Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-12-27
DRAKE FORTUNE a MYTH.
investigation Begun Of Most AIlurins
Of "0ot .Rich Quick" Schemes.

Bloomington. Ill.,. Dec. 27.-An-
nouncement that the postofflce depart
ment is investigating the methods Of
the promoters of the alleged Sir Fran
els Drake estate get rich quick"
scheme has thrown many of the in
vestors into a panic. and few are
commencing to doubt the integrity of
the proposition which offers $4,000
for an investment of $25.
It has just come TO light that agents
claiming to represent the heirs have
been actively engaged for some time
in selling stock AS the story Is told
the real heirs are unable to carry on
the expensive litigation necessary to
prove ownership. but are willing to
divide the estate with those who are
willing to advance the money to be
used in the English courts.
The promoters assert the estate ag-
gregates s320.000,000 and Is intact and
simply awaiting the court order to be
turned over to the Drake heirs or their
assigns.
When the Drake millions first shed
their effulgence over the United States
heirship was limited to persons of that
name and no one outside was sup
pa used since the project was first
sprung, and large sums of money have
been given to grease the wheels of
litigation.
AS the years passed. many news
papers published affidavits and signed
statements from men high in authority
and Of recognized probity abroad. all
to the effect that no such estate eN-
listed: that even if it did exist. 1t could
not be claimed. as every nation or
Europe has a law which provides that
such estates escheat to the crown or
other seats of government or If held
with unquestioned title for certain
number of years. the ownership be-
comes permanent.
Despite this. the desire for riches
blinded many to the warning. and they
handed over the dollars without hesi-
tancy. To take in outsiders who do
not bear the name of Drake nor have
relations that do, is new phase OF
the situation, and it is this wholesale
method of doing business tina, has at
tracted the attention Of the govern
ment emissaries
CLAYTON G. Herr Of Bloomington. who
is United States commissioner. has re-
ceived instructions to investigate the
operations Of the agents here and file
a report with the authorities at Wash
ington
His investigation showed that dozens
Of persons had invested sums ranging
from s25 to $500. while others had
given 5000 to 500 each. 1t Is assert
ed by persons who have kept close tab
upon the operations of the agents In
central Illinois that fully $4,000 has
been turned over, while reports from
Joliet, Peoria, Springfield and Decatur
state that the agents have been equal
ly active in those places.
If the total secured in Illinois were
made known the amount probably
would prove startling. Railroad men
Of the Chicago & Alton are represented
among the investors, land 1t is said
number have. commenced to worry
cabout their Investment others re-
fuse to believe there issanyuling ,ques-.
tfonabfe aboItstiie neth6sis
1t is an extraordinary fact that the
investors include expetiehced business
men who usually are cautious in such
enterprises. Originally only men OF
ample means were invited to enter the
charmed, circle. but OF late, all classes
and conditions have been permitted to
invest
The Drake money appears so easy
and the profits SO enormous as COM
pared with the trifle invested that the
agents found easy picking, and the
money has been poured into golden
stream.
One man. who invested 800, is so
confident of securing 100000 in return
that he resigned his position and Is
loafing, believing he need no longer
toll for living. Quite a number Of
farmers. noted for their shrewdness.
are said to have BEEN enrolled. Many
clerks, school teachers and steno-
graphers also are said to have risked
their savings. being Convinced they
would return. enhanced thousandfold.
It is said the investors recently were
informed that one Of the promoters
would sail soon for London and, with
half million or so. contributed by
stockholders in the United States.
would speedily set the wheels of Justice