St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1950-11-24
Chicago Numbers
King Blusted BY
Gunglund Bullets

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his Cadillac with shotgun pellets
and pummelled Martin four times
wounding him in the arm. Shout
der and neck.
Now resting at Loretto hospi-
tai. Martin said he knows no rea-
son why anyone would want to
shoot him. This is the same state
ment Martin has given the press
other times when he was victim
Of what many say are "Gangland
attacks"
So far police have announced
no clues to the shooting. There Is.
however. much speculation as to
who sponsored" the bullets.
Most Of the rumors center
around the idea that Martin Is
the victim of a hoodlum attack
because Of his alleged invasion of
the south side out of his west side
for policy plums. Others say II is
the action Of white so-called
syndicate" gangsters wanting a
bigger cut In on the lucrative Me-
gro numbers racket.
Martin, himself. has said over
and over again that he has no.
thing TO do with the rackets these
days. He claims only his position
as a west side 28th ward political
power with the Democratic party,
which runs the city.
Career Of Contrasts
His career in Chicago In marked
by a number OF contrasts far
as the law and legal operations
are concerned.
On one hand his In considered q
political and civic leader. On the
other, he is regarded as a top
racketeer.
The night he was shot. he had
just finished playing bridge at 81
a point at the Porters and Wait
ers club, 5O43 California Ave. on
Chicago's southwest side, with
David Carey, 81, son of the late
Bishop Archibald J. Carey Sr. OF
the AME Church and brother of
Aid. Archibald J. Carey Jr., high
ly regarded minister and civic
leader.
In this same game were John
West, owner of the club and
Clarence Simpson, a dining car
waiter.
Martin, who lives in haywood,
suburb OF Chicago, was on his
way home when his path was
intercepted by bullets. He lost
control of his car, after being
shot, and 1t was wrecked.
Active In EIks
Getting back to Martins past
career--he Is 81 years old. On the
civic side he probably Is best
known as one of Chicago's Elk
leaders. For many years he was
national grand treasurer Of this
order.
As exalted ruler, he built up the
Fort Dearborn lodge to become
the largest in the United States.
Only a few months ago he and
Mrs. Martin were host and hos
tess to one of the most lavish
dinners ever seen In this city at
the Congress hotel in the Loop.
Invited guests were national Of
ficers Of the Elks and numerous
other city leaders.
Westslde Power for Demos.
In politics he rose to the top as
a protege of the late Pat Nash,
who, with the late Mayor Edward
J. Kelly built up the famed
Kelly-Nash machine, one Of the
most efficient organizations ever
operating in any city. Martin was
rated one of the west sides best
vote getters.
In business, Martin also reach
ed the heights. He is connected
with the highly reputable Leon
Motifs real estate firm, which he
now claims is his only business
interest.
His most fabulous enterprise
probably is his famed Martins
Corner. one of the west sides
best known night spots. He star
ted out with a pool room at 1900
Lake Street and parlayed it in
to the famous Corner" Visitors
from all over the world have come
to enjoy the city's night life here.
Connections In Doubt
Although his connections with
the policy racket have never been
determined, it has been accepted
by many that he is the numbers
car on the west side. As far
back as 1929 he was arrested as
policy operator, but nothing
ever came of IL.
In 1910 Everett I. Watson, re-
puted leader of Detroit's policy
game. and his wife, Mrs. Irene
Watson, were arrested in Martins
home on a Detroit warrant. In
1912 Big Jim was indicted along
with about So others by
county grand jury on charges OF
running the numbers. but nothing
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