The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-02-20
STATE NEWS
GRAFTERS WORK
SANPETE COUNTY
Two Victims Seeking a Loophole of
Escape.
OLD GAME CAUGHT THEM
SIGNATURES BEAR WITNESS
AGAINST THEM.

Mt. Pleasant, Feb. ia graft that
is new in detail. but old in principle, is
being worked upon some of the resi-
dents OF this county who reside away
from the larger settlements. Inforna-
ton concerning the working of the
scheme came to the surface this morn
ing by the arrival of a gentleman from
Milburn, who reached here at 8 a. m.
after walking the twenty miles from
his home, in search of legal advice. he
having signed papers in the hands of
the operator which obligate him to the
extent OF over $3.50.
The sale Of a graphophone and sets
of records accompanying it is the
foundation upon which the swindle is
operated There are at least two of
the gang, one to solicit and contract
for sales, the second one to deliver and
collect. The machine is sold for So
but a liberal discount of from 50 to
% per cent IS allowed if the victim is
slow about purchasing and he is made
TO believe that the sale is made to him
only in order to introduce the instru-
ment in the community. In order to
make the graphophOne of any value it
must of course, be accompanied by
records. These are sold in sets. and
therein lies the swindle. The operator
gives his victim to understand that
these sets are sold at a low figure, and
the contract apparently reads that
way. but when the collector arrives he
points out that by the manner in which
the little word each is inserted the
price paid is very high, indeed. The
Milburn gentleman signed to take
twenty-five of these records under
standing that he was to get the entire
lot for SIS, his reading of the contract
bearing out this understanding also
When the time for payment came, how
ever, it was claimed, and borne out by
the contract, that he was to pay SIS
each for the sets. thus Obligating him
self for over $3.50 for the instrument
and records.
When the gentleman from MiIburn
reached here this morning he awaited
the coming of daylight, and then be-
gan inquiring to learn if others had
been worked by the graft One other.
| at least. had bought the machine I'M
| der the same conditions, purchasing
twenty-five of the records for S15 each.
but understanding that that amount
paid for the lot The two gentlemen
have gene to Spring City to consult
Judge Jacob Johnson as to their liabil-
ity, and if there is any chance will re-
sist collection OF the respective
amounts. Developments in the matter
Will be awaited with interest The
| public is warned OF the scheme being
worked and viii do we'll to give a cold
greeting to graphOpbone agents who
sell them on the plan noted above.
In line with its recent decision To ex-
| tend the mains of the local water
| works system. the city council at a
special session, accepted the bid Of the
| Washington Pipe & Foundry company
an eastern concern, to furnish the re-
| quired pipe wood and wire-bound. at
| 21% cents per foot. There were a
number Of bids from SalI 1.aHe and
! other companies submitted.
Mrs. Caroline NJ. Nicholson. wife OF
! Christian Nicholson. a well known and
! respected resident of Spring City died
/ during the past week. after an illness OF
/ two months. She was 76 years Of age
| having resided in this county over for
| ty-one years, coming here direct from
| Denmark, her native land. She crossed
/ the plains in an emigrant train in 1856?
| and had many dangerous and excitine
! experiences. Among other adventures
| the wagon in which the family was
| riding was tipped over and Mrs NickIe-
! son sustained a broken arm. and two
! OF her small children were killed.