Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1922-08-30
HALE COUNTY.
man SPRUNG.
TRAP JAILING.
80 CROOKS

\. Frank NOrilret of Hale Center.
FORMER sheriff ef Hale County was IN
Amarillo yesterday after having gone
through one of the most thrilling eA'
periences in his life In Denver a few
days ago. lie was locked uo with
band of crooks for three nights and
two days and did not dare IL sleep Tor
fear that his lic would he taken.
4 short time ago Mr.. >0rileet left his
home for Denver 10 see parties about
trading his ranch lie stopped off In
Colorado Springs on his way 10 Denver
and while in the former place hc learned
that efforis were beins nade % get
evidence on a gaus VI stock gamblers
in Denver.
After disp0Sing oi his business 10
Denver, he went Ia Phillip Van Cise'
district attorney August ~. and learn
I'd Of troubles that officers had IN get
ting evidence on the crooks. In the
meantime. Ncrfieet had hopes Of find
Ing Charles g.. Harris. alias w ID.
Spencer, the last of the gang thai
fIeeced him out Of Si5.0oo few years
ago and who has not yet been captured
Norfleci has been noted all over the
country FOR the manner In which he
has captured ihieyes, o. does not fol-
lowe oat, the Pinkrrton or the rules
"according. 70 IIple, :" II Is said but he
y.rA -. = snstgis A-iafn'5 Yea
else told Norflcet That he wanted eu-
dence that would obtain convictions
and Norfleot volunteered his services.
Getting IN With the gang. Noriieet
went to their headquarters with tn"
ohv ious intention Of playing The game.
lie declared hc was from Ellis county
and that hc wanted to sell his i1fm
When he WAS with the crooks. hr tilN
cd only of cotton and holl wecvil and
little did they think that he was ~"
famous Norflcct from the Panhand"
Norfleei went to the headquarters "t
the crooked stock gamblers al hotel
Entrance was through the lobby ~ .
theater that was closed during the sum
mer. Norflcct gamhlod ana won fSo'"
according to the houses records. TINS
money was then used Co purchase
800 OOO worth oi credit Then the
gambling game continued and Norile''
was declared winner hy Sao3 600 Th'
,l00 .O0O credit was deducted dud Nof
fleet was supposed Co have prniits oi
more than 100000.
Rut to get his winnings and because
Ne was unknown. Noril.tt was expect
ed to pu, up $4,000 In the meantime
n. was going through the ruso of ai
tempting to get htc cash. Tie was IN .
room with the men for several DAYS
waiting for the money For three
NIGHTS and two DAYS De- staFcd awake
for fear that he would hc killed or in
tur,d lie threw cigarette inharcc q
his eyes 10 keep awake hc talked WITH
the other persons su that they would
b. worn down too on case hr went GO
si..p Nnrflect also knew that DO h'
were to lriur in the cash hr Woul'
surely be- killed hy tho gang.
In his own way. Norilr,t Got wore
g. ihe district attorney uf tho location
and the time tu make % raid Nol over
thu city policc knew of the raid D"n
t.mplated Colurad" State Rangers un'
county officers assisted boz The raid an'
n men we've under arrest before ih'
city police knew anything was happen
inr. IN all % men were arrested. t"'
~ whom were released later Tho mci
wer ccaughi with AN kinds Of si"ci
gambling tickets and evidence.
But Harris alias Spencer. was mo-
caught. Later. Norflcct wound Harris
suitcase gun and papers bui nor ~
man During the lime be- was in th
gambling den. he al not sec Harris
one man while he WAS in ail pulle'
all the hair out over nirht so that IN
rugue's picture would not look natura
IN later wears. Norflect said that be S'v
the man an the time ~ was in 10" de-
and that h. could not mistake him.
Although Nori1cot did not say any
thing about his future intentions
friends believe that h. win never rs
until Harris IL brought 10 Justice The
say that Norflcct does not give u
easily. as IL evidenced hy m" manner 4
which he went from coast Co. coast an
o. Canada o. R,i ~" Fort Wort
crooks.
Norfleet arrived in Amarillo yesici
day mroning from Denver and sai
that he cXpccte dto close deal for b.
ranch w Hale County He will rctur
o. Denver later ohe q witness in IN
trial - the men arrested