New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-26
AWKWARD FOR THE DEACONS
IMPLICATED WITH GREEN GOODS MEN.
RAID on THEIR DEN REVEALS LETTERS FROM
MANY REPUTABLE PEOPLE.

Detectives Crowley McCluskey and Hanley, cap
tured the head centre" of far-reaching con-
federacy of bunco-steerers This cnterprlslng ras-
cal is Frank Brooks better known TO the police
as Pretty Frank" an eX-pclpocket and sneak
thief of considerable eminence in his line, whose
portrait has long been familiar feature OF the
Rogues Gallery. About an hour after his arrest
the detectives went 10 No III East One-hundrcd-
and fourteenth-st. and laid their hands on Terence
Murphy, alias Poodle" Murphy, a piclpocket who
once operated with success On ex-Secretary Robe
son, and also played a leading part in the famous
elevated railroad ticket swindle.
For many days the three detectives have kept
a close watch on the quiet-looking house No. 2O2
East One.hundred- and d-eighteenthst. On Saturday
afternoon they saw Brooks go into the house.
Promptly following him they went upstairs, and
there the second floor came on their man.
Brooks was at that moment engaged in writing
one Of a number of circulars to his clients, who
Ire to be found in every town throughout the
country. Having put him in safe-keepng, the de-
tectives seized everything in the room. The artl-
ces of merchandise examined by the Inspector at
Police Headquarters form highly instructive and
complete lesson in the art of manufacturing green
goods. big packing trunk contained upward
Of 900 and addresses of persons, all we'll
to.do in the world and all living at considerable
distance from NewYork.
Two tin boxes were filed with letters and tele-
grams from persons in the country, in reply to
the circulars sent out by Brooks Many of these
persons are shining lights of respectabiity in the
towns and villages where they live. Some of
them church dcacons
Brooks has followed this branch of knavery
for about eighteen months. Being naturally shy
of taking outsiders into his confidence, and In
order TO facilitate the work Of printing he bought
a printing Office for 81 ,000 employed few hands,
and having thus got an the circulars he needed,
discharged his men and sold the office for what
it would fetch. In a year and half he has
printed over 100000 circulars, and in one month
spent $4,000 for postage The following letter,
written in answer to one from Brooks, is partlcu-
larly interesting. John F. Reed, by whom 1t
purports TO be signed, has long been one of the
best-known, most popular and most respected men
in the cattle breeding trade. He is a familiar
figure at all large sales in the East and West, ana
is known as an extensive buyer. His many
friends in this city will be deeply interested in
this unexpected revelation. Here it is;
Elgln Home stock Farm,
Home of the Famous Blue Bull M9trOn Nellie,
John F. Reed, sup't
Alpine, Ind, Aug. D, 1oOl.
Dear Sir: Yours received o. X When mailed you
the first forgot to note your address. Hence had to
telegraph fer 10. hcle inclOsc 200 tnity uOlash lOi
which send (by first express to me at Connersye IN
diana. and write me at the same tlmcl tlle TooV a.
vou stated in your letter would like 10 make face
toace deal with YOU but 1t S impossible at the present
time being too busy to make the trip. However,
Will make the above deal to how they take and If
successful will be pleased to meet you and make
deal of ia ger denOminat ons. Now II there IS any
particular precautions to put me on to, let II come IN
lime, and detail the mode Of and how 70 use the stun
them on banks. Ex-Ihltcd states Treasurer ]; \.
Huston - lives here a. 3 Sc but would oe e
and would probably detect them Now you must give
all OdG GG To %ee ane me V saso @ S soS
August - TO 30 providing we can make 300 or
deal have business r there sGn nSsro can write
yon at any time should need nstrfctlons lions, The The
above etterhead tells my occuP2I9Tn T 1pF6 1qIT most
Alpine, Ind, Fayette County.
telegram from Romcr Ala. dated last Friday
afternoon runs as follows: Send instructions
provided with 4O4! J. W. Talbot"
The letter of instruction sent 10 r. NJ DOugherty
Batavia $50 affords evidence of the care and
attention given to even the smallest detail:
Follow instructions below leaving home; De,
stroy All other papers on leaving home Buy ticket
to Philadelphia. on your arrival go TO keystone lio.cl
Then 20 10 rearest telegraph Office and telegraph 10
me at No. 17s East Onehundred and twenticth-st.
Have nothing TO say to any one until they hey first Ts2 'R9T T
know YOU are talking to the right person. Now be
cautious and follow these instructions to the letter.
In reply to this communication Mr.. Dougherty,
telcgraphing from Montgomery, Ala. on April
last. SAYS: All is we'll / will buy $4O0
worth This telegram is addressed TO James
Horton. No 143 Eizabeth-st. Apparently Mr.
Dongherty went TO the Keystone Hotel, for on
April 81 he telcgraphs from Philadelphia as fol-
lows: James Horton, No. 143 Eiizabeth-st
Have arrived.
According to the arrangement perfected by
Brooks. one Of his numerous cOnfederatcs SCAT
tered over this city went TO Philadelphia and
there saw Mr. Dougherty. Then he brought the
victim TO New-York, where they were met at
the ferry by another Of the gang, who there took
charge of Mr.. Dougherty. With the subsequent
course of procedure most readers of The tribune
are already pretty familiar.
When Brooks felt that the police were becom-
ing unpleasanty curious about his welfare ana
that it was necessary to suspend operations Tor d
time. he would issue this ingenious proclamation
pearclr: Your telegraph dispatch was duly received
brt In cooseauence OF serious illness l was unable TO
attend TO your business or reply to you sooner lho
doctor has ordered to go 10 the seaslore lor u
month or So and give mp all business anu % glNc I9
mind and brain complete for that time and as TINS
IL business cannot ntrust 10 any one elsc 10 uo lv
| me shall have ask you TO wait patiently unLI
Xn, hear from me again which will be between the
| first and tenth Of the month"; VIII then Selu @ GIe
also a sample of my goods. Possibly this arrangement
will meet your circumstances and give you ~ nj
sary time 10 prepare for the UP, tSt tl Ue 'i in
will be satisfactory 10 you and that our mutual Ill
| terests will make MS good and lasting friends
In Murphy's room the detectives found mum,
| Der of duplicate circulars. From the letters fouhd
in the Tin boxes il is evident that Brooks operated
| under dozen different names and from as many
! houses.
| PERIL OF THE OLD MOHIC4N.
,-,.o 10. ~ ,-rocou-The old United