The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-11-27
BuNCOED FOX $4,000
sHELBYvILLE SPORTS swINDLED BY
THE sPRINTING GAME.
Lee Wilson, Thomas White and
Others to- Brighton Beach
and Robbed.

III same November wind that Swirled
the waters Of the canal at Brighton Beach
yesterday afternoon chilled the cheeks Of
the saddest outfit of tenderfoot sports
tnat ever came TO town. Thomas White,
the biggest saloon keeper in Shelbyvllle;
Lee Wilson, a leading lawyer Of the town.,
and ex-Sherin McDougal, Of Shelby county,
were among those who felt the Chill Of
hopeless defeat and watched the precious
currency of the United States fade away
IKE Democratic majorities in an off year.
The Shelbyville gentlemen came TO Indian
apoiis to tighten the silver-lined pockets of
some well-known sporting people. Last
night they returned home rich with the
experience that cost them $1,000, as they
ciaim- The plot that fieeced the Shelby
vile contingent was as cool as it is shroud-
ed IN mystery. II was operated through
the medium of a foot race, a game in
"hlcn indianapolis gentlemen with sport
re tendencies are exceedingly well versed.
The Shelbyville men came here yesterday
prepared to back a favorite sprinter against
the world and indianapolis. Who the run
ner Is no one appears to know. White,
the chief hacker. asserts that he picked
the young man up in ShelbyvilIe some
weeks ago. After arrival here Yesterday
the visitors put in an hour exploiting the
prowess OF their man, and then retired to
Brighton Beach, where they tickled the
races OF the habitues of the resort with
Crisp new greenbacks. Along about 4
O'Clock in the afternoon a match was ar
ranged between the Shelbyville unknown
and a man whom the police think Is one
Riley" The latter, by virtue of a tutelage
under Monk" Wilson, Is considered an
adept in his particular line. The Shelby
Vile men. Ii appears, would rave no race
unless a heavy sum was put up, and the
stake was finally increased to 5000 a side.
Ihen the hackers began to cast about for
a stakeholder, and a number Of gentlemen
OF the craft were proposed by the Shelby
vie packers. The Indianapolis men pro-
posed John Walters, proprietor of the
Beach saloon. Mr.. Walters. 1t is said, was
shy on this occasion, and demurred, but
hnaliy, at the earnest solicitation of his
friends. consented to take the money. With
the lightest of lingering he showed the
sreenoacks into his pocket and prepare
Cons were made for the race. The entire
party gathered in front of the saloon, and
the two sprinters, buckled and girdled for
the struggle, playfully ran each other short
spurts to keep up the circulation. Mr..
white stood by, calmly putting his cigar
and taking in the proportions of his man
y AblOAAtJ NUSOu dIlQ eA-
Sheriff McDougal chuckled and congratula-
ted each other and good-naturedly chaffed
the Indianapolis gentlemen who were in
terested In a losing game. Suddenly this
congenial atmosphere took on a violent as
pect. Mr.. White was recalled from his
cream OF happy >anticipations by a. cry
from one or his friends. He turned about
WITH an oath, and as he lid so a figure.
when ne did not recognize, darted from
tne side OF the. stakeholder and sprang up
tne step into the saloon. This appeared a
signal for the Indianapolis gamblers. and
they made a dash FOR the saloon door.
with them. went the Observation-Disclosures
stake and the SheIbyviile runner
Wnite,. Wilson and the ex-sheriff, with
a half dozen other Shelbyville men. stood
Sutslde and wondered at the precipitous
nlght OF their friends; Wilson, the .attor-
annapolis party, and lost no time in put
ing his friends into possession of it.
where is our money!" screamed White
as he pounded ON the door and attempted
to get In.
amt got it, sang out Walters. from
a and ran"
The shelbyyille men gazed into blank
suggested that they telephone for the po-
lice. but White vowed che would never
squeai" Walters refused to open the door,
and suggested that those outside get out a
search warrant After a consultation by
the defeated side, it was decided to watch
I'm shoot the first fellow that comes
out of the saloon yelled White. drawing
E pistol and placing himself in front of the
Ing a telephone called W police headquar-
ters. The sergeant at the station under
Brighton Beach, and detectives Wilson and
Kinney were sent opt. A half hour before
their arrival White. who had not taken his
eye from the entrance TO the saloon, vas
attracted by a commotion inside, and a
moment later a man leaped through a back
door. White called to the fugitive to stop,
huf a doricivo laugh AOofa6 haoH He cforf
ed after the fleeing man, and as he ran
emptied his revolver. At the canal bridge
he gave up the chase and returned with the
sickening realization that his money was
gone Detectives Wilson and Kinney were
admitted to the saloon, but could find no
one who knew anything about the affair.
Walters said that the man who darted
from his side while the sprinters were pre-
pairing to run secured the money. White as
serted that he saw Walters hand the
money to the man, but was unable to rec
ognize him.
The detectives learned that Monk VIII
robbery and that Riley was the sprinter
latter had little to say; he was densely ig-
norant of any, plan to fleece his friends;
friend the ex-sherif were in a dazed condi-
ton when the police arrived at the beach,
and last night had not yet recovered from
the effects of the bold stroke. Riley was
not at the Beach when the detectives ap-
peared, but was found afterward at VIII
, cdiOOA Oh All Gil II n
no knowledge of the alleged robbery, and
said that he had not been at the beach.
Monk" Wilson left his place yesterday at
noon. and had not returned last night. Gus
Rahke, who is also an enthusiastic admirer
of the art of sprinting, vas chuckling over
the discontinue of the Shelbyville men last
night He said that he had seen John
Walters shortly after the race had so
abruptly ended. The police are in some
doubt as to the entire affair. and will make
no arrests antil it is absolutely known that
the money disappeared in the manner so
wildly described by the worsted men. SUI
perintendent Powell is sorely disgusted
into prominence with the Thomas murder.
1t is found necessary to keep the place un-
der the espionage of a police officer each
Sunday, and for two months after the MUIR
der OF w. II. Thomas patrolmen watched
the place after IL o'clock at night
The Democratic County Commissioners
recently renewed the license for this dis
reputabls resort Walters has been fined
for violating the law. Sometime ago Gus
Rahke and some of his friends were bum
coed out of 5000 by the same game which
49,