Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1908 — Expose of New Swindle Scheme. [ARTICLE]

Expose of New Swindle Scheme.

It Is reported that a sort of "J. Rufus Wallingford,” who likes to make his money easy, has been operating In this part of the state with a scheme new to Indiana. It takes four people, a ministerial-appearing man, a blushing young girl, a young man, likewise blushing, or at least stammering, and a farmer. The farmer must' have money or the game will not work. The ministerial-appealing man arrives at the home of the farmer just about the time darkness arrives. He has been doing some work among the rural people, he says, and he is very tired. He would be glad to pay for a night’s lodging, but usually the farmer and his wife take the minister in, give him something good to eat and provide a bed free of charge. _ During the evening the young man and young woman come to the house and they blush, hesitate and stammer before stating their business and finally the young man asks if it is true that a minister is staying all night at the house. The farmer replies In the affirmative. Then the story comes out. The young people are- eloping and they want to get married right there and then. When the "minister” hears the request of the young people he objects. I By that time the farmer and every member of the family have taken such an interest in'the matter that they urge the minister to go ahead with the ceremony. He finally deI cldes to do so, and the words are said. Then the supposed bridegroom produces a marriage license and ' asks the farmer to sign it as a wltI ness that the ceremony was proper--Ily performed. The farmer eagerly grants the request and the certificate is made out by the minister. Then the young people drive away and the next morning the "minister ,, leaves. * A few days later the farmer gets a notice from his bank that a promissory note for SSOO has been left there. He is asked to please call and pay the amount due on IL The farmer hurries Into town and finds that the supposed marriage license certificate he signed was a note instead.