The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-07
WILLIAMS BUNKO GAMES.
GAMBLER KILLED IN PORTLAND
HAD WORKED TACOMA.
KI0ndike Schemes, and Had Ae-
cumulased Quite . Stake Before
Leaving for the Webfoot State.

Special Dispatch 20 the Post-TnteIl.xencer.
TACOMA. Dec. 6.-The killing OF Frank
Williams In Portland saloon a few days
ago by Tom Barrett. concerning which
there Is more or less mystery. recalls GER
tain sub rosa experiences in Tacoma and
vicinity during the latter part OF October
and a portion OF November OF this year.
In which Williams took part.
Williams Ia . New Yorker, and was
known among the fraternity Of sure-thing
men or "grafters." as the peer of any man
in America In his particular line. He came
TO Tacoma about the middle OF October in
company with Tom Ashton and - Wor-
den. alias the Roman king They had
not been here twenfy-four hours before
they had paid = months rent for swell
suite Of Offices in what Is admittedly the
finest and best located Office building in
the city. They rented the place presum
sort. but in truth 10 operate 1t as skin
joint on the strict quiet.
They made no attempt 10 purchase pro
lection but started in 10 work in such
manner as would prevent them becoming
known or lead 10 the police locating them
and their game Unfortunately for the
gang Williams was too well known 70 long
remain incog. and the crew had scarcely
begun operations when q certain official
but firmly impaired the Information that
they would not be allowed TO graft IN
the city. Offers OF bit out of each
winning. promises TO conduct every suck
err" who should be neeced out of the city,
and pledges to work only on transient peo-
pie were alike unayaiiing. and the result
was the gang closed It's swell headquarters
and agreed TO leave the city.
This they did. too, In way. Instead or
{np heiy pa in
the boats and trains exclusively, one day
being In Tacoma. the next day somewhere
else, and in this manner they remained on
the Sound until about November Is.
Williams was known as the "squarer.
Ashton as the chief and the third MEM
Der OF the gang, Worden. confined himself
TO Steering the victims. Their work
was sufficiently clever and quiet to prevent
a complaint ever reaching the police in any
OF the Sound cities, and they prospered in
their peculiar methods. living on the best
the market afforded and accommodating
quite heavy bank roll.
The day the party took the train for
Portland Williams accidentally stumbled
upon an old New York acquaintance who
knew more than Williams wanted him TO
know and with whom Williams had once
had serious trouble. This led TO the gangs
sudden departure to new fields, and the
next heard OF them they had doubled
forces with certain Portland grafters
and were operating In the Wehfoot city
with marked success. From one who has
good reason to know. 1t was learned that
williams and his companions cleaned up
about 5000 during their one months stay
on tt.s Sound.
Among those who knew Williams the
killing is believed TO have been unpTo-
yoked, despite the statements or Barrett
that he shot Williams in self defense.
williams acquaintance say he never
carried a gun, would always run rather
than fight, and that he was the last man
of the gang to get into any kind OF
trouble. Their theory Is that Barrett
wanted the Portland field to himself, be-
came jealous OF Williams' success. ana
that this led to the death OF the New
Yorker. The statement that Williams
had served 4 term in the penitentiary Is
denied by those who knew him most In
timateiy.
Barrett operated sure-thing games ON
the Sound about three years ago. ana
made Tacoma his headquarters for sew
erai months during tina. time. While
here he had trouble with brother graft
ers on several occasions. and was looked
upon as dangerous character. who had
killed his man. and who always went
''hee!ed."