Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-29
Gang of Railway Ticket For
gers Captured by the
Police.
ONE WOMAN In THE GANG
Nearly $4,000 Worth of Plumber Taken
BY the Authorities-Work of the
Gang Has Been Bold and Far-reach-
ing.

chicago, July 26.-A band of alleged
forgers of railroad tickets, whose op-
erations have extended from coast to
coast was broken up yesterday by
special agents of the Chicago Local
Passenger bureau and the central po-
lice.
Charles ]. Allardt, supposed leader of
the gang" and owner of the Nation
al ticket office; Alexander Freeman,
James Donahue, Ed. Farnum, alias w.
T. Davidson, were arrested and lodged
in the Harrison street police station.
All were charged with forgery.
In the raid the police secured nearly
$4,000 worth of railroad tickets, dies
of every character, acids and stamps,
indicating that the operations of the
band had been extensive and remun-
erative.
Secretary Harry P. Bronson of the
passenger bureau said it was impossi-
BILE to estimate the loss to the rail
roads through the work of the gang,
but he thought it would run into the
thousands OF dollars.
Detectives Put on Case.
Several weeks ago the Western Pas
senger association, aware that gang
existed which was selling forged rail
road tickets with alarming boldness
complained to the authorities and ap-
pealed for detectives. Special Agent
Harrington was assigned Detectives
Thompson, Cudmore, O'Malley and
Gallagher and the task of ferreting
out the mystery began.
Suspected Persons Are Located.
Within a week the suspected per-
sons were located and few days lat
er the operating room of the alleged
forgers was discovered in the Clark
street lodging house. Farnham, who is
said to have done all the work of doc
toring scalped tickets and manufacture
ing forged ones, occupied the room
with Maggie Davis. Securing a room
adjoining this one, the detectives kept
daily watch of the operations of Farm
ham and got track of Freeman and
Donahue, who frequently visited the
room, bringing in and taking away the
tickets. The tickets were traced to
Allard's office at 1872 Clark street,
where they were disposed OF to trav-
elers.
Farnham is said to be expert at
"doctcring" old tickets to fit orders
By plugging up the punch marks in
dicating the description of the former
holder, he was able to make the ticket
fit the description of anyone who might
order it from the broker.
Forged Tickets Manufactured.
Besides this work, he also manu-
featured forged tickets, and it is charg-
ed disposed of his output to Allardt
through Freeman and Donahue. Farm
Fan. is we'll known to the police for
his operations in railroad tickets and
was at one time witness in case
against Allardt in this city, being call
ed upon to testify regarding forged pa
pei.
Several years ago he attempted to
sell to the Alton railway company a
patent ink of his own invention which
could not be eradicated by acid. This
ink he used, it is said, in his own op-
erationS.
Allerdt has been in the ticket bust.
ness in Chicago for several years and
has not avoided trouble before. Sew
eral indictments have been recorded
against him during his career and the
police assert they have ample evil
dence this time to convict him.
Attorney Joseph David, acting for
the Western Passenger association in
recent ticket swindles, said last night
that all of the persons arrested have
been regarded with suspicion for a
long time.