Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-12
TWO FRAUD ORDERS.
One Against Matrimonial Seheme-The
Other a Pension Idea.

Two interesting cases have recently come
before the inspectors OF the Post Office De-
partment and have resulted In the issuing
OF fraud orders. One has to do with a
clever individual who lives, or did live. IN
Chicago, and who has been preyIng upon
the easy marks of the country in q
rather novel manner. His scheme which Is
a variation of the marriage bureau idea, is
without the legality of these bureaus say
the inspectors. and gives sufficient excuse
for the orders being issued
But the curious thing is that the man
who Is conducting this original business
: through the malls cannot be located The
name he gives in circular letters which he
has sent around the country to marriage
able men is Rev. Joseph Spencer, but this,
1t is said. is known to be fictitious
His plan is to say that in his ministerial
capacity he has been consulted by q very
beautiful widow, who is very anxious to
marry the proper kind of a man and IS
willing to take Rev. Mr. Spencers advice in
the matter. The Rev. Mr.. Spencer. doubt
less believing that there are MANY desery-
ing men In the land who should have a trv
at the widow, makes known through the
mail TO a great many of them the exact
situation, and is very careful to state that
salu WldoW ~ worth ''in actual cash and
negotiable securities" the sum of So. $50
This. of course, catches the eve of the
poor, aVaricious man at once But when
ne reads farther In the letter from the Rev
Mr: spencer he learns that the latter is
VIKING 10 guarantee marriage to the rich
ana beautiful widow within sixty DAYS
Only provided he remit to the said Rev
Mr.. Spencer the small sum of 500 one
tenth TO be paid at once and the remainder
after the marriage ceremony takes place
Upon answer and remttances being re-
celVed, say the inspectors for the Post
once Department, another letter, signed
py Mr. Spencer. is sent to the fortunate in
diVidual, who believes himself good enough
for the widow, telling him that within a
week he VIII receive a letter written to
Mrs. Edna Wilson. which he only will have
TO sign and mail and all will be accom-
plished.
This, sad to relate, is the end of the
matter IN every case. There is reported to
BE- a large quantity of mail matter ad-
Spencer in the Chicago post office. and it
Is this that is the subject of the fraud
order. since the gentleman in question can
not be located. The mail will be held and
meanwhile the authorities are keeping "A
sharp lookout for the promoter of this
novel business enterprise. with a view to
making his personal acquaintance.
The other order is directed against GER
tain Rev. Isaac L. Walton of Savannah.
Ga. who was until recently at the head of
an organization which has headquarters in
several parts of the south purporting to
have for its object the securing of pensions
for eX-slaVes. At least. such is the report
of the inspectors, who have caused several
fraud orders to be issued in the past
against the order, which is known by va
rious names such as the independent Or
der Of the National Industrial Council OF
America Fraternal." Rev. Walton, say the
inspectors. has "A bad habit of distributing
the money he gets through the mail from
applicants for membership in his organiZa-
ton among few of his close friends and
himself, most Of it, however, going into
his own pocket.
The head of this order promised the au-
thorities last December that he would have
a
and would not connect himself with any
scheme for securing pensions for ex-slayes
in his use OF the malls, but it is reported
that he has broken his word. and is at II
once more. The fraud order has now been
issued against all of his personal mail with
the hope of putting final stop 10 the plan.