New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-16
$4,000 DROPPED IN
WIRE TAPPING SW|NDLE
Norfolk Man Victim of ''Capper"
with Southern Air and
knowledge of Mint.
FINALLY CAUGHT IN RAID
Refuses to Believe He Is De-
ceived Until Told by Deputy
Police Commissioner, Then
Returns to Virginia.

II cost William J. Mason. a wealthy reaI
estate dealer of Norfolk. Va, just s-o'oO I'd
learn the ins and outs OF that moss-coVcred
swindle wire tapping. After paying t'iis
sum the confidng Southerner he'tateu 10
believe he had fallen victim to a gang OF
swindlers until Deputy Police Commas
sioner Dougherty assured him that he had
been taken In.
1t was early in May that Mr.. Mason hrst
made the acquaintance Of the "capper OF
the wire tappers "capper" be 1t Known
is as necessary to a swindle as stool is
10 duck hunter and he answers the same
purpose. The "capper" In question was or
the professional Southern type, with broad
brimmed sombrero. broad draw and
deep-down-in- the heart love for the ancient
usages Of the South that amounted to
fetch. and with a corresponding contempt
for all things north of the Mason and
Dixon lne-eXcept the professional South
erner. who il unknown south of Baltimore.
He met Mr.. Mason at Onancock, on the
Eastern Shore. where the Nlrginian has ex-
tensive holdings Mr.. Mason grew to like
him. lie was so drol He could tell very
funny stories, and declared that mint
julep could be made properly only in one
place in New York.
OH yes he visited the big city now and
then. and when he did he generally called
or his brother, who was employed in the
Western Union, and gave him advance in
formation now and then on the races and
he managed TO gather In few easy dol
lars once he won 1850
From Mint to Horse Talk.
The man who knew the only place in
New York where mint julep WAS properly
made visited the real estate man at his
home in Norfolk and had dinner there.
This was toward the end OF last month.
His brother in the Western Union. he
whispered to Mr.. Mason. was going To hold
back the racing results some time during
the first week in June long enough for the
droll one to run around to a poolroom and
lay down a couple OF hundred dollars on a
sure thing" Wouldn't his host like TO
get in on the little game?
A little persuasion and the Virginian con-
scented. He brought Mrs Mason along
with him. telling her he wanted to see the
the Prince George
The game. went on in the usual way. The
"capper" took his victim TO a "poolroom"
than dozen men were excitedly laying
bets Two telegraph operators" worked
hard at loud clicking Instruments with
wires running direct to clothes closet in
an adjoining room Mason and his friend
laid two small bets on sure thing" And.
of course. the sure thing" won
After losing back the $500 or so he won
on the sure things" in one sum. Mason
and his friend" next wagered $500 each
on another sure thing" Mr.. Mason lost.
and was about TO quit when he was per-
suded to place $500 on another horse. with
like results. Next he lost 1000. and in
quick succession $1,000 more.
We Must Recoup, "capper" Says.
we must recoup." said the "capper.'
Something's wrong Guess my brother has
slipped w. But I'm going to put $4,000.
all | can scrape together on something
good tomorrow
Mason bit He wagered 10000. all he
had left OF his roll. He lost. SO did the
"capper." The latter, whose first name ig
Jim" began to cry.
"Oh, dear me" he sobbed. What will
do? I've lost all my money. Oh my poor
wife and children Oh Oh on Boo-o-
| OO-o 80
The tender hearted Virginian placed his
hand around "Jim's" neck and told him
not to worry. He could get few more
| thousand without any trouble, and so he
went-this was last Tuesday-to Norfolk
and drew $4,000 cash from his bank to get
| IL all back in one bet"
! But he didn't This he learned Friday
afternoon Just as he bet the $4,000 the
"poolrocm' was "raded" by two "Jetec-
tves" When the shining gold badges were
flashed on the surprised gamblers the
lookout" yelled
! Cheese IL. fellers. we're pinched
! Mr.. Mason's friend" escaped. as did the
rest. save the Virgnian. who was arrest
| ed" The two detectives" took him TO
Central Park. and told him to wait there
! while they called a patrol wagon.
And that was the last seen Of the gang.
for whom the police are now looking After
telling his story Yesterday TO Deputy Com
missioner Doughcrty, who put detectives on
the case. Mr. Mason and his wife returned
to Norfolk