The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-02-26
GOLD BRICK GAME
TRIED ON SLEUTH
LANDS z IN JAIL
Constable Thomas, of Sheriff
Sommer's Force, Picked
for Easy Mark"
SECURED METAL DURING
FRISCO QUAKE, THEY SAID
Officer Leads "FIim-flam'' Chief
to Prison-Pal Captured
Shortly Afterward.

While attempting to work the gold
brick game on Constable Thomas, OF
the sheriff's office, yesterday afternoon,
Joseph Martin, whose real name is be-
lieved to be Ike Blumenthal, n who
Is also known as Blum. and John Nor
ris, alias John ~Isenberg. also known as
Heime Isenberg. were placed under ar
rest at Springfield venue and High
street by Thomas. aided by Constable
Myers.
They were both taken to the sheriff $
office and searched and numerous cards
and literature were found in Martin S
pockets. He gave the name Martin, but
one of the sheriff's sleuths said that
his real name was Bluinenthal. Both
will be held on a charge of ~vagrancy.
Taken Into Secret.
Thomas met Isenberg two days ago
In a Prince street resort, and the lat
ter took the constable into his conf
dence- Ee explained that q friend had
a large quantity of raw gold, which
could be purchased at less thar half its
value. The constable told Isenberg
that it would be worth his while to
meet the unknown, and promised that
after he made the purchase and re-
sold the gold he would give the go
between so per cent. of the profits. This
was satisfactory and the meeting was
set for yesterday.
Thomas secured a roll of greenbacks
from Under Sheriff Mason and placed
a quantity of cardboard in the centre
and made it appear triple it's amount,
TIA hon r1nI n f-1II1x- n,a.t r.aa Of 4hp
-Four Corners hailed a cabbie and
orders to be driven to the West
Side Trust Company's bank, at High
street and Springfield avenue. which Is
within sight of the sheriff Office.
Goes to Bank.
Sure enough when he left the Gap
the two men were on the corner. but
from bowling to Isenberg. whom
he had met the day before, Thomas
paid no further attention. to the mel.
but hurried into sthp bank and pre-
that he drew the roll. F1e
walked to the front of the bank +
beckoned for Isenberg, but in turn Was
to come out, and he did so.
Martin proposed that they go to a
nearby resort in South Orange avenue,
IN 1llOtfldo 1OlloClAtChs ~ NAS - CO..
his colleague remained nearby. and
the trio sat at a table and Thomas was
offered $4,000 worth of raw gold for.
eve a get it in less than two
hours said Martin. at is over in MY
room in the Grand Central Hotel, New
York, where l am stopping"
Thomas told the two strangers that
he made a practise of buying old gold
and resold it to a business man on
Barclay street. New York city. Mar
lin stated hat he managed to secure
the would-be gold in San Francisco
during the earthquake. and that his
room was stacked with II.
Martin, accompanied by Thomas left
and was in the act of walking to the
street depot when Thomas re-
that they walk over High
street. Martin Consented. and when
Court House was reached Thomas
him into 1t, saying that he was
to see a friend, and when op-
posite the entrance to the sheriff's
office Thomas snapped his companions
roat sleeve and led him into the Office.
I~senberg. who left the South Orange
avenue resort soon after, was picked
mp by Myers and taken to the county
Jail.
Gives Fake Address.
Isenberg said he lived at 291 Prince
street and other addresses in this city,
Martin said that he lived at Mar
let and Seventh streets, Philadelphia,
when o that there was nothing
department stores in that vicinity,
he said he was now putting up at the
New York hotel.
While in a room adjoining the sher-
Office, Martin grasped the ham of
and reditnd him with being