An instance of “high finance,” under the guise of religion, is set
forth by the daily press in the case of one, Carl Helmstadt, of whom
this is said:
The detectives report an instructive conversation with this man,
who tells clergymen he is a brand from the burning and needs
their prayers for deliverance.
“How many ministers have you swindled?” the detective asked
Helmstadt.
“Oh, I don’t know how many.”
“More than one hundred?”
“Sure,” answered Helmstadt. “Why not? We kneel down and pray
together, and we both weep. Then I tell them I feel greatly
relieved, spiritually. Then I sting them for a few dollars.”
(3142)