The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-26
A Keen Politician Whose Only Draw
back Is Lack of Physical Proportions.
A Spirit Naturalization That Called Out the
Fire Department-Driven Mad BY the
Heat in the Pire-R Room of Steamer.
A NEATLY-BAITED TRAP.

New York Sharper Reaping - Golden Har-
vest from the Crop of Fools.
Special to the indianapolis Journax.
NEW YORK. Sept. 25.-A seductively-baited
trap has just been set to catch unwary Ameri-
cans. A commodious Office in the big Stewart
Building, on Broadway. has been hired and oc-
cupied by the British-American Claim Agency.
According to the announcements of this con-
cern there is a chance for many of us to get
rich. Enormous fortunes" says the advertise
ment. awaiting claimants lie buried in the
courts of chancery, Bank of England, England,
Germany and other countres-over $3.50. 000, 600
which belong to the people, including all classes
in the community" This vast sum is due in
various amounts to an army of $4,000 individu-
ais, who have been vainly advertised for in pa
pers from all parts of the world. The British
American Claim Agency has list of these
names, and is willing to furnish them to the
fortuneseekng public at reasonable. rate The
methods of the concern are peculiar. distin-
guished-looking man calling himself George F.
Parker is the manager. He is tall, and has pre-
maturely white hair and short dark mustache.
For all preliminary information he refers the
visitor most politely to pamphlet published by
the company, incidentally remarking that the
fees detailed in its pages represent just what it
costs the agency to do the work for which the
fee is charged. In other words, the agency will
examine records of various kinds at cost price.
to see if the would be claimant has fighting
chance for wealth. and if he has, the agency
then undertakes to collect for him at percent
age of the amount recovered. Mr.. Parker
avoids questions from his visitors assuring then,
that everything is explained in book, price 80
cents; but if pressed, he will say that the con-
cern has been established in London for thirty
however, neglected to mention the
London address of the concern, or
to note that there is London end. On the IL
tile page it purports to contain the names Of
persons deceased. whose next of kin, heirs at
law, ard personal representatives are wanted;
also, persons who have been advertised for to
claim vast of money and property in Great
Britain and all parts of the world These names
are said to have been collated from advertise
ments since away back in 1850. Scattered
throughout the pamphlet are pages covered with
alleged extracts from newspapers, anecdotes of
great fortunes suddenly acquired curious will
cases and the like, all to excite the reader with
the hope that similar luck may be in store for
him. Here is one of the briefest from many
"a Liverpool tram conductor has received an
intimation that he is next of kin of a West India
planter, ramed Cort who has left 100000"
The catalogue gives surnames only, and the
Christian names will be sold to the applicant at
the rate of So per family. That is, to suppose
a case. come person by the namc of Campbell
gets the fortune-hunting craze, and, buying the
pamphlet finds that the Campbell has 187
marked after it. This means that in cases of
intestates 1877 persons by name of Campbell
have been advertised for since 1850. The
fortune hunter, for $2 gets the given names of
the 187, in which list he may search for his own
that of some ancestor. The majority of the
names have no numbers after them, signifying
that only one of the family has ever been miss
ing when there money to be distri buted.
But it costs the fortune-hunter So just the same
to get the given name of the solitary heir.
Having obtained so much, he is requested to
pay So more if he wants to see the advertise
ment in which the name mentioned. If he
is still hopeful he NAV have the DEGREES, orders,
etc., at chancery Offices searched to see if any
money stands to his credit. for $l3 25. The in
dcations that thousands of fools are being
caught in this new trap