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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
12
Norris Wanted by a Number
of Firms.
HAS SWINDLED RIGHT AND LEFT MAY NOW
RECEIVE HIS JUST DESERTS.
[Special to The Review.]
Scottsburg, Ind., Sept. 22, 1897.
About three weeks ago James P. Sim-
mons, manager of the Louisville branch of
the W. W. Kimball Piano Co., of Chicago,
came here and filed affidavits against their
traveling salesman, J. C. Norris, charging
him with embezzlement and forgery. Nor-
ris was arrested at Corydon, while in
charge of the company's exhibit at the
Harrison county fair, and brought here,
where he waived preliminary examination,
and in default of $1,000 bonds was com-
mitted to jail to await trial in the Scott
Circuit Court on October 25.
Since that time the prosecution have
been diligently investigating his past
life, and have turned up some very inter-
esting things. As a result they are certain
that they have a man who is badly wanted
in various parts of the United States for de-
frauding piano companies. Norris' home
is in Frederick, Md., where he has a wife
and two children living, and his correct
name is thought to be Gise, this being the
name of the man wanted by the other
companies. Their descriptions, one and
all, of Gise fit Norris exactly, and a photo-
graph of Gise sent by the Waterloo Organ
Co. of Waterloo, N. Y., is such a perfect
likeness of Norris as to dispel all doubt
that they are one and the same person.
Another fact worthy of notice is that the
plans of operation of both men have been
the same in all localities, which is the
selling of pianos for cash at low figures, or
for other available property, and turning
into the company forged contracts on time,
payable in installments. The indictment
against Norris here is based on a company
contract for $105, forged on Mrs. H. W.
Brodt, of this city. Other forged contracts
have since turned up in this and adjoining
counties, involving large sums.
The prosecution have been in corre-
spondence with the companies whoareafter
Gise, and are thoroughly convinced that
they have the man. He is wanted espe-
cially by the Hannibal Music Co., of
Hannibal, Mo., on charges of embezzle-
ment, who write that he has swindled them
out of amounts aggregating $10,000. The
Pease Piano Co., of New York city, would
also like to have him on similar charges,
likewise the Waterloo Organ Co., of Water-
loo, N. Y., also the Jesse French Piano
Co., St. Louis, Mo. He is further wanted
by the authorities at Shenandoah, Pa., for
jumping bail. The Waterloo Organ Co.'s
description of him is complete and tallies
exactly, even going so far as to mention the
"sick racket" which he works, by which
it will be remembered he nearly escaped
from the authorities of Harrison county,
taking them on a fifty-mile chase until only
the Ohio river separated him from Ken-
tucky when he was recaptured. This, they
say, he does by taking large doses of bis-
muth powders, which make him deathly
sick (apparently) and very pale. While
his custodian goes in search of a physician
he suddenly revives and escapes. In addition
they speak of him as a great horse fancier,
and a good speaker of Pennsylvania Dutch,
both of which statements are true regard-
ing Norris.
Norris has his cell partially lined with
newspapers to ward off the gaze of callers
and is extremely reticent. When informed
of the above developments an indifferent
smile lit up his face, and beyond merely
denying their truth he had nothing to say.
Wm. J. McCarter.
With sincere regret and surprise we read
the telegram which reached this office on
Tuesday last notifying us of the death that
morning of Wm. J. McCarter, president and
treasurer of the Colby Piano Co., Erie, Pa.
While Mr. McCarter had been indisposed
for some time, yet a little over a week ago
he was able to be out and his perfect
recovery was considered a certainty. It
was not to be, however, for he was again
compelled to take to his bed and the most
expert medical skill and careful nursing
was of no avail. In the forenoon of Sep-
tember 21, surrounded by his surviving
relatives, his mother and sister, the final
summons came.
W. J. McCarter was a son of the Hon. Jos.
McCarter, who died last October, and was
one of the prominent young business men
of Erie. Of late years he has been identi-
fied with the Colby Piano Co., assuming
the presidency after the death of C. C.
Colby. It seemed to be a business for
which he was eminently fitted and under
his management it prospered to a greater
degree than ever.
Among the young men of his native town
as well as with all his acquaintances in the
music trade, Mr. McCarter was popular
in the extreme, having a host of true and
congenial friends. He was open and frank
in business matters, enterprising, generous
to a fault and a loyal friend.
He was a member of the Merchant's
club, the Erie club, the Elks, the Kahkwa,
Sommerheim, the Erie Yacht club and
other organizations.
Mr. McCarter was born March 26th,
1859, being 38 years of age. He attended
the Erie Academy and completed his educa-
tion at college. His death was caused by
heart failure and he had been seriously
ill for about one month. He made a brave
and gallant struggle for life but the odds
were too greatly against him.
The funeral took place on Thursday last
from the Park Presbyterian Church, Rev.
Mr. Jones officiating. A wide circle of
friends, as well as the employees of the
Colby Co., were in attendance.
We have received from S. S. Stewart
a revised edition of his lecture entitled
"The Banjo Philosophically," treating of
its construction, capabilities, evolution,
possibilities and future. All desirous of
knowing something of the history of the
banjo should read it.
Q. & K. Story with a Moral.
THE FRIENDS OF THIS ADMIRABLE INSTRUMENT
RAPIDLY GROWING — WINNING ON ITS
MERITS.
Enthusiasm in business is more than half
the battle. The man whose specialties
have real merit must believe in them with
all his might and express his belief with
such emphasis that others will become in-
terested. The next step is conversion,
which is easy once interest has been awak-
ened, provided always that "real merit"
predominates.
One of the enthusiasts in the piano busi-
ness is " Chris " Garritsoa. His specialty
the Gildemeester & Kroeger has real merit
and he believes in it. He expresses his
belief with emphasis, awakens interest,
and makes converts. His personality thus
becomes an important factor. Already a
battle for prominence has been won and
his enthusiasm, it is safe to say, has been
been more than half the battle.
Here is an instance that came to light
when The Review called at the " G. & K."
warerooms on Wednesday. The talk was
on the " G. & K."—its merits as compared
with the merits of several weighty com-
petitors.
"A big dealer called in here some time
ago," said Mr. Garritson, "and I did my
best to secure his interest in the 'G. &K.'
as a desirable representative, but failed to
wholly succeed at the time. However, he
bought two of the ' G. & K.' instruments
and had them shipped to his address for
his own use. When they arrived, his
manager, pending instructions, had them
unpacked and placed on the floor with the
other makes already in stock. This man
carries four of the best pianos in the
market, all holding, by general consent,
foremost places in the front rank.
"I dropped in at his place recently when
traveling and found the ' G. & K.' in
mighty good company—where it belonged
of course—and my friend was around. I
talked business, naturally, and did my
level best to convert him. He is an ex-
pert player, and I made the point that the
' G. & K.' tone was better—not only as
good, mind you, but better—than any-
thing he could produce from his stock.
"Well, I got him to work testing the
tone of each make by playing a chosen
passage of his own selection. There were
four home salesmen and two traveling men
present. I asked them to act as jurors.
They were not to know the make of piano
used, express opinions openly or exchange
views, but when the selection had been
played each of the six was handed a slip on
which he could express his choice.
"The slips were handed out and used.
On examination it was found that five out
of the six pronounced the ' G. & K.'
superior to all the others. Wasn't that a
triumph? I think it was, because it was
a fair trial. Yes, and we stand ready to
repeat'it at any time and place."
There's enthusiasm for you—and, know-
ing the Gildemeester & Kroeger, can
"Chris" be blamed for his aggressive
attitude?