New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-24
CHARGE BIG SWINDLE
EIGHTY-FIVE INDICTED.
j. c. Maybrag and associates Ac-
cused of False Horse Race Schemes

Council Bluffs. Iowa, Sept 2s.-James c. May
bray and eiehty-four alleged associates to-
day indicted by the United States grand jury for
the Southern District of Iowa charged with con-
spring TO defraud by Illegal of the United
States mails. With the exception OF Maybray and
three or four others. none OF those indicted are in
custody and for that reason the names OF the
defendants rot made public.
II said that the list includes many persons
known in criminal circles in all parts of the coun
try and that nearly every name is followed by from
one TO four aliases Each of these alleged confed-
crates had number, which is given one Of the
aliases credited 90 the defendant.
Although specific amounts not mentioned in
the Indictment II is authortatively stated that the
amounts lost by the alleged victims of Maybray
and the others will exceed $4,000. The sums lost
run from $500 TO $4,000. the latter sum having
been placed on horse race that never took place,
according to the evidence at hand. by a Missouri
banker.
Victims IN eighteen states the territory of Alaska
and the Dominion of Canada named in the in
dictment, indicating the wide range of territory
over which Maybray and his associates are alleged
TO have piled their vocation.
AS bases OF operation they used. according TO
the indictment. the cities of Council Bluffs. Daven-
port and Burlington. Iowa: St. Louis. Little Rock.
Seattle. Denver and New Orleans. 10 which places
II is alleged victims were taken by the numerous
"steerers"
In setting out the specific instances in which
violations OF the postal laws charged, the in
dictment includes copies Of many sensational let
tiers said to have been exchanged between May
bray and his associates which refer TO alleged
deals and name various OF money as
having changed hands a result OF the opera
tions Of those mentioned in the Indictment
One of these letters is dated from a New York
hotel and invites friend JOHN. who. II is alleged.
is Maybray himself. to go to New York City. say
ing: II have town right across the river from
New York, in Jersey, a swell track and absolute
protection. The Sheriff and Prosecutor and police
they will be absolutely right on the job during
working hours
In a letter written few days later the same
man informs the person who received mall from
postoffice box No. 4, which Maybray's box
that the location referred TO is only twenty min
utes' ride from the heart of New York city, and
that TO the fixing" II be done for SO a
week. (which will cover everything-that is the
Sheriff. the Chief and the Prosecuting Attorney"
The writer also says he has a friend 'fn goOd
standing handling sales Of large denominations.
good appearance and excellent standing"
Another letter cited Is from Polk City. Iowa, and
signed "F. r. Marts," inclosing 81 eco 'to apply as
forfeit money on our deal pending
letter from Samuel Sutor. OF Cass Lake. MIMI.
says: Il have made my check on the bank up
there FOR 5000" and says he has arranged to have
the check taken care Of by the bank.
The indictment gives the names OF eighty-flve per-
sons who alleged 70 have been ~,ctims OF
Maybray and his associates. most Of whom reside
in the Western States. Among the alleged victims
In other LOCALITIES are:
P W. Whalen, Port Arthur. Canada: Edward
Jones. Shamokin. Penn: F. Ellison. Kamloops
Canada: James Servais. Port Arthur. Canada
James Weber. shamokin. Penn: 8. McMairn, To-
rontO; J. W. Springborn. Cleveland; c. Nelson
Pratt. Toledo, and c. A. Nelson, Alma, Mich.
It is expected that the trials will begin at Red
Oak. Iowa. during the November term OF court. or
at Des Moines in December. Sylvester r Rush.
special assistant 10 the Attorney General of the
United States. at the instance OF the Department OF
Justice. is taking part In the prosecution.