The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-07-08
FANATIC
THREATENS
R. R. MAN
Supt. OF Gibson Yards Re-
ceiyes Letter Involving An
Cient Biblical Warning.

Name -Takel- -Phares, a mis-spelled
biblical quotation of the handwriting
on. the wall" found in the book of
Daniel. which is Meme Mene-Tekel-
Upharsin," meaning God hath num-
bered thy kingdom ana finished it
Thou art weighed in the balance. and
found wanting," is the heading TO
threatening letter sent to L. NJ.
smith. superintendent of the L. (. l.
wards at Gibson. The author Of the
note. Emil Pieczko. is in custody. fol-
lowing several threats made against
smith in the hearing of workmen'
Who carried the information TO Ben
strong. chief of the l. H. Belt de-
tectives. Strong was trying to solve
the mystery of the letter at the times
The first note. which was sent TO
Mr.. Smith at his office, reads as fol-
lows: 'Mane-Takel-P Phares - Make
good. YOU --. what you done
wrong or you will get embalmed in
the near future. Name Takel-
Phares.n At the bottom OF the page
are drawn a coffin and a grave. There
is also a slab with a cross and the
inscription L. NJ. s, 1871 hinsns
al what Mr. Smith evidently had IN
store for him
Pieczko is evidently either demented
or a fanatic He was equipped in a
way which recalls Mike Inic. who ran
anauck in the Hammond court house
several years ago, wounding Lew De-
Bow and Judge GrSenwald. Pieczko
had a bullet proof vest and mask
made from a gas mask a hideous and
grctesque covering, calculated to
strike terror in the heart of anyone
he accosted while wearing it.
\ search OF his home at Summer
street, near Forsythe, revealed Two
stills. 100 gallons OF mash, several re-
volvers, four rifles. a shotgun,
hatchet which had been stolen from
the l. H. Belt and plenty of ammuni- !
ton. He also had an expensive |
camera. and three pairs of field glasses
worth about $3.50 each. The articles
are thought to have been stolen.
One OF the revolvers was Colt. 80 |
The weapon had the num-
bers filed off. and the authorities are |
of the opinion ts4at he intended to use |
the gun in numbering someone. prob
ally Smith. throw IL away and make |
his escape. The missing numbers
would make it impossible to trace the
pistol. The shotgun was found. fully
loaded at the head of Pieczkos bed.
One of the rifles was also loaded. and |
was equipped with d silencer. 1t
would be q splendid weapon to use in
a killing.
Strong was told of the letter by Mr..
Smith. who could throw no light on
It. He could think of no one who
might want to take his life. but final
ly remembered a man with whom he
had had some words a short time be-
fore Strong went to the home of
this man, Charles Troehlick. who lives
at 18th street and Kennedy avenue,
but could not incriminate him. The
matter died down for a few days,
when Pieczko started to make re-
marks about Smith around the L. C.
L. yards, where he was employed as
stevedore. Strong followed this lead
and yesterday afternoon arrested the
man. He had little evidence against
him at the time. Pieczko asked per-
mission enter a box car to get
his hat, which was granted. He was
in too much of a hurry. He hoped
in one side and out the other and
though Strong followed almost at his
heels, the fugitive had disappeared in
the brush fifty feet away. A search
failed to reveal him.
Last night. after a long search.
Strong went TO the home of TroehIick.
who was known to be a friend OF the
escaped man. He ransacked the
house from top to bottom without re-
suit. but finally, reaching under bed.
caught hold of a foot. Strong pulled
hard. and so did the fugitive. in the
other direction. The detective won
he tug of war and hauled his prisoner
out.
In a folder in Pieczkos pocket an
other letter to Smith was found. 1t
read: Name Takel- -Phares-This is
the second call. The third call will
De poison or bullet that viii end your
,harism on L. c. L. Make good, you
- what you done wrong"
The coffin. grave and slab. appeared
lgain at the bottom. The word
'charisn" is a mystery. This letter
vas evidently about to be mailed.
Why anyone should want to take
Smiths life is a mystery. for he is
Known to be unusually well liked py
lis men. The police and Strong are
working on the case, and hope to OBJ
ain more evidence against the nm
orisoned man Pieczko refuses 10
ak. and says that he will keen all
lis remarks for the trial. He will be
Lrraigned on a burglary charge in the
rear future. on the strength of the
tolen articles found in his house. He
( also IablA under the liouor In,