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Domestic News
May 7, 1896
The Nebraska Independent
Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska
What is this article about?
In Lincoln, Neb., a traveling salesman hired boys to ask merchants for a specific gum, creating demand that led merchants to stock up. He then sold them large orders, successfully advertising the product and leaving the city well-supplied.
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Full Text
A Smooth Travelling Man.
LINCOLN, Neb., May 6. - Not long ago a smooth travelling man came to the city and hired a lot of boys. The object of this wholesale expenditure of money was simply a little scheme on his part to advertise. He sent the boys around to every store in the city to ask for a certain kind of gum. The merchants did not have it and could not sell the boys any other kind. The result was that each merchant swore he would slip up on his brother merchants and lay in a stock of that gum first. Before they had time to cool off and give the matter much thought, the travelling man dropped in and sold them a nice order of the gum. Now the city is well stocked and the merchants are wondering whether or not there is another such lot of easily worked men anywhere in the west.
LINCOLN, Neb., May 6. - Not long ago a smooth travelling man came to the city and hired a lot of boys. The object of this wholesale expenditure of money was simply a little scheme on his part to advertise. He sent the boys around to every store in the city to ask for a certain kind of gum. The merchants did not have it and could not sell the boys any other kind. The result was that each merchant swore he would slip up on his brother merchants and lay in a stock of that gum first. Before they had time to cool off and give the matter much thought, the travelling man dropped in and sold them a nice order of the gum. Now the city is well stocked and the merchants are wondering whether or not there is another such lot of easily worked men anywhere in the west.
What sub-type of article is it?
Economic
What keywords are associated?
Traveling Salesman
Gum Scheme
Merchant Trick
Advertising Ploy
Where did it happen?
Lincoln, Neb.
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Lincoln, Neb.
Event Date
May 6
Outcome
city well stocked with gum; merchants tricked into buying large orders.
Event Details
A traveling man hired boys to ask merchants for a specific gum they did not have, prompting merchants to stock it competitively. He then sold them orders, advertising the product successfully.