davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1921-10-23
Magnetic Sway.

1T will DO a bank for ladies only"
replied her companion. ANY wo.
man who has q little money saved
up can come to us for advice. We
win take her money and tell her
how TO invest II to the best advan-
tase. 30 that she will get moro inter.
est than. she can in any other way.
Moreover, as the bank win be run
by two women they will be more
likely to trust us than they would
men"
but I don't know anything about
running bankr protested Sophie
Lyons.
THAT doesn't matter in the least
little Bit" answered Carrie Morse.
II know all that we ought to know.
and l can soon put you wise to any.
thing that matters. All you have TO
do Ia to follow my instructions and
you'll soon be AZ rich as most poo.
pie are"
Though Sophie Lyons did not like
TO take on the swindle which was
offered to her. she fell under the
magnetic sway OF Carrie Morse as
nearly everybody who met her did.
Carrie Morse" said the we'll
The Washington times., 1921-10-23
MORSE, MOST FAMOUS OF AMERICAN IMPOSTORS 3
DUCED TO A SCIENCE THE ART OF FLEECING OWN SCI

given a key number, and the edit
tress OF the Messenger undertook
TO forward the necessary letters from
inquiring husbands.
"All statements made In the sd-
yertisements In "Cupid's Messenger"
are the advisers own statements"
ran the Introduction 10 this amazing
paper. And you must accept these
statements as they are given TO us.
While some claim 10 possess means.
there are others who make no men,
tion OF II whatever. and yet may
possess a fortune"
For any one who desires TO be-
come a member Of ''The Select Club"
CThe swindle came In what was
called by Carrie Morse THE Select
club'D ran her editorial. "a sum OF
five dollars will cover all postage
and other expense till the member is
suited and married to one Of the
many magnificent catches adver-
tised In the Messenger"
The Washington times., 1921-10-23
Caught at Last.

This tempting bait ELECTED dozens
Of replies from men Of all ages and
qualifications who had small
amount Of capital and wanted to add
to 1t In the pleasant way suggested
in the advertisement.
All the men who replied were
given an appointment with Mrs.
Gunenmayer alias Carrie Morse. who
had come to the end of her re-
sources. having spent practically all
the money she had obtained from the
unfortunate New York widows.
Carrie Morse had one advantage
over most women swindlers. She
was well educated, and she was ex-
ceedingly good-looking. She had
large experience in various parts of
the world, and this experience she
quickly put to use, and swindled
every man who wrote to her out of
the capital he said he had. She be.
came engaged TO no fewer than
thirty men in different parts of
Chicago. and when she had fleeced
them she fled. once more the police
were after her. This time she was
caught, and was sentenced to three
years Imprisonment
When she came out she moved to
San Francisco, where she started n
paper called "Cupid's Messenger"
/ have a copy OF this in front Of me
now, and II is one Of the most amaz.
ing productions that has ever been
published.
only one copy OF this paper was
ever published. and II contains what
purports to be the records and photo
graphs Of no fewer than three hun.
dred and fifty women with varying
sums Of money who are eager to
get married to some unknown ad.
mirers.
The addresses Of none Of these
women were given, but to each was
The Washington times., 1921-10-23

well. you'll soon have thousands
II you like to come In with me-" re-
piled Carrie Morse. Come along
and let's have something to eat to-
Eether.'
The two entered a well-known res
taurant In Broadway. and many were
the curious and envious eyes which
were turned on Carrie Morse as she
swept up the restaurant like queen,
and sat down at one OF the tables
From the, long ostrich plume which
dropped from her latest Partisan hat
to the shiny toes OF her high-heeled
shoes she was dressed in the height
Of fashion and expense.
At her throat sparkled valuable
diamond brooch. and when she re-
moved her gloves her fingers were
q continual sparkle Of princely rings.
Yet despite her valuable jewelry
Carrie Morse did not give the slight
est impression Of being overdressed.
though, in fact, she was one OF the
cleverest swindlers who ever lived.
The Washington times., 1921-10-23
Simple Methods.

Carrie Morse worked this swindle
In conjunction with a German inter
national swindler whom she picked
up in Europe on her travels. Her
methods were very simple. She in
stalled her confederate at one Of
the best hotels In the town. and
then let the newspapers know that
the handsome looking foreigner who
passed as plain Mr.. So-and-So. was
no other than the Baron Won Hy-
man. the wealthy Hungarian noble.
man who was touring the United
States incognito. Needless to say,
the enterprising reporters were soon
round at the hotel begging the
Baron" for an interview.
The baron promptly let It be
known that he was exceedingly an
The Washington times., 1921-10-23
Over the Tea Cups.

In every detail Of her tall. we'll.
rounded figure she set off her gar
ments like a woman who was ac-
customed to moving in the most ex-
elusive circles. Her well-kept hands.
her gentle voice. her magnificent
complexion, and the attractive way
she arranged her wonderful chest
nut hair. all spoke Of one accustomed
to luxury and refinement, and Of
one who would have held her hands
up In horror at the thought Of doing
anything underhand. And that was
precisely the effect Carrie Morse
meant to convey.
Over the tea cups she revealed
part Of the plans for one OF her
latest coups, a swindle which was
to make her name ring throughout
North America. and make the police
Of the world keep an eye on her
when she deigned to visit their
countries.
IT want your help, Sophie. to
start a bank" she said.
ITO start a bank!" echoed Sophie
Lyons why. you know very well
that both Ned and myself are bank
robbers. You mean to rob a bank.
don't your"
mo, start a bank" replied Carrie
Morse. II have been planning It out
for weeks, and all want now is
partner I can rely on to bluff things
through all the time"
Sophie Lyons. she knew. was Just
that type Of woman, for. with the
possible exception Of herself, she had
more nerve In a difficult situation
than any other. woman she knew.
She had also the advantage Of being
well educated and Of having travelled.
SO she was thoroughly accustomed
to meeting people Of all kinds and
holding her own with them.
What kind Of bank Is IT." asked
Sophie Lyons. .....
The Washington times., 1921-10-23

II would have seemed obvious that
few pretty girls OF only twenty one.
with five thousand dollars In the
bank. would need TO advertise their
charms In order to increase their
chances Of getting married. The
whole thing was a swindie. on the
face of 1t. yet several hundred men
allowed themselves TO be swindied,
till the town became too warm for
Carrie Morse. and she fed to carry
on her swindles elsewhere.
But Carrie Morse's most cunning
matr,mo! dodge was when she
conceived the idea of marrying poor
titled aristorats from Europe to
wealthy heiresses In America. Here
she netted thousands of dollars be-
fore she was caught. for rich Ameri-
can girls jumped at the chance Of
becoming Lady X. or the Countess
Y.
The Washington times., 1921-10-23
Plausible Arguments.

So persuasive was Carrie Morse.
who made a special point OF seeing
all new customers herself. that in the
great majority of cases she persuad-
ed her victims not only to invest
what spare cash they had got in
the new bank, but to sell out Sc.
curities they had otherwise and
transfer them to her. Some few.
Of course, were suspicious, and with
them the bank swindler had quick
and plausible argument which never
failed.
Naturally / would rather you
were not influenced by anything
have said" she pointed out in her
sweetest manner. 1t is not only
right. but II is your bounden duty
to investigate fully everything /
have told you. and assure yourself
that we are really paying the profits
we say we are on our investments.
Perhaps you would like to see and
talk with one of our customers,
who has done 30 well with our in
vestments that she has taken an
interest In our bank. I'm sure you
will be Interested in talking with
Mrs. Rigsby."
And when the unfortunate Gus
toner saw Mrs. Rigsby. alias Sophie
Lyons. she was generally convinced
by the appearance of wealth of the
latter and the enthusiastic way she
spoke Of how her fortune had been
made, and she hurried back to in.
vest her all. ...
Hundreds OF women invested In the
bank in few weeks, and took away
colored orinkly share and stock Ger.
tificates which looked as important
as they were In fact rubbishy. These
certificates were printed in a variety
OF colors. FOR there's nothing
woman likes more than splash Of
color" said Carrie Morse after
wards.
Carrie didn't hesitate to rob the
poor as well az the rich. One day a
poor old widow who had laboriously
saved five hundred dollars came to
her and asked her IL II was really
true she could get $500 to s126.00
year on her money II she put II
In the woman's bank.
''of course you can," replied Car.
rie Morse. whose heart was. like
steel. and who was prepared to swim.
die the old widow out OF her life's
savings as cheerfully as she swim.
died richer women who could afford
TO lose suoh a sum and not notice II.
But the widow wa~ not oaasinced.
The Washington times., 1921-10-23
Marriage Swindle.

IL Is amazing that such twaddle
should be believed In by any sane
man, still less that any should send
money on the chance Of being intro.
duced to some ailuring damsel who
advertised her charm In a paper.
Yet hundreds Of men from all parts
OF the country sent In their money.
ana eagerly asked to be put In touch
with one OF the advertisers.
Here is one Of the advertisements,
which I quote as 1t stands:
Gentlemen. we introduce to you
one OF the most beautiful and most
handsome of ladies who has ever
registered with us. We call her q
charming brunette. She has q fair
complexion. with large dreamy eyes
and lovely brown hair; she dresses
with taste. and is stylish. and very
bright and witty. She has seen
twenty-one summers pass by. there
fore. she is of the right age TO know
how to make man happy. This
modest and charming little lady has
five thousand dollars in her own
right. What offers?"
1t will be noted that the modest
little lady OF twenty-one has five
thousand dollars. precisely the same
sum as the widow in Chicago had
to invest!
The Washington times., 1921-10-23
Powers Of Persuasion.

It will hardly be believed. but
Carrie Morse, with her amazing
powers Of persuasion and her mag
nificently regal air. had actually
bluffed hard-headed business men to
carry out the work for her on long
credit!
She did not tell her confederate
exactly what her plans were till the
day the bank opened.
Come down and have a look at
It, and get familiar with the appear
ance inside" she said. Because I
don't want you to be here more
than I can help. Your job will be
to instill confidence In those / fail
to win over to invest
Over the front OF the new building
In huge golden letters appeared the
sign, "The New York Women's
Banking and Investment Com
pany." Tho inside was maSnifi-
Gently furnished in oak. and gave
one the feeling as soon as the bank
was entered that ones money was
safe In II for all time. At one side
of the counter was q door marked
Private" with Mrs. Celia Riesby,
president, and Mrs. Carrie Morse,
general manager, painted on It in
bold letters.
Come In here, where we can
talk" said Carrie Morse.
who's Mrs. Celia Rigsby1" ask.
ed Sophie Lyons.
You are, my dear" answered
Carrie Morse. That's the part
want you to play. You are the
president of the bank, though you
won't have TO take any active part
In It,"
well, what do I dot" asked the
puzzled Sophie Lyons.
You'll take rooms near the Fifth
avenue. In fact, I've already taken
them for you" announced her com.
panion, who IL might he mentioned
here carried out the whole swindlo
from beginning to end, telling her
fellow crook M little as possible.
Those women who come to the
bank and are a little afraid of In
The Washington times., 1921-10-23

known detective. Robert Pinkerton,
with her. natural charm and elo-
quence and magnificent air. as well
as her remarkable ability. could
have made fortune in any business
she chose to take up, and there was
not the slightest reason why she
should take up crime. As II was,
she made a fortune at that and lost
II, and caused the police Of America
and Britain more trouble than any
other woman swindier I have ever
met"
"Well. meet me tomorrow at 8
O'clock" she said finally to Sophie
Lyons after she had definitely OBJ
tanned her promise to help. Meet
me at West Twenty-third street and
III show you the new bank
The number Carrie Morse had
given her confederate proved to be
three-story brown-stone house
which. to the establishment of the
crook, was being rapidly pulled
down when she arrived there to
keep her appointment the following
morning.
where's the bank. Carrier"
There, my dear" laughed Car
rie Morse. pointing to the building
in course OF destruction. THE
workmen are busy pulling 1t down.
and in a few weeks you'll see
magnificent new building rising on
the site. one of the finest bank head
quarters in New York"
Where are you getting the
money from?" asked Sophie Lyons.
1T win cost you thousands of dol
lars before you start
''Hushr' warned the other. Don't
speak about money In front of any,
body here. I've leased the house.
and ! am having II rebuilt entirely
on credit. have only sufficient
money to last me until 1t opens.
am nearly a. hard up as you. and
that's why I've hit on this idea of
starting q bank. That's where peo-
pie keep money. and you and I are
going to keep the bankr'
The Washington times., 1921-10-23

and was referred as usual to Sophie
Lyons. In those days the latter
was not the hardened criminal she
afterwards became, and she was
righteously indignant when the poor
old widow came to her for advice.
AS automatically as she could she
advised the widow to keep her
money where 1t was. and the next
time she met her confederate she
warned her that she would not help
her to rob the really poor.
I'm willing to help you to swim
die those who can afford 1t. but l
draw the line at taking the bread
out of the mouths Of people like
thatv' she exclaimed, indignantly.
Carrie Morse said nothing at the
time. but 1t transpired after that
the poor widow had been unable to
resist the advertisements Of the
cunning swindler and had handed
over her life savings to the safe
keeping Of Carrie Morse. never to
see them again.
Sophie Lyons pressed for her
share in the profits which she kAew
must be made. but her fellow swim
ler put her off in an ingenious way.
"Why. your very question shows
how little you know of banking
methods" she said. tits the proper
thing to leave all money in a new
business for at least six months. AT
the end Of that time, when we ought
to invest it in the ordinary way of
business. We'll divide 1t up and make
a tour Of Europe on what we've
made"
But long before the six months
were up Carrie Morse had fled and
left her fellow swindler in the lurch.
One morning Sophie Lyons decided
to go down to the bank and ask her
confederate about some rather awk-
ward question which had been put
to her by a prospective woman in
vestor.
To her astonishment she saw, as
soon as she turned into the street
where the bank was, that II was
closed, and that a large crowd of
women were surging round the en-
trance. She was quick.witted
enough to realize that the crash had
come sooner than she expected, and
she hurried back to her rooms,
packed a few things, and fled.
The Washington times., 1921-10-23
Unsuspecting Victim.

Sophie Lyons fell as unsuspecting
iy into her confederate's scheme ss
did the hundreds OF unfortunate
women who invested in the New
York Women's Banking and Invest
ment Company" and lost their all.
Carrie Morse was not above swind-
ling one OF her own confederates II
she had the chance. once more prov.
ing the falsity OF the idea that there
10 honesty among thieves.
Sophie found that her confeder.
ate not only provided her with a
magnificent suite OF rooms in one Of
the most fashionable quarters Of
New York. but she also provided
her with sufficient money. to buy
the necessary dresses to keep up
the appearance she was expected to
do.
Where / fail to persuade my
clients you are bound to succeed. for
when they see the rooms you are
living in they'll half believe any
tale you like to tell them"
There's one thing that puzzled
me when / looked in at the bank. I"
said Sophie Lyons. ''and that is I
can't understand why all the men
you have employed. the clerks and
cashiers. are all old men. most Of
them with white boards
'Oh. had reason for that" an
swered Carrie Morse. Don't you
know that there's nothing that IN
spires confidence faster than an old
man? A man who looks old enough
to be your father you instinctively
trust more than you would a young
man. especially II you are a woman
and are going to trust them with
money! After an old man. with
venerable white beard, know moth.
ing better than a pretty woman.
That's where you and l score. 1
have already got the builders and
decorators to trust me. haven't
paid them a cent for their work
yet, and / don't intend to II l can
help it."
AS soon as Carrie Morse had in
stalled her confederate in the
fashionable rooms in New York near
the famous Fifth avenue she began
advertising in all the papers. offer
ing widows and other women who
have money to invest Is to 20 per
cent on their money" AS this was
something like three times as much
money as investments usually
brought in. hundreds Of women
called at the new bank to gain par
ticulars.
The Washington times., 1921-10-23

she had worked She had not even
paid the printer who had printed
the bogus stock certificates for heri
She had, at any rate, been thorough
in her swindling.
1t did not transpire till some time
afterwards that she had even swind-
led her confederate out of her share
of the booty. and Sophie Lyons was
left a fugitive in America. while
Carrie Morse, under a different
name, Of course, sailed for Europe,
and had a right royal time on the
proceeds Of her swindle. Although
she managed to get away with close
on 500, 900. and nearly all of 1t she
spent in riotous living.
this daring swindle, for the simple
reason the police caught her years
afterwards in new form of swind-
ling in Chicago, and were satisfied
when they got her behind prison bars
for a period without worrying TO try
her for every offense she committed.
A few years after the bank swindle
in New York there appeared an ad-
vertisement in the Chicago Tri-
bune," which on the suface appeared
to be a very innocent one. 1t was to
the effect that widow with a CAPT.
tai of five thousand dollars would
like to meet a single man with a
little capital with a view to matri.
mony and starting a small business.
The Washington times., 1921-10-23

noyed that his IDENTITY had become
known. and for some days he alb
soluteiy refused to talk. Naturally,
this only caused greater curiosity,
and every mother of eligible dsush.
ters was soon inquiring now she
could offer to obtain an introduction
TO the charming ba-on. and invite
him round to their house. Here
Carrie Morse. a. the bAron's private
secretary. proved very useful. and
she saw to II that the baron accepted
these invitations where there was
plenty OF money
More than one American heiress
had reason to regret that she ever
wanted a.title. for the bogus baron
and his confederate swindled q large
number before they were safely put
behind prison bars. In all these
schemes, In the stories that were
told. Carrie Morse was the brain.
She provided suspicious fathers with
proofs OF the baron's large estates
In Hungary: she. with her charming
manner. deluded the reporters who
inquired too closely into the exact
position Of these estates: and she
1t was who at the critical moment
always produced some document or
other which seemed to clinch the
arguments in favor Of the baron's
genuineness.
Carrie Morse was undoubtedly q
genius in her way. and would have
had a splendid career II she had
chosen to be honest. But she had
some curious kink in her brain
which made her take the risks of a
life Of crime. She served a number
Of terms of imprisonment. and after
each she sank lower and lower in
her methods. and finally died In the
utmost poverty in Chicago only 70
Gently.
The Washington times., 1921-10-23

Did the. wife put in too much
yeast or the husband put in too
many raisins In the home brew con.
coction. and which caused the ex.
plosion Of the jug which injured
both?"
The controversy over the prepond.
erence OF yeast and raisins has
reached such stage that divorce
proceedings have been instituted
and the end is not yet In sight.
THE official stenographers of the
House Of Representatives say that
Representative Otis Wingo Of Ar.
kansas is probably the fastest talker
in that body. His speech-making
speed ranges from IT'S to 22s words
per minute. Sometimes, when ne
becomes quite excited. Wingo can
hit II UP for more than 225. The aver.
age speed is about $50 words per
minute. Representative Clyde Kelly
OF Pennsylvania Is another fast talk.
er. and Representative Charles d.
Carter Of Oklahoma, who has In
dian blood in him. is likewise a speed
marvel. Uncle Joe" Cannon is
about the. slowest talker in the
House.
Billy Sunday, the evangelist, gave
the official reporters of debates a
run for their money but they got
him. One day when he was IN
Washington Mr.. Sunday was invited
to deliver the chaplain's prayer at
the opening Of the House. Fred
Irland, dean Of the stenorraph,c
corps. had heard Sunday preach and
expected him to pray almost as rap
idly. Evangelist Sunday did. He
prayed for a little more than three
minutes at the average speed OF s57
words per minute.
The prayer Of Mr.. Sunday was
stenographicaily reported by Mr..
Iriand and the evangelist subse-
quently said that the whole PRAYER
was there. Burst of oratoricai speed
calling for the reporting of 3S7 words
per minute are rare in Consress,
Out no matter now fast they come
tho official reporters OF the Senate
ana House have been able TO take
them. Mr.. Sundays uttsrances
were new matter" as the average
member OF Congress doesn't talk
much about religion.
tCepyrisht 1881 BY Theodore TiII.r)
The Washington times., 1921-10-23
Paris Cafes Find
New Check Graft

PARIS. Oct. -. - The all.nlsht
Montmartre dancing joints have hit
upon a new supplement for their
bills which already included cover
charse' luxury tax. obligatory bottle
OF champagne. and sometimes the
date In several cases It has been
worked as follows, Tired business
man takes wife to sec life" He
isn't fond of dancing. Sleek young
man In evening dress respectfully
offers to dance with madam" As a
lark, madam" dances. When the
tired business man gets the bill Il
includes tho item, Dance for madam.
twenty france"
The Washington times., 1921-10-23

THIS Is the first of q series of articles on
"The Worlds Greatest Women Impos-
tors" by Nazarienne Daan Kannibelle, fam
Gus crime investigator. The second article
which will appear next Sunday will tell of
"The Beauty Queen, Who Made Fortune by
Swindles and Blackmail by Selling Mag
netic Dew of Sahara and Jordan Water"