The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1891-08-22

the 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
government experts are unable to
distinguish it from good money. Mr..
|. W. Williams, a merchant at Shen-
andoah Junction. jefferson county,
has recently had a couple of invita-
tions from the swindlers to walk into
their net, but he has politely refus-
ed. He sent his local paper 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 type written
letter:
Dear Sir:-I call your attention to
a certain class of goods of which l
am the manufacturer, and when
handled by careful and energetic
business man money can be made
rapidly. | am engaged in an enter
prise which with your confidential
and friendly cooperation you can
procure wealth in short time, and
at the same time better my own condi-
tion. The enclosed clipping cut from
one of our leading daily papers gives
all the information desired and
explains itself. There's no reason
why you shold be slave and work
hard all of your life for nothing
the chance is here to better yourself
financially in substantial way.
Don't be foolish enough to let con
scientious 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 you2 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, Wig
nette, printing, engraving and sigma
ture and | am sure they can easily
be passed in your section of the
country with impunity Now under
stand me fair and square. / can and
will help you out of any money or
business troubles you may be in, no
matter to what extent, and no person
on the face of this earth need ever be
the wiser for it unless you betray
me. If you have not the money to
buy goods | would consent to your
taking some confidential friend in
with you who has, provided of course
he is trustworthy and could keep the
secret. You could then both come
on together 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 business should suit you, it
will be absolutely necessary for you
to come on and see me in person. /
only deal face to face with my Gus
toners. Experience has taught me
that this is the safest and most sat
isfactory way for both. By your
coming on here You see what you are
buying, and l see who l am dealing
with. Consequently everything is
ION the level' and we both feel bet
ter satisfied.
/ know that it is quite a journey
for you to make, but it is for your
own benefit in the way of profits.
Furthermore, | always make liber-
al allowance in goods to cover the
expenses. Make up your mind to
come on know you will always be
thankful for your visit to me. You
will find NE square and honorable
white man in every particular. When
you arrive here l 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, l will make you
present of One Thousand Dollars
in gold, and also cheerfullv pay all
expenditures incurred upon your
journey. Fair enough, isn't it? My
prices are as follows: $500 gets five
thousand, $3.50 gets ten thousand;
$3.50 gets fifteen thousand. The
more you invest the cheaper you
get the goods. The sizes run from
'one' to twenty" $500 worth of
my goods is positively the very low
est amount l will sell under any cir
cumstances. Ifyou will invest $3.50
or more upon the first deal l will
agree so give you the exclusive State
right. Now, should you wish to do
business with me, you must obey the
following instructions, and only as l
tell you.
First: Don't, as long as you live,
ever write letter to me until give
you permission. Ifyou do it will be
refused. See? l mean exactly what
| say; and furthermore all business
relations between us will end.
Second: If you wish to come on
here to see me send the following
telegram remember, telegram only
will be received) and simply say in
your telegram, the words as per en-
closed slip, mentioning the number
of lot and map. Be sure to have
your numbers correct SO there will
be no mistake, and sign the first let
ter of each of your given and chris
tian name
Third: On receipt of your tele
gram l will send you full instruc
tions how to meet and where to stop,
then no mistakes will be made in
finding one another. In conclu-
sion, / wish to say if you cannot
come on here, or have not $500 to
invest, and you think favorably of
my business, send the following tel
egram: What is market pricesl'
/ will then make you another propo-
sition. Now kindly allow me to eau
ton you again, not to write letters
be patient and be guided by advice
If you do you will be sure of success.
No such thing as fail. Act square!
Be true and honorable! Do me no
harm and you will never regret it as