Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1909 — DEFENDANT MORTON WON SUIT ON NOTES [ARTICLE]

DEFENDANT MORTON WON SUIT ON NOTES

Star Vice Notes in Hands of Kansas City People are Sued On and Defendant Gets Judgment.

One, of the most interesting cases that Has been tried In the Jasper circuit court for some time was the suit of J. H. Martin, of Kansas City, who brought suit against F. P. Morton, of Goodland, but formerly of this county, for the collection of two notes each for $lO2. The notes were given about two years ago by Mr. Morton in payment of the exclusive right to sell the Star vice in Boone county. It will he recalled that two gentlemen came to this county and sold these jacks. They were a very handy little device and there was a ready market for them, and several parties were interested and bought through the men that visited here the right to sell the vice in other counties. It seems that several of the men found when they began a canvas of their territory that other agents had canvassed the county for a similar tool called the Union jack. Mr. Morton found on investigation that the tools were manufactured by the same company and he was of the opinion that he had been tricked. The notes turned up in the possession of J. H. Martin, of Kansas City, and the suit was fought on the grounds that Martin was not an innocent purchaser but was familiar with the scheme of-the sales agents. The jury was out an hour and a.

half and brought in a verdict for the defendant. There are said to be several other parties who had given notes here for the same purpose and all of these notes are in the possession of Martin. Some of the county right purchasers made all or part payments and so far as we have heard G. L. Thornton and sons are the only ones that broke even. They had the Benton county right and got busy at once and after selling a good many jacks also sold the agency. In old times they called a county right to sell a patent protected article by the quite appropriate name of “blue sky” and while the article itself may be very worthy, it is seldom that the persons that buy the sale privilege get out even. This suggestion should be tucked away with the one recently published in this paper about mining stock, and if we are not mistaken it is appropriate at this time. When some fellow wants to sell you a “blue sky” right, call for a list of his pleased customers at other places, and after you get his list verify it. When a man gives a note to a stranger and discovers later that he has been stung he is mighty lucky if it don’t fall into the hands of some one that can collect it. L_