Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-01-30
A DIZZY SWiNOle.
viii Farmers Never Get Over Being Rat
tled-Some bold swindies In an Adjoin-

win Farmers Never Get Over Being Rat
tled-some bold swindies In an Adjoin-
ing County.
For the beneft of the general public, and
the farmers in particular. the following
from the Lima Republican will he found
good reading. A good line of policy for the
farmers to adopt would he ''sign no paper
for IA stranger
''lf seems hardly possible that farmer
could be swindled nowadays, when there is
not a newspaper published but what is con-
tnually warning them against signing any
contract in the hands of stranger, Yet.
from the Dunkirk Standard we learn of one
of the most glaring swindles ever perpe-
trated upon an unsuspecting old granger.
The one referred to happened
to Mr.. Crawford. farmer
living near North Washington. Some time
ago while he was out working around his
tool she'd a gentleman drove up and the
two engaged in conversation. Presently
the stranger remarked that Mr.. Crawford had
a splendid outfit of farming machinery, and
said that he was dealing in that kind of ma
chinery himself, and that while they were
warming he would show Mr.. Crawford the
machine. but he supposed it would be use
less to ask him TO buy, as he seemed sup
piled with all kinds of tools necessary
for farming. Going into the house he
took from package little emery
wheel which was geared in such man
ner us to be very useful implement for
grinding mower and reaper knives. After
large amount of sleek talk he at last pro-
posed to present one of the machines to Mr.
Crawford, requiring no payment except that
he should show and recommend it to his
neighbors. This seemed very fair prop
osition and Mr.. Crawford consented to the
arrangement. After fumbling in his pocket
the agent handed to him slip of card board
with the words postal card" printed across
the top in large letters. on which Mr.. CrSw-
ford signed his name and address SO that
the machine could be sent to him by ex-
press. the agent saying that he only carried
one as q sample. After little further con-
versation the stranger left tho house.
About ten days after the above tran;ac-
| ton. two men drove up and informed Mr..
Crawford that the sickle grinders he had
ordered were In the hands If the freight
agent at North Washington. Mr.. Craw-
ford answered that he had not ordered any
of the machines, but to his astonishment
the man showed him a contract for thirty
| six Of the grinders at six dollars each, and,
| pointing 10 his signature, asked him if he
had not placed it there. Yes, answered
Mr.. Crawford, but only that the agent
might know his address In order to
send him one of the machines
as at present. Well. answered the men,
he was our agent and we are not RESPONSE
BILE for his actions, You have signed your
name to contract for S2l6 worth of the
grinders. We have shipped them to ycu.
and will compel you to pay the bill After
making all manner of threats they at least
made proposition to compromise the mat
ter if Mr.. Crawford would give his note for
SITS due In one year. This was consented
to, a judgment note was fined out and
signed. and Mr.. Crawford had paid for the
grinders.
Not satisfied with swindling the one farm
er. the rascals went to the residence of
John GOslee, who lives six miles north of
ROundhead. and secured his note for S2l6.
From there they went to William Carr, who
lives two miles east of Yelverton, and Sc
cured his note for S2l6. They used about
the same means in obtaining these notes as
were used in Mr.. Crawford's case. 1t is
said that contracts were made with two or
three other farmers, but they settled in
some manner without giving notes.
The notes were negotiated in FOstOria,
and are In the hands of third party, who
of course will collect them. There are over
| Sd. 900 in all.