Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-07
FEMALE BLAOKMAILERS.

operations in this city," said one OF the
ablest and most trusted detectives in
tho country to writer in the New York
Graphic recently, (Which were NJ
liberty to give all tho facts for publlca-
ton would DO the town talk for ut least
- month. have made their operations
a study, and myself am astonished at
tho weakness of human nature. These
people thrive upon tho fears of men ana
women, who, by tho display of " little
courage and discretion, could have saved
themselves from tho exactions OF their
tormontors. BY this l mean that ny
openly defying blackmai|crs, into whose
clutches they had unfortunately fallen,
they would have foiled them. The first
step in treating with them ut al is tho
entering wedge of their misfortunes' l
know % leading merchant Of this city,
man whose character is splotless, who
has for quarter of century bee" one
Of the leading pillars in ono OF tho most
aristocratic uptown churches, and who
is credited with being man OF rare
nerve and prudence, who for the past
fifteen years Of his life has paid fifty
dollars monthly to q woman whom no
knows to be % professional blackmailcr'
You ask mo why, knowing her to be-
such q character, no consents to be so
boldly and continuously robbed. He is
rich; the woman possesses some toll
tale letters written by him to n third
party, and rather than DO exposed he
pledged himself to provide for her in
tho manner | have indicated, and no
will do 20 ~ long as he or she lives.
al know of another case in this city
which has proved to be even more dis
astrOus. Tho victim in this instance,
too, is q widely-known and wealthy
business man. He became involved in
an intrigue, and was bounded by two
blackmailcrs to whom he paid S55, 600
as hush money. lilo eventually sue
ccetled in quoting them, but refused
positively to prosecute them, although
aware of their character, fearing pub.
licity. These ticntls-l can call then
by no Othor nalnc--have been the cause
of tho wreck of fortunes, tho suicide q
more than ono man, and of untold mis-
cry in many families in this city. Onl!
year or so ago wealthy Chlcagoan
who had been indiscrect, suffered him
self to DO frightened by q professional
who had become cognizant Of his way
warlness. He paid her thousands 0
dollars, neglected his business, and fin
ally, when utterly ruined, frankly toll
her that he had made his last paymcn
to her. She threatened to expose him
told him she would kill him, followe
him from place to place, believing tina
he had still some money left, and ever
tually put her threat into execution an
shot him dead. A short time ago wa
called on professionally bya gsntlema
who wished my aid in getting rid of
man and woman who had persecnte
him grievously. He had met them ut OF
of tho fashionable hotels ut the Catskill
and had carried on Irritation with Il
woman, who was young and fascinating
OF course ho had compromised himse
and tho result was that he had be-
visited unexpectedly by the woman
alleged husband, who demanded, und
pain of the fullest exposure, $4,000. !
gave tho man his check for ~, COCOON o.
ofthe city banks, thinking that WAS t
easiest way to settle tho trouble, ~
was assured that there the matter won
end. A month later no received u lett'
in which an additional sum of mon
was dcmandedS Realizing that CO.
pliance with his request would rend
him liable to further assessments,
placed the matter in my hands. ] =;
ut once that he had been tho victim
blackmailers, and Immediately called
tho outraged husband, who had COZ
down from Garrison's that day, and "
then waiting to see my patron at
Putnam house on Fourth avenue.
grew highly indignant when inform
him that he would not gotanOther doll
and threatened to eject me from his to
when I told him l would send him
State prison if he further annoyed
gentleman. gave him good choki
when he became unbearably insolc
which SO frightened tho villain that
has not been heard of since
A MEXICAN POMPEI1.