The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-08
A NEWSPAPER GULLED.
How Smooth Talking Individual Succeeded
the Times and the Public.

"A great deal of talent of its peculiar character
has been utilized in advertising schemes, but
among the most profitable of late years has been
that of peripatetic solicitors in buying for one
issue only, page of some daily paper. For
space under such conditions the publishers get
something more than regular rates, and the So
licitor who buys it, adds about a hundred per
cent. to that in his price to advertisers 1t is
the one buying from the solicitor who suffers
The problem is simple; so many inches in a
newspaper page will make room for so many
cards of Uniform size. When the pageis filed
as contemplated by the advertising Spectator,
his money is assured, for in almost every case
the only security the publishers have
in getting their money for the space
rests in the orders for advertising deposited
with them by the solicitor. This deposit is gen
orally to the extent of the price, for which
they sold the space All beyond that the
solicitor reserves for his own collection and use.
1t was a scheme of this character that young
man of persuasive tongue and engaging address
proposed to the business manager of the Times
of this city. He came here about three weeks
ago with his wife and child, and stopped at the
st. Charles Hotel. He said he was F. W.
his business. Several alleged letters of recon-
mendaton from publishers were shown and the
Times business manager took to the scheme
kindly. He regarded it as a frst-class invest
ment in the way of Sunday advertising feature.
Mr.. Virgen went to work on the
business community, under the contract he had
secured to fill a page of the Sunday Times
with lot of little business cards at Sc each.
Like all able spectators of his class he did not
let the grass grow under his feet Last Sunday
his work was completed, and the Times collector
went out to secure cash upon orders Virgien had
deposited with his office. The collector found
that the solicitor had been ahead of him, for
many advertisers in this scheme upon whom he
called showed Virgien's RECEIPT for cash payment
The orders that Virgien deposited with the
Times peoplewere duplicates. In some instances
payment was made by checks and money secured
on them by forging the Endorsement of the
papers business manager. The solicitor col
lected about $3.50, and left the city Monday
night or Tuesday morning He has not been
seen since, and his wife. who remained at the
st. Charles Hotel says she knows nothing of his
whereabout. Vireien as Ills money came easy,
led fast life, and ran up bills at the hotel
and Warmers livery stable to a large extent
Warner wants him for $32 account and the
hotel for a $50 unpaid bill. Added to these are
several other debts he contracted on his repre-
sentation of being the Illness advertising So
licitOr
During Virgen's stay the Zoo found his pat
ronage constant and renumerative. One night
at that place he fell in with police sergeant, to
whom he said he belonged to the Sentinel bust
ness department. While they were talking a
reporter of that paper came up, but did not
recognize the gentleman. Vireien knew the
reporter, however, and said: Don't tell Mr.
Shoemaker you saw me down here" The able
solicitor evidently represented his interests either
with the Times or Sentinel best suited his
purposes He is young man of light hair and
mustache, and is evidently of German origin
The Times people have informed advertisers that
they will not fulfill contracts made by Virgen.