The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-09-10
MADE A MISTAKE.
Tom Davis, the Notorious ssBoo.
dle'' MAN, Plays n Texan
for a Sucker,
And, as Very Natural Consequence
Receives a Bullet Through
His Heart.
New York special

New York special
Thomas Davis, a notorious sporting man
and swindler, was killed day in his trick
establishment on the third floor of No. 1l3
Reade street, this city, by James Il. Hoi-
land. Texan, who had paid him $500 for
what he supposed was $40, 900 in counter
felt money, and who discovered nc the mo-
ment the transaction was consummated
that he was cheated. AS swindler he is
known in tho rogues' vernacular as q
doodle" man, a "faker," "sawdust"
operator, and a first class skin. His
transaction with Holland was in the Doodle"
line, in which the victim believes that
he has received genuine or counterfeit
money, and discovers too late that bundles
OF paper, lead pipe wrapped mp SO as
to resemble rolls of coin, or bricks care
fully packed in paper. have been substitu-
ted. Davis had about half dozen Offices
In this city fitted up In various ways for
swindling the unwary. James Il. Holland
is a real dealer in Abilene, Taylor
County, Tex. One of Davis circulars or
advertisements of counterfeit money had
come to the notice Of Holland, and he had
come to New York with John Z. Hill. or
John p. Johnson. City Marshal of Colo
RADIO, Mitchell County. Tex. Each is tall,
spare, keen-eyed, and active.
The two men from Texas came here
negotiations with Davis. 1t was finally
agreed that he should sell $40. 900 worth of
"green goods" to Holland for $500. On q
letter from one of them Davis met them at
the Merchants Hotel ut noon yesterday,
and from there Holland went to Davis
room. Everything was ready. Davis said,
and Holland said he had his END" of the
ansaction-meaning the money TO pay for
the expected counterfeits order. Davis
had provided SO, 0G0 in genuine money to
show. His confederate in the plot was his
brother Theodore, who glued his eye to a
knot-hole in the partition and listened
eagerly to what was said. Holland count
ed out his money which Tom pock-
eted and then Tom produced the
supposed counterfeits, in reality the genu-
inc money. and the bills were counted into
a black satchel VIII CHI was on the desk near
the aperture into the confederate's rooD.
When the count had been made the satchel
was closed, and Davis attempted to distract
the Texans attention. Theodore, through
the aperture, took the genuine money from
the satchel and had just pushed it. with
three bundles of blank paper substituted
for the bills, through the dummy back.
when Holland, despite Davis efforts. saw
it move, and instantly became suspicious
Opening the satchel he detected the SUBJ
stitution, drew revolver on Davis, and de-
manded his money.
Tom exclaimed: you wouldn't shoot
me? / am unarmed, and lifted the skirts
of his coat to show that he had no pistol.
Holland at once fired, the bullet striking
Davis in the left shoulder and passing
downward and through the body. Davis
fell to the floor and did not speak or move
afierward. Theodore Immediately sprang
to the door with the $4,000 in his possess
sion, and went down stairs to put the
money in place of safety which he would
not afterward reveal. AS he went along
the corridor Holland fired two more shots
--one went through the desk and dummy
partition, and the other could not be traced.
Holland went down stairs into the street,
and, as he started to walk away, Theodore,
who was waiting for him, pointed him out
to policeman, and said ARREST him. He
has Just shot man."
Holland appeared cool and unconcerned,
and admitted that he had shot Davis be-
cause the dead man and Theodore had
tried to rob him. Holland was taken back
to Davis room by the policemen and SUBJ
sequently was locked up in the police sta
ton. Theodore was detained as Wit
ness. Hill, or Johnston, was arrested at
the Merchants Hotel. About 81 500 in
bills was found on his person. He was
locked up to await developments.