The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-30
FORTUNE MADE By
AN ARMLESS GIRL
Begging Through the Mail Nets
Thousands of Dollars
HER SCHEME Is STOPPED
Postoffice Authorities Step In and Put
an End to Graft Game After
Girl and Her Manager
Get Rich.
HER SCHEME Is STOPPED

Use of the mails is resorted to by artful
crooks as a most convenient way of de-
frauding the defenseless public. The chief
postoffice inspector and his numerous ex-
pert assistants stationed in various parts
of the country are busy at all times try
ing to save the people from being ille-
gally separated from their money" Lit
tie does the public realize the nature OF
the schemes employed to defraud through
the mails. Almost every day the post
master general signs orders depriving in
dividuals and concerns, conducting busi-
nesses to defraud, from further use of the
mails. This is not always the final dispo-
sition of such caes-numbers of these indi-
viduals are summoned to court, and in
many instances, after trial, sentenced to
serve long terms in the penitentiary.
Perhaps one of the most unusual
schemes to defraud. through the mails,
was discovered not long ago. After thor
ough investigation by the inspectors, 1t
was ultimately suppressed, but not until
after the promoters had reaped a harvest.
The scheme consisted of an appeal to the
people for financial assistance In behalf Of
bringing her condition to the public at
tention, she published a booklet and sent
It broadcast throughout the country. The
booklet was devoted to brief history of
the girls life, detailing an accident by
which she had lost both of her arms. The
narrative was accompanied by illustra-
tons of the unusual work she performed
with her feet. With each booklet mailed
was enclosed a coin card, requesting the
q circular letter appealing to the recipient
for money with which to build a home
and get some good motherly woman to
take care of 1t for her.
The investigation made by the Inspector
developed the fact that the armless girl
had entered into contract with man,
who resided In the same city, to furnish
the capital necessary to publish the book
let. In return the man was to receive,
and did receive, one-half of the net pro-
ceeds derived from the sale of the book
let. He was first reimbursed for the
money he had advanced to pay for its
publication.
On his initial visit to the town where
the business was being carried on, the In
spector found that the enterprise had at
tanned such proportions that the services
of eleven persons, in addition to the arm
less girl and her manager, were required
The girl informed the inspector on this
visit that at that time three Thousand
booklets per day were being mailed; that
the daily receipts amounted to from sS5
to $3.50, and that the business was steadily
increasing. She further informed the in
spector that up to that time she had &C.
cumulated as her share of the proceeds
more than $4,000. While the representa-
tons appearing In the booklet respecting
the physical condition of the girl were
true, she had long passed the stage where
she was dependent upon charity.
When tho inspector was satisfied that
the girl was no longer subject for char
ity. and that her manager was sharing
equally In the proceeds, the subject of de-
priving them Of further use of the mails
was taken up. The interested parties
were asked to show why such an order
should not be issued. After appearing
and oonsenting to eliminate from their
literature Objectionable and misleading
statements, they were permitted to con-
tlnue their business. During the ensuing
few months the business dwindled to
practically nothing, and it was soon aban-
doned entirely, the elimination of the OBJ
jectionab1e features from the literature
having proved as effective as the fssu-
ance of a fraud order.
The letter which accompanied the book
let was a reproduction. A foot-note ex-
planned that 1t was a facsimile of q let
ter written with the feet of the GIRL and
that she would like to write each ono O
personal letter, but 1t would be too much
of task. On the reverse side of the
letter. what the girl proposed to do with
the money derived from the sale Of the
booklet was explained and at the Same
time little history of her past was re-
cited. It was stated she had not had
much experience in a business way and
that her friends thought it advisable that
she have some one look after her inter
ests, and that the county court had ap-
pointed q man to act as her trustee.
The booklet enclosed, in addition to CIV
ing a detailed history of the girls life.
contained many illustrations Of the per-
Torrance of marvellous acts with her feet,
such as sharpening q pencil. using the
sheers, writing combing her hair saving
wood, and presented many reproductions
of embroidery work and pen sketches
In conclusion are words Of commendation
from various wefl-known persons IN her
community.