Nineteenth Century Mail-Order Bride SCAMS, Part 3

 Nineteenth Century Mail-Order Bride SCAMS, Part 3, wherein a man with two wives (neither knows about the other) seeks yet two more… entirely to swindle them of their means. This article may appear lengthy (10 separate snippets), but it’s so well worth a read. “Franks”, as he presents himself on the West Coast, in the middle of defrauding women through multiple marriage agencies is scammed, himself, by a “wealthy widow” in demand of a expensive courtship. [Amateur historians will find myriad details worth noting, such as the communication of chiefs of police, use of the term ‘dead beat’, laws on the books, and so much more.]

San Francisco Chronicle, 29 January 1899. Image included with article header.

San Francisco Chronicle. 29 January, 1899. Part 2 of 10.

Note: The article is a bit difficult to read in places, as the 116 year-old images either did not scan well or had faded beyond the ability to do so. With a bit of patience it is readable…and the story told within is so worth understanding. I urge you to read it all!

San Francisco Chronicle. 29 January, 1899. Part 3 of 10.

San Francisco Chronicle. 29 January, 1899. Part 4 of 10.

San Francisco Chronicle. 29 January, 1899. Part 5 of 10.

San Francisco Chronicle. 29 January, 1899. Part 6 of 10.

Note: See in the above section that Franks had borrowed something like $50…then attempted to borrow a much larger sum. Today, $50 is a good chunk of change but not the end of the world. According to an inflation calculator, $50 of 1898 dollars would be worth: $1,428.57 in 2015 (calculator does not extend to 2016). Okay…Almost $1500 is a lot of money.

San Francisco Chronicle. 29 January, 1899. Part 7 of 10.

San Francisco Chronicle. 29 January, 1899. Part 8 of 10.

San Francisco Chronicle. 29 January, 1899. Part 9 of 10.

San Francisco Chronicle. 29 January, 1899. Part 10 of 10.

Amazing, isn’t it? One man, using multiple matrimonial bureaus and agencies to defraud multiple women of their property, finds himself scammed in the midst of it all by a woman demanding an expensive courtship. The only bright one in their midst appears to be the Swedish Serving Girl who broke off an engagement with the man when he requested to borrow money from her.

Today’s women could take a lesson from her, don’t you think?

Please– scroll down and leave a reply! And please forward this article to those you know who may find it interesting.

Note: Newspaper clippings were obtained from newspapers.com.

Image: Depositphotos, Copyright AnSim, used per standard agreement

Up Next!    Nineteenth Century Mail-Order Bride SCAMS, Part 4. In 1865 (34 years earlier than Franks’ scheme), a similar incidence in New England didn’t get quite so far but caused quite a stir.

Nineteenth Century Mail-Order Bride SCAMS, Part 1 Nineteenth Century Mail-Order Bride SCAMS, Part 2 NEWSPAPER Brides vs. Mail-Order Brides Mail-Order Catalogs: Timeline & Truth Mail Order Brides in the 19th Century American West Book Review: Hearts West: True Stories of Mail-Order Brides on the Frontier, by Chris Enss

Copyright © 2016 Kristin Holt, LC

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