Twenty Years A Detective In The Wickedest City In The World - free ebook by Clifton R. (Clifton Rodman) Wooldridge

Read as playlist

Twenty Years A Detective In The Wickedest City In The World

Clifton R. (Clifton Rodman) Wooldridge

253 chapters

15 hour read

Read as playlist

Selected Chapters

253 chapters

Twenty Years a Detective in the Wickedest City in the World.

Twenty Years a Detective in the Wickedest City in the World.

Twenty Years a Detective IN THE WICKEDEST CITY IN THE WORLD. 20,000 ARRESTS MADE 12,900 CONVICTIONS ON STATE AND CITY LAWS 200 PENITENTIARY CONVICTIONS The Devil and the Grafter AND HOW THEY WORK TOGETHER TO DECEIVE, SWINDLE AND DESTROY MANKIND AN ARMY OF 600,000 CRIMINALS AT WAR WITH SOCIETY AND RELIGION By CLIFTON R. WOOLDRIDGE The World-Famous Criminologist and Detective " The Incorruptible Sherlock Holmes of America " After twenty years of heroic warfare and scores of hair-breadth escapes, i

1 minute read

Read Chapter

PREFACE.

PREFACE.

In presenting this work to the public the author has no apologies to make nor favors to ask. It is a simple history of his connection with the Police Department of Chicago, compiled from his own memoranda, the newspapers, and the official records. The matter herein contained differs from those records only in details, as many facts are given in the book which have never been made public. The author has no disposition to malign any one, and names are used only in cases in which the facts are supp

1 minute read

Read Chapter

PUBLISHER'S PREFACE.

PUBLISHER'S PREFACE.

The two arch enemies of happiness and prosperity are the Devil and the Grafter. The church is fighting the Devil, the law is fighting the Grafter. The great mass of human beings, as they journey along the pathway of life, know not the dangers that lie in wait from these two sources. Honest themselves, credulous and innocent, they trust their fellow man. Statistics show that four-fifths of all young men and women, and nine-tenths of the widows are swindled out of the money and property that comes

3 minute read

Read Chapter

SHERLOCK HOLMES IN REAL LIFE.

SHERLOCK HOLMES IN REAL LIFE.

From The Chicago Tribune of November 25, 1906. "Chicago may be surprised to learn that it has a Sherlock Holmes of its own, but it has; and before his actual experiences in crime-hunting, the fictional experiences through which Poe, Doyle, and Nick Carter put their detectives pale into insignificance. His name is Clifton R. Wooldridge. "Truth is stranger even than detective fiction, and in the number of his adventures of mystery, danger and excitement he has all the detective heroes of fiction a

8 minute read

Read Chapter

Born in Kentucky.

Born in Kentucky.

Mr. Wooldridge is therefore of Southern extraction. And in spite of the "big stick" which this terror of the grafters has carried for twenty years, he still "speaks softly," the gentle accent of the old South. But behind that soft speech there is a determined soul. The smooth-running accents of the South are in this case the velvet which hides the glove of iron. The following are some of the deeds of valor, work and achievements he has accomplished:...

22 minute read

Read Chapter

AN UNPARALLELED RECORD.

AN UNPARALLELED RECORD.

20,000 arrests made by Detective Wooldridge. He keeps a record of each arrest, time, place and disposition of the case. 14,000 arrests made for violation State and city misdemeanors. 6,000 arrests made on criminal charges. 10,500 of these prisoners paid fines. 2,400 of these prisoners were sent to jail or the house of correction. 200 of these were convicted and sent to the penitentiary. 1,000 get-rich-quick concerns were raided and broken up. 60 wagon loads of literature seized and destroyed. A

11 minute read

Read Chapter

Cannot Be Bribed.

Cannot Be Bribed.

He has been offered bribes innumerable; but in each and every instance the would-be briber has learned a very unpleasant lesson. For this man, who might be worth almost anything he wished, is by no means affluent. But he has kept his name untarnished and his spirit high through good fortune and through bad, through evil repute and good. Wooldridge does not know the meaning of a lie. A lie is something so foreign to his nature that he has trouble in comprehending how others can see profit in fals

37 minute read

Read Chapter

Tremendous Amount of Work Done.

Tremendous Amount of Work Done.

But the most remarkable thing to me about Wooldridge is the work he has done. Consider for a moment the record which heads this article. Could anything shout forth the tremendous energy of the man in any plainer terms? There are men in the same line of work with Wooldridge, who have been in the service for the same length of time, who have not made one arrest where he has made thousands. Twenty thousand arrests in twenty years of service, a thousand arrests every year, on an average. A thousand

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Life History of Wooldridge.

Life History of Wooldridge.

Detective Wooldridge from March, 1898, until April 5, 1907, was attached to the office of the General Superintendent of Police and worked out of his office. During that time over 1,200 letters and complaints were referred to him for investigation and action. April 5, 1907, Detective Wooldridge was relieved of this work and transferred, and crusade and extermination of the get-rich-quick concerns ceased. September 20, 1889, Detective Wooldridge was placed in charge of twenty-five picked detective

49 minute read

Read Chapter

Numberless Hair-Breadth Escapes.

Numberless Hair-Breadth Escapes.

August 20, 1891, he met with another narrow escape at Thirtieth and Dearborn streets, while attempting to arrest Nathan Judd, a crazed and desperate colored man. Judd threw a brick at him, striking him over his left temple, and inflicting a wound two inches long. Judd was shot through the thigh, and afterwards was sent to the house of correction for one year. Detective Wooldridge, alone in a drenching rainstorm at 4 o'clock on the morning of June 23, 1892, at Michigan avenue and Madison street,

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Saves Women and Children in Fire.

Saves Women and Children in Fire.

March 4, 1892, Detective Wooldridge by his prompt and courageous actions, and the immediate risk of his own life, succeeded in rescuing from the Waverly Hotel (which was on fire), at 262 and 264 S. Clark street, two ladies who were overcome by smoke on the second floor of the burning building: also a lady and two children, aged two years and five months, respectively, from the fourth floor. This act was performed by tying a silk handkerchief around his mouth, and on his hands and knees crawling

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Rides to Station on Prisoner's Back.

Rides to Station on Prisoner's Back.

June 6, 1894, Detective Wooldridge arrested Eugene Buchanan for committing a highway robbery at Polk and Clark streets. A few days prior he had held up and robbed Philip Schneider and kicked out one of his eyes. Buchanan was met in the alley between Clark street and Pacific avenue, where he resisted arrest and fought like a demon, using his hands, club and head. In the scuffle he ran his head between Wooldridge's legs and tried to throw him, but Wooldridge was to quick for him and fastened his l

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Hangs on Window Sill.

Hangs on Window Sill.

May 16, 1895, Detective Wooldridge, accompanied by Officers Kern, O'Connor and Cameron, located Matt Kelly at 411 State street, who was wanted for a criminal assault. Kelly was a hold-up man, ex-convict and a notorious safe-blower, who several years prior to this shot two officers in St. Louis, Mo. Kelly was found behind locked doors on the second-floor and refused to open the doors. Detective Wooldridge went to the adjoining flat, opened a window and crawled along the ledge until he had reached

58 minute read

Read Chapter

A Plot to Kill Detective Wooldridge.

A Plot to Kill Detective Wooldridge.

A dozen of the highwaymen and robbers on whom Wooldridge was waging a relentless warfare gathered together on the morning of July 4, 1895, and formed a plot to kill Wooldridge and get him out of the way. They concluded that the night of July 4, when everyone was firing off revolvers and celebrating, would afford the best opportunity. They imagined it would be an easy thing to shoot him from one of the windows or from a housetop while he was on duty patrolling his post, and no one would know wher

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Detective Wooldridge Roughly Handled.

Detective Wooldridge Roughly Handled.

In 1896 Wooldridge's fiercest fight came when he arrested George Kinnucan in his saloon at 435 Clark street. A dozen roughs, henchmen of Kinnucan, who were in the saloon at the time, came to the saloonkeeper's rescue. The officer was knocked down, his billy taken from him and himself beaten unconscious with it, and his face and head kicked into one mass of bruises. Through it all he managed to hang on to his revolver. This alone saved him. He finally managed to shoot Kinnucan through the hand an

34 minute read

Read Chapter

Fine Work in a Thieves' Resort.

Fine Work in a Thieves' Resort.

In the same year of 1896, Detective Wooldridge, disguising himself as a cheap thief, entered a Clark street criminals' resort and fraternized with thieves, murderers and vagabonds of all kinds, in order to obtain information, leading Wooldridge into the most amazing school of crime ever witnessed by a Chicago police officer. He was accepted in good faith as a proper sneak thief by the brotherhood, and for his benefit the "manager" of the den put his "pupils" through their "lessons." These lesson

41 minute read

Read Chapter

Makes High Dive.

Makes High Dive.

November 20, 1896, Detective Wooldridge made a high dive. To offset his aerial stunt he took a high dive from the top of a building, landing on his head in a pile of refuse with such force as to go "in over his head" and stick there so tightly that it required the combined strength of two officers to pull him out by the legs. It was near Twelfth and State streets while pursuing two women across a roof that his remarkable stunt took place. The women jumped from the roof into a pile of refuse. The

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Story Rivals Poe's "Black Cat."

Story Rivals Poe's "Black Cat."

A rich man had been murdered in a certain part of the city. He was in his library at the time of the crime. His family was in an adjoining room, yet none of them heard any noise, or knew what had been done until they found him lifeless on the floor. Investigation proved that he had been shot, but not with an ordinary weapon. The missile in his heart was a combination of bullet and dart, evidently propelled from a powerful air rifle or spring gun. But no clew was left by the perpetrator of the cr

1 minute read

Read Chapter

On Duty in Great Strike.

On Duty in Great Strike.

In 1900 Chicago's great building trade strike occurred in which 60,000 men were thrown out of employment. Many acts of violence were committed. Several men were killed and many maimed and injured. Detective Wooldridge was placed in charge of thirty picked detectives from the detective bureau with orders to suppress these lawless acts and arrest the guilty offenders. Through his vigilance and untiring efforts law and order were soon restored, and he was highly complimented by Chief of Police Jose

58 minute read

Read Chapter

Remarkable Work as a Ragpicker.

Remarkable Work as a Ragpicker.

May 28, 1905, perhaps, his appearance in the role of a ragpicker, which led to the arrest and conviction of two negro highwaymen, Henry Reed and Ed Lane, was his most daring and successful effort at disguise. Lane is at present serving a life sentence in Joliet for the murder of Robert Metcalfe. The assault and robbery of a contractor named Anderson was the occasion for Wooldridge's assumption of the guise of ragpicker. Anderson had described Lane so accurately that the detective was sure of rec

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Hero of Some Fierce Fights.

Hero of Some Fierce Fights.

Presently Lane and Reed appeared and went south on State street. Wooldridge followed, and at an opportune moment seized them both from behind. The fight that followed is historic. Only sheer luck and the threat to kill both antagonists on the spot if they did not cease resistance saved the detective's life. After knocking both men down with his billy he succeeded in holding them until a fellow officer came to his rescue. They were arrested and convicted June 25, 1905, and sent to the penitentiar

59 minute read

Read Chapter

Crooked Gambling Trust.

Crooked Gambling Trust.

The "crooked" gambling "trust" in Chicago spread over the civilized world, had its clutches on nearly every United States battleship, army post and military prison; caused wholesale desertions, and in general corrupted the entire defensive institution of the nation....

11 minute read

Read Chapter

Try to Corrupt Schoolboys.

Try to Corrupt Schoolboys.

Besides the corruption of the army, these companies are said to have aimed a blow at the foundation of the nation by offering, through a mail order plan, for six cents, loaded dice to schoolboys, provided they sent the names of likely gamblers among their playmates. This plan had not reached its full growth when nipped. But the disruption of the army and navy had been under way for several years and had reached such gigantic proportions that the military service was in danger of complete disorga

45 minute read

Read Chapter

Detective Wooldridge Secures Evidence in Novel Way.

Detective Wooldridge Secures Evidence in Novel Way.

In August, 1890, complaints had been made at the Stanton Avenue Police Station for several weeks concerning the establishment of a disorderly house at 306 Thirty-first street, but try as they would uniformed officers were helpless so far as securing evidence enough to convict was concerned. Wooldridge at that time a uniformed man, was put in plain clothes and detailed on the case. One of the great stumbling blocks in the way of the police had been the high basement under the house, which made it

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Acts as Vendor of Fighting "Chickens."

Acts as Vendor of Fighting "Chickens."

One of the last exploits of Detective Wooldridge before his completion of the twenty years of service, was the breaking up of the cock-fighting mains, which infested Chicago during the latter part of 1906 and the early part of 1907. The story savors of the burlesque. Wooldridge obtained information as to the whereabouts of a cock-fight which was to be pulled off. Then he sought out and purchased a pair of decrepit old roosters, that would not fight an English sparrow, bundled them into a sack an

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Bribery Tactics of No Avail.

Bribery Tactics of No Avail.

James accomplished the end of his heart's desire. It cost him $900 and his health, for he was in the clutches of consumption when the cottage was finally paid for. Fearing lest the fruit of his life-work should be swept away by fire, James took out an insurance policy in one of Dr. S. W. Jacobs' Wildcat Insurance companies. The house burned down and he was not indemnified. With his wife and six little children James was forced to take shelter in a chicken coop, where they were living when the br

3 minute read

Read Chapter

THE REIGN OF GRAFT.

THE REIGN OF GRAFT.

Recent Exposures That Show How Strongly It Is Intrenched....

3 minute read

Read Chapter

ARE YOU A GRAFTER?

ARE YOU A GRAFTER?

Those Shocked at Exposures May Not Be Clean Themselves. "A 'grafter' is one who makes his living (and sometimes his fortune) by 'grafting.' He may be a political boss, a mayor, a chief of police, a warden of a penitentiary, a municipal contractor, a member of a town council, a representative in the legislature, a judge in the courts, and the upper world may know him only in his political capacity; but if the under world has had occasion to approach him for purposes of 'graft' and found him corru

27 minute read

Read Chapter

FLEECING INVALIDS AND CRIPPLES.

FLEECING INVALIDS AND CRIPPLES.

This is a story of the most despicable graft extant. For, although it has been broken up in Chicago, it still flourishes in nearly every other large city in the country. It is not only despicable but it is heinous, fiendish, unspeakable. It is the sort of a thing that causes the blood of an honest man or of a manly rogue to boil, and long for a chance to clutch its inventor by the throat. It is the letter-copying scheme. Real criminals take chances on death, or the penitentiary, and on personal

6 minute read

Read Chapter

SHARKS RUIN BUSINESS MEN.

SHARKS RUIN BUSINESS MEN.

A new loan shark, or self-styled "financial agent," who preys on the business man and manufacturer, robbing him of his money and business more relentlessly than the old-time loan shark ever dared with the helpless wage earner, has made his appearance in Chicago and says he has come to stay. Under the guise of discounting a manufacturer's accounts at his usual rate of discount, the "financial agent" secures his first hold on the struggling manufacturer, who sees the opportunity to enlarge his bus

5 minute read

Read Chapter

SHREWD BEGGAR GRAFT.

SHREWD BEGGAR GRAFT.

Pretend to be Deaf, Dumb and Blind, Playing on Sympathy—How Philanthropy is Humbugged—Begging for Money to Reach Home—An Army of Frauds and Vagabonds—Mastering the Deaf Mute Language for Swindling Purposes—The Public Should be Careful in Disbursing Alms. Speech is so common, eyesight so precious, that he who would appeal for charity needs no better warrant than that he is dumb or blind. In an age when words are multiplied and golden silence is seldom found, the very fact that lips can give no ut

29 minute read

Read Chapter

BOOK LOVERS EASY PREY OF FRAUDS.

BOOK LOVERS EASY PREY OF FRAUDS.

Some of our citizens are paying a high price for education in art and book swindles. People, generally, are becoming experts in detecting small frauds and attacks upon their pocketbooks, and are becoming wise to pious dodges that run into spiritualism, clairvoyance and fortune telling, but when a large, smooth scheme is broached, they get caught. It may be that we have concentrated our minds upon so many trifling schemes to part us from our money, that we have laid ourselves bare to big operator

12 minute read

Read Chapter

PRIDE COSTS MORE THAN HUNGER, THIRST AND COLD.

PRIDE COSTS MORE THAN HUNGER, THIRST AND COLD.

This applies to all kinds of foolish vanity. It applies to the young man who never does anything, BECAUSE HE IS TOO PROUD TO DO WHAT HE HAS THE CHANCE TO DO. It applies to men and women who squander on dress and show the money that they need for more serious purposes. It applies to those that in old age have no money saved up, BECAUSE PRIDE SPENT THEIR MONEY AS FAST AS THEY GOT IT. The pride that keeps men honest, the pride that makes men truthful, never kept a man back or hurt him. The bad kind

1 minute read

Read Chapter

How Matrimonial Agencies Prey on the Public—Their Degeneration Into the Worst Forms of Crime.

How Matrimonial Agencies Prey on the Public—Their Degeneration Into the Worst Forms of Crime.

$1,000,000 Secured by These Get-Rich-Quick Schemers Discovered by Detective Clifton R. Wooldridge, Chicago's Famous Police Detective. One of the most insidious forms of crime is the Matrimonial Agency. Seemingly harmless, or at most merely foolish, is the Matrimonial Agency at its inception. But step by step within the past few years we have seen the Matrimonial Agency turned into a volcano belching forth fraud, swindling, bigamy, desertion, and finally ghastly wholesale murder. We have seen the

7 minute read

Read Chapter

CONCRETE EXAMPLES.

CONCRETE EXAMPLES.

September 8, 1905, John H. Harris, 168 Hamlin avenue, editor and publisher of The Pilot, a marriage agency paper, and manager of a cheap mail order house, was raided and arrested by Detective Wooldridge. Among the letters seized were complaints from his patrons. They received no returns for money paid him, and averred his paper was being used to blackmail men and women. Complaints were also made that many of the names which appeared in the paper were not authorized, and other names attached to t

33 minute read

Read Chapter

BIGAMY AND THE BUREAU.

BIGAMY AND THE BUREAU.

The matrimonial agencies that have been investigated and suppressed by Detective Wooldridge and the postoffice authorities have disclosed an almost incredible phase of woman's nature. There are today in the United States no less than 50,000 women who have been married, robbed and deserted by "professional bigamists." This fact represent the most serious phase of the matrimonial agency swindle, for it is the history of nearly all noted bigamists that they secured their victims through the matrimo

9 minute read

Read Chapter

BREAKING INTO THE NOBILITY.

BREAKING INTO THE NOBILITY.

The marriage bureau is not a distinctly American institution. They know the animal in Europe, only there the operators refer to themselves as marriage brokers, and are decidedly more careful than their American prototypes to steer clear of crime. The idea of marriage broking has thoroughly permeated the effete nobility of Europe. The broken-down "nobles," out at heels and buried under a mountain of debt, look to America for a rich heiress to whom their titles may be sold. For many years they loo

7 minute read

Read Chapter

THE HORRIBLE GUNNESS FARM.

THE HORRIBLE GUNNESS FARM.

But the giant blossom of this plant of hell is not bigamy, not swindling, not desertion; it is murder, wholesale, ghastly murder. For it is the matrimonial agency, nothing else, which is directly responsible for the unbelievable horrors of the Gunness Murder Farm, at Laporte, Ind., the revelation of the existence of which shocked the entire civilized world as it has not been shocked since the time of the Borgias. This wholesale murderess invariably lured her victims to their fate through adverti

4 minute read

Read Chapter

IN LIGHTER VEIN.

IN LIGHTER VEIN.

The Funny Side of the Matrimonial Business. There is necessarily the amusing side in all this miserable trading upon the affections of fools. Some of the letters sent in to the matrimonial agencies are little less than "screams." Imagine, if you can, a big, husky farmer, a collarless, coatless son of the Utah deserts, gushing forth that he "could live and die on love." Think of a staid and sober trained nurse who has arrived at the ripe age of forty pouring into the ears of the matrimonial agent

6 minute read

Read Chapter

ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.

ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.

A Matrimonial Agent Captures a Rich Husband and Retires from Business. Mamie Marie Schultz, a matrimonial agent, outwits the police and postal authorities after being raided and broken up, moves to other quarters, continues business, finds a rich man seeking a wife among her patrons and marries him. September 11, the German-American Agency, run by Mamie Marie Schultz, 3150 Calumet avenue, was raided by Detective Wooldridge, the literature seized and destroyed. Mamie Marie Schultz was fined $25 b

2 minute read

Read Chapter

THE FAKER AND THE PRESS.

THE FAKER AND THE PRESS.

Strangely enough, the abomination known as the "matrimonial agency," bureau or what-not, has succeeded in hoodwinking the great American press to a certain extent. Advertisements appear in leading journals all over the country. Without this the great fraud could not exist ten minutes. There are numberless instances, we are quite sure, where the publishers have no suspicion that they are furthering the cause of scoundrels. In others, we regret to say, the motive for accepting these advertisements

1 minute read

Read Chapter

MATRIMONIAL AGENCIES' ADVERTISEMENTS FOR RICH WIVES AND HUSBANDS.

MATRIMONIAL AGENCIES' ADVERTISEMENTS FOR RICH WIVES AND HUSBANDS.

They Appear in All the Leading Newspapers Throughout the Country. This is a very select list of ten ladies picked at random from our books by one of the leading newspaper reporters of this city, February 1, 1904: BEFORE. "When he was wooing her, Romeo devoted his time to thinking of delicate little attentions that he could pay Juliet, and of things he could do to make her happy." AFTER. On Christmas he is liable to shove a dollar or two at his wife, remarking: "Get yourself something. I don't kn

6 minute read

Read Chapter

Intelligence in Punishing Crime.

Intelligence in Punishing Crime.

A student of prison affairs once said that the prison population consists of two classes—people who never ought to have been sent to prison and people who never ought to be allowed to leave it. It is unfortunate that students interested in either one of these classes are too often apt to forget the importance of the other. There are many habitual criminals, weak persons readily giving way to temptation, who should not be classified as professionals. The professionals are only those who deliberat

55 minute read

Read Chapter

The "Silent System" is a Crime Against Criminals.

The "Silent System" is a Crime Against Criminals.

The penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, in 1907, was the only prison in America conducted on what is known as the "silent system." In this grim edifice a man sentenced to twenty years imprisonment might pass all of that time buried from sight in his cell, seeing only his keeper, the chaplain, the doctor and the schoolmaster, and for twenty minutes in every six weeks he would be allowed to talk with a near relative. This man loses his identity the moment he ent

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Extreme Methods Faulty.

Extreme Methods Faulty.

As between the abominable "contract" and "lease" systems and this reversion to blind seclusion, is there no human method to be found of apportioning the convict's labor? Yet No. 99, locked away in his solitary cell in the Philadelphia prison, must toil laboriously, denying his brain and hand their cunning, with a pretense at occupation. He is not sharing in the world's work. He knows this child's play of making something that no one needs on an instrument left over from the twelfth century is fu

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Jails Make 50,000 Criminals a Year.

Jails Make 50,000 Criminals a Year.

If the jails and lockups in our country—4,000 or 5,000 in number—are in truth, as they have been often aptly termed, in most cases compulsory schools of crime, maintained at the public expense, we shall have from this quarter alone an accession to the criminal classes in each decade of perhaps 50,000 trained experts in crime. Surely, almost any change in dealing with the young, with the beginners in lawbreaking, would be an improvement on the prevailing system. Jails and prisons, so constructed

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Crime Based on Suggestion.

Crime Based on Suggestion.

The man who has declared war upon the world, as every man has done who is not reformed by two successive prison sentences, should be seized and permanently imprisoned. Modern thought does not sanction the literal translation of this idea, but that does not interfere with the possibility of carrying it out for the benefit of society. The world spends millions of dollars every year in the business of protecting itself against the criminal and in caring for him. But that is because no serious attem

48 minute read

Read Chapter

Suggests Great Prison Farm.

Suggests Great Prison Farm.

With segregated criminals supporting themselves, as they might be made to do under our plan, the enormous cost of penitentiaries would at one step be done away with. A penal colony such as Mr. Wooldridge proposed would be placed in such a situation that the convicts could be compelled to raise every bit of food they put into their mouths and every bit of clothing they put upon their backs. Out in one of the western states or territories a reservation might be made of several thousand acres of la

51 minute read

Read Chapter

Improving the Public Health.

Improving the Public Health.

Can a nation be said to be civilized that spends billions of dollars every year in the detection and punishment of crime, and not one cent for the prevention and cure of disease, which kills thousands of persons who might otherwise have retained their health and strength? Suppose only a billion dollars a year, that now goes to the support of criminals in jails and penitentiaries, were to be saved by the establishment of a national penal colony where criminals would be made to support themselves;

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Road Work for Convicts.

Road Work for Convicts.

Criminology, on its humanitarian side, seeks new methods of employment for criminals. It seeks to regenerate convicted criminals morally, as well as care for their physical well-being. Indoor prison trades have a deadly monotony. In most cases they are carried on without sunlight, and with too little fresh air. Confinement within walls is alone a heavy punishment, but when allied with conditions that breed disease and possibly death, society exacts more than just retribution. Modern criminology

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Solves "Good Roads" Problem.

Solves "Good Roads" Problem.

This is the only complete solution of the good roads problem. It is one that all farmers or other rural residents should insist upon. It is the one practical way of gridironing the states, old and new, with good roads. It is especially vital in the newer states, where the absence of good roads is the heaviest tax on industry that individual communities must suffer. It is far better for the criminals themselves that they should be employed in this useful outdoor labor. The greatest clog on the sc

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Extend the Parole System.

Extend the Parole System.

The fear is expressed that an extension of the parole system as regards adults would open a velvet path for criminals to continue preying upon society. There was a loud hue and cry raised against the idea as administered recently by one of our Municipal Court Judges. Still, there is no denying that there is a great deal of good resultant from this plan. It is a safe, sane and conservative one, especially so when in the hands of judges who can feel for the man who has committed his first offense.

1 minute read

Read Chapter

WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THE VAGRANT AND TRAMP?

WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THE VAGRANT AND TRAMP?

Raggles—"Why did yer refuse what she offered yer?" Weary—"Cause I never heard of it before and de name was too much for me. Why when she said 'chop suey' cold chills run down me back, 'cause dat word chop reminds me too much of de time when I had ter chop three cords of wood looking into de face of two shotguns." The vagrant is the most elusive man among us. He is always with us, yet we can never locate him. No one wants him, yet we always send him to someone else. We make laws to get rid of him

31 minute read

Read Chapter

COLONIES FOR TRAMPS.

COLONIES FOR TRAMPS.

The vagrancy problem, growing so great in every part of the country, has caused the authorities of Massachusetts to make a trial of the German plan of farm colonies for quasi-criminals. Vagrants are sent to such farms under indeterminate sentences, forced to support themselves by honest labor and made to stay there until they give evidence that upon release they will become useful and self-respecting citizens. This is a modification of the penal colony idea, which is to send confirmed criminals

3 minute read

Read Chapter

Preventing Crime Better Than Cure.

Preventing Crime Better Than Cure.

Instead of attempting to prevent crime, we wait until after the crime is committed, then burden ourselves with the expense of apprehending, trying, convicting and imprisoning the criminal. Our first duty is to adopt those measures that will prevent the further commission of crime. Among the problems of Chicago there is no one, perhaps, that is more baffling than that of the vicious boy. His years protect him from the rigors of the law, and it is a difficult matter to know just what to do with hi

1 minute read

Read Chapter

The End of the Gamin.

The End of the Gamin.

It will be remembered that little Gavroche, the gamin in "Les Miserables," came to his death on a barricade in the streets of Paris. It was during the fatal insurrection of 1830. The lad allied himself with the insurrectionists and found he was in his element. He did prodigies of valor and was robbing the dead bodies of the enemy of cartridges when he was shot. Even after he had been shot once and had fallen to the earth he raised himself to a sitting posture and began to sing a revolutionary so

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Chicago Has Her Children.

Chicago Has Her Children.

Turning again to the pages of "Les Miserables," the story of Gavroche, the gamin of Paris, may easily be found, and the tale of this youth is not far different from that of the "kid" of Chicago. Here is what Victor Hugo says of Gavroche in that section of his great novel called "Marius": "This child was muffled up in a pair of man's trousers, but he did not get them from his father, and a woman's chemise, but he did not get it from his mother. "Some people or other had clothed him in rags out of

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Graduate of the Streets.

Graduate of the Streets.

This, then, is a good specimen of the kind of boy the schools of the street graduate. From these petty classes of crime they go to the high school, the prison, where they are further grounded in the knowledge of wickedness, and as like as not return to Chicago once more, full-fledged criminals, ready for anything. But this is only one of hundreds of such cases that are brought to the attention of the police and the public every year. Most of the boys who come here are either orphans or half orph

36 minute read

Read Chapter

10,000 Boys Worse Than Homeless.

10,000 Boys Worse Than Homeless.

A charitable worker who has come in touch with the young of the poorer districts, whence comes the tough lad, estimates that there are over 10,000 boys in Chicago who are worse than homeless. In other words, they are in direct line of becoming criminals or public charges, under the teaching of the trained criminal who makes the city his refuge. Anderson, the stickup youth who operated extensively on the north side, choosing women for his victims, is but 23 years old. The men who relieved Alderma

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Schools for Pickpockets.

Schools for Pickpockets.

There are numerous places in Chicago where boys are taught to become pickpockets. Poolrooms are gathering places for such young criminals and certain saloons of a low order harbor others. There is one saloon in West Madison street, for instance, not far from Canal street, where a lot of pickpockets are in the habit of congregating. They are young fellows for the most part and adepts in their particular field. They find a sort of home in this saloon, where they can get a big glass of beer and a g

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Modern Boys Are Gamblers.

Modern Boys Are Gamblers.

But it is not only in the slums that the tendencies of the modern boy may be studied. In the more respectable parts of town, in the vicinity of schools and in the neighborhood of churches may be seen evidences of what the youth of today think play. Time was when boys were content to play marbles. Some of them, of course, had the temerity to play for keeps. Others were taught it was wicked, and even at the risk of being called "sissy" refrained from disobeying their mothers. But now marbles are a

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Remedies Suggested by Some.

Remedies Suggested by Some.

There are some who insist that moral suasion should be used at all times in an attempt to reform the juvenile. But this has been found to fall short in many instances in Chicago. Even the Juvenile Court, with all its benefits, is found to come somewhat short of doing everything for the vicious lad. It is found that boys who are herded together in penal institutions are inclined to leave such places much worse than when they entered. The bad boys dominate. The evil spreads and the good is suppres

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Failure to Rule Children Makes Criminals.

Failure to Rule Children Makes Criminals.

What are you doing with your child's sense of right and wrong? Are you certain that you are not training a criminal, beginning with him at two years old? What is your boy at six years of age? Is he liar, thief—perhaps of insane ego as he was when he first toddled from his mother's arms? Inferentially President Roosevelt may have complimented you on the acquisition of a large family, but rather than this, has it occurred to you that the father and mother of one child, brought up in the light of w

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Respect Rights of Others.

Respect Rights of Others.

Ego in the community life is the basis of all ill or all good, even to the dream of Utopia. The basis of all ill is the primary ego which is inseparable from the child until teaching has eliminated it. The basis of all good is that secondary ego which recognizes the rights of others. Morality—good—virtue—all that is considered desirable in the best type of citizenship develop out of the community life. Even in the lower orders of animals a greater intelligence marks the creatures that live commu

57 minute read

Read Chapter

Reformatory After First Crime.

Reformatory After First Crime.

Here in this first offense of magnitude sufficient to call for the intervention of the law the parents have their opportunity, if only they would see. The place for such a youth at this period is a reformatory in which are sufficient educational facilities and the strictest discipline, which in justice visits the full penalty of community transgressions upon the head of the offender. In this reformatory environment the offending one finds none of the intercessions that may have been made for him

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Guide Child of Fifteen Carefully.

Guide Child of Fifteen Carefully.

At fifteen years old a new condition arises in the life of the child. At this time the race condition and the individual condition are at war. It is at the beginning of this period that an unbridled, untrained youth may take his first step toward crime, simply because the primary ego in him has not been set toward the background by the lessons of his duty toward the rights of others. Here it is that the heedless, ignorant parents may come to the first realization of what his own sins of omission

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Child Like a Plant.

Child Like a Plant.

The child in nature and processes of growth is essentially the same as the plant, only the child has a thousand strings instead of but a few, as has the plant. Where one can produce one change for the betterment of the plant one can produce a thousand changes for the betterment of the child. Surround the child with the proper environment to bring out certain qualities and the result is inevitable. Working in the same way as one does with the plant, the development of the individual is practicall

39 minute read

Read Chapter

Rear Child in Love.

Rear Child in Love.

Have the child reared for the first ten years of its life in the open, in close touch with nature, a barefoot boy with all that implies for physical stamina, but have him reared in love. Take the little yellow California poppy and by selecting over and over again the qualities you wish to develop you have brought forth an orange poppy, a crimson poppy, a blue poppy. Cannot the same results be accomplished with the human being? Is not the child as responsive?...

24 minute read

Read Chapter

The Greatest Reform Movement of the Day Is the Chicago Juvenile Court.

The Greatest Reform Movement of the Day Is the Chicago Juvenile Court.

The statistics show conclusively that the operation of the Juvenile Court is an advance step in the treatment of the young and helpless. It shows that not only are the dependents helpless, but that the delinquents are helpless to extricate themselves from a life of idleness and crime, for most criminals are made, not born, and the sooner time is devoted to changing the environments of the young, the sooner will be solved the problem of criminology....

24 minute read

Read Chapter

Illinois in the Lead.

Illinois in the Lead.

Various claims have been put forth from time to time as to the State which was the first to inaugurate the Juvenile Court idea. The Juvenile Court Law went into effect July 1, 1899, and immediately the Juvenile Court was established. The Judges of the Circuit Court assigned one of their members to preside in the Juvenile Court. The law gave the court jurisdiction of all dependent and delinquent children who are under seventeen and eighteen years of age, and defines dependents and delinquents. Th

3 minute read

Read Chapter

FORTUNE TELLERS HAVE EXISTED SINCE RECORDS OF EVENTS BEGAN TO BE KEPT.

FORTUNE TELLERS HAVE EXISTED SINCE RECORDS OF EVENTS BEGAN TO BE KEPT.

Some of Their Methods—Charlatans Have a Great Hold on the Poorer Classes of Big Cities, Much Alike—Schools of Crime Run Full Blast—Silly and Ignorant People Undone by Vicious and Wide-Open Fraud. War against the swindlers, impostors and blackmailers who operate in Chicago under the guise of clairvoyants, trance mediums, astro-psychics, palmists, magicians and fortune tellers, of whom there are about 1,500 in Chicago, should be driven out of the city and never allowed to return. There exist in Ch

10 minute read

Read Chapter

SPOOKS RAIDED. DETECTIVES WOOLDRIDGE AND BARRY DESCEND ON A WEST SIDE MEDIUM'S PLACE.

SPOOKS RAIDED. DETECTIVES WOOLDRIDGE AND BARRY DESCEND ON A WEST SIDE MEDIUM'S PLACE.

Lively Fight Before the Officers Succeed in Making Arrests—One of the Number Set Upon and Severely Beaten Before Aided—Spectators at the Seance Take Part and the Row Becomes General—Search of the Premises Reveals a Systematic Plan to Deceive—Anger of the Dupes Turns to Chagrin at the Revelations Made by the Police. September 2, 1906, Catherine Nichols, Sarah Nichols and Jennie Nichols, 186 Sebor street, fake exponents of materialization of spirits and general "spook" grafters, were arrested, the

14 minute read

Read Chapter

Woman Was Robbed and Murdered.

Woman Was Robbed and Murdered.

A few months ago a certain Frau Gimble, of Munich, was cruelly murdered by a man. The evident motive of the deed was robbery, and that the crime was planned and premeditated there was sufficient evidence. Every clew and circumstance pointed to Franz Holz. He was known to have been at or near the scene of the murder shortly before its commission. He knew the woman, and had knowledge that she kept a considerable sum of money in her home. He was known to have been without money for days prior to th

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Devel Confesses to the Crime.

Devel Confesses to the Crime.

Although apparently saved from a remarkable network of circumstantial evidence, and no longer wanted for the murder of the Gimble woman, the German police reasoned that Holz, if he had not fled because of that crime, must have fled because of some other crime. So the department, which has a name a couple of feet long, which in English would mean, "the department for finding out everything about everybody," kept on the trail. Meantime the police of Hamburg got possession of Devel and examined him

55 minute read

Read Chapter

Police Learn He is Not Guilty.

Police Learn He is Not Guilty.

Some of his statements were ridiculous. For instance, he did not know what quarter of the city the woman lived in. He did not know how she had been murdered. He said he climbed through a window and killed the woman. When pressed, he said the window was the dining-room window. In view of the fact that she was killed while working in a little open, outdoor kitchen when murdered, the police became satisfied that Devel was not the man, and ordered the pursuit of Holz resumed by all departments. The

59 minute read

Read Chapter

Searching for Motive of Confession.

Searching for Motive of Confession.

The case worried the police officials. The absolute lack of reason for Devel's confession stimulated their curiosity. He was held in custody for weeks, and then the police gave up in despair, and, as Holz had been arrested and had confessed to everything, the release of Devel was ordered. The order of release proved the move that revealed the truth. When he was told that he was free to return home, Devel broke down and begged the police to keep him in prison, to hang him, to poison him, but not

4 minute read

Read Chapter

Sleeps All Day; Makes Night Hideous.

Sleeps All Day; Makes Night Hideous.

Gates of steel never have held her in jail or asylum. In the mightier penitentiaries she has made herself such an uncontrolled fury by night—sleeping calmly all day long and resting for the next seance—that penitentiary gates have opened for her in the hope of having her maintained as an asylum ward. After which "Fainting Bertha" has secured keys to asylum doors and gone her untrammeled way straight back to a police record which for years has shown her to be one of the most remarkable pickpocket

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Stole $1,000 Worth of Goods in Two Days.

Stole $1,000 Worth of Goods in Two Days.

On the way to Peoria she relieved the conductor of $30 in bills, secreting them in her hat. In Peoria, within forty-eight hours, she had stolen a thousand dollars' worth of goods from stores, registered at three hotels under assumed names, and was in a chair car with a ticket for Omaha when the Peoria police had followed her easy tracks through the city. Perhaps the broadest, most easily identified track was that which she left in a barber shop in the National Hotel, where she appeared for an eg

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Kept at South Bartonville Without Locks.

Kept at South Bartonville Without Locks.

Dr. George A. Zeller, superintendent of the asylum for the incurable insane at South Bartonville, having fought for the care of Bertha in his institution, purposes to make her a tractable patient and willing to remain. He has the history of his institution back of him, from whose doors and windows he has torn away $6,000 worth of steel netting and steel bars. In the first place, "Fainting Bertha" will have nothing to gain by fainting at Bartonville; she is promised merely a drowning dash of cold

1 minute read

Read Chapter

History of "Fainting Bertha."

History of "Fainting Bertha."

Bertha Lebecke says she was born in Council Bluffs, Ia., in 1880. Save for the trick of raising her brows while animated, thus wrinkling her forehead before her time, she might pass easily for twenty-three years of age. In these twenty-seven years, however, Bertha Lebecke has kept the institutions of four states guessing—to some extent experimenting. Her father was a cobbler, and there were five children, only one other of them living. The father is dead. The mother, with the one sister, is livi

59 minute read

Read Chapter

Criticises the Linen Purchased by the State.

Criticises the Linen Purchased by the State.

"But what awful linen!" she exclaimed, holding it out to Dr. Zeller as she sat in a ward with twenty other women inmates regarded as among the hardest to watch and control among the 1,900 inmates of the great institution. "I'm surprised at you! Can't you buy better linen than that?" But while she talked and the doctor smiled, a small key fitting nothing in particular was laid by Dr. Zeller close at hand and it disappeared in ten seconds. Likewise a pencil from the doctor's pocket found its way a

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Bertha Says Gunther Promised To Marry Her.

Bertha Says Gunther Promised To Marry Her.

"That man Gunther promised to marry me," she said, lowering her voice. "He sent me out to steal and when I wouldn't do it he used to beat me when I came home. Do you wonder I'm what I am?" There was a burst of what might have been tears. Her face was buried and her figure shook with sobs. But in five seconds the dimpled face appeared again, dry eyed, and at a remark on the moment she turned toward her auditors, winking an eyelid slyly. "Fainting Bertha" Lebecke has almost lost consecutive track

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Most Unruly Prisoner in Joliet.

Most Unruly Prisoner in Joliet.

On a charge of shoplifting she was given an indeterminate sentence of one to ten years in the penitentiary at Joliet. Records of Joliet prison show her to have been the most unruly prisoner ever confined in that institution. Her conduct was such that Prison Physician Fletcher declared that she was insane and she was sent to the asylum at Kankakee. Twice she escaped from Kankakee, once, she says, with the aid of an employee of the institution, whom she refuses to name. This first escape was made

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Penitentiary Glad to Be Rid of Her.

Penitentiary Glad to Be Rid of Her.

As a last resort the tortured prison officials at Joliet, taking the diagnosis of Physician Fletcher, sent her to the care of Supt. Podstata at the Elgin asylum. There, after consultation of the asylum physicians, it was found that she should have been confined in an asylum for the feebleminded when she was younger; that, lacking this treatment, she had grown and developed such destructive tendencies that a hospital for the insane was the only haven for her. But Bertha escaped from the asylum, w

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Pale Blue Color Scheme of Bertha's Ward.

Pale Blue Color Scheme of Bertha's Ward.

"If Bertha escapes here it will be the test of vigilance as opposed to locks and steel bars," is the summing up of the situation by Dr. Zeller. Bertha is not wholly satisfied where she is. The food is not all she desires. She refers to her ward and its environment as "the dump." Yet her particular "dump" is decorated in pale blue—part of the color scheme of the asylum management,—the color scheme of her ward being adapted to her particular temperamental degree of insanity. But while Bertha has b

49 minute read

Read Chapter

Delighted at Chance of Going to Town.

Delighted at Chance of Going to Town.

With $9 to her credit in the asylum's system of personal accounts, Bertha wanted some of this sum for "shopping," but when it was refused she accepted the situation without particular protest. The idea of going uptown, five miles from South Bartonville, was delightful. Her spirits rose high at the idea, and when her nurses had brought her over to the administration building she dropped into the office chair occupied by Dr. Zeller, and in mock seriousness turned to the little group, asking what s

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Took Pie and Candy Back "Home."

Took Pie and Candy Back "Home."

"You won't mind, honey, if I take a pie home, will you?" Miss Quick didn't mind at all. And not minding the pie, Miss Bertha promptly buttered four rolls liberally and included in the package a bunch of celery which had been left over after she had passed it around insistently, time and again. At the candy counter just outside the dining room Bertha balked amiably. "I don't like to presume on your good nature, but I know you won't object to a small box of candy?" she purred. The nurse didn't obj

57 minute read

Read Chapter

Detention Record of "Fainting Bertha."

Detention Record of "Fainting Bertha."

But even the genial Dr. Zeller and his barless windows and lockless prison proved in time to be enervating to such a restless being as "Fainting Bertha." So, during June, 1908, she made no less than three attempts to escape. She was, however, apprehended in each case before she reached Peoria, and returned to the asylum. The authorities declare that she was really playing for theatrical effect rather than from any desire to get away from Bartonville. Be that as it may, the fact remains that if s

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Stanley Field's Buggy.

Stanley Field's Buggy.

"Stanley Field runs around town in a crazy old country buggy, just like a farmer. He took this method of going about when the great teamsters' strike was on, and he was a member of the Merchants' committee. "But I will bet you a good cigar that there are any number of little snippety ten-dollar clerks in the great establishment of which Stanley Field is the head, who would feel themselves eternally disgraced if they were seen in that buggy. "Not for little mister-ten-dollar clerk! No, sir. He mu

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Fake Pride Leads to Crime.

Fake Pride Leads to Crime.

On the other hand, many young men have plunged into a life of crime through over-spending their salaries, in the effort to convince every one who looked at them that they were on the directorate of the Standard Oil Company. Where the millionaire walks these silly young jackasses take a cab, and pay half a day's salary in order to ride two or three blocks. "I have seen John J. Mitchell, the president of the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank, and one of our foremost financiers, walk from the Northwe

1 minute read

Read Chapter

IDENTIFICATION BUREAU AIDED BY NATURE.

IDENTIFICATION BUREAU AIDED BY NATURE.

The Criminal and the Crooked Members of the Human Race Have a New and Dangerous Enemy in the Finger Print Method of Identification. The last hope of the enemies of society, the habitual criminals, is gone. The Bertillon system sounded the death knell of the criminal so far as capture was concerned. The finger print system, as first set forth by Sir Francis Galton and elaborated by Sir Edward Henry, has made possible the absolute identification after capture. One of the first men to see the treme

3 minute read

Read Chapter

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAKING FINGER PRINTS.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAKING FINGER PRINTS.

Instruments required: A piece of tin, ordinary printer's ink, and a 10-cent rubber roller are all the tools necessary for getting the impression. It requires no special training to take finger impression, and any rural constable can, with ten minutes' practice, take a set of good finger prints in five minutes. After having a week's practice he could take them in three minutes. At Scotland Yard a metallic brace is in use for the purpose of forcing refractory prisoners to leave correct impressions

25 minute read

Read Chapter

ELECTRICITY NOW A FACTOR.

ELECTRICITY NOW A FACTOR.

It Has Taken the Place of Dynamite and the Jimmy in Advanced Safe Looting. Scientific Equipment of Burglar Includes High-Class Automobile. Jobs at Country Houses Usually Planned Far in Advance, and With Intimate Knowledge of Loot To Be Gained. Unlocking a door is one of the easiest tasks of the professional burglar. His ingenuity defies the efforts of locksmiths to invent safety devices. The picture shows how an expert turns a key in the lock, and also a simple device to prevent this. The up-to-

34 minute read

Read Chapter

FOUR ARE SENTENCED FOR LONG "GRAFT" RECORDS.

FOUR ARE SENTENCED FOR LONG "GRAFT" RECORDS.

P. L. Tuohy, Philip Bulfer and L. E. Burnett Are Found Guilty of Systematic Fraud by Means of "Fake" Contracts—Their Clerk Is Fined $250—Many Poor People Appear As Witnesses on Fraudulent Employment Bureau Also Operated. June 11, 1907, one of the most persistent and systematic "confidence" gangs that ever operated in Chicago was broken up for a few years at least, when Patrick L. Tuohy, Philip Bulfer, L. E. Burnett, and J. C. Daubach were found guilty of obtaining money under false pretenses by

10 minute read

Read Chapter

Must Have Pretty Woman.

Must Have Pretty Woman.

The qualifications necessary for the woman to have is to be pretty, plump, wear good clothes, and understand the art of making herself attractive. It is an understood thing that she shares one-third the proceeds of the robbery. The house is arranged especially for the purpose. The rooms on each floor are fixed so that the door separating them has the panels cut out and put in again on hinges, and fastened with a small button not noticeable. The hinges are well oiled, and a small hole is bored th

15 minute read

Read Chapter

HOLD OUTS.

HOLD OUTS.

" Correspond with Us Before Buying of Others. " We have the finest line in the country, and every machine is made to get the money—not for ornament, and accuracy. Is as perfect as a watch. Works with a knee movement, and by a slight movement everything disappears. If they have played cards all their lives they will stand it. Our price only $125.00. The circular also mentioned dozens of other crooked devices at lesser prices, and contained illustrations showing how the machines work. Can there be

2 hour read

Read Chapter

GAMBLING DEVICE SWINDLE IN ARMY AND NAVY.

GAMBLING DEVICE SWINDLE IN ARMY AND NAVY.

Scope of Fraud World-Wide—Soldiers and Sailors Victims of Contrivances. On May 19, 1906, Detective Clifton R. Wooldridge, with ten men, swooped down on: H. C. Evans, 125 South Clark street; George De Shone, 462 North Clark street; Barr &amp; Co., E. Manning Stockton, 56 Fifth avenue. The offices were raided and sure-thing gambling devices valued at $5,000 seized and destroyed. H. C. Evans was arrested and fined $200; George De Shone was arrested and fined $100, and E. Manning Stockton arrest

3 minute read

Read Chapter

KING DEATH.

KING DEATH.

Paris , Nov. 20.—Three thousand known suicides and murders have been committed in Monte Carlo in the space of fifteen years. The known suicides average fully 200 a year, and some weeks there have been as many as three a day. The Casino authorities do everything to hush up scandals and news of tragedies. A large force of plain-clothes men are engaged to either prevent suicides or to hurry the body of the dead unfortunate out of the way. It is estimated that more than one-half of the tragedies of

12 minute read

Read Chapter

IT'S UP TO YOU, YOUNG MAN.

IT'S UP TO YOU, YOUNG MAN.

SCHOOLS TO TEACH SHOW-CARD WRITING CATCH MANY VICTIMS AMONG THE POOR GIRLS. December 5, 1905, J. H. Bell, the proprietor of a SHOW-CARD COLLEGE at 21 Quincy St., was arrested and the place closed. Bell advertised for students to learn to write show-cards and signs. He is said to charge $1 for a course and to promise positions at large salaries as soon as the course is completed. After the course has been finished and the tuition paid Bell is declared to have refused to give the graduates employm

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Swindler Jumps Bail.

Swindler Jumps Bail.

"When taken before the court, Bell made a hard fight for freedom, but he was held to the Criminal Court on five charges of obtaining money under false pretenses. Bonds were placed at $300 in each case by Justice Prindiville. "He was unable to do the work he was requiring the girls to do, so when the grand jury saw through his scheme the five indictments were promptly returned. "J. H. Bell jumped his bail, fled to Minneapolis, where he conducted the same business. Here he was again arrested, fine

13 minute read

Read Chapter

Promoter's Word Valueless.

Promoter's Word Valueless.

Investors will do well to consider that stocks of mines which are only prospective are the most risky form of gambling. In buying stocks of the undeveloped mines offered to the public on the strength of statements the only substance of which is the imagination of promoters, one runs up against a sure-thing brace game. Don't take the promoter's word for it. When you wish to place money where it can work for you, don't bite at the first "good thing" you see advertised. It is to the interest of the

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Investigation Necessary.

Investigation Necessary.

In most cases, an intelligent investigation will prompt you to let alluring offers of great wealth for little money severely alone. The observation of the common-sense rules outlined above will save investors bitter disappointments and heavy losses. It is safe to say seventy-five per cent of the so-called "Mining, Plantation and Air Line" schemes and "Security" companies now paraded before the public in flaring advertisements in the daily papers, and through glittering prospectuses sent through

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Keep Lists of Suckers.

Keep Lists of Suckers.

Every well-equipped fraudulent concern acquires the names and addresses of susceptible persons. Painstaking revisions of the lists made up of these names and addresses form an important part of the labor of the principals or employes. The lists grow as each advertisement brings inquiries from persons who, either through curiosity or desire to invest, write for particulars. Affiliated swindles operated in succession by a gang of "fakers" use the same list of "suckers." In affiliated swindles if t

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Pecksniffian Tears Delude.

Pecksniffian Tears Delude.

A few attempts have been made to prosecute the swindlers, but for the most part the local officials have failed. In but few instances have the victims been able to give anything like intelligent statements of the representations made to them. Where the right sort of agents have been used the people who have lost their money have not awakened to the fraud passed upon them. A few Pecksniffian tears have deluded them into the belief that the swindlers as well as themselves were victims of some thir

50 minute read

Read Chapter

Difficult to Convict.

Difficult to Convict.

Even in the most flagrant cases and where every advantage was taken of the ignorance, inexperience or trustfulness of the person deluded it has been difficult to bring the offense under the state statutes. It requires more than ordinary misrepresentation and lying to make out a criminal case, and under the rules of evidence which prevail it is almost impossible to overtake a cheat who has not put his misrepresentation into writing or made them in the presence of third parties. Where the swindler

55 minute read

Read Chapter

Power of Uncle Sam.

Power of Uncle Sam.

An example of the power of the federal authorities was given when Secretary of State Rose of Illinois was trying to keep the swindling investment companies out of the state. This was before the enactment of the present law regulating the licensing of corporations. A number of concerns had been formed in southern states, and they were insolently demanding licenses to do business in Illinois. The secretary of state was powerless under the Illinois statutes, but when the matter was called to the at

29 minute read

Read Chapter

Wooldridge Finds Smooth Scheme.

Wooldridge Finds Smooth Scheme.

Detective Wooldridge, in looking into many of these mining frauds, discovered one or two which proved quite a revelation even to the United States authorities. This was a system of "kiting" stocks, just as other fraud concerns have been known to kite checks. The method is very simple. James Johnson, of Indiana, is "roped in" by one of the smooth young men who operate for the schemers. James buys 500 or 1,000 shares in the Holy Moses mine, located in or near Goldfield, Reno, Rawhide, Cripple Cree

1 minute read

Read Chapter

"Holy Moses" Rises?

"Holy Moses" Rises?

Aha; it is easy. A letter is drafted to James Johnson, bearing to him the gladsome news that "Holy Moses" has gone up, away up, and that the stock is mounting by leaps and bounds. Does James Johnson wish to sell his stock at a substantial advance? James Johnson does. Well, the philanthropic owners of the "Holy Moses" will put that stock on the market for him at once and send him the proceeds, if he will kindly send in his stock with authority for transfer in blank. The Indiana sucker bites at th

38 minute read

Read Chapter

First Principles in Mining Purchases.

First Principles in Mining Purchases.

Here are a few good leads to follow in buying mining stock. First make sure that there is a producing mine. Then make sure that the stock you get is not kited stock. But, above all, make sure of the responsibility, respectability and solidity of the firm from which you make the purchase. BANKS IN CHICAGO, NEW YORK AND LONDON BADLY FLEECED. Bogus Notes and Stock—Many Firms Are Victims—Prisoners Said to Have Practiced Frauds Under Titles of Corporations—Chicago, September 14, 1906, Detectives Wool

35 minute read

Read Chapter

Chicago Concerns Are Victims.

Chicago Concerns Are Victims.

Banks and business concerns, especially in Chicago, suffered through the operations of the men. Their methods came to the attention of John Hill, Jr., connected with the Board of Trade, and Detective Wooldridge learned enough to convince them and the men behind institutions the objects of which were to obtain money fraudulently. Some of the places which have been mulcted are: Commercial National Bank, August 15; bogus note for $1,078. Stromberg, Allen &amp; Co., printers, 302 Clark street; b

31 minute read

Read Chapter

Loses All of Savings.

Loses All of Savings.

Julius Radisch, 2509 South Halsted street, a German who lost $700 in the wreck of the National Fireproofing Company, told the police of the unique methods used by Johnston in selling him the stock. He asserts that Johnston told him that the stock would pay at least 8 per cent dividends, and as proof of the prosperity of the company took him to the downtown district and showed him several skyscrapers which he claimed were owned by the corporation. Radisch also says that Johnston also pointed out

1 minute read

Read Chapter

One Capitalized at $1,000,000.

One Capitalized at $1,000,000.

The concerns most frequently used by the men in their transactions, the police say, were known as National Fire Proofing Company of New York and the Federal Trust Company of South Dakota. The fire proofing company was stated to be capitalized at $1,000,000 and the trust company at $100,000. Offices for each concern were at 1138 Broadway, New York. From there, it is charged, circulars and pamphlets were sent out to investors in all parts of the country, and it was also a practice of these concern

29 minute read

Read Chapter

Sheriff in Charge of Affairs.

Sheriff in Charge of Affairs.

About one week before the arrest the concerns were placed in the hands of the sheriff of New York County, and, following this, it is declared, disclosures were made which hastened the arrest of the men involved. Banks and firms in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and London, it is declared, are known to have suffered through the alleged operations of the men, who were aided by companions in the different cities. Most of the concerns, of which there are at least twelve, all declared to be fraudule

26 minute read

Read Chapter

List of Bogus Firms.

List of Bogus Firms.

The following is a list of the concerns, the names of which have been learned by the police: Another concern dealing with alleged spurious bonds of Custer County, Idaho, the police declare, was under the direction of these men. It was the old-time favorite method of kiting checks and drafts among the banks and private individuals of the city and country that was used, and there is no doubt that it proved successful in this instance. Although it is believed the men did not obtain great riches in

33 minute read

Read Chapter

Opened Many Bank Accounts.

Opened Many Bank Accounts.

Accounts in banks in Chicago and other cities were opened and then exchanges of checks were made among them. Only the over-boldness of their operations caused their downfall. An instance of their methods would be the following: The Federal Trust Company, one of their "paper" concerns, would deposit a check in a Chicago bank made by the Keystone Structure Cleaning Company of Philadelphia, another of their alleged firms. The check would be sent east for collection, and in a few days it would be re

25 minute read

Read Chapter

Offer Bond in a Settlement.

Offer Bond in a Settlement.

Meanwhile the trust company had checked against its account, to which the Keystone Structure Cleaning Company's check had been credited. When the check was returned from the eastern bank the Chicago bank would notify the Federal Trust Company of the non-payment of it. The Chicago firm would then offer explanation and apologies and give a 5 per cent to concerns that cashed the checks. When they came back, the men who got the money were shocked beyond measure and at once offered stock and bonds of

31 minute read

Read Chapter

Five Men Are Arrested by Detectives Wooldridge and Barry.

Five Men Are Arrested by Detectives Wooldridge and Barry.

Five men were arrested by Detectives Wooldridge and Barry, charged with operating twelve concerns. The Commercial National Bank was one of the victims. The men arrested are as follows:...

10 minute read

Read Chapter

Tool Tells Truth—Usher of Church in Crime Cloud.

Tool Tells Truth—Usher of Church in Crime Cloud.

At the age of 50 years, S. L. Cunningham, vestryman and Sunday School teacher and chief usher in the Jackson Boulevard Christian Church, has come to the conclusion that he is "just an old fool, after all." Mr. Cunningham was arrested recently on the charge of being one of a gang of forgers and "get-rich-quick" men who have been swindling Chicago and New York business houses and banks during the last few months. He says his only connection with the gang was in selling stock until a short time ago

59 minute read

Read Chapter

Cunningham Tells the Story.

Cunningham Tells the Story.

"Yes," he said, "we of the fold often go astray, but I am innocent. I have a Sunday School class of young girls that I am going to take out into Lincoln Park tomorrow. I hardly know what to say to them. I can't bear to think of taking my place as head usher on Sunday, although my pastor tells me to march down the aisle with my head erect. I am getting to be an old man, you see, and I have never wilfully wronged a person in my life." His voice trembled, but his wife laid her hand on his arm and h

54 minute read

Read Chapter

Bank Account Overdrawn.

Bank Account Overdrawn.

"Johnston, a young man, told me he was hard up and asked to use my bank account at the Commercial National. I let him and endorsed his checks. My wife told me not to do it, but I thought he was all right then. Well, he overdrew the account, the check was protested, and when my name was found they arrested me. I never knew any of the other men, although I saw them around the office. They did too much whispering, and I thought it did not look well." Then, in a simple way, he went on to tell of his

52 minute read

Read Chapter

Offer of Bribe Alleged.

Offer of Bribe Alleged.

Broughn, the broker, is a man of a different stripe, according to Detective Barry, who arrested him. When he was informed of his arrest he is said by the detective to have replied: "Come down to the saloon next door. I will settle the case at once. Name your price." When arraigned before Justice Cochrane the cases were continued until September 24. All the men were released on $1,200 bonds each, with the exception of Broughn, whose bail was fixed at $800. The bonds were signed by a professional

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Check "Kiters" Heavily Fined—George F. Johnston and C. F. McGuire Assessed $2,000 Each.

Check "Kiters" Heavily Fined—George F. Johnston and C. F. McGuire Assessed $2,000 Each.

A jury in Judge Kersten's court later returned a verdict finding George F. Johnston and C. F. McGuire guilty of swindling and imposed a fine of $2,000 each. If the fine be not paid the defendants will be compelled to serve the amount at the rate of $1.50 a day in the Bridewell. Chester A. Broughn and A. H. Hessley entered pleas of guilty at the last minute and their cases will be disposed of later by Judge Kersten. State's Attorney John J. Healy and Assistant State's Attorney Barbour expressed t

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Physic to the Dogs.

Physic to the Dogs.

Followers of the late "Elijah Dowie" relegated physic to the dogs, where it properly belongs, and yet enjoyed good health. Mrs. Eddy's converts take no drugs, not even simple household remedies. Here is a body of people numbering millions, entirely repudiating physicians, yet their health is as good, if not better, than those who continually take drugs. Doctors make war on them. Why? It interferes with the medical graft. Don't think for a minute that advertising doctors are the only grafters in

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Unnecessary Operations.

Unnecessary Operations.

How many people die from wholly unnecessary operations? Only the hospital records and the immediate friends of the patient can tell. These words are written to put people on their guard. Dishonest doctors are everywhere, especially in big cities. Chicago is full of them. They may be strictly ethical and affect to despise the advertiser. They do so, however, only from a business standpoint. They hate opposition, and somehow the advertising doctor manages to get a goodly share of the business, and

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Sleek and Unctuous Church Member.

Sleek and Unctuous Church Member.

Personally he is sleek and unctuous, is always found among the godly, takes more interest in foreign missions than the every-day affairs of life, and fully expects to occupy a seat in the parquet of the New Jerusalem. The money wrung by the basest of false pretenses from his poor unfortunate blind victims, does not disturb his slumbers. If he has any conscience at all he fortifies himself with the thought that "Jesus will bear it all," and lets it go at that. Blind people, or those with failing

1 minute read

Read Chapter

The "Optician" Fake.

The "Optician" Fake.

In connection with this subject let me warn you of the existence of an army of "Opticians." These men are often swindlers of the first water. Their misrepresentations as to the money value of glasses amounts to grand larceny. They charge all the way from ten to seventy-five dollars for a pair of lenses that usually cost seventy-five cents each. There are honest men in the business, but beware of the grafter. There are many lesser lights engaged in the eye business, but the examples given above w

45 minute read

Read Chapter

Consumption Cures.

Consumption Cures.

A few years ago Dr. Koch, of Berlin, Germany, announced that he had discovered a cure for consumption. The same announcement has been made thousands of times before by more or less illustrious physicians. Dr. Koch's cure was a gas, requiring more or less elaborate apparatus. Several years' trial of this supposed cure convinced the medical profession, and Dr. Koch himself, that he was mistaken. He retracted his statements and acknowledged he had been in error. Yet in every large city of the count

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Human Ghouls.

Human Ghouls.

The human ghouls in the guise of doctors are meantime living in luxury, and fattening on the misfortunes of their already half-dead victims. You might ask why does not the law step in and protect the sick. If you had seen as much of the law as I have you would discover that it too frequently protects the doctors and not the patients. The men running this and other similar frauds are all licensed physicians, and have the authority of the great State of Illinois to pursue their calling. If you hav

34 minute read

Read Chapter

The Morphine Cure.

The Morphine Cure.

Forty years ago Dr. C——, of Laporte, Indiana, a bricklayer by profession, conceived the idea of selling morphine as a cure for the opium habit. Morphine is the essence of opium, just as cocaine is the essence of the coca leaf. It was a brilliant idea and brought Dr. C—— (he afterward bought diplomas galore) a mint of money. C—— constructed himself a mansion in Laporte, which stands today, a splendid specimen of the builders' art. He was the first man to put on the market an opium cure. The poor

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Encouraging the Morphine Habit.

Encouraging the Morphine Habit.

Many of these victims date their downfall from some sickness in which a physician prescribed the drug—perhaps to allay pain or produce sleep. When they recovered they found they still had to have it. The habit grew and finally fastened itself with such a deathlike grip that they were unable to shake it off, and so they totter through life, unfitted for anything except to beg, borrow or lend some of the dope. Men and women once high in the business and social world are frequently found in the pol

48 minute read

Read Chapter

The Cancer Cure.

The Cancer Cure.

One can hardly pick up a paper or magazine that does not carry the advertisement of Dr. B——, of Indianapolis, Ind., with branch institutes at Kansas City and other places. Dr. B——'s remedy is an oil for which he claims wonderful properties. In reply to an inquiry the doctor sends out a little book, filled with testimonials from grateful patients, dependent preachers and his fellow church members. The book tells you that the doctor has even built a church all by himself and maintains it at his ow

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Patients from Everywhere.

Patients from Everywhere.

Dr. B—— has patients coming from all parts of the country. They bring and spend money at his sanitariums. It is "business," and I am only sorry to say that what is known as business is too often larceny. If you have a growth you do not understand, trust it to your family physician, if he is an honest man, rather than to one of the many cancer sharks that infest the country....

21 minute read

Read Chapter

The Rupture Cure.

The Rupture Cure.

This, when offered by mail, as it is in almost every magazine that accepts medical advertisements, is also a glaring fraud upon a most helpless class of people. While it is true that a well fitted truss will retain and often cure a rupture, yet the quacks who advertise the rupture cure propose to cure you by mail, then by application of a wonderful oil which they sell at ten dollars per bottle, they propose to close up the opening through which the rupture descends and effect a permanent cure. A

52 minute read

Read Chapter

Female Diseases.

Female Diseases.

It is well known among the readers of the daily press that all the advertisements of a medical nature addressed to women are meant to cover the nefarious business of the abortionist. The commissioner of health in a recent interview stated that not less than fifty thousand abortions are committed yearly in Chicago. It is well to state that only a small number of these are performed by the advertising abortionists. Most of them are the work of regular physicians. Indeed, in no other way could this

3 minute read

Read Chapter

The Electric Belt Fraud.

The Electric Belt Fraud.

This is another one of the many humbugs that seem to have fastened themselves on the country. Chicago is the center for this as well as every other fake of a medical character. These belts are of the cheapest construction and are made at a cost of twelve and one-half cents each. They sell for anything, up to three hundred and even five hundred dollars. There may be virtue in electricity, properly applied, but there certainly is none in the belt. Dr. McL—— is located in Chicago, and has branch of

1 minute read

Read Chapter

The Varicocele Cure.

The Varicocele Cure.

To begin with, varicocele is a surgical disease and is only cured by an operation. Yet the daily papers teem with advertisements offering cures by drugs, appliances and external washes. It is needless to say that all of these are fakers. Chicago has more than twenty specialists who profess to cure varicocele. Only two of them fulfill their promises. The rest take your money and render you no service. Nearly every paper advertises these men, such headlines as "Cured in Five Days," "Cured Without

2 minute read

Read Chapter

The "Nervous Debility Specialist."

The "Nervous Debility Specialist."

"Lost Manhood Restored" is probably the greatest of all medical grafts. These men succeed simply because of the total ignorance of the people on matters pertaining to the sexual system. If sexual physiology was a part of the studies in the public schools for pupils at the age of fourteen there would be no cases of nervous debility, and the "lost manhood" physician would have to seek other fields for the display of his talents. One of the saddest of all the habits that young men drop into at some

3 minute read

Read Chapter

A Monumental Swindle.

A Monumental Swindle.

MEN who need treatment or advice concerning their health or any weakness or private disease should, before taking any treatment whatever, go to Dr. S. for consultation, examination and advice; free. DR. S.—Longest Established, Most Successful and Reliable Specialist in Diseases of Men, as Medical Diplomas, Licenses and Newspaper Records Show. Dr. S. first came to Chicago about the time of the World's Fair. His home office was supposed to be in Philadelphia. While Philadelphia has the reputation

31 minute read

Read Chapter

Blackmail an Adjunct.

Blackmail an Adjunct.

The poor victim, almost frightened to death at the prospect of exposure, usually compromises and pays all the money he can raise, taking the three months' "treatment" which he is assured has been specially prepared for his case. It is not an uncommon thing for Dr. S. to get several thousand dollars out of one patient. Men have been known to mortgage their farms to get out of the clutches of these cormorants. They never let go until the last dollar has been extracted from the poor patient. After

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Swindler a "Dope" Fiend.

Swindler a "Dope" Fiend.

The above advertisement is that of Dr. C——. C—— himself is out of the game. He is a dope fiend. A few months ago he narrowly escaped the penitentiary for taking $225 from a sixteen-year-old child. He was fined $200 in the Municipal Court, paid it and quit the business. Previously, however, he had sold the use of his name to Dick Williams, owner of several of the so-called medical offices along State street. Williams changes his doctors every few days, so that a patient hardly ever sees the same

3 minute read

Read Chapter

Just Plain Fraud.

Just Plain Fraud.

Among other advertisers are Dr. L. R. W——, Dr. H. J. T—— and Dr. D——. The last named was recently arrested and held to the grand jury on the charge of defrauding a patient. It might be asked in the light of the above exposés of so-called specialists, are there no honest ones? Detective Wooldridge says yes, there are several in Chicago who deliver the goods. To any earnest seekers after the truth he will be glad to give the names of several men of whom he can say, "They do not misrepresent."...

28 minute read

Read Chapter

"INVESTMENT" COMPANIES OF LAST FEW YEARS NETTED $10,162,000.

"INVESTMENT" COMPANIES OF LAST FEW YEARS NETTED $10,162,000.

This is a sad, sad story, because it is an obituary, the death notice of one of the meanest and most abominable frauds that has ever taken the hoarded pennies of children and working girls, the "late lamented" "turf syndicate." Several years ago the turf syndicate was in its glory. A poor girl, fresh from the old country, would scrub floors for a week or take in washing for a month in order to pour money into the pockets of these swindlers. Thanks to the efforts of Detective Clifton E. Wooldridg

8 minute read

Read Chapter

FAKE TURFMEN INDICTED.

FAKE TURFMEN INDICTED.

Gambling and Bookmaking Charged Against the "Get-Rich-Quick" Syndicates, Including Bennett's. True bills were voted against proprietors of "get-rich-quick" turf concerns by the grand jury. Indictments were returned in court, and capiases for the arrest of the accused persons placed in the hands of the sheriff. Those against whom bills were voted are: Frank E. Stone, alias Eddie Dunne, Security Savings Society, for bookmaking. W. R. Bennett, Security Savings Society, for bookmaking. W. I Bennett,

10 minute read

Read Chapter

A MOST DANGEROUS FORM OF RASCALITY.

A MOST DANGEROUS FORM OF RASCALITY.

Drugs Worth $30,000 Seized. War on Makers of Imitations of Medicines Begun by the Chicago Police in Charge of Detective Clifton R. Wooldridge. In all the history of fraud, imposture and graft, there is no story to parallel that of the "fake drug clique." There is no means of finding out how many thousands of lives are annually sacrificed in consequence of its nefarious practices, and the strong arm of the law while it can reach out and prevent further crime, can not call back to life those who h

5 minute read

Read Chapter

WHAT THE TEST SHOWED.

WHAT THE TEST SHOWED.

(The results) Dr. Wesener showed the following: "Druggists have been misled into purchasing this substitute for aristol by unscrupulous salesmen, who have palmed off on them a substance which in many cases is nothing more than 'fuller's earth,' said Dr. Wesener. This stuff was sold to them cheap. "The druggist can have no excuse for selling this stuff, which is injurious, because it is an easy matter for him to test it to find out whether it is aristol or not. Aristol is soluble in either, and m

1 minute read

Read Chapter

DANGER TO THE PATIENT.

DANGER TO THE PATIENT.

"The adulteration of aristol is liable to be fraught with serious consequences to the patient. It is extremely dangerous to introduce a mineral substance into an open wound, and many surgeons who have used this adulterated antiseptic, having bought it in good faith for the pure drug, have been at a loss to know why the wounds have suppurated. It is possible this adulterated drug may have caused numberless cases of blood poison with consequent loss of life."...

23 minute read

Read Chapter

HASTENED McKINLEY'S DEATH.

HASTENED McKINLEY'S DEATH.

It is even whispered that one of the products sold by this gang as a counterfeit of a standard article hastened the death of President William McKinley. The story goes that when the physicians sent to the nearest drug store for a certain kind of medicine they were given a substance which resembled it in every way but which was spurious. It is said the drug had exactly the opposite effect upon the president from what the doctors had reason to suppose it would have. Some there are who even declare

1 minute read

Read Chapter

LETTER FROM EDWARD A. KUEHMSTED, THE PRINCIPAL DEALER IN SPURIOUS DRUGS; IT IS SELF-EXPLANATORY.

LETTER FROM EDWARD A. KUEHMSTED, THE PRINCIPAL DEALER IN SPURIOUS DRUGS; IT IS SELF-EXPLANATORY.

Chicago, Ill., July 24, 1902. Mr. M. R. Zaegel. Sheboygan, Wis. My Dear Mr. Zaegel: Although I have been selling bogus Phenacetine and a lot of other bogus goods for over three years. I have never had the pleasure of selling you any of them. I should very much like to do so, and feel that I can give you satisfaction both in goods and prices. Some time ago I perfected arrangements to get my supplies direct from Europe, where the supply is not so limited as in Canada, and I can do much better in p

59 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STATE LAWS COVERING THE FRAUDULENT ADULTERATION OF DRUGS AND MEDICINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF SALE, READS AS FOLLOWS.

THE STATE LAWS COVERING THE FRAUDULENT ADULTERATION OF DRUGS AND MEDICINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF SALE, READS AS FOLLOWS.

"Section 10, Chapter 38 of Hurd's Revised Statutes of Illinois for 1903. Whoever fraudulently adulterates, for the purpose of sale, any drug or medicine, or sells or offers or keeps for sale any fraudulently adulterated drug or medicine, knowing the same to be adulterated, shall be confined in the County Jail not exceeding one year, or fined not exceeding $1,000, and such adulterated drugs and medicines shall be forfeited and destroyed." After the great mass of evidence had been gathered it was

4 minute read

Read Chapter

"Speculation" an Unmeaning Term.

"Speculation" an Unmeaning Term.

Yet with this $100,000 a day going into the hopper of frenzied speculation of all kinds, Bradstreet's for the year 1907 showed business failures from speculation as one-eighth of 1 per cent of the total failures of the country. Whatever may be Bradstreet's definition of the word "speculation," as used in his lists, the word to the average business man who knows whereof he talks is as unmeaning as any other in the business dictionary. Suppose a man somewhere in a country town loses money in any s

54 minute read

Read Chapter

"Board of Trade" Falsely Blamed.

"Board of Trade" Falsely Blamed.

Every little while a banker somewhere goes wrong with funds that are intrusted to him, and in the telling of the story the "Chicago Board of Trade" is the secret of his undoing. One of the marked cases of the kind was that of the Aurora banker who defalcated with $90,000, "lost on the Board of Trade." But when the story was run down it was discovered that his money was lost in a bucket shop in Hammond, Ind., which had been driven out of Chicago through the efforts of the Chicago Board. When $100

1 minute read

Read Chapter

What is a Bucket Shop.

What is a Bucket Shop.

I have frequently been requested to define bucket shops—a most difficult task, owing to the variety of disguises which they assume and the outward similarity which they bear to legitimate brokerage. The following definition covers the essential features of bucket shops from the standpoint of an expert. A bucket shop is an establishment conducted nominally and ostensibly for the transaction of a grain, cotton or stock exchange business. The proprietor, with or without the consent of the patron, t

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Ready to Make All Deals.

Ready to Make All Deals.

The bucket shop proprietor is ready to make all deals offered in any commodity that fluctuates in price. He may call himself banker and broker, or commission merchant, or disguise his business under the form of an incorporated enterprise or exchange. But he is still a common gambler. The interest of the proprietor of a bucket shop is at all times opposed to that of his patrons, as the profits of the shop are measured by the losses of the patrons. Bucket shops should not be confounded with the gr

51 minute read

Read Chapter

Name Coined in London.

Name Coined in London.

The term "bucket shop," as now applied in the United States, was first used in the late '70s. It was coined in London fifty years ago, when it had absolutely no reference to any species of speculation or gambling. Beer swillers from the East Side (London) went from street to street with buckets, draining every keg they came across and picking up cast-off cigar butts. Arriving at a den they gathered for social amusement around a table and passed the bucket as a loving cup, each taking a "pull" as

57 minute read

Read Chapter

Game Neatly Fixed.

Game Neatly Fixed.

The one thing absolutely necessary to the bucket shop are quotations, never from a legitimate board of trade, but through leased wires, or wire tappings, or from some other fake source. For the instant that the "quotations" cannot be written upon the blackboards the betting must cease. The bet of the customer is that before a certain grain drops off a point against him, it will advance a point or more in his favor, and the bucket shopper takes the bet, holding the stake himself. Frequently the b

56 minute read

Read Chapter

How the Suckers Are Skinned.

How the Suckers Are Skinned.

Or if on a certain day the customer takes advantage of a rise in the commodity bet upon, and insists upon closing out the deal, it is most frequently settled by the bucket shop upon the lowest figure for the day. Occasionally, indeed, where a bucket shop keeper has allowed one or more customers to "win" a considerable figure from it through some untoward turn in figures, the whole shop closes up and disappears, leaving the victims no redress at law for the reason that they have left the money vo

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Other "Fakes" "Boost" the Game.

Other "Fakes" "Boost" the Game.

In the machinations of the bucket shop interests and those of kindred concerns that are garnering this $100,000 a day from the American people, the fake trade journal has had much to do; the fake mercantile agency, reporting extravagantly upon the responsibility and wealth of the schemers, has played extensively upon the credulity of men and women; fake banks and bankers have come into existence for the completion of the work of the others, and have been by no means the least in the category of

58 minute read

Read Chapter

Big Dividend Promises False.

Big Dividend Promises False.

The first letter is apologetic for reminding the addressee that he is an old friend of the writer's family; but it recites that the young man has about $200 in bank which he has saved from his salary, and which he is disposed to invest with a certain company if his friend in Chicago thinks the prospects are in line with good business and responsibility. Evidently the Chicago man does not regard the concern as dependable, for the next letter expresses thanks for saving the writer loss, but asks a

1 minute read

Read Chapter

"Outsider" Has No Chance.

"Outsider" Has No Chance.

Speculation, for the most part, as in the case of this young man, means for the average intelligence a possibility for placing money in a side line where quick and profitable returns may be expected, wholly independent of the person's occupation. To the man who knows what the best of the speculative market is, the necessity for all of the time and attention and best judgment of the speculator is imperative. It is a business in which only the best business methods succeed. On the boards of trade

1 minute read

Read Chapter

On Level with Lottery and Faro Bank.

On Level with Lottery and Faro Bank.

The "bucket shop," like the lottery and the faro bank, finds its profits in its customers' losses. If its patrons "buy" wheat and wheat goes up, the "bucket shop" loses. Many a bucket shop commission merchant would hardly know wheat from oats, and none of their grain and produce "exchanges" ever had a sample bag on its counters. Their transactions are wagers and their existence is an incitement to gambling under the guise of commercial transactions. The pernicious influences of the gaming house

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Open Gambling Under Ban.

Open Gambling Under Ban.

Open gambling has been placed under the ban of civic reform. While the policy shop, the lottery and other less dangerous methods of swindling have been effectively stamped out of most cities, the "bucket shop tiger" continues to rend the ambitions of young and old, dragging them down to forgery, embezzlement, suicide,—or that which is quite as bad,—broken spirit for legitimate endeavor. Under the circumstances the sympathy of the public should be with the movement to drive "bucket shops" out of

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Open Door to Ruin.

Open Door to Ruin.

Men do not blush at being seen in a "bucket shop" as they would if caught in a faro bank or poker room though they are drawn thither by the same passion for gambling that takes them to the regular gambling den. The "bucket shop" successfully carries on a worse swindling game than the "blacklegs." The wealth the chief "bucket shop" men of the country have acquired proves this. Men can be pointed out in Chicago, New York and other cities of the country who have amassed fortunes at the business whi

1 minute read

Read Chapter

HOW TO LEARN THEIR REAL CHARACTER.

HOW TO LEARN THEIR REAL CHARACTER.

The cleverness and boldness with which the up-to-date investment swindler plies his craft are almost incredible. Wherever you find a fraudulent scheme you will find both of these elements present in some degree—but the comparative proportion of one to the other is generally determined by the element of time of operation. For example, if the projectors of a scheme are old hands at the game and have established records of the wrong sort, then the idea of quick results is not only attractive, but o

2 minute read

Read Chapter

All "Brite & Fair."

All "Brite & Fair."

Weeks later the trust officer was astonished to receive from an old personal friend, who was knocking about in the west, a circular of the Brite &amp; Fair Bonanza Company, in which the big trust company was designated as "trustee" for the "B. &amp; F." stocks. As the friend who forwarded the circular knew something of the wildcat nature of the Brite &amp; Fair enterprise, his comments on the folly of the bank's accepting such a "trust" had an edge on them. When the matter was invest

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Dodge Uncle Sam and Conspiracy Laws.

Dodge Uncle Sam and Conspiracy Laws.

Take it in the incident above related: Had these men been prosecuted for falsely using the name of the trust company or for obtaining money by misrepresentation (the claim that the trust company was acting as trustee for the Brite &amp; Fair securities), an able lawyer could have made out of the "trust" to transfer a package of unknown contents a very plausible defense. Again, the mining company was able to make valuable use of the trust company's receipt for the package by having fac simile

55 minute read

Read Chapter

Wildcats Give Good Reference.

Wildcats Give Good Reference.

Promoters of wildcat investment enterprises have used hundreds of names as references which they had not the shadow of right to use—calculating that persons credulous enough to be interested in the proposition would also be credulous enough to say, "These references will speak well enough for the enterprise, else their names would not be given out for this purpose," and to act without making any inquiries of them. Again, some man of prominence and great faith may have been, at the start, a belie

2 minute read

Read Chapter

$300,000,000 Capital.

$300,000,000 Capital.

The book of the Central State Underwriting and Guarantee corporation had promoted 300 corporations and companies which were capitalized at $300,000,000. Stock bonds were issued which was guaranteed by this company. This company further agreed to sell these bonds and stocks to raise the money to financier these companies. The complaint was made by the Compensating Pipe Organ Company, through C. V. Wisner. The firm is located at Battle Creek, Mich. W. H. Todd &amp; Co. was employed by the Pipe

43 minute read

Read Chapter

Did Heavy Business.

Did Heavy Business.

Rare oriental rugs, the most costly tables and chairs, and elaborate grandfather clocks, together with an amazing amount of polished brass work and plate glass, were found in each of the imposing offices raided by the deputy marshals. The Central States Underwriting &amp; Guarantee Company did a business commensurate with the costly environment. The books of the concern show that from February 1, 1903, to August 5, 1906, 643 corporations throughout the United States paid money to the Central

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Scheme of the Company.

Scheme of the Company.

The brokers in the alleged fraudulent transactions would represent to the proposed victim that they would get no returns for their work unless they actually sold the stocks, and that they would be content with a commission of from one-half to 1 per cent on such stock as they sold. They assured the victims that there could be no doubt that the stock underwritten would be sold, as the capitalists to whom the victims had been introduced would be certain to buy them. The brokers would then take the

53 minute read

Read Chapter

The Guarantee Co. Methods.

The Guarantee Co. Methods.

The Guarantee Company system is a new phase of "promotion" that has come to the surface during the past two years, but which, through police and legal investigation, has about reached its limit. A strictly legitimate guarantee company is modeled much after the Fidelity and Insurance Bond corporations. They issue secured bonds for all necessary business purposes, and are reputable and responsible. About 1903 a promotion gang in Chicago stole the name "Guarantee," and half a dozen fake guarantee c

3 minute read

Read Chapter

Good Advice on "Guarantee."

Good Advice on "Guarantee."

However, scores of oil, mining and investment companies which do not use either of these clever catchwords in their corporate titles cannot be charged with undervaluing the "pulling power" of such phrases; in their literature this kind of bait is employed with the greatest skill and plausibility. One of the most common ways in which this idea is dressed is this: "We guarantee you, under all conditions and at all times, to get you, without cost to yourself, the highest market price for your holdi

5 minute read

Read Chapter

Do Booming Business.

Do Booming Business.

"Very plausible, but where are these guarantee companies?" "Why, there are The National, The States, and The Industrial. We hear The States is doing a booming business. Go and see them. They are at such a number." The victim went to the richly furnished suite of offices occupied by the guarantee company and met its dignified "president," to whom he explained the purpose of his visit. "Very good," said that official. "We will accept your risk. We will issue you an option agreeing within one year

5 minute read

Read Chapter

America Follows Old Lines.

America Follows Old Lines.

The history of the United States is the history of all countries as regards prostitution. The population is made up of all nations, civilized and semi-civilized. In the majority of cases poverty is the greatest incentive to prostitution. Permanent prostitution has a numerical relation to the means of occupation. At the present time in all parts of the United States the lower strata of men and women are deprived of the results of their labor except in quantities barely sufficient to retain life i

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Only Burned Orphan Asylum.

Only Burned Orphan Asylum.

New York, Chicago, St. Louis, any great city will furnish examples by the thousands. Where one girl enters this life from choice (through sensuality inherited from the lust of her father, no doubt), ninety-nine are sucked into its whirlpool by force of circumstances. The young woman who is a clerk is paid an amount which will barely cover the cost of living. She is expected to dress well, and if she protests that she can not, is told to rely on some "gentleman friend" for other expenses. Likewis

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Give All Honest Chance.

Give All Honest Chance.

Giving to all young men and women honest means of livelihood with extra times and resources for the cultivation of their talents and their better selves, honorable marriage would be preferred to prostitution in nearly every case. There is no hope for moral purification among the wealthy until such time as they will use their time and talents in useful work. An enormous field for missionary work would be for some one of ability to convert the wealthy world to the religion of useful work. As a sel

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Average Evil Life Very Short.

Average Evil Life Very Short.

According to statistics the average life of a prostitute is four years after entering the maelstrom of such a career. The life is never such as to be recommended even by its followers. It is moral as well as physical death when followed, and is well-nigh impossible to escape once having bowed to its seeming fascination. As to the libertine, he "sells himself for what he buys." He may enjoy pleasure, but not happiness. Happiness comes from within, in the consciousness of doing right. Pleasures co

54 minute read

Read Chapter

Argument Against Segregation.

Argument Against Segregation.

The first and most convincing argument against the segregation of vice is found in the fact that the law expressly condemns crime of all kinds and requires its relentless prosecution in order to effect its destruction. Besides, vice districts would shortly become breeding spots for the propagation of crime of every kind. Here would be attracted the criminal classes from all parts of the country, because here they would be protected by the very law which they violate. Not only would the inhabitan

43 minute read

Read Chapter

Evil Not Necessary.

Evil Not Necessary.

Many advance the argument that the evil is a necessary one and must be tolerated, else the safety of virtuous women upon our streets would be seriously threatened and imperiled. The fallacy and absurdity of this contention is proved by the conditions which exist in many of the large cities of Great Britain and Canada, where houses of ill-fame are practically unknown, and where women are as safe as in cities where the segregation of vice prevails. This result has been obtained by persistent effor

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Nobler Womanhood the Goal.

Nobler Womanhood the Goal.

Chicago women are working hard to protect innocent women from lives of infamy and to help the repentant to a nobler womanhood. If there were men working among their own sex with equal devotions there would be a lessening of the social evil. If physicians would teach men the safety of chastity and the horrors of licentiousness, if preachers would train their guns against impurity, if popular clubs would expel licentious men, if the mayor would order the arrest of every person, man or woman, found

1 minute read

Read Chapter

MADE SOLELY FOR UNLAWFUL USE—ENGENDER CRIME, INCREASE ACCIDENTS AND MAKE SUICIDE EASY—CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS A VICIOUS AND INEXCUSABLE HABIT.

MADE SOLELY FOR UNLAWFUL USE—ENGENDER CRIME, INCREASE ACCIDENTS AND MAKE SUICIDE EASY—CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS A VICIOUS AND INEXCUSABLE HABIT.

The "lid" should be put upon deadly weapons—pistols, revolvers, dirk knives, brass knuckles—not merely to hide them, but to prevent their manufacture and sale. While serving as police officer I could not fail to observe that substantially all of the crimes committed with the pistol or revolver resulted from the practice of carrying the weapon upon the person. There would be a controversy in a bar-room, on the street or elsewhere, followed by a fight and ending with a shooting by someone present

8 minute read

Read Chapter

QUEERS THE TOWN.

QUEERS THE TOWN.

The elaborate display of revolvers, dirks and brass knuckles in shop windows creates a most unfavorable impression on visitors. Many travelers like to walk to their hotels for the exercise after the long journey from the east. They get their first impression of Chicago from a walk up Clark or State street. On all sides they see revolvers, bludgeons, sandbags and slung-shots. "Ah! This is the West at last," say many. "Now look out for Indians and grizzy bears." Upon Chicagoans who witness these e

5 minute read

Read Chapter

HOW THE WORTHLESS CERTIFICATE WORKS.

HOW THE WORTHLESS CERTIFICATE WORKS.

Stock Transfers From Worthless Stock to Worthless Stock a Game That Fools the Uninitiated. How the Rhodus Boys Worked the Old "Come-On." One of the most open frauds, one which should not for a minute have deceived any investor in "securities" and things, was unearthed by Detective Clifton R. Wooldridge, and the results of his work were shown in Chicago when Thomas Rhodus and Birch F. Rhodus were indicted by the federal grand jury. The Central Life Securities Company in Chicago was apparently a s

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Trying Their Hand at Life Insurance.

Trying Their Hand at Life Insurance.

"The Western Mutual Life Association of this city has been weighed in the balance by the Missouri and Michigan State Insurance Commissioners and found wanting. An examination of the concern by these officials, made as of August 31, 1898, has recently been reported upon. On that date a deficiency of assets under the most favorable showing of $55,635.36 was shown to exist. In other words, the association was impaired that amount. "President Thomas F. Rhodus and Vice-President Birch F. Rhodus each

8 minute read

Read Chapter

Assurance Given Investors.

Assurance Given Investors.

The cover of the pamphlet bears the assurance: "Are your interests protected? They are if made through the Mercantile Finance Company. Avoid risk of loss; make certain of gain." On another page is a list of high-class railroad stocks to the amount of $100,000 which the company is declared to be the possessor of in addition to assets in stocks, mortgage loans, cash on hand and other collateral. Careful reading of the pamphlet, however, shows that these stocks are not a part of the exchange list.

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Purchases "Guaranteed."

Purchases "Guaranteed."

"The Mercantile Finance Company positively guarantees to allow its customers the privilege of exchanging any stock purchased from it for stock of any other company which may be in the said guarantee fund. Such exchange may be made and repeated as often as desired during a period of five years following the date of the original purchase." The tremendous activity of Inspector Ketcham, ably assisted by Wooldridge, has been at the bottom of the exposure of this whole abominable swindle. But this is

1 minute read

Read Chapter

THE PETTY DOLLAR SWINDLERS PUT OUT OF BUSINESS IN CHICAGO BY DETECTIVE CLIFTON R. WOOLDRIDGE.

THE PETTY DOLLAR SWINDLERS PUT OUT OF BUSINESS IN CHICAGO BY DETECTIVE CLIFTON R. WOOLDRIDGE.

The cheap little grafter who takes dollars, dimes, nickels and pennies from the poor, while not exactly a great financier, is one of the smoothest propositions with which secret service men and federal inspectors are confronted. His main hold is on the public press, because he operates through the seemingly innocuous want advertisement. The statements of some advertisers may be taken literally; some should be taken with caution, and some should not be taken at all. In the postoffice department a

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Home Work Scheme Catches Many.

Home Work Scheme Catches Many.

The chance to earn a few dollars a week without leaving home appeals to many women whose household duties occupy the greater part of their daylight hours. Unfortunately the work-at-home scheme catches not only the woman whose object is merely to earn a little pin money and who in many cases can afford to lose a dollar or two without suffering any hardship as a consequence, but it gathers in as well the working girl eager to add to her scanty earnings by engaging in some remunerative work at home

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Money Charged for Fake "Outfits."

Money Charged for Fake "Outfits."

To those who reply to this advertisement a circular letter is sent stating that the work required consists in filling in with bronze paint store-window price tickets printed in outline, one of which, partly filled in, is inclosed as a sample. The circular states that the work is easily done, requires no previous experience, and that all that is necessary, is to do the work in a neat manner. Two dollars and a half a hundred is offered for tickets filled in as described, and the prospective victim

3 minute read

Read Chapter

A Smooth Scheme.

A Smooth Scheme.

One of the simplest and most effective schemes for hooking new "suckers" was adopted by a Dearborn street "investment" concern. This consisted in sending to a prospective victim a check for $100, made payable to some other man, and accompanied by a brief letter telling that recipient would find inclosed his weekly dividend on his investment of $1,000. Of course the marked "sucker" knew nothing of the deal, and, believing a mistake had been made would return the check and letter. He at once recei

43 minute read

Read Chapter

Financial "Journal" Frauds.

Financial "Journal" Frauds.

The multiplicity of these schemes led to the establishment of the "financial paper," designed, according to the publisher's statement, to guard investors against get-rich-quick frauds. To the police these papers are known as "special form papers." The editor comprises the staff. The contents consist of financial matter usually stolen from reputable journals, a formidable array of financial advertising, and, most important, "reports" on investment concerns. For a consideration the "special form"

2 minute read

Read Chapter

List of Branch Offices.

List of Branch Offices.

The Sullivan letterhead gives branch offices in the following cities: Altoona, Pa., Arcola, Ill.; Aurora, Ill.; Avoca, Ia.; Boston, Mass.; Buda, Ill.; Burlington, Ia.; Cambridge, Ill.; Chicago, Ill.; Cleveland, O.; Davenport, Ia.: Decatur, Ill.; Des Moines, Ia.; Detroit, Mich.; Earlville, Ill.; Effingham, Ill.; Elkhart, Ind.; Fairfield, Ind.; Fostoria, O.; Fort Madison, Ia.: Galesburg, Ill.; Geneseo, Ill.; Gibson City, Ill.; Goshen, Ind.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Greenville, Ill.; Grinnell, Ia.; Iow

40 minute read

Read Chapter

Exclusive Offices for Lady Speculators.

Exclusive Offices for Lady Speculators.

Chicago—225 Dearborn street, National Life Building, 16 Imperial Building, 51 Dexter Building, 84 Adams street, South Chicago—9138 Commercial avenue. Mr. Sullivan had his correspondents and solicitors in all of the leading stock, bond, grain and cotton markets of most of the foreign countries. On May 23, 1903, he was doing a business of from $300,000 to $500,000 per year. His weekly expenses ran from $15,000 to $20,000. Mr. Sullivan advertised extensively in the leading newspapers throughout the

2 minute read

Read Chapter

On the "Oil Exchange."

On the "Oil Exchange."

On May 17, 1900, Sullivan was admitted as a member of the Consolidated Stock and Petroleum Exchange of New York and under the firm name of Sullivan &amp; Sullivan advertised extensively and had a system of wires through New England. It was noticed that his business on the exchange was very small and upon the complaint of a customer his trading methods were investigated, with the result that on the 11th of October he was adjudged guilty of obvious fraud or false pretenses and expelled from me

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Reasons Which Caused Investigation, Raid and Arrest.

Reasons Which Caused Investigation, Raid and Arrest.

The raid by Detective C. R. Wooldridge on the Lincoln Commission Company, a race track scheme, in the Portland Block, 115 Dearborn street, May 14, 1903, developed the peculiar relations between this concern and Sullivan, and the police department was somewhat astounded to find among the papers of the Lincoln Commission Company conclusive evidence, in the shape of telegrams and correspondence, proving that Sullivan's agents on his private wires were acting as the agents of the turf scheme, and th

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Wooldridge's Raid.

Wooldridge's Raid.

On the morning of May 23, 1903, ten picked detectives were secured from the Detective Bureau to accompany Wooldridge in the raid on George T. Sullivan, which turned out to be one of the largest as well as one of the most sensational raids and arrests that had occurred in Chicago for years. Sullivan did an extensive business. The offices of the company which were raided were elaborately furnished, and there was a complete assortment of tickers, blackboards and like paraphernalia. At the time of t

35 minute read

Read Chapter

Offices Filled with Patrons.

Offices Filled with Patrons.

It was at 10 o'clock in the morning, when the largest throng of speculators can be found in the offices at 259-261 LaSalle street, opposite the Board of Trade, that Wooldridge and his men swooped down on the place and proclaimed "every one there a patron of a bucketshop and under arrest." The wildest excitement prevailed. Telegraph operators, messenger boys, pit men and persons of every station in life were caught. Some of the traders, thinking of their wives and children, pleaded frantically fo

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Names of Prisoners Arrested.

Names of Prisoners Arrested.

At the Harrison Street Police Station those arrested in the raid gave their names as follows: G. T. Sullivan, W. D. Hart, John Conway, L. J. Hoff, Charles Barth, William Wilson, E. E. Matwell, J. A. Hogadorn, E. L. Wilson, T. N. Lamb, R. J. Brennan, Ralph Cunningham, Fred Boller, John Whitmar, E. F. Black, John A. Manley, Ernest Gerard, John Lawson, J. K. West, George Rodger, Henry Miller, J. A. Crandall, Y. R. Pearson, George Wilson, Harry Van Camp, George T. Kelly, J. P. Morgan, Joseph Cohen,

44 minute read

Read Chapter

Crowd Gathers.

Crowd Gathers.

The fact that a raid was being made became known outside the offices and in a short time several thousand persons gathered. Crowds peered through the windows and doors. The Chicago Open Board of Trade is directly across the alley in the rear of Sullivan's offices, and business there was at a standstill for a time. The traders gathered about Sullivan's offices and remained until the last prisoner had been taken away in the patrol wagon. Sullivan himself was in his private office when the raid was

3 minute read

Read Chapter

"Red Letter" Well Known. Patrons Told They Would Not Lose If Advice Was Followed.

"Red Letter" Well Known. Patrons Told They Would Not Lose If Advice Was Followed.

In Sullivan's office the detectives found great quantities of advertising matter. This matter was thoroughly gone over in the search for evidence against the grain and stock broker. Pile after pile of Sullivan's "red letter" circulars were found. Sullivan's "red letter" was issued daily, and printed in red ink. The circulars were written in a manner characteristic of all the advertisements, printed matter and correspondence to patrons. In telegrams to patrons and the "red letters" Sullivan often

6 minute read

Read Chapter

Sullivan Has Record.

Sullivan Has Record.

The misdemeanor was based on Sullivan's doing business without being properly registered at Harrisburg, and he was charged with violating a city ordinance for running a brokerage office without taking out a city license. He was held, for court in $1,000 bail on the misdemeanor charge and was fined $25 on the other. George T. Sullivan, the Napoleon of frenzied finance, cut a large figure in Chicago. From a telegraph operator in the pool rooms and bucketshops at a salary of $18 per week, he acquir

58 minute read

Read Chapter

MILLION-DOLLAR GAMBLER'S WIFE ARRESTED FOR MURDER.

MILLION-DOLLAR GAMBLER'S WIFE ARRESTED FOR MURDER.

Webster Guerin Murdered February 21, 1906—The Arrest of Dora McDonald for the Murder by Detective Clifton R. Wooldridge and J. F. Daugherty a Few Minutes After the Tragedy. Spectacular Case—Battle Bitterly Waged. Important dates in the trial of Mrs. Dora McDonald: February 21, 1907—Webster Guerin shot to death in room 703, Omaha Building, where he was closeted with Mrs. Dora McDonald. March 5, 1907—The Coroner's jury returned an open verdict, failing to find Mrs. McDonald responsible for Guerin'

2 minute read

Read Chapter

No Witnesses of Killing.

No Witnesses of Killing.

There were no witnesses of the killing of Guerin. He was in his office with Mrs. Dora McDonald. Several persons heard a shot, and a moment later the glass door was broken and the head of Mrs. McDonald came out. The condition of the studio, in room 703 of the Omaha Building, shows that a violent quarrel took place between Guerin and Mrs. McDonald. Mrs. McDonald left her residence shortly after breakfast. She arrived at the building about 11:45 o'clock. Guerin expected her, for he told his office

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Woman Cut by Broken Glass.

Woman Cut by Broken Glass.

When Blasi reached the studio he found Mrs. McDonald with her head partly thrust through the broken glass. Her face was bleeding from cuts. In her hand she held a revolver. She was trying to break more of the glass with her revolver and escape. A moment later Eric Allert and Charles B. Williams, who work across the corridor, rushed out to Blasi's aid. Mrs. McDonald was pulled through the door and the revolver was secured. In the office, men found Guerin lying dead in the room leading off from th

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Mystery Too Much for Coroner.

Mystery Too Much for Coroner.

All the additional evidence and the preparation of the case was made by the State's attorneys, William H. Rittenhouse. Edwin S. Day, Frank Comerford, City Police Attorney, and other officers. All the names of new witnesses (some twelve or fifteen in number) and the evidence were concealed from Detective Wooldridge, and at no time was he present, or did he hear to what the witnesses would testify. Therefore, he had no knowledge of any new facts when the case was called for trial. The mystery of G

58 minute read

Read Chapter

Friends Get Busy Quickly.

Friends Get Busy Quickly.

A few hours after the tragedy of Webster Guerin all the influences and machinery at the command of Mike McDonald were brought to bear to save the life of Dora McDonald. A. S. Trude, one of the greatest criminal attorneys in Chicago, was employed, besides several other noted lawyers, to defend Dora McDonald. Mike McDonald's political friends soon became active. Everything was done to gather evidence in Dora McDonald's case, and everything was done that could be done to suppress any evidence that

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Guerin's Life Story.

Guerin's Life Story.

Webster Guerin, who lived at 655 West Harrison street, was well known on the West Side, where he was born thirty years ago. He kept a haberdashery on West Madison street a few years before the murder, but left it to go to California. On his return he went into the picture business. Guerin was a tall, splendid-looking fellow more than six feet in height. Guerin was known at the offices in the Omaha Building as Louis Fisher, and it was under that name that he operated the Harrison Art Company....

26 minute read

Read Chapter

Dora McDonald Divorced Wife of "Sam" Barclay.

Dora McDonald Divorced Wife of "Sam" Barclay.

Dora McDonald, 35 years old, was the divorced wife of "Sam" Barclay, a former professional ball player and Chicago saloonkeeper. They had one son, Harold Barclay, who was later legally adopted by "Mike" McDonald, and who was at school in Florida at the time of the murder. He was 15 years old. She had separated from Barclay shortly prior to her divorce and had been on the stage for a short time under the name of Mme. Alberta. She was married to Mike McDonald a week after her divorce and was taken

30 minute read

Read Chapter

Beauty of West Side.

Beauty of West Side.

Dora McDonald was one of the beauties of the West Side in her day, and many admirers hovered about her threshold. The lights of the midnight hours charmed her then, and she dashed off to marry Sam Barclay, a professional baseball player. Into that home came Michael Cassius McDonald. He was a gambler and a politician and a man of great wealth. For the second time his wife had left him; run away, people said, with a man who had been a guest at their home. Mike was lonesome. He saw the bride of Sam

50 minute read

Read Chapter

Boy of 14 Enters.

Boy of 14 Enters.

Webster Guerin lived across the street. He was a boy of attractive manners and he won the affection of Dora McDonald. Slander gives one reason for that affection; the woman gives another....

10 minute read

Read Chapter

Stole Him as a Boy, Slew Him as a Man, Says Archie Guerin.

Stole Him as a Boy, Slew Him as a Man, Says Archie Guerin.

Archie Guerin, Webster Guerin's brother, told how Mrs. Dora McDonald had taken a violent fancy to Webster when he was a boy of 14, and Archie 13, or thereabouts; how she would meet them on their way home from school and whisk Webster into the mansion, keeping him two, three or four hours; how she used to waylay Webster on his way home from church; how she followed him through the years until she got the notion that he was falling in love with Avis Dargan; how she put detectives on the boy's trai

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Mike McDonald Deluded by Wife.

Mike McDonald Deluded by Wife.

"Mike" seemingly was deluded. He may have had suspicions of his wife, but his suspicions seem to have been quieted by the woman. Even when Guerin followed her to California she dared to wire Mike: "Web Guerin is coming; fear I shall be compromised; shall I come back?" It was such a frank admission that the gambler urged her to have mettle. "Stick," he sent back word. "Don't let anyone bluff you." Things went on this way until the morning of February 21, 1906. Then something happened, the climax

27 minute read

Read Chapter

Provides for the Defense.

Provides for the Defense.

After the arrest of his wife, "Mike" McDonald announced that he believed in her integrity and declared he would spend every cent of his fortune to save her. The former gambling dictator was almost 70 years old and his health was failing rapidly. Four months after the event he was taken to the St. Anthony de Padua Hospital, where he remained until his death, August 9, 1907. McDonald was still passing to his death when there crept into his room a little, white-haired woman who had come from Newark

35 minute read

Read Chapter

Dramatic Meeting of McDonald and First Wife.

Dramatic Meeting of McDonald and First Wife.

By the laws of the church she was still his wife, no matter what the years had brought forth. So Mike took her hand and held it and spoke softly to her in a breath of full forgiveness and passed away. Without the door sat the woman whom he had called his wife—Dora, whom he had won from a husband and to whom he had been faithful until he stepped to the brink of his grave. This was the last straw that crushed the spirit of Dora McDonald. The body of Webster Guerin was removed to McNally &amp;

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Trial Begins.

Trial Begins.

Mrs. McDonald was put on trial January 20. The jury was completed January 25 and the taking of testimony began at once. The case of the State was made as complete as possible and the defense began an exhaustive array of testimony. The defense, however, came to a surprisingly sudden end. It had been feared that Mrs. McDonald might not live through the trial and there was every desire to have a verdict before she might give way to heart trouble. The case was heard before Judge Theodore Brentano, a

51 minute read

Read Chapter

Names of the Jury.

Names of the Jury.

Harry Corcoran, Joseph Koehy, Arne Peterson, Hugh H. Fulton, George W. Miller, Roland F. Graham, James J. Noonan, Otto H. Nelson, Charles R. Johnson, Herbert R. Garn, Charles McGrath, John C. Anderson....

9 minute read

Read Chapter

Packed Courtroom.

Packed Courtroom.

With the courtroom packed to the doors and several hundred men and women struggling to gain admission, the actual trial of Mrs. Dora McDonald, widow of Mike McDonald, commenced. Assistant State's Attorney Edward S. Day made an opening statement of the case. Trembling and his eyes flashing, he pointed a finger at Mrs. Dora McDonald and in a ringing voice denounced her as the murderess of Guerin. "Dora McDonald became acquainted with Guerin, who was about 14 years old. His parents lived a short di

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Dramatic Scene in Courtroom.

Dramatic Scene in Courtroom.

The face that was turned piteously toward the jury was deeply lined with the furrows of physical and mental suffering. The eyes drooped constantly, and there were times when she closed them for a full minute. Every movement of the lips or eyelids, every arrangement of dress and costume, was either studiously planned or pathetically dramatic. The weariness and bitterness were marked in the droop of her mouth, in the perplexed wrinkling of her forehead, in the stoop of her shoulders, in the relaxa

47 minute read

Read Chapter

Bloom Gone From Cheek.

Bloom Gone From Cheek.

There are many who say that the beauty of which Dora McDonald was once so proud has departed entirely. The eyes were heavy, the skin no longer showed the pink of health, but was a dead white, her figure had fallen away until she was almost emaciated, but there was a beauty in her sadness and despair that the triumphant woman never possessed. She seldom looked at the veniremen, nor did she appear to be following the questions put to them. Occasionally she glanced at a possible juror as he stepped

49 minute read

Read Chapter

No Madness in Her Eyes.

No Madness in Her Eyes.

If the defense expected to utilize the plea of insanity it would have had some difficulty in inducing a jury to believe that Mrs. McDonald was greatly deranged. There was no gleam of madness in her eyes. They were dark-circled and languid, but not at all staring or strange. She seemed unusually self-poised and collected. Without any artifices of dress or cosmetics, without any gleam of gaiety or vivacity, it was not impossible to understand why this woman wielded the great influence in the lives

32 minute read

Read Chapter

Traces of Siren Left.

Traces of Siren Left.

The contour of her cheeks was soft and round. But one can imagine, in happier days, that there was a captivating play of expression, an esprit, a beauté de diable, that would be particularly fascinating to a man like old "Mike" McDonald. And upon such a woman would the self-made man, the gambler, uncultivated and rough, fast approaching old age, delight to heap luxury and adoration, as there is no doubt "Mike" McDonald did. And is it not easy to imagine that such a woman would have a powerful at

57 minute read

Read Chapter

A "Sappho" and "Salome."

A "Sappho" and "Salome."

A "Sappho" in a grimy city she was called because her heart was touched by the strength of youth; a "Salome" because she planted a kiss on his dying lips, but whether she was victim or vampire, sinner or sinned against, was solely for the jury to say. Cries of blackmail, of bribery, of frenzied jealousy, of shameless love and daring intrigue, rang around the courtroom for the long days of the trial, but for the jury it was only to look behind the locked door of the artist's studio and see whethe

5 minute read

Read Chapter

"Kill Me If You Will," She Says in a Verse.

"Kill Me If You Will," She Says in a Verse.

Another of Mrs. McDonald's poems, written on the day of the killing, is as follows: The reading of the poems was followed intently by the big crowd in Judge Brentano's courtroom. Mrs. McDonald appeared uninterested. From poetry the step was easy into song. Accomplished and educated as Dora McDonald was, with time hanging, sometimes, heavy on her hands, what more natural than that she should set her verses to music of her own composing? (Song written, composed and published by Mrs. Michael C. McD

5 minute read

Read Chapter

Sought Vindication to Spare Her Aged Mother.

Sought Vindication to Spare Her Aged Mother.

For Dora McDonald, life had been lived when Guerin died. It mattered not after that whether she went to the gallows or to freedom. But for one reason she would not have cared a whit whether her case was fought before a jury or not. The one reason was vindication that her mother might be spared something of shame. The vindication, however, was sought at a costly price—the price of a life and heart and love bared to a gaping world. It was an expensive effort to wash off the stain of an indictment.

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Strong Defense by Lewis.

Strong Defense by Lewis.

Colonel Lewis said that the State had not denied that the revolver with which Guerin was shot was his own. He called for the weapon and showed the jury how Guerin might have shot himself if Mrs. McDonald, in her struggle with him, had merely pushed the revolver around in the palm of his hand. Again he called for the blood-stained coat that Guerin wore when he was killed. It was too good an opportunity to be overlooked by the fine dramatic eye of the Colonel. "You remember the speech of Mark Anth

57 minute read

Read Chapter

Strikes Hard at Archie Guerin.

Strikes Hard at Archie Guerin.

More striking than the beautiful imageries and the wealth of quotation from ancient and modern authors with which the Colonel embellished his speech was his strong play upon "that fifteen minutes," which, according to his interpretation of the evidence, elapsed between the time the boys in Guerin's studio were ejected and the time when Archie came out, leaving his brother and Mrs. McDonald alone, behind locked doors. "There need be nothing else in this case for you," exclaimed the speaker, "than

41 minute read

Read Chapter

O'Donnell Moves to Tears.

O'Donnell Moves to Tears.

There were wet eyes in the courtroom as the real Dora McDonald was brought to life in the closing address of Mr. O'Donnell. The bickerings and the charges and the abuse that had made the courtroom like a pothouse brawl all day were forgotten. The woman's black clad figure and her white, despairing face became the living picture of the world-old tragedy of the judgment and the problem of pardon. "The tragedy was in that room," said Mr. O'Donnell, pointing to a plat of room 703 of the Omaha buildi

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Quotes the Gospel.

Quotes the Gospel.

"A daughter of Israel coming to judgment. She may have been wayward, but we are not here to judge her past life. In a temple of Jerusalem many years ago the Saviour of us all stood before the multitude and they brought him a woman and said: "'She has been taken in sin and she must die.' And he said: "'Let him who is without sin among you cast the first stone.' And they walked away and left him with the woman. Then the Master said to the woman: "'Go and sin no more.' "Let us pass judgment upon th

51 minute read

Read Chapter

Acquittal Creates Thrilling Scenes.

Acquittal Creates Thrilling Scenes.

These were the scenes which attended the rendition of the Dora McDonald verdict: "Bring in the jury," said Judge Brentano, as he dropped into the big leather-upholstered chair behind the bench. Bradley was waiting for the word at the door to the Judge's right. Looking very solemn and sphinx-like, the twelve men filed in and took their usual places. At the same time Mrs. McDonald came through the corridor from the custodian's room, accompanied by her nurse, Miss A. K. Beck. Miss Beck was tremblin

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Suspense Frightful.

Suspense Frightful.

"Have you agreed upon a verdict?" repeated Judge Brentano, a little impatiently. "We have," replied the foreman, Hugh H. Fulton, rising and displaying a paper which he held in his right hand. "Let the Clerk of the Court read it." A. J. Harris, the Clerk, was already in front of the railing to receive the paper. He took it to his desk, and holding it under an incandescent lamp, for the courtroom was dark, he read, in a loud voice: "We, the jury, find the defendant, Dora McDonald, not guilty." It

40 minute read

Read Chapter

McDonald Jurors Tell of the Verdict.

McDonald Jurors Tell of the Verdict.

"The jury found Mrs. McDonald innocent because they could not feel sure that she did not act in self-defense, and, following the instructions of the court, gave her the benefit of the doubt." This was the opinion voiced by Juror Charles McGrath. Mr. McGrath said that the jury presumed the defendant sane, and that the matter of possible insanity was not considered at any time. "I think that the jury attached a great deal of importance to the testimony of Dr. McNamara," continued Mr. McGrath. "He

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Woman Serene as Verdict is Read.

Woman Serene as Verdict is Read.

Dora McDonald, in a state of serenity and composure that is baffling even to those who are nearest her, was surrounded after her acquittal by friends and relatives, who were weeping for very joy at her acquittal. She seemed quite unconcerned about it all, but when they took her to one side and asked her how she felt about it, she said, in the amazingly simple way she has: "I am pleased. Do you want me to tell you the five reasons why?" They said yes, and though she lost herself several times in

2 minute read

Read Chapter

The Vampire.

The Vampire.

After Painting by SIR ED. BURNE-JONES Verses by RUDYARD KIPLING. "King of Gamblers," Supreme in His Day, Relentless Nemesis of Old "Clark Street Gang," Brings His Gray Hairs to Grave With Broken Heart. Rises From Newsboy to Gambling King and Becomes Millionaire. Mike McDonald's career in Chicago has been spectacular and sensational to a degree. The present-day generation in Chicago cannot appreciate what the name Michael C. McDonald meant twenty years ago in Chicago. There is not a single man to

4 minute read

Read Chapter

Begins Life as "Candy Butcher."

Begins Life as "Candy Butcher."

Mike McDonald began life as a "candy butcher" on railroad trains before the war. He sold peanuts and popcorn and mysterious packages not to be opened on the train, and fine gold watches at $3.75 apiece. Mike ran on many different railroads, although it must be said for the sake of truth that his customers were often very sorry to board a train and find that the energetic little candy butcher who had sold them jewelry on the last trip they had made had left and gone over to some other railroad. M

32 minute read

Read Chapter

Patriotic for a Price.

Patriotic for a Price.

The candy butcher made money and saved it, and during the war he settled down in Chicago. Mike was very patriotic. He sent many men around to the enlistment offices, especially when big bounties were offered for volunteers. The trouble with the gallant soldiers that Mike put into the service was that after they got their bounty money they lost their enthusiasm and faded from view, like an evanescent mist. Mike made much money out of his bounty-jumpers, but lost a good deal of it gambling. At thi

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Solved Gambling Problem.

Solved Gambling Problem.

This frequent raiding cut frightfully into the profits of the enterprising firm of Oaks &amp; McDonald, and set the junior member thinking again. He had already solved the great problem that it is better to run a brace game than to play one, but he found there were thorns even in running a game. Therefore he set to work to discover how these thorns could be removed. The thorns that beset his career as a gambler were the police. But the police acted under instructions from the chief of police

42 minute read

Read Chapter

Once Ruled All Chicago.

Once Ruled All Chicago.

Mike McDonald never got over his hatred for the police that was born in the days when they used to raid his little game at 89 Dearborn street. He probably would have abolished the police department entirely when he finally found himself on the throne of Chicago, had it not been that he found the police useful in making the other fellows behave, while he could do as he pleased. And then, it was such a joy to make the police bend the knee and acknowledge him as Lord and Master. Generally the super

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Near to Penitentiary.

Near to Penitentiary.

While Mike was running the place at 89 Dearborn street he became involved in an affair that put him in jail for three months and made the portals of the penitentiary loom up largely across his path. It looked for a time as if his career was about to be nipped in the young bud. In 1869 Charles Goodwin, assistant cashier of the Chicago Dock Company, was found to be a defaulter to the extent of $30,000. He fled from Chicago and went to California, but in a few months came back and surrendered himse

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Case Finally "Fixed."

Case Finally "Fixed."

McDonald was arrested, and the Dock company also proceeded against him civilly, as it was not certain he could be held on a criminal charge owing to the guarded manner in which he had conducted his operation. McDonald was put under bail of $60,000, and, being unable to supply it, remained in jail for several months. Things were finally "fixed" all right, though. A few days before his trial he was released from jail, John Corcoran and Alderman Tom Foley going on his bail bond. The trial was a far

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Rises in His Profession.

Rises in His Profession.

After the fire McDonald opened a place on State street, in partnership with Nick Geary, a celebrated thief, who was subsequently killed in Philadelphia. McDonald next moved to the West Side, and was taken in by John Dowling, who gave him a third interest in his game in consideration of indemnity against police interference, McDonald's political star at this time being on the rise. The firm cleared $100,000 in less than a year. About this time McDonald formed a partnership with Harry Lawrence and

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Throne in "The Store."

Throne in "The Store."

The firm of McDonald, Lawrence and Martin had opened up the resort known as "The Store" on Clark street, on the northwest corner of Monroe street, where the Hamilton Club stands today. The first floor was operated as a saloon, and the floors above as gambling rooms. After public sentiment became aroused over the bunko business of the firm, Lawrence and Martin drew out, leaving McDonald to run "The Store" alone. "The Store" was the most famous place in Chicago in those days. It was not only the r

1 minute read

Read Chapter

The Big Courthouse "Job."

The Big Courthouse "Job."

Another disappointment of McDonald's political career was when he got a bill past the county commissioners and city aldermen authorizing Harry Holland to paint the outside of the City Hall and County Building with a mixture which was guaranteed to prevent the stone from decaying. Holland applied his marvelous preparation, but when the time came to pay the bill a newspaper man, John J. Lane, who died only the other day in St. Louis, had dug up evidence tending to show that Holland's preparation w

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Domestic Life Rough.

Domestic Life Rough.

A great deal has been said about McDonald's domestic unhappiness, but it was not until his body had been buried that the truth was known. His first wife was Mary Noonan, whom he married in the days when "The Store" was the sporting and political Mecca of Chicago. It was a great scandal in the community later when she suddenly disappeared, and it was reported that she had run away with "Billy" Arlington, a minstrel man. It was the greater shock because her devotion and loyalty to McDonald had bee

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Sam Barclay Tells "How Mike McDonald's Coin Won Dora Away."

Sam Barclay Tells "How Mike McDonald's Coin Won Dora Away."

"Sam" Barclay (Harry is supposed to have been his baptismal name) was one of the great ball players of the long ago, and the shadows of the drama that wrecked his life are, therefore, interwoven with the world of sport, and even with the career of Charles Comiskey, "the master of the White Sox." Barclay, a trim and graceful fellow, came into prominence twenty years ago and played with Pittsburg and St. Louis. At St. Louis he was under the command of Comiskey, who therefore knew him well, and was

58 minute read

Read Chapter

Opens Saloon in Chicago.

Opens Saloon in Chicago.

Coming to Chicago, Barclay opened a saloon on West Madison street. Back in 1894, West Madison, from Halsted to Elizabeth, was the real red-light district, full of saloons and concert halls. Barclay's place was the headquarters of revelry, but Sam himself kept a good name for personal honesty and unbounded generosity to his friends. When the red-lights went out on Madison street, Sam leased a saloon at 15 North Clark, where for some time he held the same kind of sway he had maintained west of the

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Likely Lad of 200 Pounds.

Likely Lad of 200 Pounds.

"It was in '89 that I met Dora. I was in the Kansas City ball team, and was a likely lad. I weighed 200 pounds, trained down, and it was a good man who was able to floor me. "Dora came to visit her brother-in-law in Kansas City. He is Dick Vaughn, and a very good 'pal' of mine. I met her there at his house. "We took a liking to each other, so I used to have her in the best seat every day at the games when we played on home grounds. "And she never was slow, I tell you, of giving me credit when I

36 minute read

Read Chapter

Nothing Like Real Love.

Nothing Like Real Love.

"Well, the season came to a close. I liked the kid, but I didn't feel nothing like real love for her. I was going to leave Kansas City, and nothing was said about taking her with me. I noticed that big tears came in her eyes when I told her, but she didn't say much. That night they sent for me. They told me that Dora was dying. "I got to Vaughn's house and found her unconscious. She had taken laudanum, the doctor said. She was in a stupor. The first chance I got, I asked her what was the matter,

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Day of Harrison Funeral.

Day of Harrison Funeral.

"Well I remember the time—it was on the day that Carter Harrison's funeral went past the house, at 319 Washington boulevard, where we were living at that time. "'I met an old gentleman today who has lots of money,' Dora said to me, as we looked out of the window. "'It's funny how a man gets up in the world and then loses it all when he's laid away in the narrow box,' I said, keeping my eyes on the hearse. "I was thinking, then, but not about what my wife said. Afterward the words came to me, but

35 minute read

Read Chapter

Deep Game Well Played.

Deep Game Well Played.

"A few years passed. They went quick, then. Money made the time fly, and Dora certainly was a spender. Then one night they pulled off the game that was to separate us and give Mike McDonald a young wife. "I was boozy with wine. Bill Hoffman and 'Bunk' Allen were masters of the ceremonies. They bundled me in a cab and drove me to a place on Wood street. Detectives came in, and my wife, too, and they there and then laid the basis of the divorce suit which ended the game between Dora and I." Barcla

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Wife Gets Divorce.

Wife Gets Divorce.

Mrs. Barclay obtained a divorce—with McDonald's money, so Barclay always said—and the ball player was left alone. The blow proved his utter undoing. Barclay lost ambition and energy. He spent hours in his rooms, gazing mutely at a huge crayon portrait of his wife, taken a year before she left him, and he seemed to have no desire or ability left for business....

18 minute read

Read Chapter

Second Wedding in Milwaukee.

Second Wedding in Milwaukee.

Mrs. Barclay was married to McDonald in Milwaukee. At the time she was in the chorus of the Chicago Opera House. Her mother is Mrs. Fanny Feldman, 338 South Marshfield avenue. She has two brothers, Harry and Emil Feldman, both known in West Side political circles. Harry Feldman was employed in the city clerk's office during William Loeffler's term. When McDonald took his new wife to his house on Ashland boulevard there was a red-hot family row. Guy, the elder of the two sons of McDonald, had a p

42 minute read

Read Chapter

Induces Husband to Disinherit Son.

Induces Husband to Disinherit Son.

Shortly after her marriage to McDonald, Dora became angry at her husband's son, Harley. The latter objected to his father contracting further matrimonial alliances, and did not hesitate to say so. Mrs. McDonald prevailed upon her husband to disinherit the son, and later, of her own initiative, caused the arrest of the young man. The charge was threats against her life. The case came up at the old Armory police court, and the young man was placed under bonds to keep the peace. The breach between

46 minute read

Read Chapter

The Sting and Curse of Ill-Gotten Money.

The Sting and Curse of Ill-Gotten Money.

"Mike" McDonald, the king of gamblers, was buried like a king of men. There were flowers, tears, friends, orations and processions. But as clothes are not, neither is a funeral, an index to character—nor even is the obituary column. Strangers, reading the story of the last day above the sod of McDonald's body, might has thought that Chicago had lost a leading good citizen. They were told that McDonald had amassed wealth, but they were not told how he got it. They read of the great men whom he ha

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WIFE NO. 1, WIDOW; NO. 2, REPUDIATED.

WIFE NO. 1, WIDOW; NO. 2, REPUDIATED.

The grave out at Mount Olivet that closed over the body of "Mike" McDonald refused a final sanctuary to the life-tragedy of the political boss and millionaire gambling king. The same hand of death that closed his eyes on his triumphs and afflictions raised the curtain on an unforseen last act in this drama of Chicago life. In this new part of the plot Mrs. Dora Feldman McDonald, who turned the old gambler's head and broke his heart through the shooting of Webster Guerin, appears as a wife solemn

4 minute read

Read Chapter