davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1912-12-15

ceived had ever been owned by Mors.
The list OF operations or the Farmers
and their agents would flll several de luxe
volumes by themselves, and in some OF
them the gigantic nerve OF the salesmen
and their employers surpassed that dis
played In the deals which have already
been described in this article. A case OF
this sort was that Of Mrs. Frederick Rog
ers, OF 9O6 Beacon street, Boston, who.
according to Chief Inspector Swain OF the
New York Postoffice. paid $4,000 for fake
de luxe volumes the day before the federal
grand jury, sitting In New York. indicted
eleven book men for fraud.
The story OF the de luxe book boys In
the epic of American bluff. In their oper-
ations they adopted the philosophy of ths
late PhIneas Taylor Barnum. who de-
clared that the American public would
never grow tired of being humbugged.
They carried the great game to a point
beyond which no further development was
possible, and at that point they have met
the fate which was in store for them frea
the beginning.
New-York tribune., 1912-12-15
A FAVOR" TO RIBLloPHILEs.

To get an insight into the methods pur-
sued by the men who have recently been
placed under federal indictment and
others who made a good living in the book
line 1t is necessary TO go back about hf-
teen years. In those days unscrupulous
publishers were in the habit OF making
up a large number of sets Of cheap books.
10 be sold at about $50 a set. which was
usually much more than they were worth.
To get a ready market for these books
they would then bind up two or three sets
in a showy manner and exhibit them 10
prospective customers with the statement
that they were $4,000 sets but that a
special lot Of books exactly like them,
only in cheaper binding, had been made up
TO sell for $50 set as a special favor
10 the bookloving public. There were
plenty Of suckers, and the business throve.
one day It dawned on a bright young
salesman that the $500 set" could be
sold, and that young man became the
father Of the fake dc luxe edition game.
He bought the unbound sheets OF some
good edition Of a popular authors works
from reputable publisher. An artist
hired for $50 or $50 a week then painted
Illustrations, usually water colors, which
were inserted between the leaves. The
whole thing was then bound by Jobber
in leather closely resembling hand-tooled
work, but in reality stamped by ma
chinery. These books cost the manlpu-
latOr about 81 a volume,
He started i'm selling them on the in
stalment plan-s20O down and $500 a
month for a set The buyers bit more
readily, because they were always told
that the books were 80 raro that their
value was constantly increasing, and that
if a customer were dissatisfied he could
resell his purchase al the end Of two or
three payments at profit
New-York tribune., 1912-12-15
THAT WRAITHLlKE cRGSUs.

Five years ago an improvement was
introduced 1t was In the form Of a
mythical millionaire booklover travelling
in Europe Many dupes who have been
stung by the book boys know him we'll
by hearsay. Letters purporting 10 have
been written by this imaginary person
would be shown to II victim. They were
always written on the stationery OF some
fashionable European hotel, and they au-
thorized the agent TO buy. for example,
twenty sets Of books at $4,000 set. The
stationery was gathered by an agent who
travelled in Europe for that purpose, as
well as to pick up promising acquaint-
ances among American tourists. The let
ters were written in the Office Of the con-
sprators and at their dictation by clerks
hired for the purpose at 81 day.
Il would then be represented TO the vic
tim that by a fortunate circumstance the
exact twenty sets desired by the absent
millionaire could be obtained from the
private library Of a man who had recently
died in Denver. Moreover. the library be-
ing in the hands or this mans heirs, and
these heirs being I'm great need Of ready
cash. the price demanded was only one
half of what the traveller abroad was
willing 20 pay.
TITS a splendid opportunity for invest
ment," the victim would be further told
THE heirs will accept 10 per cent down
and 10 per cent month. This millionaire
will return from Europe in two months
and then you can sell the books TO him
for 500, 900 and pocket profit of $4,000
for yourself You can't get the books
later-youve got TO act now, for the book
world IL on tiptoe for just such sales as
this. and il the heirs ever get wise TO the
real value of she library your chance will
lac gone"
New-York tribune., 1912-12-15
ANOTHER CASE IN POINT.

William r. McHugh, who appeared as
a witness i'm the Bird case, testified that
while employed as a clerk by the Keller
Farmer Company, he had written let
ter signed Clarence King" supposed TO
be from a wealthy booklover, and which.
he swore. was later used By his employ
ers TO defraud Alexander X. Sellers. OF
Philadelphia, out OF $4,000. Indictments
were found in this case. but were
quashed when Augustus r. Keller, the
former partner OF James J. Farmer.
made restitution. The Farmers then
formed the "Anglo-American Authors
Association" while Keller started ths
Anglo American Bibliophile Association"
Keller's organization was short-lived.
which is perhaps a point TO his credit
Another revelation of a swindle that
came out in the testimony Of the Bird
case had to do with the de luxe gymnas-
tics Of one Willis H. Scott Scott has
been placed under federal indictment sinos
Mrs. Birds action. At the time OF the
following story he was also under federal
indictment, but was out on bail. AT that
time he approached a Mrs Amveranetts
Crombie. Of New York, and induced her
to purchase several sets of alleged "rare'
de luxe editions. which ne said were a
part Of the private library of Charles ".
Morse, the banker. Morse, who was later
imprisoned in the federal prison at At
lanta, was at that time IN the Tombs,
and Scott told Mrs. Crombie that the
banker had to raise funds Immediately 20
carry on his appeal.
He also showed her letter, purportins
to come from a rich Westerner, in which
the writer offered to buy certain of Morse's
books for about 100000. Scott induced
Mrs. Crombie to give him $4,000, which
he said was enough 10 get the books.
Then Samuel Warfeld. 1t was testified,
appeared, accompanied by one Jarvis, who
was in reality Romeo w. Nathan, Bos-
ton jeweller. who is now under federal
indictment. They worked the incomplete
library" dodge, and got more than $4,000
more from Mrs. Crombie. Needless to say
none Of the cheap books which she re-
New-York tribune., 1912-12-15

believe that it would have been carried 10
a successful conclusion--from the point
OF view of the buccaneers-but suddenly
II was discovered that there was spoke
in the pilot wheel In other words, the
men who were furnishing the financial
backing for the enterprise let their inn
aginations work too freely. They contem-
plated the approaching combination OF six
statesmen, accustomed TO easy money and
high living, an oceangoing yacht provis-
ioned for a long voyage and a well stocked
wine chest-and decided they did not want
TO take the risk
New-York tribune., 1912-12-15
OUTLINE OF A Willy SCHEME.

Having entertained lavishly on board
the Yacht. for the purpose OF giving ms
chance guests an introduction to his
wonderful collection Of rare volumes,
the "owner" of the vessel and its con-
tents was to receive sudden word that
an unexpected movement In the stock
market had swept away his fortune. lie
would gradually allow his misfortune to
become known, with the additional intor-
nation that for a long time his valua-
bic collection of books had been coveted
nv a millionaire friend, who happened
az the time TO be in Europe
Selecting mis- intended victim with the
ease of long experience, he would i'm
mart the further advice that ready
cash buyer could have the library for
ore half what the absent bookloyer was
willing to pay-say, for $4,000. His hnan-
cial ruin demanded immediate retrench-
ment
The project was diabolical i'm its COM
pleteness In the light of other opera
tioBs, the details of which have already
been related in court it is reasonable to
New-York tribune., 1912-12-15

~LUFF. IN the minds of many peo-
X pie that word stands for America.
~ Globe trotters from Europe bright
on I'D their volumes of American Notes
with witty remarks concerning the great
American game Of bluff" Their readers,
or, at least. those to whom a printed book
is the symbol Of knowledge and truth, are
led to believe that 1t is the biggest thing
in our national life AS a blanket indict-
ment covering ninety millions Of people
II is badly drawn As a word that dptly
describes the manner Of life of specific
persons, il is perhaps more useful in this
country than in any other.
You have met them in your daily round
Of business. You have seen men to whom
a successful bluff is an object in itself.
II is their religion, their sustenance, their
unending JOY. By it they maintain their
existence and by IT they fill that exist
ence with pleasure and pain. The victim
Of the bluff is usually an unsuspecting
stranger. The swift jar of his awakening
is never forgotten. Thus fl is that an
alien observer doing the United States
in one-woek tour remembers it as one
0i lut most picturesque l'ilftoNt W. -At4AN''
can character, and one to which he was
introduced early and often.
The bluff as we know it to-day is an
item Of artistic perfection. II has reached
its apotheosis within the memories Of the
Youngest voters. Il was struggling
through its infancy two generations ago
when another great institution of the Re
public was i'm its prime-the book agent
in the days when the monetary value Of
advertising was less well known the
itnerant book agent was the author s
salvation With d bundle Of sample
pages or a couple Of bound volumes.
under his arm he travelled through coUn-
try lanes and village streets and stopped
at every house to display his wonders.
The best parlor was his sample room, and
his visit was an event.
New-York tribune., 1912-12-15
THE CASE OF MRS. BIRD.

The beginning of the end came few
weeks ago, when Mrs. Emma w Bird
a wealthy widow. whose name stands
high in the social register Of Salt Lake
City, brought suit against the Anglo
American Authors Association to recover
the sum Of $4,000 which she had paid for
de luxe volumes OF an alleged extreme
iarity. A jury awarded her a judgment
OF 1921 after an expert had testified
that he did not believe the books she had
purchased would bring more than 1880
IN the open market, and that similar ones
might be obtained for 5000
The disclosures made during the trial
OF Mrs. Birds action led TO an investiga-
uon by the federal authorities, which un-
yelled alleged gigantic frauds in de luxe
editions. The case was worked up by
Fostofice Inspectors H. A. Barber, Hugh
AcQuillan, Nathan Noile. William Swain
and William Kenyon. They said that
among the victims of the conspirators
was woman well known I'm New York
ior her contributions 10 charity. an octo-
geharisn, who suffered a nervous break
uoWn when she learned the volumes for
winch she had paid $4,000 were worth
less than $1,000
As result Of the postOfiice investiga-
pon eleven indictments were handed UP,
WIN more to follow. 1t was said. by
New-York tribune., 1912-12-15
BARRIERS RAISED AGAINST HIM.

But his days were numbered. Authors
and publishers increased and multiplied.
Marvellous machinery reduced the cost of
manufacture, and the financial risk OF
bringing out a new book lost its terror.
The book agent overran the land until
he became a plague. Where doors had
swung wide at his gentle rapping they
were now slammed in his face in response
10 his insistent knock. Bluff, the rising
young giant. came 10 his rescue Each
drew strength and inspiration from the
other. and together they performed won
derful operations upon the plethoric pocll-
etbooks Of a surprised public.
An introduction 20 the operating room
and a glimpse at the surgical methods
Of the present-day book agent is the pur-
pose Of this article. In the old days he
walked from town to town, past farm
houses and through villages, with pack
on his back Now he rides in Limousine
OF in a private compartment on solid
vsstlbuled train-with library car at
tached lie departs in contempt from an
offer Of less than 500 a volume, and Il
customer who fails 10 take $4,000 worth
is a piker beneath his notice. Ordinary
grafters cape at his nonchalance as ne
gently relieves a booklOver Of cool quar-
ter million.
Yet his glory. too. is dimming Within
the last few weeks several members OF
the fraternity have been placed under
federal indictment for using the United
States mails to defraud. Their ill-sotten
wealth has been largely taken away by
sdlfully conducted civil suits. The colos-
sal nerve Of the early twentieth century
book agent is just now a live topic but
IN short time it will be a subject for
New-York tribune., 1912-12-15
HIGHLY TRAVELLED BOOKS.

In these deals the principal sought 10
evade responsibility by shipping the books
10 one Of his agents In a certain city, who
posed az an independent operator. Thence
they would be shipped 90 another city
the home OF tho victim. In most cases the
principal also sought 20 avoid civil and
criminal prosecution by not doing business
in the same state with his agents or IA the
state where he himself lived. In this way
he could defy e1traditiou by showing that
he was not in the state where the trans
action took place at the time the deal was
being put through.
But I'm 1910 this dodge was met by
change in the postal laws Prior 10 that
time a conviction Tor using the mails. 10
defraud depended on It's being shown that
the principal had sent TO the victim a let
ter containing a Misrepresentation OF fact
An amendment In 1910 permitted an action
TO lie IL there had been any mail commu-
nication from the principal TO the victim
at any time during the transaction.
II was under this amended law that the
book swindlers were pursued with fresh
energy and the Investigations conducted
that resulted in various successful suits
to compel restitution and I'm the recent
wholesale indictments by federal grand
juries for using the mails TO defraud.
New-York tribune., 1912-12-15
FAIRY TALE cLEVERLY TOLD.

In the trial OF the civil suit brought by
Mrs. Bird. previously mentioned In this
article, by which she obtained judg-
ment for $42.977, a great mass Of testimony
was adduced TO show the methods and the
wide field of operations OF James j.
Farmer, his son. Glenn i. Farmer. and
their agents II was testified that Glenn.
working the fictitious millionaire dodge,
first induced Mrs. Bird TO make a pur-
chase Of s25O worth OF books. Mrs. Bird
testified that when the dashng young
man from New York was first introduced
10 her by Heber NJ. Wells. who had been
twice Governor OF the State Of Utah, and
was at that time an employe OF one OF
her fathers banks. she did not dream
that ne was a book agent. She also testi-
fed that she had been told the books she
The Monte Vista journal., 1912-12-07
Don't Forget

A ladies suit, coat or separate skirt
will make very acceptable and useful
present. Every woman wants tur we
have nice stock.
The Monte Vista journal., 1912-12-07
Holiday Suggestions

Abound in Fancy Goods such as sofa
pillows table scarfs, table linen sets, lace
bed sets, dresser sets.
The Monte Vista journal., 1912-12-07

Values from 35c to So so each-In these prices you
will find Point de Venus lace trimmed Madeira
nd-made, hemstitched hens, and hand made
lace trimmed
initiated Handkerchief
Will assert initials IN lots
45c per dozen ............ for very neat initial
65c. for doz initial worked in wreath
45c for doz with raised embroidered initial in wreath
95c for doz all linen with the new long shaped
colored initial.
All other values in initial handkerchiefs with
the hand made lace trimmed edge, go at special
prices
REMEMBER fad this season is wide ribbon
for tying your Christmas packages.
The Monte Vista journal., 1912-12-07
Suggestions from Shoe

Department. Indian Moccasns for all the family.
Fur trimmed felt slippers for chill
den, misses and coors Martha Washington shoes
for Mother Mems slippers in felt and leather
The Monte Vista journal., 1912-12-07
GLASS WARE

Beautiful Christmas ribbons. This is the
finest ribbon collection ever shown in this town, in
both fancies and plain.
Prices as follows
1Oc per yard for all silk taffeta, satin and
fancies, IL to 4 inches wide.
15c per yard for fancies
Csc per yard for 6-inch fancies. plain checks
and floral patterns two-toned taffetas with frnged
edges. These are just the ribbons for fancy bags
and other novelties.
Csc per yard for 6-inch extra heavy all silk
taffeta hair ribbon Black white and coors
with plain and corded edges.
The Monte Vista journal., 1912-12-07
Cut Glass and other Glassware
Handkerchiefs and Ribbons
Clearance of Odd Pieces

Clearance of Odd Pieces
OF Cut Glass and other glassware MANY of
these pieces will meet practical needs, and many
others suitable for Christmas gifts.
CUT GLASS
25 per cent discount-Stem fruit dishes. Bon
Bon, Salad dishes, Sugar and Creamers and odd
pieces SIPS to SIS
GLASS WARE
Water sets, Bell tumblers, Oyster cocktail and
Sherbet glasses Berry sets and others Csc to $3.50
SEE WINDOW
The Monte Vista journal., 1912-12-07

The sentiment for the sensible and useful in gift eiyno
growing Toys for the Children but things more srbsan
tial for the grownups, the decision Of folks nova
days. This especially caters to those seeking the sub
stantial and satisfactory in merchandise.
In fact every facility is at command furnish Won
Christmas rush various sections will have some spec
to those quoted below.
The Monte Vista journal., 1912-12-07
Sensible Merchandise
For Gift Making

just you this class Of merchandise Even during the Christmas
tally good day. We call attention those
The Monte Vista journal., 1912-12-07
RUGS FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS

The first Christmas the lin rtof
the festival celebrated enriched
developed before
In the selections forth ptc
been neglected IS feet
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-29
WILL OPERATE IN
CENTRAL AMERICA
STATE Oh sRTERs y s4o,o0o.oDo
CONCERN. WITH PRINCIPAL
OFFICES HERE.

The state corporation commission
yesterday chartered $4,000. 600
holding company which will maintain
principal offices in Richmond and do
business IN central America.
The name OF the company is the
Central States Eelectric company. and
it's officers are all New York men. It's
purpose is Ia build and operate cleo
trie power and lighting plants IN Can
'ral America. The new company win
take over the Cleveland Electric Illu-
ninating Company. which has an su-
thorized capital stock Of $4,000. 600
Is shares will he divided into sac
e9V,eVa preferred and $4,000. 0oa
common stock. each share to be Of a
par value of 500 The officers OF tbs
+ corporation are Earle q Hines presi.
! dent Albany. ~. - Leon kojaasar
! treasurer, Milestone $. Y. Alfred
Gregory, secretary Brooklyn, \. Y
The State eceived n check for con,
mission Of $500 for the privilege
granted the corporation The concern
VIII maintain Offices In the Mutual
binding
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-29
STUDENTS CELEBRATE
OVER THEIR VICTORY

Especial 20 The RIcnmond Virginian J
ASHLAND. VA. May Return.
ing victorious from Richmond last
night. where yesterday they won from
Richmond college and became cham
pions Of the State. the Randolph
Macon baseball team was met at The
station by most OF the young folks
of Ashland A celebration followed.
with girls Of the town and campus
packed In wagons. tho students went
from one home to another OF the
college faculty All were drawn out
and forced to respond
a huge bonfire was lit and within
is brilliant circle Of light the Young
folks sang and gave college Wells.
Ia winning the state college base
bali mpionship Randolph Macon
becomes posseSsor of It's third cup this
year. 'Jne Was won by the football
team another by the debating team
and the third by The tenn that was
given an ovation last night
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-29

museum Wednesday. Mao 2sth. at IL
A. NJ. .
The annual meeting Will be held In
the Confederate musaem on June Sd.
AT IL A. NJ. when the reports Of the
officers, vice regents and chairmen
will be read. Every member OF the
society is requested To be present at
This meeting.
Meet to Elect Officers.
The annual meeting Of the Con
federate Memorial Literary society
for the election Of officers regents
and vice regents vii be held this
morning at il o'clck AZ the Confed-
crate Museum As this is one of the
most important meetings of the year
q large, attendance o. members Is
desired.
silver Wedding
Mr. and Mrs. W j. Rsgland viii
We a home TO their friends, Saturday
evening. June is;, al S;31 n'clnc%
To honor of the twenty dfth anuiver-
s8ry of their wedding No invitations
have been lsueds
Personals
Nj Charles l. workman has re-
turned from the white Sulphur
Springs
Mrs Thomas t. Moore is spending
six weeks with relatives at Sandy
Spring. trd
Mrs Cornelius Swink. o. Roanoke.
Is the guest of Mrs X e savage. of
IL East Main street
Miss Claire GuiHaame viii leave OH
saturday for Tazewell. Va. whore she
wiIl he the guest Of Miss Graham
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-29
Virginia Railway and Power Company,
William Northrop, President.

Service Talk No. II,
May 20, 1912.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-29

the appolntees 10 the City hospital. IS
a native Of this city, and is in his
twenty -hfth ear. He attended Spring
field schDe some years, ana thea
went to chmond High school
where he - pleted his educational
training. For some months he has
been supplying vacancy in the 'A*~
piral corps at the City home For
three years before he took UP the
study Of mcdincine he was employed
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-29

change is necessitated by reason Of
the rebuilding of the hotel The pres
ent headquarters of Captain Lamb are
those occupied by Senator Martin in
his successful campaign for the Sem
ate, and those which he is to oc-
eupy were used by Congressman w. A
Jones In his unsuccessful fight for re-
eEostien aEaiast Ntrsiaia's. senior san
ator. Captain Lambs friends, how
ever. are not supersttitous
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-29
Attend Mask Ball,


Hiss Edith T.. Hatcher, Of tar@by
HAL. sailed Saturday on the ship Der
lin If tbs n German-i.loyd line, for
three ra0uths' stay abroad Miss
Hatcher accompanied by Miss ROY"
land Of Mars laHd. viii spend a month
FL Vienna ,fter which she VIII Join
group ef 'ia0ists. and go 10 a sea
side resort 'IaHkS. ia Norway They
will spend the month Of September in
london Miss Hatcher was accom-
PANIED Ia &ea York by her mother
Nj N-ilLlaL-a L. HatnNnr-
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-29

4 License 10 DO business in t,l,,, Stale
of Virginia has hefn granted the
Proctor ii Gamble Distributing COM
pany, wrtch sells the output Of the
big Proctor s. Gambl soap factory. OF
Cincinnati, O The distributing com
pany, which Is ca pitalized at $4,000.
as representde in Richmond by W A.
Saunders.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-29

at the printing trade. Or Hawkins.
is a son of Horace Hawkins, the nes
tor Of the Richmond newspaper pro-
fessiuu