The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-29

oent OF tnls clty, told MONDAY now ne
had been victimized of $4,000 by a
gang of sharpers in st. Petersburg,
Fla where the Hurds spent a part of
last winter.
The old horse race game" was
worked upon Mr.. Hurd. He was told
that he had won thousands and that
his money would be forthcoming. 1t
has never come and never will.
A man giving the name Of G. Hitler,
who said that he was former resi-
dent of Normal, with children in
school there, was the undoing of Mr..
Hurd. He invited him to go out to
Clearwater to look over some land
which he (Miller) said he intended to
buy and on which he wished Mr..
Hurd's judgment. Miller, in turn, in
troduced him to one Lewis, who as
serted that he was connected with the
association that was putting on the
horse races, and who said he knew
just what horses would win.
Mr.. Hurd put up his money on what
was supposed to be sure thing. He
did not attend the races himself, but
allowed his friends to handle his cash.
They told him the bookmakers would
have to have some means of identif-
cation and that his letter of credit
from Decatur bank would answer.
Mr.. Hurd had taken a $4,000 letter
from Decatur and had drawn about
$500 on it. 1t was the balance that
the sharpers received.
The gang told MIR. Hurd a cock and
bull story to the effect that the col
lections would be made at one of the
booking Offices, and that they would
secure the money and give him his
share. Mr.. Hurd's suspicious were
aroused before he left Florida, the lat
ter part of March. They began to be
confirmed after he returned home.
1t was only two weeks ago that Mr..
Hurd was called up by phone by a
man who said he was Johnson, attorn-
ey for G. Miller. The man asked him
if he could come down town. Mr..
Hurd agreed to meet him at $3.50
o'clock at Water and Main streets.
Your money is in Springfield" said
the stranger after meeting Mr.. Hurd
and introducing himself. Cant you
come over tomorrow on the 8:O5 car,
and get your share?"
Mr.. Hurd assented, but the more he
thought about it, the more perplexed
he became as to. what he should do.
He went to the court house to consult
with States Attorney Jesse L. Deck,
about getting some protection but met
instead Assistant States Attorney ].
w. Montgomery, to whom he told the
whole story. Mr.. Montgomery imme-
diately got in touch with the police in
springfield and told them to look out
for the men.
At o'clock that evening johnson"
called up again to say that the meet
ing would have to be called off as
Miller was in Chicago. 1t is Mr..
Hurd's belief now that the gang was
after still more of his money, and
that its members had taken alarm
when he visited the States attorneys
Office. The Springfield officers never
have seen the men and doubt il they
ever came to that city.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Hurd could iden.
tify the men should they ever see
them again. Miller evidently was the
"come-on." He suggested in appear,
ance plain, elderly farmer and was
well versed in General Illinois mat
ters, knowing persons and localities.
He first met Mr.. Hurd on Illinois
day, when the residents from Illinois
had their picnic. Mrs. Hurd was UNI
willing that her husband should &c
of and the land-viewing trip. but Mil
Ter said that they would be away only
two days. and she finally gave heI
consent. Even after he had assisted
inffeecing Mr. Hurd, Miller was 9
guest at their house twice.