The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-26
WOMAN FARO
VICTIM IS TO
FIGHT CHARGE
Resigns U. S. Revenue Post,
Prepares for Battle as
She Lies in Hospital.
Bu Tinted prsse


CHICAGO, Jan. 26.-Mrs. Myrtle
Tanner Blacklidge, a little woman
With a nerve SO strong she dared
wager $4,000 on a single turn of
the cards, planned today to accept
the hospitality of friends because the
card turned wrong.
Ill and almost penniless because
of a Springfield faro game in which
she lost $4,000 of Edward r. Lit
singers money, Mrs. Blacklidge was
in Memorial hospital, but she
planned to leave soon, and to come
out fighting.
DR.. M. L. Weinstein, her ply
stefan, said she probably would be
forced to accept one of many in
vitations her friends have extended
her to live with them until she is
physically able to combat charges
made against her by Litsinger.
Career Is CoIorful
Within two years, Mrs. Blacklidge
has experienced more successes and
more reverses than most women ex-
perience. in a lifetime.
In March, 1929, Mrs. Blacklidge
was appointed collector of internal
revenue, one of the biggest govern
ment positions ever held by wom-
an. She handled almost 100000, 900
in tax money annually.
Last year her husband died. Be-
fore he was buried her only son died
also.
Mrs. Blacklidge's life had seemed
upon the success and
of her son, and she be-
came seriously i'll. For weeks it was
feared she would die.
After her recovery, her finances
were low. Knowing this and know
ing her daring, confidence men en-
ticed her week ago into faro
game by Suggesting that with her
nerve" there was "big money" in
it for her.
$4,000 vanishes
She quickly won 1900 ION pa
per-" but could not collect until she
made good a $4,000 check she had
put into the game
What happened after that is a
matter of dispute between Mrs.
Blackridge and Litsinger, a promi-
nent and wealthy politician.
Mrs. Blacklidge says Litsinger
lent her $4,000, knowing it was to
make good a faro check and that
she lost the money OH turn of
the cards when she returned to the
game.
Litsinger claims Mrs. Biacklidge
'tricked" him and was party to
the swindle, obtaining the money
under false pretenses and leading
his newphew, Fred Litsinger, into
hotel room where three men
robbed" him of the fifty $1,000 bills.
He has demanded that Mrs. Black
lidge be prosecuted.
Mrs. Blacklidge resigned Saturday
and lost her. only income, $500
a year. 1t left her, she said, prac-
tically penniless-except for her
fighting spirit.
Attorney Finds 'CIew'
Attorney David D. Stansbury was
retained Sunday night by Mrs.
and indicated in his first
announcements that he contem-
plated filing suits in her behalf.
Stansbury attached particular i'm
portance to a memorandum found
in the Springfield hotel
room where Mrs. Blacklidge said
she was swindled.
This memorandum was on the
back Of a card. There were divi-
5ions, subtractions, and additions,
the result in each case being $207,-
500, the amount Mrs. Blacklidge said
she won ION paper" the first time
she played.
Stansbury said the memorandum
was made by Mrs. Blacklidge and
that it proved her story that she
had gambled against the men to
win $207,5 800, not conspired with
them to rob" Litsinger of $4,000.