Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-22
WOMEN PUPILS
SEEK VAINLY FOR
CHINA PAINTER
FRENCH ART co. VANlSHES
FROM SIGHT
PATRONS WONDER AT ABSENCE
OF DIRECTOR" FOX
Hundreds Of Students Who Sought to
Master Brush Eager to Get
News of Their Former
Instructor

| 215 Byrne building. business urgent.
Any information as to present where
abouts of Mr.. Fox is desired by four
hundred women of Los Angeles and
vicinity"
Between 300 and 400 women of Los
Angeles and adjacent cities are said
to have been cfeverly duped by l.. G.
Fox, recently of San Francisco, and
woman who posed as his sister and
who was known as Mrs. Julia Free
man.
Foxs method of inducing his patrons
to part with their money was an ad-
vertisement inserted in the Los An
geles daily papers, offering employ
ment at home for women without ex-
perience. The women who answered
the advertisements have received the
experience, but also gave up some OF
their money.
Fox arrived in Los Angeles March 8
and engaged room 215 in the Byrne
building, where he advertised to teach
women to paint china. All that was
necessary was a deposit of $3.50, and
twelve free lessons would be given, and
at the end of that time Mr.. Fox agreed
to give employment for those who be-
came proficient. TO make the attrac-
ton strong, he also guaranteed mar
ket for all hand-painted work that
was done at home
Twelve Lessons
| Twelve lessons were all that was
necessary, and at each lesson he
agreed to teach his pupils how to
paint a new flower, in such manner
that they could go home and do the
work without further instructions
He assured them of the demand for
hand-painted china and put the propo-
sition in such alluring terms that
La. adUaPticampn mt
were enthusiastic.
The little room in the Byrne build
ing was thronged each day and bust
ness became so brisk that Fox sent to
Chicago for a woman whom he called
his sister to help, and also employed
Miss Timble of Los Angeles to do the
clerical work. Miss Timble, who lives
at the Hotel Francis, Sixth and Olive
streets, remained but a few days at
her work, as the sister was soon able
to perform all the clerical work.
1t Is estimated that Fox obtained
nearly $500 before he decided to move
to some other locality.
Moves to New Rooms
The lessons were given regularly
until last Saturday, when Fox an
nounced that his business was grow
ing at such pace that new quarters
were needed and that moving would
consume several days. He said he
would reopen in rooms and in the
building at 316 South Broadway last
Tuesday morning.
A conspicuous notice to this effect
was and is now posted on the door OF
room 215 Byrne building.
Fox visited the Iandlady of the
building at 316 South Broadway last
Friday and paid a deposit of 81 for
rooms 8 and 4, and put out sign to
the effect that the French Art COM
pany" would occupy their new
quarters May l.
sired S. deposit. but Fox was in
hurry and all he had handy was two
silver dollars. He was given receipt
and left, with the remark that If Mrs.
Henry had an opportunity to let the
rooms before he was ready to occupy
them it would be all right.
Monday and Tuesday hundreds OF
pupils of the hand-painted china
artist appeared at the Byrne building,
read the notice and went to rooms 3
and 4, S16 South Broadway.
Find Rooms Empty
They were surprised to find the
rooms empty and besieged Mrs. Henry
with questions as to where Mr.. FOX
was.
Ali efforts to locate him were I'M
availng and at the Hotel FRANCIS
where Fox and his sister had rooms,
II was learned that they had changed
their boarding place.
Tt soon dawned on the hitherto I'M
suspecting women that Fox had flown.
Most of the women had just pur-
chased china plates, punch bowls, jar
dinieres and other pieces, had pa1d
their money and were not able to
paint.
make when Mr.. Fox had succeeded in
showing them how to WELD the brush
| and the presents in hand-painted china
that hubby and sweethearts were soon
to receive vanished.
Mrs. Freeman Departs
At the Hotel Francis it was learned
that Mrs Freeman had received dis
patch last Friday which she told the
landlady announced the serious illness
of her daughter. She must go to Chi
cago at once and made arrangements
accordingly. Mr.. Fox also told the
landlady that he must help his sister
in her trouble and would go part of the
way with her. Mrs. Freeman left the
Francis with her trunks Friday night,
| but Fox returned later and announced
that he would not leave until the next
day. Saturday he called an express
man and his trunks were removed. He
told the landlady that business affairs
had changed MS pldHS' ne was BoitS
away for a few days, but would return.
Fox was in his room in the Byrne
building Saturday afternoon, for Mrs.
Nav LeValley of 803 North Pasadena
avenue, Pasadena, called to take her
lesson. She was told to return Tues
day, when the new quarters would be
opened Her experience was similar
to that of other callers.
Fox is described as young man,
apparently not over 20 years of age.
of blonde complexion and baby blue
eyes, Mrs. Henry said that he was
the picture of innocence, we'll dressed,
polished manners, and to all appear
ances a perfect example of what a
gentleman should be-
His customers were convinced by his
manner, and all who came in contact
with him were surprised to hear that
he had left without leaving his for
warding address.
Mrs Freeman, who is supposed to be.
in Chicago, is described as dark, tall
and rather stout. Her age, according
to the landlady at the Francis, was
l about 49, many years older than