The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-14
HE CAME FROM TEXAS.
HOW A GENTLEMAN WAS CAUGHT
IN UNPRoFITABLE TRADE.
A Patent Ironing Board Is the Cause,
1t Is Sold for a Large Sum and the
Seller Arrested and Made to Dis
gorge.

"a sucker is born every second" said
well known New York confidence man
when asked how he found so many VIC
tins.
ltseems that the crop is not falling any
shorter as the world grows older.
A case came up yesterday before Justice
NJ. T. Garvin which shows the exceeding
gullibility Of men considered shrewd and
cautious
The case was this: Mr.. Fretwell and
bis partner Mr.. George came to Memphis
from Texas. They had patent ironing
board and were anxious to sell county,
State or national rights. They had testi-
monials showing the fabulous sums made
by agents in the Lone Star State. The
Texas gentlemen took up their position on
Court Square and waited for their prey.
They did not wait long.
Mr.. Il. w. Buiord, who lives a few miles
from Memphis, aud who was damaging
witness against w. o. Hedrick in his late
trial, came along and looked upon the in
vention and pronounced it good. Some of
Mr.. Fretwell's strikers came up, and, in
true Mulberry Sellers style, praised tho
scheme and audibly yearned for money
enough to purchase small interest In the
thing. Mr.. Buford listened. The Messrs.
Sellers calculated how many milliopSu
could be made out Of II in couple
of years. Mr.. Buford became inter-
ested. The Messrs. Sellers continued to
argue that while the patent was appar-
emily simple, it was just the sort OF thing
to sell like wildfre. The man who in
vented the fifteen puzzle is millionaire.
The man whoinvented pigs in the clover is
becoming millionaire. The man who
invented tooihpicks is millionaire. The
man who invented the toy ball, with rub
Der string attachment, is twice million
aire. The man who invented clothespins
is three times a millionaire, and the pat
entee and owner OF this wonderful ironing
board, which challenged the world, and was
recommended by several gentlemen from
Texas, would be JAY Gould before no
would have time to wear out half his old
clothes. To all OF this Mr.. Buford in
clined listening and attentive ear. Wis.,
ions OF wealth rose up before him. lie
imagined himself the owner Of fine old
castles in Spain, deer parks in Scotland,
brown stone fronts in New York and more
money than Garter had oats. He made
inquiries as to the possibilities Of securing
an interest in the bonanza and found that
such deal was possible.
lilo was overjoyed.
trade was soon effected whereby Mr..
Buiord was made hall owner in the patent
for territory covering the whole United
States, including the Territories and
Alaska, for and in consideration Of the sum
OF So, 900, the receipt OF which was duly
acknowledged, Mr.. Buiord did not have
the ready money but gave instead deeds TO
divers and sundry valuable lands in North
Mississippi The deeds were promptly
mailed for record.
When Mr.. Duford reconsidered his
bargain he began 10 realize that he had
been what Is known IN monumental
circles as ''himilammed." lie wanted to
trade back, but Mr.. Fretwell would not
consent lie then swore out warrant
against Mr.. Fretwell charging that gcnllo---
man with having obtained money under
false preienses. Lawyers were employed
on. both sides and, sooner than 60 TO Jail
the Texas gentleman concluded 10 COM
promise. This was effected at n late
hour last night, the conditions Of which
are that Mr.. Fretwell reconyeyed
all the lands decided to him by Mr..
Buiord excepting tract Of 100 acres In
DeSoto County, Miss, valued at 5000.
Mr.. Freiwell paid the Court costs and ex-
planned 10 the Court: IL do this merely
TO keep the thing quiet. There are lot
OF newspaper men nosing around here
and u they get onto the snap can never
catch another sucker. ! think You people
should thank me for showing you that YOU
have the biggest sucker on record In your
midst"
Everybody appeared TO be satisfied. Mr..
Buiord left wiser though less wealthy
man.