State v. Whiteaker

Whiteaker claimed to have invented an electrical device which would extract gold from the waters of Mono Lake, California. In order to promote this scheme certain “units of interest” were offered to the public. Defendant Jennings “had charge of the sales that were made.” One Pearl Williams — a “beauty culturist” — became interested as evidenced by the following writing:

“Be it known: That whereas, W. Harrison Whiteaker, having made a valuable mineral discovery, is desirous of obtaining financial assistance for the establishment of a plant in connection therewith, and for the defraying of…