Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-31
FARMERS ROPED IN
By Very Smooih-Tongued Swindlers
Who Insured Their Lives,
PROMISING A PAYMENT IN Cash
The Money Was Paid Down, and the VIC
Tins Are Seeking Justice.
A WHOLESALE sYsTEh OF SwINDLING

a WuVu1DAu1 p1p16h w bWANDAAA'S v
A wholesale system of defrauding farm
ers has come to light in the section Of coun-
try surrounding FAIR Haven, on the Castle
Shannon Railroad. This time the woful
tale treats of the rascally transactions Of
life insurance agents, who have succeeded
in fleeing large number of the well-to-do
and intelligent agriculturists. Their money
has gone, an their only consolation has
been reyerie on the "eussedness" of some
men. after the style of the old farmer il
Will Cartons Lightning Rod Dispenser. .
The gang has been at work for the past
three weeks, and in that time has made 6
good haul. The victims are all located some
distance from either q railway or q telegraph
Office. The swindlers have been careful in
the selection of their subjects, and have
rarely failed to push their schemes through
A man who gives his name as w. d. King
has been operating in the section OF the
country surrounding Whitehall and FAN
Haven. He is glib tslker Of proposes.
ing appearance, and from descriptions given
q slick swindler.
His plan has been to represent an. insur-
ance company, and insure the lives of tine
farmers and their wives. By payment Of
$25 cash as an initiation fee, and an agree.
ment to pay 81 per month until death, the
victims are given the choice OF accepting
81, 600 cash payment or $4,000 at death.
The advantages offered by the former pro.
position were invariably accepted and the
s25 paid over. The agent has now dis
appeared and the inveigled farmers have
waited in vain for their cash payment.
MAD ENOUGH TO LYNCH HIM.
The farmers are aroused, and swear
vengeance against the smooth-tongued in
dividual that has been the cause of their
troubles. The feeling has run SO high that
any STRANGER appearing in the neighborhood
is looked on with suspicion, and the chain
attached to the collar of the watch dog is at
once unfastened. The farmers say that il
the rascal is seen in the neighborhood he
will get taste of justice that may not be
Just agreeable or exactly according to popu-
lar methods.
Mr.. Andrew Hampe, well-to-do farmer
living east of Fair Haven, is one Of the
victims. He has fine farm, and was prob
ably spotted as good person to approach
on money matters. When first touched on
the subject Mr.. Hampe did not feel dis
posed to tell of his part in the transactions,
but at last he acknowledged that he was one
of the victims. After little chat he said
he was willing to do all in his power to aid
in catching the rascals.
In recounting his experiences, Mr.. Hampe
said: SIT was about four weeks ago that
the agent, as ne called himself, visited my
house. He was dressed in a natty black
suit, and appeared to be very business sort
of fellow, He was we'll informed and q
good talker, and, after chat on current
events, proceeded to unfold his scheme of life
insurance. At first told him that did not
need to insure my life, as 1 was a member
of several lodges, and that my wife would
not suffer If was called away from this
world.
'He said that he represented the Penn
sylvania Insurance Company. 1t was or
ganized in 1882, and as sound as dollar,
having loo, 900 members, and owned the
State He seemed very anxious to have
me join. The rules of the company forbade
admitting single persons. He said the older
members would later induce single men to
join their ranks.
PLAN OF THE LAYOUT.
"The plan of the company was to charge
$25 initiation fee, and 81 month during
life. On payment of S25 and a promise to
pay 81 month the holders of the policies
would receive 81, 900 within eight days, or
81, 600 at death. In case of sickness a sick
benefit of 50 week was also assured.
cat last was prevailed upon to take out
q policy. and chose the cash payment. I
was assured that the 81 900 would be sent
me by mail. He also told me that the large
number of those who chose the post mortem
payment, and the large number of lapses on
such, enabled the company to do a good
business He said collector would call for
the assessments. paid him the $25 and he
drew up a lengthy agreement which made
oath to and signed. don't know what the
document contained, as did not read it.
he gave me the following receipt for my
cash payment of s25:
July Is A. D. 1899,
Received of Mr.. Andrew Hampe the initia-
ton fee in full to the Ap. of the U. W. NJ,
Ap. to receive all benefits In class B., COM
mencing on July 80, A. D. 1890.
.W. D. KING,
Travelling ofacer, Sixth District Of Pennsyi.
yania."
SOME OTHER VICTIMS.