The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-13
WOULD.BE DETECTIVES
ENTERPRISES THAT PROFIT BY A
QUEER HUMAN WEAKNESS.
"Agencies" That Snare Country Boys
With Hopes of Becoming Skilled
and Famous Detectives.
w aShington Post.

Washington Post.
During a political upheaval, such as are
common to all American cities save WASH
ington, a certain shrewd and knowing per-
sonage whom il Will be convenient to call
", lost his position chief of detectives
of city in Ohio. Intead of wearing out
his shoes and his boarding house welcome
"politicking around" in vain effort to re-
gain his lost position, most men under
similar circumstances would have done, X
proceeded TO coin money out of human
weakness. While chief of detectives he had
every month received dozens of letters from
mooney and infatuated people all over the
country stating they had special talent and
were willing to work for nothing If he
would only assign them to a place on the
force; that they wanted to learn how TO
be detectives or TO please let them rep
resent him in this or that capacity, local
ity, or case; that they had a theory in re-
gard to this or that unsolved crime or
mystery then occupying the attention of
the press and public which they felt sure
was the correct one, ETC., and it was this
fertile and at the same time virgin field
that Y decided to cultivate. Why, in
view of the fact that so many had en-
barked in The business since, it had until
then failed TO attract the attention of other
detectives must be answered by the other
question of why some men are blind to their
opportunities, while others are wide awake
10 them? X was a sort of American Sher-
lock Holmes, whose proper field for ex-
ploitation was the weaker side of human
nature. He had, further. noticed that a
large percentage of these letters came from
country youths, notably in the South and
West, and he gagged his plans accord
ingly.
DETECTIVES OUT OF MUD.
Therefore, il was not long after he lost
his place as chief of the detective force
before advertisements appeared in the
press of the country, especially the small
country weeklies, farmers journals, ETC..
to this effect:
wANTED-IN EVERY COUNTY AND STATE
in the Union. detectives: experience unneces-
sary; Eor terms write to the GALVANIZED
Manager.
To the average country youth, discon-
tented and disguised with the humdrum
of rural existence. and pining for action
and glory, here an avenue to things
higher and easier than blowing corn or
wedding potatoes. and it not long
after launching his scheme that KS daily
mail had TO be delivered in a transfer
wagon. In reply to the misspelled and
grammarless letters of RUDE Hunks. of
Shocks Cross Roads, y would send an imi-
tation typewriter letter giving terms. The
letter went oil to explain that the business
OF the Galvanized was growing very rapid
~. aud that ii needed representative in
the applicants neighborhood. Experience.
IL stated, was unnecessary. for the reason
that the best detectives had risen from I'M
sophisticated youths. who early in life. had
experienced desire TO become detectives
ETC.; therefore, IL r. Hunks would kindly
fill out the inclosed blank. they (the Gal
vanized) would appoint him their repre-
sentative in his home section. sending him
proper credentials in the form of a certifi-
cate and badge of authority.
But" the letter continued. lit will be
necessary for you TO remain in touch with
the main office and keep yourself informed
as TO criminal events, the movements and
doings OF crooks. etc, so that in the event
any of the noted forgers. burglars ETC.
turn up in your neighborhood you will be in
a position TO act with honor both 10 your
self and the Galvanized. This you can best
accomplish by becoming a subscriber to our
special detective journal. The Sleuth-
hound. This journal. issued monthly by the
company. Is designed for the especial
benefit of it's members and representatives.
and Will not. under any circumstances, be
issued to those outside the profession Ii
contains a fun and complete record OF
crime the movements OF the most noted
criminals, together with their pictures.
etc" The subscription price Of this valua-