The Marlin Democrat
Marlin, Texas, Thursday, March 17, 1904

ARRESTED FOR SWINDLING
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Smooth Negro Filches His Race And
Is Caught
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     A negro signing himself "J. H. Rice, state agent for the Callomer Mfg. Co. of Chicago Ill,", was arrested at Bremond Tuesday afternoon and is now in the Falls county jail with a charge of swindling, or procuring money under false pretenses against him.
     The modus operandi adopted by the negro, who struck Marlin a few days ago, was to represent himself as the agent for the above named firm in the placing on installment, subject to approval, of pianos, organs, furniture, clocks or any old thing that might appeal to the fancy or cupidity of his victims, exacting a payment of only a small amount usually $2.96 or $2.98, to "pay express charges". And the receipts show that the negro was willing to accept even the cash payment on the installment plan, if the parties did not have the full amount, in some instances securing 50 cents or $1.00 this way.
     Tuesday was delivery day with in this "state agent" but as he did he not deliver the goods, some of his victims became suspicious, and E. J. Berry, who had invested to the bad, complained to the sheriff's department.
     An investigation followed, it which led to the negro's arrest at Bremond and he is now in jail awaiting further action in the courts.


Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas.