Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-14
AGENTS LURE VICTIMS
New York Gambling Syndicate
FIeeces the Wealthy
IN CROOKED CARD GAMES
Evidence Sought by Pittsburg Police
Authorities.
JEROME'S AID IS SOLICITED
Gamblers Charged With Robbing
Rich Men Of Million by
Fixed" Wheels.
JEROME'S AID IS SOLICITED

NEW YORK May 14.-Evidence is
sought in this city against a gambling
syndicate said to have robbed wealthy
Pittsburgers and Ohio men of $1,000 600
by means of crooked card games and
fixed" roulette wheels Thus far the
investigation indicates that the headquar-
tiers of the gamblers is in this city and
that victims are lured here by agents who
constantly are active in Pittsburg and
several Ohio cities.
Dispatches from Pittsburg last night
said that District Attorney Goehring had
asked District Attorney Jerome to assist
him in rounding up the gamblers in an
effort to secure evidence against two al
legged leaders of the syndicate. They are
Frank Thompson and F. B. Ranger. They
were indicted in Pittsburg Tuesday as the
result of the work of Pittsburg detectives
who left New York fortnight ago.
Bank Cashier a Victim.
News of the indictments was not made
public until yesterday, and was followed
by the announcement that the Pittsburg
authorities. assisted by District Attorney
Jerome. will try to prove that Ranger
and Thompson. with others. defrauded
rich men of Pittsburg out of fortunes in
the past three or four years. District At
torney Goehring is said to possess evil
dence that one of the victims was r. Lee
Clark cashier OF the Enterprise National
Bank Of Allegheny. who killed himself
October IS. 1904. and that he lost 500 600
to the gamblers who escorted him from
Pittsburg to New York at one sitting in a
brace" game.
Details of the Investigations are sur
rounded with great secrecy. but 1t is
said on excellent authority that the
Pittsburg detectives in their search
here visited several houses in the best
west side residence district having learn
ed that the gambling syndicate conducted
operations nine months ago in a brown
stone residence on the south side of West
6sth street between Columbus avenue and
Central Park west.
Three Alleged Gamblers Caught.
Ranger and W. j. Adams. known by
the sporting fraternity as Jake Ad-
ans, were arrested at that time and
Thompson was caught later.
Gen. Bingham asked the Pittsburg po-
lice to forward pictures of the prisoners
and all Information at hand concerning
the gambling syndicate.
Thompson and Ranger are charged with
eonspiring to defraud wealthy residents
of Marietta, Ohio. Several prominent
residents of Pittsburg are known to be
interested In the investigation. They
nave lOSt DiS SUMS, Out nave tnuS Tar
held aloof from the investigation be-
cause Of fear of publicity.
Plan Of Swindlers.
The plan pursued by the gambling
syndicate is to bring about the introduce
ton of their agants to wealthy men, The
latter are told that rich profits will be
shared with them If they will go to New
York and participate in a gambling ven
ture. IT is proposed to the lamb" that
he interest a friend in the game. the
gamblers guaranteeing to fleece" the
friend and share the winnings
Another activity of the syndicate is
to lure victim to the gambling house
and rob him of his money by crooked
dealing in poker. brace faro and rou-
iette wheels which have been adjusted
II. B. Nye of Marietta. Ohio, has tes-
tif1ed that ne lost $4,000 in house in
I'D street playing faro. D. c. Davis also
OF Marietta. told of losing $4,000 The
Pittsburs police say they have evidence
that nve local residents were lured to
New York and robbed by the gambling
syndicate of more than $2OOOUO