The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-01-18

I =l easy marx tne cVhhu'
llsN l!alll dweller, or the credulous
investor, who has not undergone the
costly dental operation known as cut
ting ones eyeteeth' Such opinion Is
considered humorous falIacy by the
artistic swindler who is in the top
flight of his calling in the United
States. After n long and Immensely
profitable career, the "Slck Mining
Engineer was recently brought 10
book by the police of New York, ana
the actors in this cleverest of opera
lions were tried and several of them
convicted. The conspiracy was CON
Quoted by four of the most talented
crooks uncaught. as managers. WIN
several smaller parts played by rogues
Of inferior reputation.
These artists operated in the largest
cities. under the noses of the police
and selected as their victims men
whose shrewdness no one would ques-
ton. including brokers, manufactnr-
ers. retired capitalists, and lawyers.
Many victims nursed their losses IN 81
lence. although the police discovered
s150.000 worth Of profits in the last
three months Of business done by the
gang. and it is to be remembered that
they had worked for more than two
years without mishap.
THE PROFITS or THE GAME.
Among the heavy losers were a Bos-
ton lawyer. who parted with $4,000; a
tobacco millionaire. who mourned S4O.-
600: n New York umbrella manufactur-
er. swindled of $4,000. and three Baltl-
more merchants. whose bank balances
were depleted by total Of $4,000. All
these. and many other large sums.
were obtained in cash. paid down in
lump. making the industry singu-
larly attractive. because there was no
delay and the gentlemanly operators
were always in funds to cover their
tracks or to pay lawyers If the trail be-
came warm. In all these cases the
victims. who were prominent men in
their business and financial communl-
ties. were swindled by the same plot
worked In the same way, with only a
change OF scene.
The program usually opened with the
insertion Of this advertisement in the
most conservative Of the newspapers of
the city marked for the next cam
paign
"A man with $4,000 can make $4,000
in three DAYS: absolutely no risk; full
est investigation invited; no agents;
must be taken at once"
The bait was nearly always swal-
lowed. and a letter to the address
-,antioned brought an immediate call
by a gentlemanly and solid looking
person. who was polite, but business
like. He said:
II do not wish to appear rude, but
YOU must show me that you have the
sum of money mentioned. l have re
celved so many other answers to my
advertisement that have no time for
trifiers."
When the fiscal agent was assured
that the cash was in sight, the compli-
Gated machinery began to work In
the Park Row Building. New York
there were handsome Offices labeled
The Horse Shoe Copper Mining Com
pany of Arizona" This was a rea'
concern. with tangible assets. But
these offices were also the headquar-
ters OF the Horse Shoe Mining Com
pany." corporation of mythical val
ne. used only as a trap for victims. The
Arizona company had reputable ofiic
ers. among them former Postmaster
Wilson, of Brooklyn. but they were ig
norant of the existence and purpose
OF the other Horse Shoe Company.
There were a bright young man with
past. with an able assistant who had q
picture in the Rogues' Gallery, as the
President and Secretary of both com
panies. having secured reputable
names for the directorate Of the HORSE
Shoe Copper Mining Company. Th'
two organizations were needed in th'
plot.
THE WAY IT is DONE.
xvt,ap tha victim was found thi