Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-12-23
VICTIMS Of RING"
TAKE CIVIL ACTION
FOR GAMING LOSSES
Suit for $4,000 Entered by
w. R, Manning for Recov-
cry of Money Lost in Al
legged SWindIe

civil action on the part or Two
victims of the so-called gambling
syndicate, in an effort to recover
all or part of their losses, now is
promised. and one Of them-W. r.
Manning, of Dallas, Tex, has filed
through his attorney. Robert P. Nc
Larty, a suit for $500 against
Floyd p Woodward, w. Clyde Smith
and others.
In the meantime, Judge w. D. Ellis,
of the superior court, has appointed
Clarence Bell receiver for the prop
erty confiscated Monday by Solicitor
General John A. Boykin in raid
on safety deposit boxes said to have
been rented by woodward and Smith,
in which stocks, deeds. and securi-
ties worth several thousands of dol
lars were found, with other documen-
tary evidence said to be of much in
terest to the grand jury in, its inves-
tigation of the swindling and gam
bling activities of the alleged ring
Manning, who. with Davis, is the
principal victim of the gambling syn
dictate thus far uncovered. filed Tues
day morning suit for the rovevery
of $500 against Woodward, Smith
and others; civil action against
their property for alleged losses by
swindling in a fake stock operation
Ting petition sets forth Interestingly
the alleged "modus operandi" of the
swindlers.
Manning's petition recites that he
was on train coming from North
Carolina to Atlanta when man call
ing himself "Moore"-later discover
ed TO be member of the swindling
gang-gained his confidence and In
Atlanta introduced him to w. Clyde
Smith, supposed to be a dealer in
stocks and other securities.
Manning's petition says, that Smith
and, Moore induced him to go with
them to As Carnegie way. where they
found what purported to be a stock
exchange, directed by Floyd Wood
ward. Smith and Edward o. Ellis.
Manning says he was invited to
Join Smith and Moore in the buying
of certain stocks on the New York
exchange, but declined. Smith and
Moore, he says, then pretended to
buy alleged General Motors stock,
putting up two checks for $4,000
each as a guarantee. These checks,
curiously enough, he says. were
signed Manning" but with initials
different from those Of the petitioner.
Presently. he says. man called
adler" supposed to be the manager
of the exchange" announced that
Smith and Moore had made a profit
of $4,000: and proceeded to count
out the money. in bills of large de-
nomination.
Question of Liability
At this point, Manning says, the
question of liability by the house was
raised by one of the managers"
who said they had no assurance. that
the checks put up against the deal
were good. He says Smith and
Moore promised to raise the amount
and told him that II he would raise
$4,000, the amount of one check,
they would raise the other $4,000,
and divide tha profits with him.
Manning says he then went to Dali
las and got $1,000 in cashiers checks:
also $1,000 in cash. He says he re-
turned to Atlanta. but was not able
to cash the checks here. Upon advice
of Smith and Moore, he says, he
went to Nashville. Tenn, where he
bonds. He says he brought the bonds
and cash back to Atlanta, and. to-
gether with what Smith and Moore
were supposed to have raised, the
funds were given to adler" Adler.
he says, seemed to be satisfied, and
pretended to send out after the $780,
900.
In the meantime, Manning says,
o proposal was made by Smith and
Moore that they trade further on the
exchange. Manning says he again de-
clined, and Smith told Moore to 60
ahead and sell their share Of the
stock. Moore. he says. went out and
later returned In pretended distress
and announced that he had invested
the entire $4,000 and lost it. Smith
and Moore. he says, pretended to be-
come involved in quarrel and a
fight; from which they were sep
arated, and Smith pretended that he
either would reimburse Manning for
his loss, or would give him an OPP
portunity to recoup, but, he says, this
was never done.
These injunction proceedings were
brougln against Floyd P Woodward,
William Clyde Smith. Edward o. Ell
lis, J. B. Adler. alias j. B. Lymons
A. L. Moore, W. w. Cline. alias "Swif-
"Puss" McKlaskey; M. M. Killen.
alias "Red" Killen; Little Brickley;
Abe Holman. alias 'Black Nike
Neil McDougal; George Irwin, kid
Gleason, Frank L. Douglas and other
persons.
order is Asked
It is stated in the, petition thai
are professional gamblers. swindlers
and Confidence men, most of whom
have long criminal records. Fol
more than two years, 1t is SAID. the
conspirators have maintained head,
quarters in the Flatiron building. al
Is Carnegie Way. % West Peach.
tree street, 40 1-2 Central avenue
and S3 1-2 North Broad street.
The petitioner says 1T is not in
tended to allege that all the mem
participated in the details of every
fraud perpetrated, but always gave
general aid and cooperation"
1t is asserted by the petitioner
that Woodward and Smith possess
considerable property in Atlanta
and Fulton county. a great deal OF
which has been turned over to rela
tives. He requests that restrain
ing order be issued against al
parties snamed, also Mrs. Elizabeth
Smith, wife of w. Clyde Smith. ant
Mrs. A. D. B. Woodward, mother Of
Floyd woodward. to prevent then
from disposing of any of this prop
erty, both real and personal, pend
ing a hearing by the court.
Hearing on this injunction ha.
been set for January 8, 1921. At
torneys Hooper Alexander. Scot
Gambler, and Robert P. Mcnarty are
counsel for the petitioner.
The grand jury resumed it's probe
of alleged gambling. fake horse rae.
ing, wire-tapp1ng and swindline
of indictments will be returned in
volving a number Of Atlantians. The
names of the indicted persons viii