The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-09-19
SWINDLES THE LADIES.
Story Of the Show Case Which Never
Arrives.
A BLAZE FOR CALDWELL.
Melbourne, the Rain Wizard, to be at
Nampa Next Tuesday. Prepare to
Build an Ark.

Build an Ark.
Mrs. NJ. E. Curtis, of this city, recently
Nook the agency to sell milliners goods
from smooth travelling man, and to
display the wares to better advantage,
bought of him show case, paying him
SIG in cash for it. After waiting a
reasonable time to hear from the house,
Mrs. Curtis wrote and received the
clipping below:
A well-dressed and smooth-spoken
swindler has been successfully working
Il large number of people in several Of
the far western states for the past
month by representing himself as the
authorized agent of Sharpless, Cole &
Co., of this city. lie has printed cards,
letter-heads, ETC., with the name of the
above firm printed ON them, which rep
resents the firm as dealers in ladies'
underwear, and locates them at Eighth
and Market streets.
His plan is to call at stores in the
western towns, which carry a similar
line of goods, and offer them the agency
of the Philadelphia house, which he
represents will pay them commission
of 40 per cent. lie also promises to
furnish show case to better display
the goods, at nominal price, which
ranges from $12 to 1926, according to
what he thinks the purchaser will pay.
He demands cash for this and therein
lies his profits. When his victims bite
and pay the money he gives them a
receipt on a regularly printed billhead
of the firm.
In some places his name is George s.
Smith, in others Field, Clark, Briggs, or
anything else that happens to strike
his fancy. There is "nothing in a
name" to him. Letters of inquiry
began to be received at the postotlice
about two weeks ago, and they are still
arriving. All are addressed to Sharp
less, Cole & Co. No such firm exists in
the city, and in an endeavor to deliver
authorities sent it to Sharpless Brothers,
Eighth and Chestnut streets.
This started an investigation, and
Sharpless Brothers, recognizing the
similarity of the names and wishing to
at once clear that firms name from any
connection with the swindler, they
turned the matter over to the postal
authorities. 1t was at first supposed
that the letters had been sent from this
city, but as more complaints kept COM
ing in it was seen that the imposter
was working the fraud in person.
About twenty-five letters have been
received so far from Arkansas, Idaho,
Washington, Colorado, Oregon and sew
eral other western states. Rradstreet's
NQr0onti0A A hnc o1o ~,
quiries as to the standing of Sharpless,
Cole & Co., while some one in Cincin-
natl, Ohio, has sent an anxious inquiry
regarding the same matter.
THE GENTLER SEX HIS VICTIMS.
The sharper has so far found the
most of his victims among the gentler
sex. He dropped in on Mrs. Z. +.
lllingswOrth, OF P0catell0, Idaho, on
July ~ and induced her by his many
fomises to part with 1913 for a show
case that has as yet failed to appear,
1T was to be delivered in twenty days
ana becoming anxious at its nOn.arri-
val Mrs. ulingsworth addressed a letter
TO SharDlesS, Cole 4 Go. 1t is dated
Pocatello, Idaho, August 81, 1891, and
says; 49,.
''rhe 9th of July a gentleman sign.
ing himself George 5. Smith came Tito
my store, claiming to be agent for
Sharpless, Cole Il Co., and showing
papers to that effect. lsigned All agrees
ment with him by which | would sell
your goods Qadics' weary at Il commits.
sion OF forty per cent. and he
promised to furnish show case ut the
price of 1918. For this he demanded
cash, which paid, and he gave me q
receipt for the amount. lie claimed that
the goods would be delivered to me in
about twenty days from tho 9th Of
July, but by this time, now over u
month, have failed to either see the
goods or get any notice at I'LL from you
or him and came to the conclusion tn
write to you to see if you know anything
about such u transaction or il it was a |
swindle, for the sooner you answer this !
l will be relieved Of y great anxiety !
about this matter and would be much |
obliged to yOu."
This letter is only a sample of a large |
number received and which have been |
turned over to the postal authorities |
for their action. Sharpless Brothers |
are also making all efforts possible to |
run the swindler down and hope soon
to effect his capture.