VICTIMS PAY $4400 FOR KETCHUP BOTTLE CAPS HAMMERED INTO LUMPS
New York City (JFK+50) On November 22, 1924, the Associated Press reports a swindling operation has taken place at Sitkowski's Cafe in Mineola*, New York.
It seems a "bluff, hearty miner" entered the establishment and offered to set everyone in the place "up for soda." He then opened his briefcase to reveal "gold nuggets" which he offered to sell for a mere $2000.
Very quickly, some of the patrons pooled their resources and paid the miner the cash. After he left, the poor victims discovered the "nuggets" were nothing but ketchup bottle tops hammered into lumps.
Later, another victim was bamboozled out of $2400 under similar circumstances.
*Mineola is a village and county seat of Nassau County on Long Island, New York. The name is derived from the Algonquin language & means 'pleasant village.'
JFK+50 NOTE
61 years ago today, I was a 15 year old high school sophomore in my afternoon geography class when our principal came on the intercom & announced that President Kennedy had been shot in Dallas, Texas. The radio was turned on & we sat in stunned silence as reports were broadcast. I don't remember anyone in the class saying a word. We were in total shock.
When the announcement came that the President had died, the principal came back on the intercom & asked all students & staff to stand at attention as the school buglers played taps and the flag was lowered to half-staff.
It remains one of the saddest days of my life. Like so many others of my generation, there has never been a day since that I do not think about President Kennedy, what our Nation lost, and that horrific day 61 years ago.
SOURCE
"Ketchup Bottle Tops Sold As Gold Nuggets Net Three Swindlers $4400," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 22, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
