Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-01-08
THE GIRLs WERE READY,
But "a the Last Moment They
Discovered That They Were
Being Deceived and Re-
fused 10 Board the
Cars-AnOther III thompson scheme
Spoiled.

Chicago ItmeB.l
A Times reporter yesterday ran
across the details of piece of villainy,
the author Of which has been shown.
up more than once in these columns,
for he is no other than j. W. Thomp-
son, the proprietor Of a notorious dive
in Dallas, Texas. For years past the
man has paid periodical visits to
Chicago he has entered the homes of
/ the poorer class, and carried of young
girls, whom he has, as is credibly
reported, doomed to lives Of shame.
He has generally been aided in his
attempts, it is alleged, by Arthur G.
McCambridge, an alleged dramatic
agent. About the beginning of De-
|cember Thompson came here, and got
some girls into his clutches, but at
the last moment he was banked in
his designs. A few weeks later,
through his agent, he made another
attempt, and it was by the merest
chance that three young girls from the
North side escaped from his grasp.
Their names are Annie Strauss, Of
No. 81 Rec street Freddie Buck
mann, of No. 142 East Chicago avenue,
and Annie Schaeffer, of No. 1853 ely
bourn avenue.
One day a fellow who wore the
assumed name Of Miller called at the
house Of Annie Strauss and stated
that be wished to engage her for a trip
to Kankakee. He said that he was
the agent Of Mr.. Emmett, Of the
Academy Of Music, who was about to
put on the road a concern known as
the Arlington troupe. He wanted
girls with finely developed figures, to.
pose as statues in certain acts of the
play, and would give to each a salary
of $40 week. Annie Strauss at once
assented and went with the man to
the home Of her friend, Annie
Schaeffer. The latter, who is a poor
and ignorant, but very handsome girl
of II, also agreed to join the alleged
troupe on the proposed terms. Miller
next induced Miss Buchanan to sign
a contract, and also a little Swedish
girl, whose name could not be learned.
The girls, who are all the children of
respectable, hard.working people, Tell
easily into the snare which was pre-
pared for them. On the day appointed
for their departure Annie Schaeffer
was not ready, and she was left behind.
Miller, accompanied by three other
girls, started for the depot, but on the
way the victims began to suspect that
there wa something wrong about
their escort. He let drop some hints
Of a long journey, of a sunny cline,
ETC., and the girls discovered hal he
had told each of hem differentstories.
The train was about to start. Miller
said, Jump on when Annie Strauss
asked him to please show the tickets.
Miller wouldn't do so, but begged the
girls to get into the car, and, as they
re~solutely refused, he was finally
forced to tell them that he was about
to take them to Texas. Without list
ening to bis wild promises and threats,
the girls got out Of the depot as fast
as they could, land FASTENED back to
their respective homes.
The description hat the girls gave
of their would be abductor tallies with
that of an individual who is often seen
about McCambridge's rooms, on South
CLARK street. There can, apparently,
be no doubt whatever that the notori-
GUS j. W. Thompson, of Texas,
was at the bottom of the scheme,
which so nearly succeeded. He an
nually obtains a large number Of igno-
rant and, in many cases innocent, girls
from this city, and the authorities
think it about time that the slave
trade in which be is engaged should
be suppressed.