Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1921-07-02
SWINDlERS NET
NEAR MILLION
Atlanta, Long Mecca for Slippery
Gang of Crooks, Starts
a Cleanup.
MURDER IS PART OF GAME
Bankers and Business Men Among the
Victims Lured From Many States
Raid Reveals Bogus Broker
age offices-Polce Accused.

age Offces-Police Accused.
Atlanta, Ga.-That a dupe Is born
every minute and that no scheme is so
fantastic that 1t does not find some
Orchard headed business man IN
many cases--to fall for II, has been
proved to the satisfaction OF every
body in Atlanta through revelations
made during the hearing by council
committee of the activities here of a
million dollar buncO gang, who Oper-
atcd, 1t is charged, either with the
connivance or through the colossal ig-
norance Of the police department.
The hearing also has proved that no
section or locality is exempt from its
crop of dupes Men with money to
contributeeto the support of the gang
that operated In Atlanta have come to
this city to be fleeced from Reading
and Philadelphia, from Maryland,
Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Louis
lana. Florida. Ohio, Indiana and Tex
as. Indeed, Texas was very good to
the Atlanta seekers for easy money.
Especially was one w. r. Manning, q
iupper young man of Dallas, TEX,
kindly disposed to the con men
And 1t has been shown that when
money Is at stake even murder is not
too high a price to pay Ia order 70
keep ii and retain liberty. Here is
the death roll of Atlanta's bunco
gang:
Doctor Blanchard, son of former
governor of Louisiana, who committed
suicide in Memphis after losing his
roll.
w. G. Dukes. banker of Milan, Ga,
who came to Atlanta to confer with
the gang On an easy money proposal
and mysteriously disappeared.
Ed Mills, member Of the gang,
roommate of Floyd P. Woodward, al.
legged leader. who was shot and killed
by Woodward because, it is alleged,
Mills was tipping the police off to
the operations of the gang
Charles Dorsey, taxicab driver, who,
It Is said, knew too much about the
Mills killing,
Ruth Gobel another witness. WAS
disposed of when Woodward married
her,
left Their Rosy Hopes Behind.
Here Is partial list of the men
who came to Atlanta with roseate
hopes and who left-if they were
able 10 get way-heartbrokaR and
pockets empty:
w. n, Hill, ali aged Confederate
veteran, former ordinary of his coun-
ty at Gainesville, Ca, who lost about
1900.
]. A. Nations of Asworth, Ga, who
lost $500 at the Cecil hotel here In a
game that was framed by Mark TIL
lery, recently captured In Texas,
brought back to Atlanta and turned
over to Solicitor John A. Boykin. TIL
lery was reputed boss Of the local
game at one time.
w. r. Manning from Dallas. Tex,
lost $1,000.
George w, Wiley Of Whitehall, Va,
lost $4,000.
D. II. and W. NJ. Bland Of Drew,
Miss, who contributed $4,000 to the
game
NJ. r. Holley Of Aiken, s. c. lost
$11 900 and would have list more had
he been able to get checks cashed, but
d banker friend tipped him off Just
In time to keep him from losing $780,
900 more. This was a stock deal, in
which his supposed winnings had run
MP In the hundred thousands.
c. 7. Madeira of Reading Pa, who
lost $4,000, at one time had big
apparent winning. but in the end the
paper profit disappeared and he went
back to Pennsylvania sadder but may
be wiser. In this deal one of Attain
ta's best-knowh citizens aided the op-
Grating gang.
One comparatively old man came to
Atlanta from Indiana, lost his money
and is still here. His story was one
of the many already told during the
four weeks Of Investigation of the
easy money syndicate of Atlanta.
Then there was an Ohio banker who
came 10 this city, fell in with smooth
takers and attempted to get checks
cashed for approximately $4,000, but
all the gang got him for was $1,000.
Chicago Man involved.
There is the case of Albert II.
Thompson of Chicago. Thompson is
being sought on larceny charge and
1t Is thought that he Is in Cuba. So
iicltor John B0ykin refuses to d.
vulge for the present the details
Thompson's Indictment was a sur
prise. for his wife was known to be
wealthy. The Thompsons have a fine
home In Ashevllle.
More than one hundred indictments
have been returned.
The situation was first called to the
attention of the public when John
Boykin, solicitor made an address at
forum luncheon of chamber of com
merce members. He charged that the
situation was Known to nolYca officials