter, printed in script so nicely, that
it was almost impossible to detect it
from handwriting. 1t purported to be
from lottery concern, and said that
the one to whom ii was addressed
had been recommended az suitable
person to conduct the sale of tickets in
their grand scheme in his locality.
According to the circular, the firm
had been extensive advertisers, but had
come to the conclusion that it would be
more TO their advantage to distribute
the money previously paid III" news
papers among their agents. For the
purpose Of carrying their liberal plan
into execution, they made the blowing
offer
Upon receipt of $40 from the party
addressed they promised to send GER
riticate, cOnstitutin. him their elusive
agent, and il package Of tickets, one of
which would draw prlze Of $1,000
The on ly condition was, that the agent
should spend at least a week IN showing
the money among his friends, and tell
ing them that he drew it In the -
lottery. A postscript was annexed,
asking how the party would prefer to
have the money-in notes or gold.
An answer was returned thanking
them for their kindness and liberality,
but instead Of inclOsng the required SO,
they were instructed 10 deduct 500
from the prize to pay expenses, etc,
and remit the remaining $500 in notes.
A promise was also given, that upon
its receipt the lottery should be exten-
sively advertised, and the "agent'
wolid devote whole month instead Of
a week in showing the money to his
friends and telling them exactly how
he obtained it, No answer has been
received and never will be.
This is but one Of the many games
that are daily being Played in different
parts of the country, and unless per-
soIs wish to be swiuiled of their
hard earned dollars, they should never
send money by mail or otherwise to
any one, unless they know them to be a
reputable party. Especially should
persons beware Of parties who promise
too much.