WEALTHY FORTUNETELLERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2646, 30 October 1909, Page 3 (Supplement)

WEALTHY FORTUNETELLERS.

£IOO,OOO FROM DUPED GERMANS. A man of unsound, mind, named Heinrich Bettermann, has succeeded in duping many thousands of educates men and women by telling them thfcvr fortunes, and thereby amassing a huge fortune for himself and for his partner, Herr Schmidt, of Madgeburg. At the Cologne District, Court Bettermann and Schmidt were indicted dn-Ii tliarge of fraud, and astonishing evidence was given in the course of the proceedings-: Bext'ermann established himself at the village of Broich, near Mulheim, in "West Germany, a. little more than two years ago as a phrenologist, and subsequently as an astrologist. able to forecast the future. 'By means of extensive advertising persons of all classes and all ages came to him in hundreds. It frequently happened that Bettermann’s residence at Broich was almost besieged by credulous persons desirious of hearing liis verdict on their future. His business developed to such an extent- that- lie was obliged to engage' Schmidt as business manager. "With Schmidt’s assistance? lie -established no fewer than seventy branches in different parts of the Continent, and he dealt with the clients of all these establishments! by post. According to the evidence given, it appears that Bettermann accumulated a fortune of more than £IOO,OOO within two years, while the substantial sum of approximately £20,000 fell to the share of his partner, Schmidt. many cases disastrous' results ensued Troni 'Bett>e'rmann<|S prophecies!. One *wor xnan is said to have been influenced to such an extent by liis prediction of her future that she. deserted her husband and family and fan away to a foreign country with another man. In other families, almost ''equally unhappy consequences fallowed on Bettermann’s prophecies... At the trial Professor Aschaffenburg appeared as a medical expert, and testified that, after thoroughly examining Bettermann, he at once came to the conclusion that he was a. mail of unsound mind, and not responsible for his actions. Professor Aschaffenburg held to his opinion, although) it was shown by sworn evideiic© that Bettermann liad declared after his arrest: “If people are so stupid, I do not .understand why I should not exploit them.” J In consequence of Professor Ascliaffenburg’s testimony the court acquitted Bettermann, but his accomplice' Schmidt was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment.