Wichita eagle., 1888-01-11
.ASKIN GAME"
How the Suckers are Taken In-Tbis Section
Flooded With Bats.

Flooded With Bats.
Some weeks ago a gentleman in this city
received a very strange letter that seemed
to be of a general character and represent
ing great profits on small investments
The letter was signed by no one but &C
comparing the same was a small slip OF
paper bearing a name and address
Through curiosity the gentleman answer
ed the letter asking that specimen of the
money" be sent him and a half of a
paper dollar soon arrived which the banks
pronounced good.
Having investigated the matter as far as
lowed up there might be an arrest OF
counterfeiters he gave his documents and
information to Mr.. J. A. McMahan the
detective. 1t was no new thing
to that gentleman and he was
not long in pronouncing it nc
counterfeit business, but purely ''skin
game" He said he had found out mum
Der of similar cases in the southwest quite
recently, and not over two months ago a
man in this county mortgaged his farm
for 5000 and blowed in the entire amount
trying to get some of the counterfeit
money.
For the information of the public, Mr.
McMahan grants privilege to print the
first communication in full Its wording
and get up is very similar to many such
efforts, but the peculiarities to be noticed
are quite interesting. 1t is as follows:
Dear Sir:-You have been referred to me
as trustworthy person and one who can
keep his own consul and / will be pleased
to open trade with you and | guarantee
that there is plenty of money to be made
IN the business. L propose to you
it is not exactly legitimate, but
then we are not injuring any
one individually and if you will be
guided by my advice and experience there
is no reason why you should not make a
sure and quick fortune. The sizes are Is,
IS, 5s and los. Ny terms are 2000, cost
$3.50; 5000, cost $500: 5000 cost S400 1000
cost $3.50; 20 900 cost 81 900; 81 900 cost 81 500
and an increasing ratio SO that the more
you invest the cheaper you get the goods.
1000 in goods is the smallest | will sell
under and circumstances and if you invest
from $500. and up Twill give you the right
of your state and none but yourself can get
the goods, hence the advantage Of buying
largely on your first deal. Furthermore do
not give you the goods at the same figure
tlItl lIC III ST ttcil L OilID give jllt'll NOW
as an extra inducement and also to give
d start, afterwards | charge at the rate of
:'5c on the dollar Now my friend If you
wish to enter this speculation, it will be
necessary for you to come here
and see me personally in order to get the
goods, as | will only deal face to face with
my customers, which is the safest and
most satisfactory way for both. so do not
ask me TO meet you anywhere else as | can
nnT nI,,tr lyp.a
what You are buying and | see who | am
dealing with and both feel better satisfied
know that it is quite q journey for YOU to
come here, but look at the advantages and
again think OF the large profits to be made
and no risks and as far as expense is CON
;erned | always make Il liberal al
lowance to cover that. Make up
your mind to come on, you will find me Il
square white man in all my dealings, and
YOU will never have cause to regret your
visit to me. | will meet You in the city
any time you may appoint, which, | trust,
will be soon, and | will show you my en-
ire stock from which you can make your
own selection, then, if my goods are not
I'll | claim for them, | will make You a
present OF 81, 600 in gold Now. what fairer
an you ask? In Gods name do not betray
ne or mention to a living soul what passes
between us, for have ne"er done YOU any
larm and never shall, buU will prove a
rue and lasting friend to you. If you
AXE 10000 and up in the goods / will deal
With no one else In your state. Do not call
1t my address, as friend who knows
lothing whatever about my business, col
ects my mail. Make up your mind to
ome on and in my next letter ! will name
hotel for you to stop at, how YOU will
NOW me, also full instructions. ETC. BE
ure and send me your name and post
'tiice address distinct and will then know
where TO answer your letter to, put name
md address on separate paper. | will
ilwayS return your letters to YOU. and
must insist on your returning this and all
etters | send you, or | will not answer
our letter. Trusting that you will answer
It once and always return my letters, then
can place confidence in you. remain.
Yours in confidence.
Accompanying the above is a small piece
# paper. on which is ''ThCs Stone. care
igar store, 932 Eighth avenue, New York
'ity"
Mr.. McMahan stated that the country
districts especially are flooded with com
like the above, and many
uckers have been caught. The one going
o New York to make a deal meets the
nan Thos Stone and the latter meets him
nd insists on expressing the ''new money
o him as he fears detectives are on to him
nd will make a catch if he attempts
e get out of town with the Doodle in
atchal or bundle. By such scheme or
TIERS he induces the customer to give
i'm the money with the promise to send
he money. The deal perfected the sucker
and in a few days gets pack
&c of old paper or rubbish, in which is a
etter telling him he was caught this time
Y very hard work and now don't suueal
nd make fool out of himself. The
HAPPIER is ended and the fellow, as a rule |
eeps the secret.