Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1907-01-04
RECORD HOAXES.
Remarkable Swindles and "sellS"
That Astonished the world.

Remarkable Swindles and "sells"
That Astonished the world.
Less than twenty years ago a report
got into circulation among tire peas
ants of Bosnia that the great Niennese
banker. Baron Rothschild, had been
sentenced to death for treason ana
was trying to secure substitute Will
ing for a handsome consideration 10
undergo the extreme penalty IN ms
stead. \ large number Of peasants
banded together to furnish this suosu-
tute by cast s lots
1t was not until the authorities had
posted in every village throughout the
Infected districts strong denial of the
canard that the rioting and ferment
caused by the bankers apparent reluc-
tarce to part with the blood money
was allayed.
On one occasion the Times itself fell
a victim to an extraordinary piece or
journalistic humOr. 4 correspondent
sent a letter to 1.-The Thunderer' de-
Dloring the restitution prevalent in GER
tain parts of Italy consequent upon Inc
absolute failure of the macaroni crop.
Ignorant of the fact that this popular
article of Italian diet is not a plant at
all. but manufactured from -four, the
Times published leader on the sub
iect. suggesting the establishment OF
fund to assist the sufferers.
A hoax which nearly caused war be-
tween Austria and ROumania con-
vulsed eastern Europe less than dec
ade ago. The inhabitants Of Restchuk,
in the latter country, were convinced
of the existence in their midst OF
werewolf man who is able at will
TO change himself into a huge, Zero
cious wolf.
Men of science doubted the story.
and in a wOrdy argument with local
resident the famous Austrian profess
or. Taublich. was killed for laughing
at what he had termed a tissue OF
nonsense" Complications Immediately
arose between Austria and Roumania'
the former country demanding the IN
mt execution Of the murderer.
Inst as Austria was about to present
IN ultimatum the werewolf was snot
and wounded, proving to be moth
nc more than stupid practical joker,
whose folly not only cost a valuable
life but had almost plunged Europe
into the horrors Of war.
Danger. the well known American
actor of the early sixties, had weak
ness for hoaxing his fellows. On one
occasion while resting in Minnesota
he was seized with a bright idea. he
secured a dummy, dressed it in a suit
Of old clothes and hid it Mt night in the
woods near the adjacent lake Next
morning he hired boat, got the dunn
my aboard unseen and rowed away
about half a mile from the shore. When
the beach was fairly crowded with peo-
ple he began gesticulating wildly at his
supposed companion. Next he pounced
upon the dummy like a madman' ana
a fierce struggle which ensued threat
ened. to the excited watchers on land
to caDsize the frail craft. Next they
saw Danger fight his companion down.
burl him into the water and with re-
heated blows Of an oar sink the body
in the lake.
Then the actor, chuckling at the e2'
citement he had aroused, pulled for the
onposite heavily timbered beach. A
minute later several boats filed Will
armed men were in hot pursuit. The
suDDosititious criminal reached the
woods we'll in advance Of his pursuers
and got clear away while the whole
countryside was searching for him.
Eventually, however, the fraud was
revealed.
A Journalist once succeeded in hoax
ing many OF the leading London news
papers. and through them the provin
cial press, at the expense Of the grea
abolitiouist Wherefore. He was
reporter in the press gallery in the
house Of commons, and he pretended Il
read to his colleagues from his notes
the following passage from a speed
with which he credited the famous par
liamentariau:
HAD it been my lot to be born il
Ireland. where my food would hav,
consisted principally Of the potato, tina
most nutritious and salubrious root, in
stead of being the poor, infrm, stunte'
creature you, sir, and honorable gen
tlemen, behold in me, would hav
been a tall. stout, athletic man, able t
e bear an enormous weight"
No wonder Mr.. Wherefore read tn
passage with establishment in the mex
mornings press, for he had not ad
dressed the house at all for som
weeks.-London Answers.