Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-19
ACCUSED OF BLACKMAIL
CHARGES AGAINST SIX YOUNG MEN
OF THIS CITY.
Warrants Sworn Out by a Resident
of Northeast Washington
Bonds Required.

Harry Blocker, George B. Eshleman, John
Wildman, Frank Mitchell, John Major and
Isadore Leavey, ali young men, are IN the
custody of the police authorities to answer
charges of conspiracy and blackmail. Bleck-
er, who has retained Mr.. Campbell Caring
ton as counsel, was released on bond in the
sum of $500 and the others were today held
by Prosecutor Mullowny in the Police Court
in similar amount. The hearing of the
charges was postponed by Judge Kimball
until Friday.
The warrants for the arrest of the ac-
cused persons were sworn out by Mr.. Jas
w. Van Week, clerk in the Post Once
Department. and whose home Is at No. 100
street northeast In a statement made
to Lieut.. John C. Daley of the ninth pre-
cinct Saturday Mr.. Van Week said that
the evening of November he went out tor
a walk and concluded to rest for while
in Lafayette Square. While seated on
bench he was approached and spoken TO
by man whom he has since identlhed as
Eshleman, and who used such obJectionaDle
language that Mr.. Van Week reproveo MN
for it. Just then two other young men, salo
to be Major and Leavey, walked up and one
of them made a base charge against Mr..
Van Week.
Threats Made.
81 was astonished at his Words said MI.
Van Week. land declared I did not know
came up and surrounded me, all joining IN
an accusation and threatening to expose
me. 1 am a man of family and dread TO
think of the scandal their falsehoods would
create and the shame that would ensue,
Finally, one of the gang said that wou.u
have to give them s25 or they would eN-
pose me. l would not give 1t, and then lhe
sum # $50 was demanded This l also To-
fused and told them that l had but q
with me and watch
WELL exclaimed one of them, give me-
the watch and money.
Il did So and when they took the money
from my pocket book they also TOOK my
name and address from registration caru
l had with me. l was then allowed to de-
Fart. Two of them called at my house one
evening and demanded money. l had none,
but told them that would be palo on NO
venber Is, and then would give them some.
LeaVey and another young man called on
November 10 and asked for money. gave
them IS. On the following Friday MAJOR
and Eshleman visited the house but l re-
fused to give them anything. They called
on me at my office on Saturday last. l re-
fused to give them cent, and resolved 10
place the matter in the hands of the police
1 reported the case to Lieut.. Daley.
The Arrests.
Soon after Mr. Van Weeks departure
from the station Lieut.. Daley assigned Of
ticers johnson and Raedy to the case, and
in obedience to the orders of their superior
zens' clothes to Mr.. Van Weeks house, the
same evening and after waiting for con-
siderable period Major and Eshleman We're
met at the front door by them and taken
into custody The prisoners were taken to
the police station, where they We're eX-
amined by Lieut.. Daley, to whom they
gave the names of their companions in the
alleged scheme. A little later Wildman
and Mitchell were arrested in a pool room
on 18th street northwest. Leavey was ar
rested yesterday and Blocker early this
morning.
In the possession of Eshleman was found
a pawn ticket for Mr. Van Weeks watch,
1t having been pawned for Sc with broker
on Pennsylvania avenue.
Lieut.. Daley is authority for the state
ment that all of the young men admitted
that they had extorted money alleged,
and that they indicated that Leavey was the
leader of the gang. Leavey claimed he was
assisted in the scheme by two private de-
tectives, and the latter, upon hearing of
this, went to the ninth precinct station.
where they satisfied Lieut.. Daley that they
were entirely innocent of the charges made
by Leavey. Subsequently they had a talk
with Prosecutor MullOwny. by whom they
were eXonerated from all blame in the mat
ter.
According to the admissions of the pris-
oners, they have made trade of black
mail for many months. They named some
of their alleged victims, but the latter de-
ciared when called upon. that the young
men had stated what was not true All the
accused parties belong to respectable fami-