Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-03
Mazzininanda Locked
in Bastile by
Police
SpOoksters Seek Cover
in Frenzy of
Alarm
City Prosecutor and Chief of Police
viii Wage Determined War
Against Men and Women
Who Violate Law

II "Mazzinnanda." chief faker of all
the tribe which thrives on the credulity
of gullible men and women, had been
genuine seer he might have avoided
two miserable hours behind the prison
bars last night.
If the Persian" with the cockney
dialect can project his astral body into
space he overlooked point when he
failed to drop in on Deputy Prosecut-
ing Attorney Guy " Eddy yesterday
afternoon while that official was draw
ing up a complaint for warrant for
the arrest of the bogus seer.
The swami as the spookster calls
himself, claims to have been born in
Ispahan, Persia, yet his business cards
indicate he is from Benares, India.
He has the mug of a tip cart driver
and the vernacular of a billingsgate
cabby.
Arrested at Benefit Affair
Mazzi-etc., whose real name is be-
lieved to be MaginniS, was placed un-
der arrest during a benefit given for
him by credulous followers on the
charge of telling fortunes without a
license.
He was arrested by Patrolman Stor-
ey of the Los Angeles police depart
ment on a complaint sworn out by Dr.
j w. Mead. When arrested he was
sitting at the door of the Burbank
hall, welcoming those who We're COM
iss up and paying so cents each to hear
hifls speak.
He was at once informed that if he
wished to gain his liberty last night
he would be compelled to put up $50
bonds Tor his appearance in court. and
in spite of the fact that the bail was
placed at the lowest he was unable to
supply 1t for several hours and was
compelled to take his place in the cells
with some of the lowest specimens of
vagrants, negro hoboes and drunken
men who have been arrested in Los
Angeles for many months.
This treatment did not please the
man who has made business of prey
ing on the heartstrings of grief-strick-
en- mothers. of sorrowing widows and
suffering humanity. He thought he
should be treated better. The actions
of the rude policeman in searching him
and compelling him, a philosopher and
a sage, to pass through steel doors and
into a narrow cell was more than he
could quietly bear, and he at first
threatened vengeance on everybody,
and later begged piteously that he al
lowed his liberty.
axe Up OoIteCtiOn
Only one of his friends had been will
ing to come forward with bail money.
He claimed to be an employe of the
Niles Pease Furniture company and
did not have the ready cash with him.
He offered to sign a check but could
get no person to cash 1t, so he at last
hustled back to Burbank hall and there
the assembled dupes and spooksters
were informed that Swami was in
tttIA a.a1 1n1 Cicfl mo-
Pockets were then shaken out and the
last nickel dropped from many of them
to aid the spook leader I'm gaining his
liberty, those who cashed in evidently
fearing II they did not do so he would
work the black magic on them and
cause their bodies to shrivel. At last
a sufficient sum was made up in addi-
tion to the money which had been
taken in at the door, and a courier was
sent to the police station to deposit
bail and bring the faker back to his
gullible following.
The fact that Swami was arrested
did not bring peace by any means to
those who were in the hall. Instead,
many of them were heard to state that
they did not believe it was a safe place
to be and evidently thought there was
some danger of the hall being raided,
Many left the building at once, and
Judging from all signs Swami will try
~ lOHk llllc DciOiS Nv iN5ohiS NA'S'' "
his flock
Camps on Faker's Trail
The warrant was sworn out for
Swami's arrest at o'clock yesterday
afternoon and was given to Policeman
Storey to serve. When the officer
called at Mazzininanda's residence on
South Spring street he was informed
that the alleged spiritualist was out
having his shoes shined preparatory
to attending a benefit to be given him
at Burbank hall last evening.
Storey was on hand promptly at 1880
O'Clock and found the fake medium oc-
oupying a prominent position at the
front door Of the hall with smsn
table on which lay many coins all
tributes to him by the credulous he
has captured with smooth tales and
deceit
Il have warrant for your arrest,
said the policeman.
For my arrest? Why, / have done
naught that is wrong" said the faker
gazing In astonishment at the officer.
II know nothing about that" said
the policeman; "but you will have tc
come with me TO the police station"
"Oh. wait until l see some of mS
friends" said Mazzininanda; perhaps
one OF them Will put up bail for me
| am sure If l ask them they will.
And then with visions OF the chair
gang staring him In the face, Swami
hustled around among those who were
present and asked them to please heir
him out OF his scrape
AS they were unable, or did not wish