Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-08-07
How the "creen Goods" Men Work 1t.

rascals commonly known as the
"green goods" men. Their scheme
is to entrap rural victims by offering
to sell alleged counterfeit money that
is so cleverly made that even the gov
eminent experts are unable to distin-
guish it from good money. Mr.. l. w.
Williams, a merchant at Shenandoah
Junction, this county, has recently
had couple of invitations from the
swindlers to walk into their net, but
he has politely refused. He sent the
REGISTER, a couple OF weeks ago,
the correspondence of the sharpers.
The first thing is to get the name OF
some country merchant or farmer.
Having obtained this, the swindlers
send him the following typewriter
letter:
Dear Sir:-l call your attention to
certain class of goods Of which | am
the manufacturer, and when handled
by careful and energetic business
man money can be made rapidly. l
AIN engaged in an enterprise which
with YOUR confidential and friendly CO.
operation you can procure wealth in
a short time, and at the same time
better my own condition. The en-
closed clipping cut from one OF our
leading daily papers gives all the in
formation desired and explains itself.
There's no reason why you should be
a slave and work hard all Of your life
for nothing-the chance is here TO
better yourself financially i'll u sub
stantial way. Don't be foolish enough
TO let conscientious scruples interfere
with your aim in life; few men ever
obtain riches honestly. Others have
grown rich around you-no one
knows how-why not you? A hint to
the wise is sufficient. You will see
from the enclosed clipping that my
goods are not what the law can class
as real counterfeits, inasmuch as they
were printed from genuine plates, and
| warrant each and every note TO be
perfect as TO paper, coloring, vignette,
printing, engraving and signature and
/ ain sure they can easily be passed
i'm YOUR section OF the country with
impunity Now understand me fair
and square. can and will help you
out OF any money or business troubles
YOU may be in, no matter TO what eX-
tent. and no person on the face of
this earth need ever be the wiser for
il unless you betray me. II you have
not the money TO buy my goods |
would consent to your taking some
confidential friend in with you who
has, provided Of course he is trust
worthy and could keep the secret
| nn,,lH hnth th.An tnUaf h.
err and make the deal. However, you
would be very foolish to take any
one in with you if you could raise
enough money yourself. If my bust
| ness should suit you, il will be abso-
lutely necessary for you TO come on
and see me i'll person. | only deal
face-to-face with my customers. Elk
| perience has taught he that this is
the safest and most satisfactory way
for both. BY your coming OH here
YOU see what you are buying, and |
see who | AIN dealing with. Conse-
quently everything is ION the level
| and we both feel better satisfied.
know that it is quite journey for
YOU to make, but it is for your own
! benefit in the way of profits. Furth-
ernore | always make liberal allow
ance in goods to cover the expenses.
Make up your mind to come OH
| know YOU will always be thenkful for
your visit to lie. You will find me
| square and honorable white man in
every particular. When you arrive
| here | will show you my entire stock,
| from which you can make your own
| selections. Then if my goods are not
all that | claim for them, and are not
| as fine as the enclosure speaks Of, |
will make you u present OF One Thou
sand Dollars in gold, and also cheer
| fully pay all expenditures incurred
upon your journey. Fair enough,
| isn't it? Ny prices are as follows:
S4OO gets five thousand, $3.50 gets ten
| thousand; $3.50 gets fifteen tn ousand.
The more you invest the cheaper you
get the goods. The sizes run from
zone" to twenty" S4OO worth ofmy
goods is positively the very lowest
amount will sell under any circum-
stances. IL you will invest $3.50 or
more upon the first deal l Will agree
to give you the exclusive State right
Now, should you wish TO do business
with me, you must obey the following
First: Don't, as long as you live,
| ever Write a l6tltl w uhbil Il P'''
you permission. II you do it will be
refused. See? | mean exactly what l
say; and furthermore all business re-
lations between us will end
Second; IL you wish to come on
here to see Inc send the following tel
egram remember, telegram only will
be received) and simply say in your
telegram, the words as per enclosed
slip, mentioning the number OF lot and
map. Be sure to have your numbers
correct SO there will be no mistake,
and only sign the first letter OF each
of your given and christian name.
Third: On receipt Of your telegram
| will send you full instructions how
to meet and where to stop, then no
mistakes will be made in finding one
another. In conclusion, | wish TO
say il you cannot come on here, or
have not S400 to invest, and you think
favorably of nv business, send the
following telegram: What is market
rricesr | will then make you another
proposition. Now kindly allow me TO
caution you again, not TO write let
tiers, be patient and be guided by adj
vice. II you do you will be sure OF
success. No such thing as fail. Act
square! Be true and honorable! Do
Inc no harm and you will never re-
gret it as long as you live. You can
ma Ike money faster and easier by deal
ing in my goods than you ever dreamed
before in your life. Take chance
and you will never have cause to re-
grst. Caution-no other person Is
now authorized by lie to correspond
on this subject. Do not be deceived
bv bogus limitations | am the sole
owner and proprietor OF this enter
prise. Communications from others
offering similar goods for sale are alb
solutely unreliable and positively
worthless Pay no attention TO them.
Yours, very sincerely,
"A SECRET