Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-08-14
A DESPERATE MAN.
r. Dudley Frayser, a Wealthy
Banker, Robbed.
THE ROBBER WANTED $4,000.
He Got $50 and n Watch-A Check Drawn
for $500, but Payment Was Refused
How the Thief Worked his
Racket and Skipped.

MEMPHIS, Tenn, Aug. 12-R Dudley
F'rayser, president of the Security and
Memphis City bank, secretary OF the Mem
phis City railroad company, principal owner
of the Public. Ledger, and one of the
most prominent and wealthy citizens
of Memphis, was this afternoon chlor-
oformed and robbed at the Gayoso hotel
by man giving his name as John A. Morris,
and his residence as New Orleans. About
6 O'Clock this morning man registering as
John A. Morris, New Orleans" was
assigned to room at the Gayoso, for which
he paid in advance and occupied at
once. During the morning he ordered q
bottle of whisky from the bar, and the bell
boy secured bottle of camphor for him
from a drug store. About , o'clock this
afternoon Mr. Frayser, sitting in
his private Office in the Memphis
City bank, received note signed John A.
Norris requesting him to call ON him
at once on business of impor-
lance. F'rayser was at the hotel
in few minutes, and was ushered into
Morris room, who later introduced himself
as John A. Morris of the Louisiana lottery
company of New Orleans. He said the lot
terry company had been antagonized greatly
of late in that state, that
their investments had been unfavorable
and he wished TO consult him in regard to
it. Frayser gave what information he
could in regard to the Memphis moneyed
institutions, but would give no
advice, and turned to GO.
AT this juncture Morris asked him to have
a drink. He declined, saying he did not
drink But Morris insisted, and F'rayser
walked across the room to a window, while
Morris opened a sachel and said
''here.n and as F'rayser turned around he
was greatly startled to find two revolvers,
one in each of Morris hands, staring him
in the face. Said Morris: Il am desperate
man; l have no money; my family
are in New Orleans and in destitute cir
cumstances, and must have money; you
must indorse a check for $4,000"
When F'rayser had recovered from his
establishment he tried to argue with
the man, and told him that
he did not have that much
money to give him.
The New Orleans man stuck to it, how
ever; and s:rayser agreed to indorse the
check for $500. The check was then drawn
on the Hibernian national bank of New
Orleans, and Frayser Endorsed it,
''R D. Frayser," and hoping the cashier
at his bank would suspect something wrong
and refuse to cash it, as he always Endorsed
his checks 'R. Dudley Frayser." The bell
boy was at once called by Morris
bank, Frayser being kept prisoner in the
hotel After the boy had gone Morris
walked over to where Frayser was
standing, and clapping napkin over
his face. threw him on the bed, and
that is the last of his adventures Frayser
can recall.
Mr. White, proprietor of the hotel, was
notified about 8 o'clock this evening
that there was something wrong in
Morris room, as cries of murder. ~
thieves could be plainly heard
issuing from that room. He called the
clerk and they broke open the door of the
room. Frayser was found turning and toss
ing on the bed, and the odor of chloroform
was overpowering. His watch was gone
$50 was gone, and Morris left the
check on the table unpaid. The bell-boy
had taken it to the bank twice at Morris
request, payment, however, being each time
refused.
The police are greatly puzzled over the
affair, land are searching every corner
of the city for Morris.