Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-08
ABLACKMAILER'S VICTIM.
COSTLY ACQUAINTANCE WITH A
VIVACIOUSL LITTLE BLONDE.


He is Visited in His Rural Home by a
Young Man, Who Terifies Him by Ac-
counts of the Ferocity of the WOmsn's
Husband. and Asks for So, 5OO-He Re
ceives Tenth of the sum aud ia Ar
rested in New York.
Eroos the EesO York World.
MIR. Charles C. Noble, brother-in-law
OF Mayor Grace's private secretary, Will
lam L.Turner, resides at Theresa. Jefferson
county, N. Y. He visits this city fre-
quently, and about a year ago he met
Catherine Baker, a vivacious little
blonde, then living at No. 215 West
Fortieth street. Their friendship became
so ardent that the jefferson county man
fitted up handsome apartments for Cath
crime at No. 131 West Fifty-third street
and paid all the expenses of the establish
ment. 1t was understood that the lady
was widow. Mr.. Noble, who is a robust
man Of 30 years, made his headquarters
when he came to this city at No. Is East
SiXty-third street and visited Mrs. Baker
at least once a month, generally remain
ing in town from one to two weeks. Last
Friday ne bade her an atfectionate adieu
and went home.
The next day slim, sharp-featured
young man visited him. When Mr.. NO
BILE entered the parlor the young man
arose and said:
"Are you Mr.. Noble"'
eyes"
do you know person in New York
named BakerW
"Man or womanf'
"a lady"
"What if doY'
son, nothing much" said the visitor,
''eXcept that l called to see you in regard
to her. My name is Edwards; you are
very intimate with Mrs. Baker. Don't
deny it. A c0lOred woman who was her
servant in Fortieth street has told me all.
She has also told Mr.. Baker, your friends
husband, who is bad man. He asked
me to find out all about you. Here l
am"
81 didn't know she was married." Mr..
Noble stammered.
"Three persons are in your secret"
continued the young man, land / alone
know who you are, where you live and all
about you. Our silence has it's price. How
much is it worth TO your"
Chow does 81 500 strike youw
Mr.. Edwards smiled, shook his head.
twenty-five hundredr' asked Mr.. No
BILE.
THAT'S better. am short of cash and
Mr.. Noble, having snug bank account,
drew a check and went with Edwards"
to the village to get it cashed. The bank
was closed, but an opulent citizen cashed
the check. Edwards remained during the
night at Mobiles house and frequently as
sured him that Baker was a person OF
great ferocity and dead shot. The fol-
lowing day Sunday Mr.. Noble and his
new friend came to the city and regis
tered at the Grand Central MOTEL. Monday
Mr.. Noble visited a barber's and, by Ed
wards advice. sacrificed his whiskers and
mustache. H exchanged his plain eye
glasses for green goggles and his black
derby for slouched hat.
Thus disguised he sailed forth on Sixth
avenue in the evening with Edwards, who
promised to give him glimpse of the
death-dealing Baker. They walked the
pavement hour after hour until Mr.. No
ble's legs ached; they visited dive and con-
cert saloon, but no Baker gladdened their
sight and the morning was breaking when
they returned to their hotel.
Mr.. Noble was out of temper and said
that he believed Baker to be myth. But
Edwards secuted this idea and limited at
the eXpediency OF another check. On va
rious pretexts Mr.. Noble put him off and
went to see his friend, Curtis N. Douglas,
a teacher OF languages, at No. 80 East
Twenty-hrst street. Mr.. Douglas laughed
at the story and told Mr.. Noble that be
had fallen among thieves. Mr.. Douglas
consulted Detective Price, of the Twenty
ninth precinct and followed his counsels.
At O'Clock last evening Messrs. Noble,
Douglas and Edwards met in Parker's
restaurant, Thirty-fourth street and
Sixth avenue. They were talking finance
when Price entered and said to the plaus-
ible swindle:
"Mr. Edwards, good evening""
81 don't know you, sir" replied Ed
wards.
"My name is Price. / am a detective,
and must trouble you to come with me-"
At the Twenty-ninth Precinct station
house Mrs. Baker recognized the prisoner
as Billy Reed. a Blackmailer. He is %
years old and comes from Boston. He is
said to have swindled Prof. Riddle, of
Harvard University, among others. Mrs.
Baker said that Reed used to visit girl
In her house. The prisoner said, as he
was led to a cell:
81 don't see why you make such kick.
Suckers are born every day."