The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-24
He Was Picked Up by Motor
Car Last Night.
have ACCURATE DESCRIPTION
Dramatic Scene Pulled On for
"War Correspondents"
Theodore Hammatt Received an
Unsigned Letter.

Polk street, to the point designated in
the "Black Hand letters as the place
where a package containing $15,0O0
was to be deposited by Hammatt.
McGrath says he was driving south
on the Topeka avenue road shortly af-
ter $3.50 o'clock last night. Near the
Country club. man stood IN the road
and motioned for McGrath to stop. The
man in the road told McGrath his
motorcycle had broken down and asked
for lift" to Pauline. McGrath ex-
planned that he was not going that far.
but would carry him part of the way.
The man got on the fOOtboard but did
not take a seat.
Il watched the fellow closely be-
cause he looked like a crook to me-"
says McGrath. AT a culvert about
five miles south of Topeka and two
miles north of Pauline, the man said:
This place is all right for me and
q good place for you to turn around.
will get out here"
The man got out and McGrath turn
ed back, coming to Topeka. McGrath
Is positive he could identify the man
should he see him again.
The description of the man picked
up by McGrath, as he remembers him
Is that he was not more than five
feet and 10 inches tall and probably
weighed 14O pounds. He was dark,
had smoth face. a prominent nose
pointed. He wore dark felt hat. and
white shirt with no collar, and
was between rs and 80 years old He
was much out of breath when he
stopped the car in which were Nc
Grath and F. L. Campbell were rid
Ing. 1t is believed that he had seen
the detective on the horse pass along
and that he had been running to over
take the man with the supposed treas
ure, when he hailed the automobile.
Second Battle of Pauline.
The second battle of Pauline" was
nj n ncf icvh he ie,,
ter Of history and needs no recount
ing. Like the first, the second re-
suited in nothing more serious than
nerve-racking experience for an Of
ficer of the law. And this is no ref1ec-
ton upon any local officials. Maybe
he was not an official at adjust a
detective. A detective imported from
Kansas City to lead the local cohorts
OF the law. He led them mounted
upon u grey horse. The cohorts con-
sisted of Chief of Police Ross and
Charles Lyle, a Topeka city detective
Sheriff L. L. Kiene and Tailor Mitch
ell Bundy and others in the countys
automobile and that belonging to the
city police department. Another au-
tomobile bore Dan Hammatt and Burt
Reed. David Hood of Emporia was
also in the party. One machine was
occupied by representatives of the
press. All told nearly thirty men were
in the posse.
What was it all about?-
Hist! A Letter!
Well. it started this way: Sunday
night Theodore Hammatt was sitting
in his home at 824 Polk street. Time
10 p. m. The front door was open.
but the screen door closed. Some one
opened the screen door and thrust a
letter in. Mr.. Hammatt picked it up
and read as follows:
Ito Mr.. T. D. Hammatt:
Dear Sir: We have long watched
you with interest. Permit us a con-
gratulatory word. We believe you in
position to give something to those
who ask We hope that in this you
agee. If you do we have but to re-
quest. We wish $4,000 (FIF'TEEN
THOUSAND DOLLARS) at once We
ask 1t of you. We trust the sugges-
ton alone will prove amply sufficient.
Should it not we will, of course, take
steps to prove our great need. 9th
ers VIII failed in the past to give heed
to our asking have regretted it, we be-
lieve-or perhaps in some cases have
passed to a place where doubtless they
cease to care. We call their expert
ence to your mind.
SHOULD you elect to be wiser than
they. leave the National hotel at noon
twelve sharp 9-21, stand in front, light
a cigarette, and then go where you
wish. That is all. Though exceeding
~ simple, a great deal will depend
upon it. For this you must take our
word. We have arranged that your
signal will be seen. If you agree
word will then be sent you5show the
do you the most good. Should you
disregard our request. or show this
letter to the police. your fate then will
be on your head. THEREFORE con-
slider 1t well. Permit us to assure you
once more Of our deepest esteem, most
n fnv
the first time to you:
LA MANO NERA."
Waited for No Reply.
The person delivering the letter hat
not waited for a reply. There was nc
way for Mr. Hammatt to rid himself
of that $4,000 other than to follow the
instructions set forth in the letter. He
was not given an opportunity even t
take a receipt for the money nor to re-
ceive a thank you.''
So he followed the instructions. He
stood at the entrance to the Nationa
hotel at noon Monday and lighted &
cigarette. Mr.. Hammatt is of age, 81
no lady. policeman pinched him. HI
was not even questioned amy Off
Ger as. to where he had secured thu
o'clock BILLY" Price, an expressmaI
who stands at Sixth and Jackson
streets. delivered a letter to Mr.. Ham
matt at his residence which had beef
mustache. with g. cents for its de
Thi: letter read:
The second Letter.
The second letter was as follows.
ITO Mr.. Il D. Hammatt. .asss 49,.
Dear Sir-You- were wise to &C
money In s.. so. $zO BILLS. wrap them ii
white paper. leave your house a
$50. g-33. You must ride = horse as "