Evening journal., 1896-11-17
ROUNDING UP CROOKS.
Big Syndicate of Swindlers In
the Meshes of the Law.
THE GRAND JURY BUSY AT WORK.
Last Place Operated by the Gang Is Now
Ciosed-Unique Method OF Conducting
Grocery store Extradition of Me-
LauEhlin and Daisy Hampto

LauEhlin and Daisy Hampton.
NEW YORK, Nov. 17.-At last the gang
of swindlers which has been victimizing
merchants in all parts Of the country from
their headquarters in this city has become
really frightened In spite of the dis
closures of the newspapers and the work
OF the police, members Of the band have
boon carrying ON their frauds as boldly as
ever until yesterday, when they turned
their last store over TO an auctioncer aud
sold every piece Of furniture and stock in
the place At the same time John Il.
Bough, who has been boldly visiting his
Office, at 81 Pine street, every day, sold
the desk, chairs, typewriter and other fur
niture TO a second hand dealer and had
them carted away. A man in Center
street bought the stuff for sos.
The store which ths gang had been run
ming as a mask for their frauds was at 301
Spring street and was in the name Of NJ
j. Murray. The latter, however, was an
innocent victim in the hands OF the gang,
and beyond lending his name to what he
thought was a reputable business had
nothing to do with the place. The real
men back of 1t were almost the same gang
that were In the bogus firm of Iragidis y
Co., which did big swindling business
at 1852 Regde street. These men are Luke
F. Gallagher, j. Levan, John Peck, Henry
Seelig and Ambrose prell. The last named
has not appeared in any Of the previous
swindles Of the gang
This store, which went out Of business
so suddenly that Mr. Murray, who was
supposed to own it, did not know Of It's
disappearance until the last of the fixtures
had been taken away, was started about
three weeks ago. Mclaughlin, who Is now
under arrest and indictment, was the NOV
ing spirit at the start. 1t was ho who
went TO Mr.. Murray and secured the uss
Of his name Mr. Murray Is in the cut
stone business and had a fair commercial
rating. Trade had been dun and in some
way this became known TO the gang. Nc
Laughlin promptly put in an appearance
He explained that he was the head OF th'
Phenix Supply company and that larg'
quantities of goods came 20 the firm which
1t was not in position TO handle. Asa
consequences, he said, he was anxious t
establish a house through which the good
could be profitably disposed of.
Murray agreed. He was not asked L
put any money into the scheme All tha
he was TO do was TO appear as the nomina
head of the concern and vouch for 1t when
ever it became necessary.
Old Tactics Resorted To.
Under these terms the store was opened
Murray was there scarcely any Of the time
and the management OF the place was lef
20 the subordinates, whom Mclaughlin
was to put in the store. These were thl
members of the same old gang Gallaghe
was tho chief, with Levan, under his rea
name, poshRas the partner of Murray.
No sooner was the place open than tn
old tactics Of the gang were resorted TO
The list Of shippers which had been mad
use OF by Tragidis & Co. were brough
/ into service and letters sent to farmer
and produce dealers in all parts of tn
country. AS references, were given "Beh
ems & Co., bankers, 81 Stone street, TIA
city; also the secretary Of tho Standar
Coal and oil company, Wool Exchang
/ building, this city"
1t was evident from the goods that be
| gan to bo delivered at the store that tn
references were satisfactory. From al
parts of the country came consignments @
/ produce Of all sorts and kinds. Many q
the shippers were in as distant places a
! Sparta, Tenn, from which town W. 4
/ Anderson sent many cOnsignments. FroI
the number of shipping cards left in Oh
store after the swindlers had fed it woul
/ seem that Anderson was one Of the heay
lest victims Of the gang The goods wer
no sooner received at the store than the
were carted away, and there is no clew 70
the victims to follow in search for thei
property.
Assistant District Attorney Battle an,
the grand jury are busy with witnesse
who had been summoned to testify to tn
different frauds of the gang. Among then
were j. II. Baker, G. II. Lawrence, Johl
Conklin and NJ. J. Murray, whose nam
was used in the latest fraud Mr.. Murra
said his only active connection with tn
firm was in giving two orders for goods
which he had countermandod rs soon a
no had learned that his partners wer
mixed up in the swindles.
Mclaughlin and his companion, Cora
alias Daisy Hampton, who were arreste
In Hoboken, n. j., have not yet beel
/ brought TO this city. Requisition paper
are expected, and they viii be taken befor
the grand jury
Asphyxiated by Gas.
| BALTIMORE. Nov. 17.-Fdmund O. Croe