The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-05
THE DEATH RACKET.
Preparing Memorials for the Dead-HOw the
Scheme Is Worked.

Preparing Memorials for the Dead-How the
Scheme Is Worked.
Pittsburg Chronicle Telegraph.
ST am working the death racket now" said
aorid faced and exceedingly glibtongued young
man, who had somher-looking portfolio under
his arm, while in his hand he held list of death
notices which he had just clipped from daily
paper .o = .,.,. 49, ...r.
yard insurance schemel9 was the interrogation
point, with the business end towards the young
man.
s.Oh, no. Don't you understand itl 1t is a
perfectly legitimate business, and it is a very
profitable one if it is properly worked think
1t is brilliant scheme and am working 1T for all
there is in it. Will / explan2 Certainly.
There is nothing to be concealed about the mat
ter. Let me show you my portfolio first, and
then there will be no difficulty in understanding
opened up his somber- looking book, and displayed
some really artistic looking Autographs. The
top and sides were ornamented with
emblems of mourning. There were
figures of weeping women on the sides,
at the bottom and in each corner were mOnu
1nents of various styles, and angels with the
regulation wings lowering about. In the center
was an oval space for photograph, and sur
rounding this were verses of obituary poetry,
probably the production of George w. Childs, OF
Che Ledger.
81 have found" said the inventor of the death
racket that when death occurs in family,
the friends are always anxious to have some
thing to remind them of the lost one. Sometimes
they have the flowers which have been presented
care fully preserved and framed. Others have
little articles carefully arranged and dis
played where they can De seen
at any time. l conceived the idea of
getting up this engraving, and the design is suf
hciently general to meet all classes-whether the
dead one be father, mother, sister or brother.
old or young. My plan is to cut out all the death
notices out of the city papers, religious as we'll
rs secular. then select piece of poetry that
think will be appropriate, and have it printed on
one of these sheets. / then go to the house of
mourning. show the memorial sheet, and in
nine cases out of ten receive an order for from
four to five copies When show the engraving
the friends seem to think that it was
gotten up specially for the occasion, and con-
eequently all the more eager to buy"
Isn't it rather mournful to go around among
the afflicted familiesF
''Well, it's not very cheerful occupation by
any MEANS and it frequently requires consider
able tact in treating with those who have been
so recently bereaved, but have succeeded very
well so far. own the photographic stone and
can have the memorials printed whenever de-
sire Sometimes / make a mistake in the
selection of poetry, and not infrequently the
friends themselves have pieces of poetry which
they desire printed on the memorial
| am always willing to print any
thing o hs nss Ws h Ss f spenss enr sS
upon the financial standing of the family. Some
times get very profitable order, but frequent
ly ] find the family in a condition that precudes
The possibility of making sale, and give them
The sample copy free of charge. meet with
Hebrew family and exhibited sample memoir
Ial Unfortunately the poetry was not suitable,
and l was informed of the fact in a very sharp
manner. / offered to print another poem, but
he friends thought had purposely attacked
sheir faith. and refused to purchase from me.
am in hurry, just now. and if you want to
know anything further about the racket call on
ne again.