Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-04-17
A Fakir Sells Ladies' Tailor Made
Dresses at 81 Each.
O11UMWA LADIES CAUGHT FOR $500
II Said to Have Worked Galesbure, MT.
Pleasant, Fairfield and OskaIoosa
He Has Not Been Appre.
hended as Vet.
From THURSDAYS Daily.

from thursday Dally.
A large number of mythical ladies'
tailor made suits, lined thruout with
taffeta silk, were sold by smooth IA
kir at 81 each in this city last Saturday
forenoon. Two dollars Of the purchase
price was collected in each case where
a sale was made, the balance to be
paid upon delivery of the goods this
week. AIRS. John Madden, Mrs. George
Alfred and Mrs. Hattie Hubbard, I'll
residents of North Green street, were
victimized by the alluring talk of the
fakir, and each was induced to part
with her money upon his representa-
tons.
Saturday forenoon, a tall, sallow,
thin man, about Is or SO years Of age,
made his appearance in this city and
registered at the LaClede hotel as c..
B. McVicker, and claimed to be taking
orders for stage scenery. 1t is said
that he is smitten with female mem-
Der OF the Don't Tell My Wife" COM
pany, which played in this city Sat
.urday night, and was following che
show from town to town. Shortly be-
fore noon he started out to work his
graft. He took the closest street, JET
ferson, and made his way up the hill.
He stopped at several houses until he
came to Mrs. brakes residence, No.
1913 North Green street. He said that
he was representing Edward B. Gross
man, No. 170-176 State street, Chicago,
and desired to give her a silk dress.
Naturally she was suspicious, but the
man went on with his story. The
dress was to be tailor-made, lined thru
out with taffeta silk, a perfect fit guar
anteed, and if it didn't suit, it need not
be taken, and all for the sum Of 81,
So cash, the balance upon delivery.
Mrs. Drake is a dress maker and told
the man that the suit could not be
made for the price, let alone buy the
goods and trim it in that fashion, md
would have nothing to do with him.
He went from there to Mrs. Hubbard's,
Mrs. Alfred's and finally to Mrs. Mad
den's, finding victim at each place.
At the latter place it was just before
noon when he approached the house.
He came in and made his business
taking orders for Chicago house Tor
low price of 81, and was doing it to adj
sell about fifty in each place, and the
den was the last one of the fifty WATCH
he was allowed to place. He took Mrs.
Madden's measure after she had select
ed the sample of goods she desired,
and then said that he required cash
payment of So, the balance upon de-
livery. Mrs. Madden told him that she
had no money, but that if he would
call Monday she would pay him. He
replied that the suit would be made
and would be on the way to Ottunl-
wa by that time, and THAI he could
not think of acceding to her PROPOSE
ton. Rather than let the chance go
by Mrs. Madden went into neigh
bor's house and borrowed the money
and suggested that the agent give her
a receipt, which he did in this fashionn:
Received of Mrs. John Madden, for
| full costume of Ladies' Melton cloeh.
w. d. White. $500. $500 due" Mrs.
Madden suggested that perhaps he had
better write the name Of the firm he
represented on the receipt which he
did, and wrote the name of Edward b.
Grossman, 17O-176 State street. Al
this juncture Mr.. Madden came hons
and the fellow acted very uneasy. HIS
left as soon as possible and in the az
ternoon Mrs. Madden became susRc-
ious and went to the police station
where she told her story. The outgo-
| ing trains were watched, but the fakir
had left. He was seen at Eldon that
afternoon and appeared to be in a
great hurry to get away. A telephone
message was received from the deputy
sheriff of jefferson county last evening
to be on the lookout for the man, and
Idescribinp inst such man as Whit
or McVicker. 1t is said that he ha,
worked Galesburg, Mt. Pleasant, Fair.
field and Oskaloosa with about the
same kind of a game, only it is said
that he worked an underwear racket
on the Fairfield people. It is not known
how much money he received in OF
tumwa, but it is safe to say that these
three women are not the only ones
victimized.
Iowa Horses for British Army.
New York, April 1.-THE Journal
and Advertiser says: "a contract to