The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-09-28
ADAM BECKERIS
VICTIM OF z Men
met IN Topeka
While Matching Dollars He Was
Robbed, His Friend Says.
Missed ValuabIes After a Sun
day Afternoon on 4th Street.
BEHIND A HIGH BOARD FENCE
Strangers Lured Him to a Quiet
Game and Took Papers.
A Half Hundred Dollars in Cur
rency Is Also Taken.
AhHF AnaE NHnA@
A Half Hundred Dollars in Cur
rency Is Also Taken.
ONE man TALL, ONE SHORT
Becker Explained Also That
Man Had Long Fingers.
Some of Notes From Lumber
Company of Topeka.

Adam Becker, SO years old, a
director in the state bank of
Meriden, Kan, and wealthy citi-
zen of the community, was re-
lieved of $4,000 in personal
notes and between $40 and $45
in money by two confidence men
near Fourth and Adams street
last Sunday afternoon. Becker
wrote to Walker Newman, pro-
prietor of the Ohio house in To-
peka, that he had been robbed
of the valuable papers and New
man reported the loss to Chief of
Police Parsons.
Newman, who has been a
friend of Becker's for years,
loaned the old man $35 with
which to buy a ticket to McAles-
ter, Oklahoma, where he is 60
ing on business.
Newman Tells Story.
Sunday afternoon Becker came
from Meriden on his way to Kansas
City and Oklahoma" explained New
man. in telling of the case this after
noon. HE met a man at the Santa
F'e depot who said to him:
"'We will have couple of hours
to wait so let's take a walk
Becker consented and the two
walked up Fourth street. When they
got near Adams street a third man
walked up to them and shook hands.
The stranger who had met Becker in
the depot suggested that they match
for cigars. This they did.
"Then tie stranger suggested to
Becker that they go in together and
beat this other fellow out of his
money matching dollars.
Behind High Board Fence.
'gThey got behind a high fence al
Adams and Fourth stree is and started
the game. All the time the first
was winning, ana the second
stranger and Becker were losing.
After the game was over the first
stranger was to split with Becker.
When the two had stripped Beck
er of all the money he lad, some S45,
the second stranger left and the first
stranger said that he would meet
Becker at the depot in little while
and split with him"
Both men disappeared and Becker
came to me to get money to continue
his trip to oklahoma" further ex-
planned Newman. He did not know
ne had been touched for the notes
until he got to Kansas City. Then he
y iOLE Illt IL iSLAGi LtlliIS me Lildl lnt
men got his papers and to notify the
police. He could not stop at the time
because he had an important engage
nent in Oklahoma.
HE and his brother, Henry Becker,
ire worth something like 100000.
From what Becker said in his letter L
expect him back to Topeka today"
Occurred sunday Afternoon.
The robbery happened Sunday af-
ernoon about 4 o'clock. Becker was
on going to Kansas city on
late afternoon train.
Detective Helped Him.
Becker said in his letter to Newman
hat after he was robbed that q santa
&c detective accompanied him as far
Is Lawrence. The police believe that
his man is not a detective but con-
ederate and that he decoyed Becker
lway to prevent his notifying the
police.
The Topeka police are acquainted
With all Santa Fe detectives and there
ire none who would nave failed to re-
,ort such robbery.
Becker, apparently. still has con-
idence in this man, Inere being a bit
which ne said that if the Topeka police
will engage this detective they will un-
ioubtedly recover the money.
Advanced i'm Years.
Becker is advanced in years and gives
very incomplete description of the
men. He also says in his letter that
his detective knew the crooks ami
hat they were operating here during
he fair.
Becker failed to notify the banking
association or list his lost notes, which
S customary in such cases.
Chief Parsons visited Topeka banks
Continued ON Page 81