The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-01-23
1t Looks Like a swindle.

III LOOKS Like y SWluOIee
Several persons have come to US of late
to inquire what We think Of the scheme
that one W. j. Futrell is endeavoring to
get the people Of Grant parish to invest
in. Without knowing about the respon-
sibility of Mr.. Futrell, or his authority
TO represent any concern Of standing and
accountability, from the face OF his cir
culars, which are clumsily and ignorant
ly gotten up. We would say that we seri-
ously suspect his proposition is DELHI
crate plan to catch suckers, and those
who invest in it may expect to find them
selves fleeced and out of pocket.
The advance circulars which be sends
out are in the following shape:
II "A GRAND MEETING 81
Will be ut Center School house,
FRIDAY, Dec. =, 1896,
For the purpose of Enrolling and Rec
commanding new customers to the wor.
thy and we'll known firm of
ATLEE & COMPANY,
to get Supplies for the year 1897.
Come out and have you'd name enrolled
and give them your tradef You can get
anything you want on time until Decem-
Der the 18th, 1897.
Fee for enrolling and recommending
any mon is only 81, c9M;
Agent for Grant Parish.
The milk in the cocoanut in the above
proposition appears to be the 81 fee for
enrolling and recommending any man.
Responsible men don't need any rec
ommendation from Mr.. Futrell, and if he
proposes to recommend men who are not
responsible, then he is fake and a fraud
and should be exposed to the public.
Another Of Mr.. Futrell's circulars lets
the cat out of the bag, as it were. In it
he states that the plan 10 not absolute
credit, but that one-fifth of the supplies
wanted must be paid for in cash-that is
il you want $50 worth you must send e1O
with your order, aud 90 on-and you can
pay the balance on time, Dec. Is, 1897.
Az bait for suckers he then proceeds
to stste the prices at which things will
be furnished, and this is the modest way
he puts it:
"A Few Or Our PRICES"
"Fiour, per Dbl. s4.00; meal, $3.50; ba-
con, per b. SC; syrup, from l0c to 3Oc
per gallon; corn, 25c per bushel; tobac-
Goes from 1Oc to 25c per b; sugar, 3 and
4 cents per pound. And every thing else
IOsx, 1,
and the balance payable the 18th day Of
December, 1897"
Now, any man that knows B from bull
foot, knows that the prices given above
can scarcely be duplicated in Kansas
City. St. Louis, or New Orleans. even if
the purchase was made in car load lots,
and when interest on money, and cost Of
transportation and handling is taken in
to consideration. such prices would be
extra low for spot cash-and, in fact, it is
extremely doubtful il there would be a
margin Of profit. But to talk of such
prices on years credit, with all attend
ing risks, is simply absurd.
We believe Mr.. Futrell is either an ig-
noramus or is engaged in a deliberate at
tempt to swindle his fellow-citizens, and
that, tho, in the hour of their greatest
distress, and his actions should be inves-
tigated by the district attorney and the
next grand jury. If we do him any in
justice we shall be glad to make all due
amends, and will publish any vouchers
that he can furnish. showing that he is
honestly engaged with q substantial and
reputable business concern.