The San Francisco call., 1910-08-27
MAYBRAY GANG
MEMBER CAUGHT
Famous Principal of Celebrated
Band of Swindlers Held in
the City's Tombs
Although He Denies Identity, the
Police Are Certain They
Have the Right Crook

Jack Carkeek, formerly active
member of the famous Maybray gang
of swindLers. is now in the city tombs
waiting to be taken into custody by
officers of the federal government. The
detectives are sure of the identity.
Although the man alleged TO be Car
keek persistently denies his identity
and refuses TO discuss the charge on
which he is held. his absolute identi-
1catioH, by four men who knew the
willy operator before the Maybray
gang was exposed lead the police to
believe that they have in the tolls tho
swindler who has been sought the
world over.
Since the memorable day OF Septem-
Der 90. 1909 when the Maybray gang
was brought to book at Council Bluffs,
Ia. by the Indictment of 50 of the gang.
Carkeek has been much hunted man
Until few days ago he was success
full in eluding the police, and although
30 of the members of the swindling
gang were arrested, Carkeek seemed TO
bear the charmed life and consistently
escaped arrest.
About o'clock Thursday evening
the man believed TO be Carkeek was
taken into custody at the Hotel Dale
by Detectives William Cavanaugh and
George Geimann. Yesterday morning
Inspector James OConneH who re-
quested the police TO detain Carkeek.
called at headquarters and by some
clever work soon succeeded in king
the Identification OF Carkeek so strong
that the authorities at Council Bluffs
were wired,
Carkeek is wanted on the charge Of
conspiracy to defraud in the use OF the
mail On this charge complaint will
be drawn up by the United States dis
ran
will be turned over to the federal au-
thorities.
The arrest of Carkeek furnishes one
of the peculiar angles in the continuous
hunt for noted criminal Last
Saturday night Carkeek, hunted the
world over by the United States gov
ernment to answer to the charge OF
conspiracy, was arrested in this city
on the charge of vagrancy- Under the
circumstances vagrancy was alleged BY
the police to be the most serious charge
that could be brought. week ago
tonight Carkeek was taken into Gus
tody by Detective William Cavanaugh
and gave the name OF John Fletcher.
The arrest was made at the instance
of l.. W. Gay. a Honolulu planter.
On the day previous to the arrest
Gay was approached near the German
hospital by a well dressed stranger
who let Gay in on wire tapping
Scheme. All tndC was required was
81 500, which Gay promptly secured
by wiring to his bank at Honolulu. on
Saturday last Gay became a little
suspicious and notified the police, who
sent Detective Cavanaugh TO shadow
the case. The stranger. whom Gay
first met, did not appear, but the man
giving the name of John Fletcher kept
the appointment. Gay announced that
he had the money and Fletcher un-
folded the wire tapping scheme. Cav
anaugh, who was concealed so as TO
Overhear the conversation. made the
arrest. Strange to relate. instead of
charging Fletcher with more serious
offense, the charge against him was
made vagrancy and Fletcher was
promptly released on S25 bail.
In some manner Chief of Police Mar
tin learned that Fletcher might be
Carkeek, and Immediately notified
Postal Inspector OConnen. ON looking
into the case OConnelI asked the police
to apprehend Fletcher. and Thursday
night Detectives Cavanaugh and
Geimann again took Fletcher" into
custody. At the city prisen yesterday
the prisoner would make no statement.
He admitted that JEANNE Fletcher. "A
singer at the American theater. was his
wife, but refused TO disclose his iden-
tity. Inspector O'ConnelI declares that
the identity of Carkeek is absolutely
complete.