Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-25
FARMER COMPLAINS
To POLICE LOSS Of
S4,317 To MEDIUM
], {, J. Collier Of DekaIb
County, Relates Story of
Mystic Spell Cast Over Him
by CIaiVoyant

A distinct variation of the time-worn
fiim-fiam games was worked on ]. Z. j.
Collier, of Atlanta L. f. D. No. 3 in De-
KaIb county. who lost S4.S17 in currency
and gold through a mystic spell cast
over him by an alleged spiritualistic
medium. according TO his complaint made
Wednesday to the police.
Charles Lee. of 20 Kimball street, is
charged by Collier with having swindled
him out OF his savings by employing
either hypnotism or some occult power
TO accomplish the purpose of the alleged
conspiracy.
For some time, II is alleged, Lee has
been advertising himself as a spiritual
istic medium OF extraordinary power and
has made headquarters at the address
on Kimball street, but when the police
investigated after receiving Golfers
complaint. they found that Lee had de-
camped for parts unknown.
Almost three weeks ago, declares Col
lier the alleged medium visited his
dairy farm in Dekalb county and after
admiring the location, asserted that he
could detect signs which indicated that
there was a large amount of buried
treasure secreted in various places about
the farm. tie finally convinced Collier
that he was the unconscious owner OF
valuable treasure awaiting discovery,
employing various methods TO gain the
confidence Of the dairymen. it is claimed.
Lee finally told Collier, the latter
saws. that the only way 10 discover the
buried treasure would be for Collier
TO place all his money in a metal box and
deposit this in an old shanty which stood
in a lonely spot. If this were done, Lee
declared. good luck would follow the
dairylnan and the buried treasure would
be discovered. The alleged clairvoyant
was to receive Is per cent of the treas
ure. according 10 Collier.
Brings Two Boxes
As Collier had no suitable metal box,
Lee. il il alleged, agreed to furnish one
and a day or two after the agreement
had been made, brought two metal boxes
to Golfers home. In one of these Col
lisr SAYS he placed his entire sacings
$4,3I7 in currency and gold, Lee in
structing him to place the box in the
old shanty for a time and then deposit
1t in one OF the Atlanta banks.
The other box Lee is said to have
declared contained all OF his savings
amounting to approximately as much
as those of Collier. He stated, il is
said. that he would deposit his box in
the bank to await the outcome of the
experiment.
Both boxes were at hand during the
conx ersation at this juncture. Of the
proceedings, Collier claims, and he inn
med.ately carried out his Fart of the
program by placing his box in the old
shanty, allowing it TO remain there a
day or two and then bringing it to At
Ianta. He did not deposit it in the bank
he says, but becoming somewhat sus-
picious. returned home mad opened the
box, discovering, TO his dismay, that ii
contained only a quantity Of iron wash
ers and several newspapers.
Lee had switched" the boxes. Collier
declares, taking the one containing the
dairyman's s4.317 in gold and bills.
LICKING for Lee
Collier discovered the swindle a day
or two ago, he told the police, but hes
itated TO start an investigation until he
had made an attempt to locate Lee him
self
He is offering a reward of 500 for
Lees Arrest and the police have insti-
tuted thorough search for the missing
clairvoyant, telegraphing several cities
in the effort to locate him. Circular
letters are also being sent out to secure
Lees arrest.
He is described by the police as being
a man Of middle age, feet or s inches
in height, weighing about $50 pounds
and with iron gray hair. He sometimes
wears a mustache il is said.
Owing TO the deep distress of Mr. and /
Mrs. Collier, who are heart-broken over
their loss the authorities have asked
that the couple be protected from In
quisitive persons who might desire to
make inquiries only through curiosity.