Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 October 1902 — “THE JUDY SYSTEM.” [ARTICLE]

“THE JUDY SYSTEM.”

Fowler Leader: One of the most interesting cases this term of court was an action brought by Willis Neil from the Tippecanoe court against John F. Judy for damages. Mr. Judy has grown rich selling goods on “easy payments.” The Judy system reminds us of the plan worked by the railroad land agents out in Kansas. Land was sold on part cash, the rest on long time and easy payments. But if a payment was missed not only was the farm with all its improvements taken, but the horse and the colt, the cow and the calf, the hogs and the chickens, the ducks, the man’s pants, the woman’s stockings, darning needles and the diapers. Everything, and a mortgage pasted on the back of the baby for the deferred payments. He swept away Neil’s blacksmith tools which invoiced S6OO and were sold for something like SSO. That is a reasonable profit. A man named Pauley bought a blacksmith outfit of Judy on the installment plan. Neil assisted him and finally came in full possession of the shop. The last of October Judy and Neil had a settlemeut in which Judy retaiued $75 owing Neil and Neil assumed the mortgage indebtedness. Judy further agreed to pay the bill owing Pauley of $71.35. To the November monthly payment was defaulted because of the $75 held by Judy. In December the tools and everything was taken away, including a few bushels of coal, and sold. The jury valued the tools at such an amount that after deducting the uupaid price there was owing Neil $261.81 and assessed the damages at SIOO.