The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-09
The Case of James Maybray and
Alleged Partners
Is Opened in Federal Court at
Council Bluffs.
FROM A DOZEN STATES
One Hundred Witnesses Are i'm
Attendance.
Charge Is Wholesale Swindling
by Fixed Athletic Events.

Council Bluffs. Ia. March 9.-With
the opening of the trials in federal
court today OF James c. Maybray and
more than 80 other defendants, all
charged with being concerned in the
extensive swindling of bankers and 9TH
er capitalists in different parts of the
country by means of fixed" races.
prize fights. wrestling bouts. and other
similar methods. the population of this
town was visibly increased today. The
trials are of particular interest because
of the wide territory over which the
defendants are alleged to have opera
ted and the prominence of the persons
who fell victims to the swindles. One
hundred witnesses from Il dozen states
ere here to testify.
Maybray and 13 of his associates were
brought before Judge Smith Mcpherson
this morning. About 30 others named
in the indictment have been arrested in
different parts of the country and Will
be brought to Council Bluffs as fast
as their cases can be heard. The gov
ernment has considered the prosecu-
ton of these men of sufficient import
ance to assign Sylvester r. Rush. spec
ial assistant to the attorney general OF
the United States to take charges or
the cases. He will be assisted by Dis
trict Attorney Temple and George =.
Stewart, Col. Temples assistant.
Conspicuous among the defendants Is
Harry Forbes. the prize fighter.who was
arrested at the ringside, after he had
been badly beaten last week by Abe At
tell Forbes still shows the effects oc
his fight. He reached the city last
night. Clarence Forbes. also a prize
fighter, and said to be a brother OF
Harry Forbes. is another defendant and
will be tried during the present term
Benjamin Marks. the wealthy Council
DT..CC ,1f sAsl .TN 20
promoter with Maybray was too u. tn
be brought to trial and it was expect
ed his case would be continued. He has
been confined TO his home several
months.
There are also IL civil suits for
amounts aggregatirg $4,000 which VIII
be tried during the present term ~
the federal court. These suits are
gainst Marks and officers of the First
National bank. who are alleged to have
taken part in financing the big swlnd-
ling games pulled off by Maybray, and
his associates. Several men of promi-
rence in the financial and political
world are named as defendants in thess
suits.
BY agreement, the civil suits were
continued 80 days. and will not come
up until the criminal actions have
been concluded.
Judge Mcpherson insisted on max
ing the record clear. and when the
defendants were called upon for pleas
they were required to stand up indi-
vidually and give their names and resi-
dcnce and plead to the Indictment. The
defendants appearing were:
Leon Lozisr, Ed Leach, John r. Dob
bins, r. E. L. Goddard, Clarence
Forbes. Harry Forbes. Winford Har-
ris, John Beath. George NJ. Marshs
Edwin Morris and Bert r. Short
Three others, Willard Powell. Frank
Scott and T. S. Robinson. were repre-
sented by attorneys. who stated their
clients would appear tomorrow. All
pleaded not guilty and their trials will
begin tomorrow. Five defendants were
without attorneys and pleaded poverty
The court appointed attorneys to de-
fend. Maybray was cheerful. He said
he never felt better and that during
his 8 months in Jail he had not missed
a meal