Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1894 — BUNKO THE FARMERS [ARTICLE]

BUNKO THE FARMERS

How Chicago Produce Swindlers Daringly Victimize Country Shippers. Country produce dealers think they have a grievance against South Water street. Chicago. They cannot be satisfied until various sums of money out of which they have been swindled are returned to them or the swindlers are put behind prison ba-f, or both. South Water stree. teems with swindlers whose operation, are crooked as a forked stick, but who shrewdly manage t j work and thrive safe from prosecution though evading the criminal laws. The Chicago police appear to be powerless, and the postoffice authorities, within wh se jurisdiction these transactions come, con ess that they are unable to make out a ca e that would "stick.” These swindlers are men who have for stock in trade a little cheap furniture and office stationery. They rent a small room somewhere in the produce commission district and send out inflated advertising circulars and business cards to the country- dealers. They are ready to promise anything to get trade quickly, as time is precious to them. The countryman ships his eroorls and waits for a check. After waiting a long time, as he Is .invariably compelled to do, he may wrtte to the firm for a settlement. He receives no answer, and then he makes a sight draft, which in due time come, ba k marked “payment refused,” or “parties not found. ’’ Then he writes to a friend or an officer of the law, and he is informed there is no such firm in the directory or at the address given. The produce is then sold on the open market and the alleged commis-ion man pockets the proceeds. In a month or two he has completed many of these transactionsand lealized considerable money in cash, as his expenses are light. In the mean time complaints, which he completely ignores. are po iring in and the swindler knows that he m ist soon change his base or he may get into trouble. He hires another room, changes the firm nann. has a new stock cf office stationery printed, has the old sign repainted and moves. Members of the Chicago Produce Exchange at a recent meeting decided to take prompt a tioii in getting rid of these swinders. A committee has been appointed to thoroughly ijvestigate the matter, and steps will probably be taken to secure State legislation to meet the ex gencies of such cases. Mrs. Nancy Martin died at Massillon, Ohio, aged 95 years, leaving considerable property, six children, thirty grandchild en and seventy.five great grandchildren. A cHAPTERof Daughters of the Revolution was organ! ed at Dubuque, la.