The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-27
WOMEN IMPOSTORS FIND
PREY IN HIGH SOCIETY
Members of Wealthy Families Fall
Victims to Three Shrewd
Young Beggars.
MUCH MONEY SECURED

NEW YORK, April 26.-From complaints
lodged with the mendicancy department of
the Charity Organization Society IL Is
known that fully fifty of the weasthiest
families in New York have been victimized
by three of the shrewdest woman beggars
the police have ever tried TO catch.
Two Of these beggars are supposed TO be
sisters, and are described as particularly
handsome young women, with large, pa
thetic eyes and soft voices" one wealthy
woman pictured them, and so cleverly have
they framed their appeals that in several
instances they have received large sums
of money. II is said their swindling
amounts to several thousand dollars.
They are known as Jennie and Fannie
Wilson. but sign many different names 10
the letters they write. They supposed
to live somewhere In the vicinity of Flush
ing avenue, Brooklyn, for they have been
frequently seen there with their begging
garb thrown aside and attired like women
OF wealth and fashion. Less than a week
ago a woman who had responded with $40
to the pathetic appeal OF thinly clad ''Jen-
nie Smith" saw the same Jennie" walking
along Flushing avenue dressed in ex-
pensive street costume, leading a dog with
a silver collar.
The third woman usually signs herself as
Glare Phillips" and has been success
ful as the two sisters. The Phillips woman
has confined her operations to Fifth, Mad
fson and Lexington avenues, between Thir-
ty-fourth and Eighty-f1fth streets, and al
ways works the same scheme. She calls at
the house of a wealthy person, in some in
stances presenting a forged letter from
some acquaintance Of the family, and asks
for fancy needlework to do. Frequently
she exhibits specimens OF very fine work.
She always tells a pitiful story of being
put out of her apartment for nonpayment
OF rent and OF two small children who are
Ill or starving. Sometimes her husband
has recently died.
When work is given to her she hesitates
and says pathetically that she has no
money 10 purchase the silk or needles or
whatever may be needed. When the money
dress and departs with many blessings on
the heads of her benefactors. and that is
the last that Is ever seen of her. At the
addresses given she is never known.
The Wilson sisters" work a different
plan They appear with letter stating
that their father. mother. brother or some
relative or friend formerly employed
by the persons they are appealing to. Some
one In the family does remember that a
person of the name referred to-generally
a common one-was formerly a trusted
servant in the family, and thereafter the
unfortunate sister finds it comparatively
easy TO gain sympathy.
Detectives of the Charity Organization
Society have been trying for nearly year
20 lay their hands on these shrewd impos-
tors. but have been unable TO do so.
Some OF the persons who have responded
to their appeals are Mrs. William d. Sloane,
Mrs. William Rockefeller, Mrs. Louis G.
Tiffany Mrs. Ellen r.. Bishop. Miss Della
Gurnee, Mr.. Whitney Warren. MIR. A. ID.
Pell and Mr.. George w. Soren.