The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-26


please return this letter"
This circular was photograph impression of
the original copy. The name of the bOodler was
not signed to the letters, but was written a
separate slip OF paper, as follows:
Direct to FREDERICK GORDON,
1921 East Fourth street,
New York City"
There Is more caution observed in the forego-
ing circular than usual, and it is somewhat more
Impressive IN the pretenSlOns of good Will and
friendship than some of the others. They are
all written, however, after much the same style,
many OF them varying only in the name given to
Thomas Benson deals in cigars and claims to
pc mot only an expert In the business himself,
nut employs none bu5 the best talent" He is
less profuse in his philanthropic pretensons;
but gives the positive assurance that he is a
friend to deal with. A letter which he sent to
citizen OF New Albany was as follows:
"NEw YORK, -, 189-.
dear Sir: My travelling agent, who passed
through your section recently, informed me that
you were a man OF speculative disposition like
myself, and that you were willing to make money
rapidly, provided it could be done safely. To
come TO the point at once / am manufacturer
of cigars made of green tobacco am the only
person who has been engaged in this business in
TINS vicinity for years. am not only an expert
IN the business myself, but l employ none but
the best talent IN the country to assist me.
Everything In connection with my business is AS
well organized and as well conducted as any
business in the land. My CIGARS though not
genuine, are as difficult to detect AS anything
can be- presume that you understand me.
40 not ask you to send money in advance, nor
will send my goods on credit, as l can sell all
wish to persons for cash. L will not deal with
every person who writes to me. I deal only
with persons who are properly recommended.
AS loug as you keep yOur business to yourself
you can make money. But when you get too
happy and give your business away, others will
make the money which you expected for your
self: This is human nature, and Won know it.
anime NV stock at yonr leisure. Yo1 can then
take away whatever quantity you bargain for,
ana you can rest assured If you will act honOra
Oily with me Will with you, and when L treat a
man true and upright, expect the same in
turn; and will prove what say TO your salts
faction when we meet. My prices are as fol.
lows: For $3.50 will allow you ST 200. for $3.50
L will allow yOu $500, for $3.50 l will allow
you $500; The sizes of my cigars are Nos 1,
TO allow You $500 in goods for your railroad ex-
penses. You are at'liberty to bring a friend
with you II ne mas money But bring man who
MIND TO come, notify me at what hotel you may
stop at here If you are not familiar with the
name OF a suitable hotel here, write to me and 1
will furnish you all the information you desire.
Whatever you do, answer this at ence. There
are other men in this business-some of them
have been connected with me, and some of them
are acting for themselves. 1t is useless for you
TO waste your time on them, as 1 am the only
manufacturer, and they are necessarily obliged
10 guy their goods from me TO sell to you. They
DO not like to own up to this, but they are
obllged to do SO IN the end, The safest plan is to
come to headquarters and deal directly with
ME. To man of the intelligence you sup
posed TO possess it is unnecessary for me to go
into further details. But any additional infor-
nation will be furnished when hear from you,
Write short and plain letters and to the point.
DO not bother me about small orders or samp-
les winch are usually sent by mail. An inqnisi-
tive postmaster, or some one who is in the habit
or getting your mail for you, may be tempted to
open your letters. In case you intend coming
on Immediately notify me three four days in
advance OF your starting, so that 1 can be pre-
pared for You. Read the printed slip inside
very carefully. Remember that this circular 1s
sent to very few. Ny object in having it printed
is to avoid saying too much in writing. You
will perceive the Importance of this. 1t Is
office. I m "a
mistake by writing to the wrong man, please ex-
cuse me and do not expose me. Let matters drop.
Will ma me sure friend to deal with. When l
treat man truly | expect the same in return.
For our first trade yon must see me personally.
AFTER that we can make other arrangements.
"THoS. BENSON,
1853 Fourth ave-, New York"
The accompanying slip referred to lis news
purporting TO give ga brokers' views upon the
amount in circulation-where it is made and by
wheln its difficulty of detection" etc. The arti-
Gle Is written as an interview, in which 1.-THE
broker speaks at some length OF the counter
felt bills that are in circulation, and says that
the men who originate and back the manUfac-
ture and sale OF counterfeit money are always
wealthy, and rule select sober, energetic
and unsupported men as confederates" He
ADDS the number OF leading men of different
States OF the Union connected with this business
Is surprising, and in concluding his remarks, the
"broker' says: "Tbere are hundreds of men
who appear among these fellows as retail mer.
chauts or as men well to do, but waiting for any
chance to invest money to advantage, who. if
their dealings could be investigated, would be
found to have made their fortunes at this BUSH |
ness One Surprising feature in connection
with the circulation of counterfeit money is that
no individual seems to be at loss in the end.
The national banks sustain all losses. Their
CASHIERS can never make out where they get the
spurious bis from" 1s us
The clipping which purports to be All inter-
view, is part of the bait which the boodler
throws OUT, and generally has greater effect in
denorallzng the man to whom 10 is sent than
the circular Itself, II ne is at all susceptible.
DEALER IN GREEN LEAF"
The circular of Henry Ellis is of the "seeingis
believing" persuasion, and generally makes
victim OF the unwary individual who can be in
fluenced to believe that he is in need of such
friendship as is offered him. One of his crcu-
lars, which has fallen into the hands of the de-
tectives, is as follows:
NEW YORK, -, 1873
Dear Sir-I learned of your name and bust
ness through mere accident, and being in a
ty to write you Now, my friend, when you
read this letter you will say that it is trap set
foryou. We are strangers TO each other, but L
will call you friend, and just as true as there
Is a God above my intentions are far from harm
ing YOU. This promise on my solemn oath,
for no living person, man, woman or child,
shall ever hear from my lips the least thing
that passes between us, business no business. |
want to force on your mind that can help
yOu out OF your troubles in a safe and sure man.
ner. and will not ask you to send me money
in advance, or do | want it, even though You
were Wiling TO Senu IL. want TO convince you
beyond doubt that mean just what say, and
before heaven, If you need my friendship test
me- You Will find me true friend TO friend
from first to last. There is another party in
this town dealing in the same line OF goods, and
/ advise you, as stranger, but firm friend,
not to deal with them. Their stock is poor,
workmanship bad and their goods in general,
miserable and easily detected. To prove my
words true, that is If yon are corresponding
with any firm, ask them for samples. I will
send you specimens of my green leaf, compare
both and you can very easily detect the differ
ence in them. Seeing is believing. 1t is the best
proof can give you. Now. my friend, We are
strangers to each other, and sincerely hone and
trust if 1 have made mistake in writing Won
not to betray me. mean you well and can and
will help you through your troubles if you need
me. My motto in this life is and always has
been, never to harm a human being who is will
ing to prove himself your friend. Now nv
friAnd think this q n nun min, lie