The New York herald., 1921-09-16
HYPNOTISM CHARGED
N$24,O0O'SW|NDLE
John HI. Crabtree, Broker,
Accused of Fake Deal by
Prof. w. b. Lindsay.
LIFE SAVINGS ARE LOST
Banker Swears He Never
Saw Alleged Associate in
Mine Investment.
LED IN LIKE A CHILD
Retired Educator Says He
Never Doubted ExiafeEce of
Vast Properties.
LIFE SAVINGS ARE LOST
LED IN LIKE A CHILD

professor, told in Tombs court yester-
day how his too complete trust in per-
sons he believed his friends resulted
in the loss OF his whole life's savings
of $4,000. He charged that for more
than a year he turned over varying
amounts to John II. Crabtree. an in
vestment broker at 149 Broadway, as
backing for West Virginia coal syn
dicate Crabtree had interested him in,
told his cousin, John d. Lindsay, for
mer Assistant District Attorney, about
his investments" did he realize that
he had been swindled.
Crabtree was released by Magistrate
Simpson In $4,000 bail to await tn,
ceny charges. In holding him Magis-
trate Simpson said 1t appeared from
the testimony that the defendant had
used hypnotic or occult power in OBJ
tanning the $4,000 from the complain
ant.
Throughout the testimony OF the pro-
fessor Crabtree eyed him intently, and
It was observed that whenever the eyes
OF the two men met Lindsay's express
sion became troubled and that he fall
tered and grew confused.
Began with Small Payment.
Lindsay met the broker in the sum-
mer OF 1918, while he was serving on
the same draft board with Crabtree' $
son. They met in purely social way.
Lindsay said. and 1t was fully year
afterward following occasional meetings,
that the subject OF investments and the
West Virginia syndicate came into their
ccnversation.
Then one day. Lindsay testified. Crab
tree told him he controlled the title
60 certain valuable coal producing prop
critics In West Virginia, and that he was
about to acquire control OF other and
similar properties. with view to unit
ing them In a syndicate to te known as
the Standard Pocahontas Coal Com
pany.
Crabtree, the professor alleged, ae-
sured him that he was In a position to
effect the sale of these properties at q
large profit, and induced Lindsay to adj
vance him $3.50 toward a half interest
Il. the expected returns. couple oil
months later, in April. 1920. Lindsay
said Crab informed him that he had
acquired for the syndicate an option
en- $500 acres OF other coal land in
Clay county, West Virginia. known as
the Elliott Spllnt property. On that oc-
casion, the professor said, he turned
over $4,000 more.
He told of another payment OF $500
on September Is, 1920, and of sums he
had given Crabtree before that date In
connection with a syndicate described
80 the Navy Standard Coal Company.
m al
Not known mt the Bank.
Lindsay testified that he was next
told that certain prominent New York
capitalists had been interested in the
property. including group connected
with the Garfield National Bank and
me Lincoln Trust Company. who con-
templated its purchase at a big figure.
He was told that III. r. Poor vice-presi-
dent of the Garfield National Bank.
had been engaged to go to West vir-
ginia to investigate the property, and
that after an inquiry lasting several
weeks Poor had made a favorable re-
port.
THE capitalists" Lindsay testified
he was told then agreed to deposit $50, :
900 TO Crabtree's credit. Crabtree he
said. promised him he would be rer-
bursed for the advances he had made
and after reque sting 5000 more for Tex
penses" gave him an order on the Gar
field National Bank to be drawn ION OF
about July 81. 1921" against fund
deposited there. He was requested he
raid. not to present the order, because
II would interfere with the syndcate's
affairs.
Mr.. Poor testified that he had never
seen Crabtree before. that he had
never gone to West Virginia for him
that so far as he knew no one in either
OF the two BANKS mentioned ever con-
templated investing In the syndicate
and that Crabtree had no fund on de-
posit with the Garfield National Bank.
Crabtree pleaded not guilty TO the
charges and did not take the stand in
his own defence.
A reporter for THE NEW York HERALD
found Mr. Lindsay In his apartment at
230 West Fifty-ninth street. The whole
world seems to have been turned topsy
turvy for him by tho discovery OF his
lose. He appeared dazed and said
brokenly that he could not under
stand how II all came about.
Never Doubted Crnbtrce's Word.
The reporter asked him lf he thought
possible that hypnotism had been
used upon him. as suggested by the
magistrate
Il don't know" he replied. speaking
like man who II tired MAYBE
All ! know Is that I liked this man
very much. that he had very pleas
ant. attractive personality. He gained
my confidence completely. and | never
doubted his word"
Asked II he had ever tried TO check
UP on the representations made 10 him
b. Crabtree. Mr.. Lindsay said
NO. not exactly. He had n big mar
of West Virginia in his office, snd once
be showed me where the properties
we're located. No. | never tried to
md out II Mr. Poor knew him or was
interested In the syndicate took his
word for H."
Mr.. Lindsay formerly was professor
Of chemistry at Dickinson College Car
Isle. Pa. He retired from teaching
several years ago. He Is married.
ARNsTEIN ESCAPES SENTENCE