South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-08-06
OFFICERS THWART
'BLACKMAIL PLOT
TO ROUND UP GANG
Youth Falls into Police Trap
After Writing Threat Let
ter" to Johnson.

Desire 20 obtain a small part OF
the "vast wealth" OF William John
sen. OF the Rushton apartments, ac-
cord.ng 10 the alleged confession Of
Glenn T. Holcoub. age - NcKin-
ley and Fourth SITS, Jefferson
Heights addition. this city. has g!v-
en- South Bend and Mlshawaka po-
lice authorities and postal inspec-
tors a lead which they expect 70 re-
suit in the roundup OF a gang Of
youthful would-be blackmailers
Holcomb, confined 10 the Misha-
waka city jail since his arrest
Thursday. weakened under the rig
id cross examination and third de-
gree methods of Chief Barrows Of
the Mishawaka police department..
and after almost p hours OF con-
slant grilling related 20 the police
head the attempted '5lackmaiT OF
Johnson. His story. according TO
authorities revealed the names OF
other members Of the gang. youths
who reside in South Bend and the
tcrder city
"YOur Last Notice"
This is your last notice. July
20, 1922 Dear Friend: Send Mr..
Albert Zeh rs dollars or the next
time we see you we viii fix you so
YOU viii spend more than that.
Have il there by money order. no
check. Yours. Henry and the
Howard park gang. IF II isn't
there you viii be sorry. Albert
Zeh. gen. del Mishawak e."
Thus read the letter that found
its way TO Johnson in the final warn
Ing 10 comply with the requests Of
the blackmailing gang
Holcomb, weakened under steady
questioning and grilling by the po-
lice, related how he was taken TO
the South Bend postoffice on July
goth and was forced by two local
young men TO write the letter. Hol-
comb also was forced 10 mall the
letter, ne told the authorities. but
carried il in his pocket for eight
days before posting IL on July 28th
Johnson turned tho letter over to
Chief Of PolI,e Lane Immediately
following its receipt. Chief Lane. be-
cause of the Mishawaka post office
I -
Johnson was consulted. Barrows
wrote a dummy" letter and mailed
it TO "Zeh,' general delivery, NIisha-
waka. Postal authorities were then
notified TO hold the ictter until it
was claimed. The officers resigned
to wait
Falls Into Police Trap.
The officers were not forced 10
wait long, however. because on
Thursday afternoon. late. Holcomb.
alleging 10 be "Zeh." applied at the
general delivery window of the
Mishawaka post office for his mail -
He fell into the police trap and was
taken TO the police station.
Holcomb ignored the rapid-fire
questions hurled at him by the po-
lice, and for q hours maintained
/ his silence Then he weakened and.
| according TO the police. confessed his
part in the blackmail attempt.
Holcomh told the .olice that he
was but one member Of a gang"
operating in South Bend and NIisha-
waka.
He tod them. however. that he
/ had personally known Johnson for
some time, that he had become ac-
/ quainted with him through the
/ friendship OF Johnson and Holcomb' s
sister. Mrs. Swathwood whom he
I had Often called to see, and that at
all times. when the occasion per
mitted, Johnson had displayed con-
siderable money Holcomb resides at
his sisters home, it was said, and
! there became acquainted with John
sons financial standing"
According to Holcomb. he told
| the gang of Johnson's "vast wealth. %
and said that they forced him TO
write the letter that eventually led
! TO his app ehensiOn in attempt 10
blackmaiL Johnson is plumber.
Glenn F. Ho-comb. according 10
ne city directory, is teamster, liv-
ling at 314 y. Fourth ST.