The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-17
GAMBLED, FORGED, ARRESTED
PROCESS BY WHICH A 81 4 WEEK
CLERK HAS LANDED IN JAIL.
Left In Charge OF the once OF Lawyer
Il. II. Floyti-Jones, He Got $40. 900 on
Forged Checks Found Making book NJ
the Racetraek-He's Only Eighteen.

A'eit III eHaTbe VI tne VInce OF Lawyer
Il. II. FlOytl-.Joiles, He Got $50. 900 on
Forged Checks-Found Making Book NJ
the Racetrack-He's Only Eighteen.
Frank O'Donnell, precocious young
bookmaker at Brighton Beach racetrack
he is only 10 years old, and only began
making books on Tuesday, had just cleaned
up 81 200 on the third race yesterday and,
with his slate in hand was taking bets on
the fourth when stranger stepped up
and said in his ear:
You're under arrest, O'Donnell"
The stranger was Detective Sergeant
Flannelly Of Inspector McClusky's staff. He
had warrant for O'Donnell's arrest on a
charge Of forging checks and orders to the
amount OF $4,000. Young ODonnell took
1t coolly.
Let me finish this race, won't your When
I've squared my accounts on that I'll 60
along with you he said.
Permission was granted, and O'Donnell,
after the race was over and he had lost
part Of his $1,000, was brought over to
Manhattan and locked UP in Police Head
quarters.
The charge Of forgery is brought by
Edward H. FloydJones, lawyer at 81 Wall
street, in whose employ O'Donnell had been
for four years Mr.. FloydJones has been
away all summer at St Louis and abroad.
He left things at the office entirely in the
hands Of young O'Donnell, who although
he received only 81 week. was confden-
tial clerk, Mr.. Floyd-Jones wouldn't have
done this. probably, il he had known that
his clerk was crazy over playing the races.
He got back on Sept, 10. ODonnell wasn't
at the office, and had faded away from
his home in Brooklyn ten days before
When Mr.. Floyd-Jones came 10 balance
his bank book he received a shock. The
account was $40 900 shorter than II really
ought to be- The account checks showed
that he had been a victim Of systematic
forgery. When he came to ODonnell's
pay check he got clue. The amount, 81,
had been raised to S7O The cancelled
checks and stubs were missing. The
lawyer does not know how long this had
been going on, but it Is thought that most
Of 1t Is recent
O'Donnell had Mr.. Floyd-Joness con-
fidenoe in every way, and did most OF his
employers business at the banks. This
made robbery very easy. A little investi-
cation by the police showed that he had
II
and the trail led straight to Brighton Beach.
Mrs. Kate O'Donnell, the boys mother,
and Miss Kate, his sister, had just been told
Of the boys arrest when they were seen by
a SUN reporter last night. They were
not very much surprised, for Mrs. O'Donnell
has been fighting for two years to keep
her son from the racetracks. She Ii q
widow and a working woman. Her
daughter is q dressmaker. They, with
young Frank, lived together at 1876 Cler-
mont avenue, Brooklyn, and just pulled
out a living by pooling their wages. The
boy went to work In Wall street four years
ago. About two years ago. Mrs. o Donnell
says, she discovered that he was haunting
the poolrooms and the racetracks. She
tried to make him give 1t up He promised
once that he would. but soon she found
him back at his old tricks,
Mrs. O'Donnell thinks that he made big
winnings sometimes. He came home one
night with 81 500, which he said he had won
on long shot. He was free with his money,
although he didn't drop much Of 1t at home.
His mother says that other young men OF
the neighborhood owe him at least 81 900.
She used to follow him to the poolrooms
and demonstrate with the owners. Some
times, she says, they promised not to take
her boys money, but they didn't keep the
promise He got worse and worse and
seldom came home.
On Labor Day she went to the Sheepshead
Bay track. In the betting ring sat her boy
Frank. helping bookmaker who gave his
name al Watson. She pitched into Watson
'That's all right" he said; "the kids of
age and his own boss"
Hes only IS, and he's got to come home"
cried Mrs. ODonnell.
Frank wouldn't go. though. Mrs. ODon-
nell says that Watson asserted that his
wasn't a regular bookmaking business,
anyway. To prove it, he pulled out card
OF the Dixie Purchasing Company" which
has it's offices in the Flatiron building. She
went home, and Frank went on laying
odds.
On Aug. so he came home for the last
time. He said that he had given up his
Job and was going to take short vacation
and then 60 to California and set himself
up In business.
When arrested yesterday the boy wore
expensive clothing ana two diamond rings. |
He had on brown suit and derby hat,
and from gold watch In his pocket gold |
chain led to buttonhole from which hung
a diamond locket. He had 1890 in his |
pockets, after he had settled his accounts |
with Cavanagh, who has charge Of the
betting ring.
why didn't you ask the detectives to
zee Mrs. Hartf' asked Miss O'Donnell in
the course Of the talk with THE Sun reporter
last night.
sHushl' said her mother.
They both refused to say who Mrs. Hart"
Is or what she he'd TO do with the case.
OH THAT SMELL IN THE STREET.