"Charity" chain letter (published). Seeking missing people.
US, 1902.
Evanston,
Ill. February 245, 1902.
Dear Friend -- Will you kindly
help a heart broken father and two mothers in an effort to find their
loved ones, by writing three
copies of this letter and sending them
over your own signature to three friends, and making the same request
of them, and so on,
forming and endless chain. If you will
give this letter to the newspapers in your town, you will aid greatly
in giving it world wide circulation.
Miss Florence A. Ely and her nephew,
Frank Ely Rogers, disappeared from
their home, 713 Hinman Ave., Evaston Illinois, July 13, 1901.
Nothing
has been heard of them since.
Miss Ely is forty years of age, very
thin, weights from 90 to 100
pounds. Face rather long, very expressive, and dark brown hair.
Large
dark brown eyes with an intense expression are her most notable
feature. Good music teacher, attractive to children.
Frank E. Rogers will be fourteen years
of age on March, 1902. Height about 5 feet 2 inches, weight about 80
pounds. Medium brown hair,
gray-blue eyes, long, slender hands,
is left-handed, writes with either
right or left; draws well always using left hands.
Only love and a glad welcome await
them both.
A large reward will be cheerfully
given for information leading directly to the restoration of either or
both.
Printed letters with pictures will be
sent upon request.
Gratefully yours,
Mrs. Clara A. Ely.
Mr. and Mrs. James C. Rogers.
Send all information to James C.
Rogers, 713 Hinman Ave, Evanston, Ill.
Published on the front page
of The Daily News-Democrat,
Belleville, Ill., Feb. 26, 1902. Title: "Scheme being used to
find missing ones." Subtitles: "From Evanston, Ill. Relatives of Miss
Florence A. Ely and Frank Ely Rogers have started it." The article
continues: "The endless chain scheme, which through the ingenious mind
of some individual, was launched several years ago, and which since its
invention has been used in connection with business schemes for making
money, for schemes in raising funds for various purposes, and for
hundreds of other purposes, has now been put to use in the hope that
Miss Florence A. Ely and her nephew, Frank Ely Rogers, who disappeared
very suddenly from their home if Evanston, Ill, might be located or
found. The following endless chain circular issued by relatives of the
missing ones, was received by friends of the family in this city Tues.,
and explains itself" (text above in bold). After the text the
article states that the missing are from "one of the the wealthiest and
most refined families in Evanston." The disappearance is "shrouded in
the deepest mystery." A "handsome reward" is offered. States that
within the last few weeks the circulars and copies have been forwarded
over the entire United States, and that no clues have been received.
Correct street name ("Hinman" - illegible on image) gotten from Google
("Evanston Illinois streets"). Address 713 on Hinman no longer exists.
Reference and images supplied by Richard Stephens via email. Entered by
DWV, 6/20/2008.
ce1902-02_missing_q3
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