On Stage - Head Table - The Membership - Blacklist - Visitors
|
John C. MabrayGOLD CLUB AKA: Maybray Van Cise implicates Lou Blonger in the notorious Mabray bunco ring, saying Lou only escaped indictment — and publicity — in 1910 with the help of a U.S. District Attorney. We are told that the DA's law partner, accompanied by a United States Marshal, effectively shielded Lou through sheer force of personality. Mabray's gang was said to operate in Denver as well as Council Bluffs, where Mabray and eighty-odd associates were nabbed for fixing sports events.
Research by J. Michael Kenyon WRESTLING MATCH AT WACO (Special to Wichita Times, Wichita Falls TX, September 10, 1908) Council Bluffs IA: September 23, 1909 MABRAY'S PAL, DOBBINS, GUILTY (Greene IA Recorder, December 8, 1909) John R. Dobbins, steerer, alleged "pal" of J.C. Mabray, and accused of helping "milk" T.W. Ballew, of Princeton, one of the famous "Mikes," of $30,000 by means of a fake horse race at Council Bluffs, was found guilty by the jury. The maximum penalty for the offense is five years' imprisonment. Dobbins is the first one of the Mabray gang to be brought to trial. Inspector Swenson, who ran the gang to earth and caused the arrest of all the accused men, is delighted at the outcome of the first hearing. The other cases are scheduled for hearings this month. ALLEGED SWINDLERS FACE TRIAL (Staff special, Fort Wayne IN News, December 18, 1909) DES MOINES, Ia. — J.C. Mabray, the alleged king of a band of swindlers who operated in all the principal cities of the United States, will face trial here in the very near future. John R. Dobbins, one of the leaders in the alleged swindling syndicate, which is said to have prompted fake sporting events in various parts of the country, has been convicted on a charge of conspiracy in the state court in Council Bluffs, Ia. He will be sentenced to an indeterminate period of five years in the penitentiary at Anamosa, Ia. Dobbins is also under indictment in the federal court and should he escape from the clutches of the state authorities on any technicality he must answer to the government. With the disposal of the Dobbins case will come the trial of J.C. Mabray in the federal court in Council Bluffs. Mabray is said to be the peer of all swindlers and the real leader of the eighty-nine other men in various parts of the country who were indicted with him. When he is placed on trial the gang's real fight will commence, for it has an unlimited amount of money to work with. Should Mabray or any of his pals secure their freedom in the federal court in Council Bluffs, they must answer to an indictment by the state grand jury in Omaha, and to indictments by the federal grand jury in Kansas and Arkansas. STOP WRESTLING MATCH (Texas News Service Special, Wichita Times, Wichita Falls TX, Friday, Feb. 25, 1910) WACO, Tex. — A delegation of ministers representing all denominations headed by Rabbi Isaac Waraw appeared before the city commission today requesting the commission to prohibit the wrestling match next Tuesday between Mrs. Pons of Canada and Vincent Nicosia of this city. The commission authorized Mayor Baker to prepare an ordinance that forbids the exhibition, and to stop it. MABRAY CASE WITNESS TELLS OF FAKE WRESTLING MATCHES (Wire story, Washington DC Post, March 11, 1910) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa, Mar. 10 — Testimony by four government witnesses was given today in the case of John C. Mabray and others, charged with conspiracy to defraud by unlawful use of the United States mails in promoting betting on fake sporting events. The witnesses were Thomas Gay, indicted with Mabray but who turned government witness, James Coon, of Owosso, Mich., and Ernest Fenby, a professional wrestler of Shepard, Mich., and C.A. Nelson, a victim of the swindling operations. Details of the alleged operations of Mabray and his associates, known as the Millionaires' Club, in New Orleans, Denver, and Council Bluffs, were told with frankness. The sporting events, carried through by the "club," according to the witnesses, were so well planned that there was not a chance for the victims to escape. Losses ran from $2,000 to $37,000, according to the ability and willingness of the victim to contribute to the fraud, and aggregated several hundred thousand dollars. Thomas Gay testified that he first met Mabray in New Orleans. Mabray was then associated with R.B. Harriman and Frank W. Brown, who are now fighting extradition in Los Angeles. Gay lived at Streator, Ill, where he had been a professional wrestler. He said that he induced James Tierney, of Streator, to go to New Orleans and bet on a wrestling match in January, 1908. Tierney lost $10,000 of which Gay received $2,500. He also told of being one of the wrestlers in a match in which a lumberman of St. Paul lost $2,500. Ernest Fenby, who was defeated at Boston a few nights ago by Zbyszko, testified that he received letters from Council Bluffs written by Mabray, giving him information on fixed wrestling matches and horse races. He, with James Coon, a neighbor, interested three friends who lost $14,000 on wrestling matches. He explained how a bladder full of blood was caused to burst in his opponent's mouth at a critical moment. Then the latter would roll over and assume a diving condition. This was the ruse to break up the match. Then everybody scattered to prevent arrest. Fenby testified to having worked this trick three times. Coon later went on the stand and confirmed Fenby's testimony. Coon is employed by a beet sugar company at Owosso, Mich. He said he was first asked to become an accomplice while husking corn near Alma, Mich. Nelson, a farmer living at Alma, Mich., was a victim to the extent of $3,000. He told how it all happened. He started out for "a bit of sport" and ended up without a cent. A "steerer" then gave him a ticket for home. $9,000 LOST ON FAKE RACES (Wire story, Washington DC Post, March 12, 1910) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia., Mar. 11 — The government today continued to introduce evidence against John C. Mabray and his eighteen alleged associates, who are on trial before United States Judge Smith McPherson for alleged conspiracy to defraud by means of illegal use of the mails in promoting fixed sporting events. J.H. Secrest, 55 years old, a retired farmer of Iowa City, Iowa, gave an account of his experiences with the defendants. He first lost $3,000 to the Millionaires' Club, but still satisfied with the honesty of the promoters, returned from New Orleans to his Iowa home and procured $6,000 more, which he lost. Both sums went into pools on fixed horse races. The first race was lost because the jockey on the "sure winner" had a fit and fell from the horse. The men who enticed him to put up the $3,000 said it was not fair to take the money and said that if he would put up $7,500 forfeit they would give him another chance in a week. He wanted his $3,000 back, so he went home and raised $6,000 and one of the steerers made up the rest of the forfeit. Another race was arranged, and Secrest kept the betting sheet. Nearly $50,000 was bet on that race, and Secret's $6,000 was in the p ool. The jockey had another accident and feigned that he was dead. Secrest thought he was. One of the promoters of the pool told Secrest they all would be arrested. Secrest, frightened, returned home. Secrest pointed out Mabray as one of the "millionaires." He also produced several letters which he testified were received from Mabray's associates. Secrest's testimony was only one of several similar stories told during the day. Samuel Suter, of Cass Lake, Minn., explained his loss of $5,000, and Alexander Delaine, of Green Bay, Wis., told of losing $2,500. Zachariah Pierpont, of Pawnee, Okla., lost $3,000 on a fixed wrestling match. ROBBED OF ROLLS IN MAD SCRAMBLE FOR 'EASY' MONEY (Wire story, Atlanta GA Constitution, March 15, 1910) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia., Mar. 14 — Emmet Tinley, general counsel for J.C. Mabray and his associates in the United States, where they are charged with wholesale swindling by the fraudulent use of the mails, today put government witnesses through the most, severe gruelling they have had, and in each case where a victim testified to his losses, brought out admissions that witness intended to gain by his operations, and that he went to the headquarters of the "millionaires" with the avowed purpose of making some "easy money." Incidentally, the government today located another "store" of the defendants, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where at least one victim lost $13,000 on wrestling matches. Victims from Terre Haute, Ind.,; Aurora, Ill.; Argyle, Iowa; Polk City, Iowa, and St. Louis told of losses which totaled about $30,000. Fred S. Mull and James Morrison were dismissed, because, as district attorney Temple later stated, the government was unable to secure the attendance of witnesses in their cases who were in Canada. A.B.D. Grande, a merchant of Grinnell, Iowa, identified several letters exchanged with the defendants when they solicited his presence at a sporting event in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Mr. Grande, however, declined to be victimized, although he admitted they had asked him to furnish $10,000 for the proposed match. C.O. Newberry, of Argyle, Iowa, next testified to losing $13,000 in two horse races at Wilkes-Barre. He told a story which in many respects was similar to those recited by other victims, but closed with the statement that he "thought they were such fine fellows, and showed me such a good time, that I decided to pay my own expenses of $75, and did not ask them to reimburse me. They all belonged to the church, and said they liked me. But these boys actually fooled me, although I never made a 'holler.'" E.G. Allspaugh, a merchant of Terre Haute, Ind., lost $1,600, according to his testimony, but he admitted on cross-examination that he came to Council Bluffs expectedting to make $10,000 on a "sure thing." "You thoroughly understood this to be a fixed match?" asked attorney Tinley for the defense. "Yes, I understood it was a sure thing." "It was with that understanding that you were induced to come here?" "Yes, sir." "You simply came to Council Bluffs believing you had a sure thing and by personal solicitation, and not by reason of any letters that passed through the mail?" "That is right." "Didn't you come here expecting to get $10,000 of someone else's money?" "Yes, sir." "You also came to assist two friends to secure $10,00 each on a sure thing?" "Yes." "You knew you were putting up sham money against the real money of those other men?" "Yes, sir." William Burke, a St. Louis contractor, recited the loss of $5,000 on a prize fight in New Orleans in which Harry Forbes, who lost to Attell in New York ten days ago, was his fighter. Forbes was in the courtroom. Burke wore a large diamond stud in his cravat and several diamond rings. He identified Mabray as one of the "millionaires" and also letters which passed between himself and some of the defendants. On cross-examination, Burke said: "I went down there to spend my money and made myself agreeable. We all bought a round of drinks and there was plenty of good feeling. "It looked crooked to me, but I have been taking chances all my life and I thought I could take another. I bet my $5,000 and Forbes was hurt in the second round. The millionaires' secretary, who was stakeholder, started for a doctor and I never saw the secretary nor my money again. I packed my grip and returned to St. Louis." Several witnesses were recalled during the afternoon to identify letters and supplement testimony they had already given. PRINCIPAL WITNESS IN MABRAY CASES TO TESTIFY TODAY (Associated Press, Wichita Times, Wichita Falls TX, Wednesday, Mar. 16, 1910) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia. — Howard Simpson, the government's star witness in the case of Mabray and his associates, charged with swindling, is expected to take the stand today and the court room is crowded in anticipation. Counsel for the government stated today that the prosecution might be concluded Thursday. T.E. George of San Antonio, Texas, testified that he was relieved of thirty-eight thousand dollars in connection with the wrestling match at New Orleans two years ago, in which one of the contestants apparently suffered a serious hemorrhage in the second bout. He named Joseph Wright, now under indictment, as the friend who led him into the affair. MORE VICTIMS TALK (Wire story, Ada OK Evening News, March 16, 1910) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia. — Howard Simpson, a Spokane, Wash., real estate dealer, furnished the sensation in the United States District Court today in the trial of John C. Mabry and his associates, charged with fraudulent use of the mails. Considerable mystery surrounded the manner in which Simpson had secured the volume of information he vouchsafed in the case. He indicated clearly, however, that he had been in touch with the leading defendants in the case for many years. The government introduced and had admitted a directory of about 200 names of men who are alleged to have been identified with Mabray. This directory was taken from Mabry's effectws when he was arrested at Little Rock. Simpson identified the handwriting of each person in the directory. Col. Temple, prosecuting attorney, stated he considered Simpson's evidence the strongest he had yet introduced. An important witness was George Alberts of Sioux City, who testified to having lost $2,000 on a wrestling match at Denver. Alberts admitted he had been solicited to join the defendants in their business and identified a "show letter" which he received from Bert Shores, a defendant, through the mails. This letter is the first of its kind the prosecution has been able to get into the record. James Turner of Myersdale, Pa., lost $5,000 on a prize fight in Council Bluffs, in which Clarence Forbes had been his fighter. Turner admitted he had been a form Justice of the Peace in Cumberland, Md., and that he had been concerned in a wire-tapping scheme in Chicago, when he first met Forbes. He stated he had paid a telegraph operator $500 for his services in this scheme. TRAVELED 3,000 MILES TO BE SWINDLED (Wire story, Atlanta GA Constitution, March 18, 1910) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia., Mar. 17 — One witness for the defense is to be heard Friday morning in the case of John C. Mabray and associates, after which arguments will commence, both sides having finished their cases at tonight's session of the federal district court. Just before adjournment, John H. Sizer, a King William County, Virginia, lumber merchant, testified to having traveled 3,000 miles to Los Angeles to wager $8,500 on a horse race in which Willard Powell, one of the defendants, was a jockey. Sizer declared Powell, who was his jockey, deliberately "took me down the chutes and cleaned me for that eighty-five hundred. "It was a tragic thing for me," he added, "and once it looked like I might have to walk back to Virginia." SWINDLE GANG FOUND GUILTY (Wire story, Elyria OH Evening Telegram, Monday, March 21, 1910) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia. — J.C. Mabray and 13 of his associates in the famous gang of swindlers were found guilty here of conspiracy to use the United States mail to defraud and they were sentenced to the federal prison at Fort Leavenworth. Mabray and nine of his comrades have announced that there will be no motion for new trials, but that they will take their punishment without whimpering. There yet remain 67 members of the gang to be tried and many of these will be placed on trial in the federal court at Omaha in April. The prisoners were accused of conducting a vast swindle game through the aid of fake prize fights, fake wrestling matches, fake horse races and other confidence games. Thirty of their victims testified to having lost $183,271 in the deals into which they were inveigled. The government has the names of 168 additional victims, many of whom will be on the witness stand at the Omaha trials. CELLS FOR SWINDLERS (Wire story, Washington Post, March 21, 1910) ... The jurors disagreed as to Robert E.L. Goddard, of San Antonio. ... Judge Smith McPherson announced that the prisoners would be sentenced on Monday. The defendants accepted the verdict without show of feeling, and Mabray shook hands with several of the jurors. Mrs. Mabray broke down when the verdict was read. ... Robert Goddard is under indictment in the Nebraska district of the federal court, and will be tried again when other defendants are brought into that court. All the defendants were locked up Saturday afternoon immediately after the jury received its instructions. Twelve of them had been on bond until that time. With the conviction of these defendants the government believes it has broken up the most monumental swindling combination which has ever operated. Statistics have been gathered which show the receipts of the combination, since its organization ten years ago, to have exceeded $5,000,000. The success of the government in bringing the defendants to trial was largely due to the capture, when Mabray was arrested, of a trunk found in his home, which, it was later ascertained, contained a complete documentary record of the transactions of the combination for a period of four years. A loose leaf pocket ledger was one of the documents thus secured. It contained the names and addresses of over 200 persons who had acted as go-betweens in various transactions. They lived in nearly every state. There were fourteen branches in various parts of the country, all operated from one city. The headquarters was moved from time to time as the leaders came under surveillance by the authorities. Foot racing, wrestling, prize fighting, horse racing, and wire tapping were the specialties offered victims on which to make "easy money." The victim usually was first approached by an actual friend who had been previously solicited by a regular "steerer," as he was known. In most instances, representations were made that the "steerer" had a cousin who was secretary to a coterie of men of great wealth, who were traveling over the country for pleasre. The victim was told that this "secretary" was angry at some ill-treatment and had undertaken to swindle his employers out of a large sum of money. The victim was invited to assist, and when he acccepted was in turn swindled on a sporting event which proved to be "fixed" against him instead of in his favor. PROMOTERS FOUND GUILTY (Wire story, Gettysburg PA Times, March 21, 1910) ... Those found guilty are John C. Mabray, Leon Lozier, Thom S. Robinson, Willard Powell, Clarence Class, Edward Leach, Edward K. Morris (colored), Clarence Forbes, Harry Forbes, Frank Scott, Ed McCoy, Winford S. Harris, Bert R. Shores and William (Ole) Marsh. THE GANG SENTENCED (Wire story, Ada OK Evening News, Tuesday, March 22, 1910) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia. — The maximum penalty of two years in the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth and a fine of $10,000 was meted out to John C. Mabray and nine others by Judge McPherson yesterday. They were convicted Sunday of swindling by fraudulent use of the mails. The four other defendants received less severe sentences. MABRAY AND SQUAD ARE GIVEN STIFF PENALTY (Wire story, Weekly Sentinel, Fort Wayne IN, March 23, 1910) ... Bert Shores and Wm. March, who pleaded guilty, were sentenced to fifteen months in the penitentiary and to pay a fine of $100 each. Winfor S. Harris, who also pleaded guilty, and Frank Scott were sentenced to six months in jail and fined $100 each. Judge McPherson said Scott's sentence was reduced because he had already been acquitted in the state court of the swindling charge. Attorneys for the defense at once began preparing motions for a new trial. NOTED SWINDLER AND CLEVER ASSOCIATES BEGIN PRISON SENTENCE (Wire story, Wichita Times, Wichita Falls TX, March 23, 1910) LEAVENWORTH, Kan., Mar. 22 — With the same unconcern that he evinced at his trial, John C. Mabray, with eleven of his associates, entered the federal prison here today. Mabray walked into the prison with the air of a sightseer rather than a convict. None of the prisoners seemed depressed. BIGGEST SWINDLE ON RECORD (New York Evening Post, reprinted in Washington DC Post, March 26, 1910) ... The "Millionaires Club" is something new in the world of crookedness. It was very involved. Mabray based his hopes of profit upon natural cupidity, and the envy engendered by the "Pittsburgh millionaire," a cognomen used to designate the man who has more ability in spending than accumulating wealth. So he formed, in his mind, a club of millionaires who were anxious and willing to spend their money on wrestling matches, prize fights, horse races, etc., and better than that, were willing to risk their money on their favorites. Then he gathered around him 80 or more choice spirits of types calculated to interest men of all callings ... (then) he established headquarters in Council Bluffs, with branch offices in Little Rock, New Orleans, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Omaha and a number of other places, securing a letter box in the local postoffices for the receipt of returns from his agents. ... The usual method of procedure in the case of wrestling matches and prize fights was to induce the victim to go to a place where the fight was to take place, bringing a certain sum of money to aid in the plot. This was necessary, for Mabray's assistant would have to have sufficient money to cover that put up by the "millionaires," and they were only working on a percentage with their victims, so they said. If the man was "easy," some minor accident happened and he was told that it was a pity the fiasco had occurred, but was soothed with the statement that the "millionaires" would be all the more willing to put up larger sums on another match, so the poor dupe went home and either mortgaged his property or borrowed from friends or let one or two in on the venture and came back to the fray. "With the more cautious man the money was generally taken on the first trial. It depended largely upon the amount of money invested by the dupe. The club never asked for less than $2,500, and the man who put in that amount was generally induced to contribute more on another occasion. Usually, however, the sum ran from $10,000 to as high as $37,000. When the fight really came off and the victims were to lose their money, the man upon whom they had placed their money would go into the contest with a bladder filled with blood in his mouth, and at the critical time he would be hit or would fall, burst the bladder with his teeth and roll over on the floor in apparent agony, with blood pouring out of his mouth. The club members would rush around a minute or two in fear, and then the heads would suggest to the victim of the occasion that it would be wise to run for it, and take the first train out of town, or all would be held for murder. It always worked, and the man fled to his home minus his money, and generally frightened. When he got home he would write to find out what haqd happened, and it was correspondence of this kind which fell into the hands of the authorities and gave them their witnesses. ... In one season the Council Bluffs headquarters collected $250,000, and other offices in proportion. The highest amount secured from any one man, as brought out in the trial, was $37,000 from J.E. Cavanaugh, of Oklahoma City, although the district attorney in charge of the case has evidence to show that a Canadian "investor" was relieved of $66,000, and an ex-public prosecutor of Cook County, Ill, had yielded $55,000. Many of the witnesses were shamefaced when they gave their testimony, and others were hardened. The former felt their position keenly and gave their evidence reluctantly, knowing full well the effect it would have upon the inhabitants of their home town, and fearing their reception upon their return. The others were apparently used to it. They had embarked upon their speculation knowing the nature of it fully, and expecting to be smarter than those who were engineering the deals, and when they lost they took their medicine. They were willing to testify, however, and cared little for the effects upon their friends or relatives. O.O. Newberry, of Argyle, Iowa, described himself as a horseman of 40 years' standing. He smiled all through his testimony. Speaking of a wrestling match, he said: "We had it all framed up when I got to thinking it all over," said Newberry. "I was 62 years old then, and that was the first time in my life that I was mixed up in anything like that. I couldn't sleep nor eat. So the night 'fore it was to come off, I got up at 12 o'clock and went down to the 'millionaires' private car. I was determined to stop it. I saw some one at the depot that siad they wasn't in, so I had to give up. Ed Leach, that defendant sitting over yonder, lost the wrestling match to Gorman, and my money was lost. After the match, the millionaires got together and talked it over. "Then one of them comes to me and says, 'Old man, we like your style; you're a fine fellow and we want to give you another chance. But you'll have to put up $10,000 this time. "They told me they liked my face and I told 'em I liked it myself. "'We bar Farmer Burns or Gotch, but you can bring on a good wrestler all right for the $10,000 go,' says one orf the 'millionaires.' "We got a hold of a wrestler called 'the Greek Demon.' Maxwell he picked him out. "We got right back to Wilkes-Barre and got down to business. "The Greek had it framed to me that it would be better for him to lose the first fall. "We don't lose any falls at all this time, I says. You see, I had $10,000 up this time. "But the Greek lost the first fall; then on the second he clapped Gorman down hard. "Burns, one of the millionaires, took out a gun as long as my arm and throws it down on Gorman. 'You lose another fall and you're a dead one,' says Burns. I seen right there that I'd either be out $10,000 or have a corpse on my hands. When it was all over I wasn't trouble with any corpses or any money, either." "Now, how much did you lose?" asked assistant district attorney Stewart. "Thirteen thousand and expenses." Council Bluffs IA: May 17, 1910 JACK CARKEEK ARRESTED IN SAN FRANCISCO AS PART OF MABRAY GANG (Stevens Point WI Journal, September 3, 1910) Jack Carkeek, the wrestler, formerly a resident of Waupaca when employed as a detective by the old Wisconsin Central Railway Co., has, according to a dispatch from San Francisco, been arrested there under the name of John Fletcher, as a member of the Mabray gang of swindlers, and turned over to the federal authorities. Carkeek is alleged to have been the wrestler of the gang, and to have taken part in fake matches that netted them thousands of dollars. Carkeek is almost as well known in Stevens Point as though he had made his home here, having visited the city on a number of occasions for long periods. He was at one time champion of the world at the Cornish style of wrestling, though he was a good performer at catch-as-catch-can and Graeco-Roman. A fit of illness caused him to retire from the mat during the earlier part of his career and he was for many years in the employ of the Wisconsin Central. When Hali Adali, the giant Turk, invaded this country about a decade back, Carkeek returned to the wrestling game and won a handicap match from the Turk in Milwaukee, the latter failing to throw him three times in ninety minutes. The match put the game in bad odor in Milwaukee, it being claimed that the Oriental deliberately allowed his opponent to stick out the time. The Mabray gang of swindlers, with whom Carkeek is alleged to have been connected, has figured in the courts on numerous occasions, and is said to have secured over a million dollars within a few years through the fake foot races, wrestling and boxing bouts. It is said to be headed by a man who can fitly be termed the "Napoleon of Crime." Hartford CT: November 14, 1910 George Hackenschmidt vs Hjalmar Lundin CARKEEK GOES TO OMAHA (Wire story, Stevens Point WI Journal, December 3, 1910) SAN FRANCISCO — Jack Carkeek, alleged to be a member of the Mabray gang of race-track and prize-fight sharps, was Monday (Nov. 28) ordered sent to Omaha for trial by Judge Van Fleet of the United States district court JACK CARKEEK ARRESTED IN SAN FRANCISCO AS PART OF MABRAY GANG (Stevens Point WI Journal, September 3, 1910) Jack Carkeek, the wrestler, formerly a resident of Waupaca when employed as a detective by the old Wisconsin Central Railway Co., has, according to a dispatch from San Francisco, been arrested there under the name of John Fletcher, as a member of the Mabray gang of swindlers, and turned over to the federal authorities. Carkeek is alleged to have been the wrestler of the gang, and to have taken part in fake matches that netted them thousands of dollars. Carkeek is almost as well known in Stevens Point as though he had made his home here, having visited the city on a number of occasions for long periods. He was at one time champion of the world at the Cornish style of wrestling, though he was a good performer at catch-as-catch-can and Graeco-Roman. A fit of illness caused him to retire from the mat during the earlier part of his career and he was for many years in the employ of the Wisconsin Central. When Hali Adali, the giant Turk, invaded this country about a decade back, Carkeek returned to the wrestling game and won a handicap match from the Turk in Milwaukee, the latter failing to throw him three times in ninety minutes. The match put the game in bad odor in Milwaukee, it being claimed that the Oriental deliberately allowed his opponent to stick out the time. The Mabray gang of swindlers, with whom Carkeek is alleged to have been connected, has figured in the courts on numerous occasions, and is said to have secured over a million dollars within a few years through the fake foot races, wrestling and boxing bouts. It is said to be headed by a man who can fitly be termed the "Napoleon of Crime." Hartford CT: November 14, 1910 George Hackenschmidt vs Hjalmar Lundin CARKEEK GOES TO OMAHA (Wire story, Stevens Point WI Journal, December 3, 1910) SAN FRANCISCO — Jack Carkeek, alleged to be a member of the Mabray gang of race-track and prize-fight sharps, was Monday (Nov. 28) ordered sent to Omaha for trial by Judge Van Fleet of the United States district court. JACK CARKEEK ARRESTED IN SAN FRANCISCO AS PART OF MABRAY GANG (Stevens Point WI Journal, September 3, 1910) Jack Carkeek, the wrestler, formerly a resident of Waupaca when employed as a detective by the old Wisconsin Central Railway Co., has, according to a dispatch from San Francisco, been arrested there under the name of John Fletcher, as a member of the Mabray gang of swindlers, and turned over to the federal authorities. Carkeek is alleged to have been the wrestler of the gang, and to have taken part in fake matches that netted them thousands of dollars. Carkeek is almost as well known in Stevens Point as though he had made his home here, having visited the city on a number of occasions for long periods. He was at one time champion of the world at the Cornish style of wrestling, though he was a good performer at catch-as-catch-can and Graeco-Roman. A fit of illness caused him to retire from the mat during the earlier part of his career and he was for many years in the employ of the Wisconsin Central. When Hali Adali, the giant Turk, invaded this country about a decade back, Carkeek returned to the wrestling game and won a handicap match from the Turk in Milwaukee, the latter failing to throw him three times in ninety minutes. The match put the game in bad odor in Milwaukee, it being claimed that the Oriental deliberately allowed his opponent to stick out the time. The Mabray gang of swindlers, with whom Carkeek is alleged to have been connected, has figured in the courts on numerous occasions, and is said to have secured over a million dollars within a few years through the fake foot races, wrestling and boxing bouts. It is said to be headed by a man who can fitly be termed the "Napoleon of Crime." Hartford CT: November 14, 1910 George Hackenschmidt vs Hjalmar Lundin CARKEEK GOES TO OMAHA (Wire story, Stevens Point WI Journal, December 3, 1910) SAN FRANCISCO — Jack Carkeek, alleged to be a member of the Mabray gang of race-track and prize-fight sharps, was Monday (Nov. 28) ordered sent to Omaha for trial by Judge Van Fleet of the United States district court. FLEECED A TOWN OF $750,000 (By Chicago Tribune, printed in Washington DC Post, August 6, 1911) Mabray, the magnate of the con game trust, will soon be liberated from Leavenworth Prison. This announcement will cause interest in many cities. It will carry a sting into hundreds of homes and offices. For the Mabray gang, operating through the Western States, with its main "store" at Council Bluffs, Iowa, was unquestionably the most businesslike and effective swindling organization ever brought into an American court. Its winnings in 1908 alone, as figured out by attendants of the trials of two years ago, reached a total of almost three quarters of a million. J.C. Mabray and his gang staged fake horse races, wrestling matches, foot races and prize fights. In all of these events one of the contestants dropped dead. In the alarm and fear of arrest that followed, the gang would disappear with the money. The victim was in no position to complain, for in almost all cases he had been caught in an effort to help fleece someone else. If he did complain, the police could not or would not help him. The gang was rounded up in 1910 by the post office authorities. Fifteen were prosecuted in federal court by Sylvester R. Rush, special assistant attorney general for the United States, who figured in the Alaskan coal and Western land fraud cases. Most of those tried received sentences. Only two men, however, have been tried so far in the state courts. There are 3,000 indictments standing, and at a mass meeting in Council Bluffs several weeks ago a demand was made that these prosecutions be pushed. The confidence operators might still be filling safety deposit boxes with banknotes were it not for a trivial accident and a bit of feminine improudence. The wife of John R. Dobbins, of Princeton, Mo., the "steerer" who introduced T.W. Ballew, of the same city, to the gang, to his loss of $30,000, is said to have been so pleased with the transaction that she could not resist whispering it about. As a result the public made Ballew's life miserable by its inquiries concerning race horses. Ballew filed a charge of swindling. But the gang actually came to its misfortune through the mistake of a mail clerk. Mabray used Box 4 at the post office and the clerk happened to throw a letter for him into an adjoining box. The letter was opened by mistake and, being in the code of the gang, aroused much interest. It was turned over to the post office authorities and J.S. Swenson, an inspector, began to work up a case that took him all over the West. While the main "store" was in Council Bluffs, the gang also operated more or less frequently in Cook County, Illinois, outside of Chicago; in Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver, New Oreans, Little Rock, Hot Springs (Ark.), Kansas City, South Bend (Ind.), Pittsburgh, and other cities. Of these, New Orleans and Denver were perhaps the favorite "branch stores." The "store" kept a set of traveling men who went from place to place in search of likely victims. Big men were their prey. They could not afford to bother with small fry. A 'mike," as the victim was called in the technique of the trade, who could not produce at least $1,000, would have been too small to cover expenses. The stage settings and accessories were expensive. The victim, a man of wealth and position, with a tendency toward sports and sharp bargains that would make him susceptible, having been found, it was necessary to provide a "steerer." The standard story for the "steerer" to tell was something like this: "Mr. Mike, I have a cousin who's coming out West pretty soon with a bunch of Eastern millionaires who are looking into an interurban proposition. (Mabray, called "Gordon," was the cousin.) My cousin's been with this bunch for years, and he's really made 'em, but they won't give him credit for it. The schemes have been his and he's entitled to part of the profits, but they won't do him justice. He thinks he sees a way now, though, to get even with the (blankety-blank) hogs while they're here. They're a bunch of sports out for a good time and they've got a horse that they think can beat anything. They'll bet any amount on him. Well, my cousin has picked a horse in Missouri that he knows can beat their horse. He tried him out and timed him and it's a cinch — nothing to it. We're going to put all the money we've got on him and clean 'em up. Sounds sort of raw, but you wouldn't think so if you knew how they've trated him. My cousin and I can't bet openly against the bunch, of course, so we wondered whether you couldn't come down and bet the money for us like it was yours." This sort of talk, when made to the right sort of man, could not fail to be effective. "Mike" usually agreed to play the part of the racehorse man with the unknown horse. Unknown, by the way, is an odd word in this connection. Red Leo, as pretty a little runner as ever stepped, was used constantly under that name and was the horse upon which all the "Mikes" placed their money. When "Mike" had agreed to act the part he was instructed to bring some negotiable paper of his own. They did not want to deal with any irresponsible parties. "Mike" was to bring a bank draft or some such negotiable security for a good sum, $10,000 or so, to show himself a man of substance. No suggestion ever was made that this sum was to be played upon the race. No, it was merely to be on exhibition. Arrived at Council Bluffs, or Denver, or New Orleans, or wherever it was, "Mike" would be plunged into the midst of ready money. Every man he met had handfuls of money. As much as $50,000 would be in sight at one time. Naturally this impressed the average "mike" as an undeniable evidence of millionaires. All the properties were carefully arranged. As, for instance, in Pittsburgh, a three-car special train was provided for the "millionaires." When the betting began, "Mike" was made stakeholder. He sat with his own personal draft before him on the table to show that he had the financial responsibility of one who is to figure in matched races. Soon, the money of "the cousin," and of the "steerer," would be gone, but the "millionaires" would be crying, "More, more, more." Then "Mike" would fall. Nothing had been said at any time as to his betting his own money; but there would be the "millionaires" crying, "More, more," and sure to lose. In would go the draft and "Mike" would be caught. Before the start the money probably would be hustled into a safety deposit vault, "Mike" standing by to see it properly done. But the minute he was out and away for the course the money would be removed and "Mike's" draft cashed and secured. At the race course, "Mike" would find all the proper paraphernalia of the matched race. Red Leo was a horse to inspire confidence. Everything would be in readiness. The flag would drop and the horses get away with Red Leo well in the lead. Red Leo, "Mike's" horse, would seem a sure winner. Then, suddenly, the jockey would throw up his hands, reel in his saddle, and plunge to earth, blood flowing from his mouth. He had "bitten the bladder," in the "patter" of the business. Instantly, panic fell upon the "millionaires." Here was scandal and arrest — betting and the killing of a jockey. A rush would be made to escape before the police should arrive. Everybody would run to get away. So well was the plot worked that "Mike" rarely understood the fact that he had been swindled until he was well out of town. Ballew, one of the victims, even gave a member of the gang whom he met at the depot $25 with which to get home. Sometimes the bunco syndicate worked through a wrestling match, a running race, or a prize fight, according to the inclinations of the "mike." But in all the events, one of the principals fell dead and all the others ran to avoid arrest. When it dawned upon the victim that he had been swindled there were several reasons why he should not make an outcry. In the first place, he was a well-known citizen and could not afford to admit that he had been connected with a "sure thing" game or a disreputable death. So far only two men have been tried in the state courts. Of these, John R. Dobbins, of Princeton, Mo., who introduced T.W. Ballew to Red Leo, was given a seven-year sentence. Frank Scott, another alleged "steerer," was acquitted. Mabray will have to face more than two dozen indictments in the Pottawatomie County courts. R.B. Herriman, secretary of the organization, is dead, having passed away in a Los Angeles jail. Harry Forbes, a Chicago lightweight, was among those convincted, but took an appeal. Bert Shores, a Seattle wrestler, got 15 months. Leon Lozier, once a phenomenal runner, was implicated. The books of the gang were kept in cipher. Each man had a number. There were hundreds. Mabray was No. 66. Unfortunately for the bunco syndicate, the key to the ledger was found and many were implicated. The entry which deals with the Ballew case is as follows: "Mike Ballew, $30,000, Red Leo, Blood run. Louied him." Ballew, it may be mentioned, was a banker with 14 lumber yards, two department stores, two lime kilns, and other properties. This shows the class of men who were victimized. Of the Ballew operation, Mabray received half and Dobbins, the "steerer," $7,500. Mabray himself has a whimsical belief in honesty as the best policy. "I never 'miked' an honest man," is his assertion. "Honesty is the best policy. With honesty, none of these fellows would have been caught and I would not have been in the pen." R.B. Herriman, F.C. Brown and E.C. Moore, three of Mabray's chief lieutenants, were captured in San Jose, where they were in luxurious hiding. An interesting point is that among the suits filed were included charges against Ernest E. Hart, president of the First National Bank of Council Bluffs, who was charged with collusion. These charges are among those not yet heard. When these state court cases are heard the public at least will have full information in one of the most interesting and complicated confidence games ever worked. FROM JAIL TO OFFICE: Taft Helps Harry Forbes to Become Deputy Sheriff (Washington DC Post, Tuesday, August 22, 1911) President Taft yesterday commuted the two-year sentence and $10,000 fine imposed upon Harry Forbes, a Chicago prize fighter, convicted of connection with the notorious Mabray gang, which reaped a harvest in the middle West a few years ago on fake horse races and prize fights. Several members of the gang have received prison sentences, and Forbes was instrumental in their prosecution. Forbes will become a deputy sheriff of Cook County, Ill. The President commuted his punishment to a fine of $100. The prize fighter's prison term was practically ended when the executive allowed his fine to be decreased. Reasons for the act are Forbes' excellent conduct since the time of his imprisonment and the fact that he aided in the punishment of thirteen other defendants who were sentenced with him. Many prominent men joined in the effort to secure his release, declaring that the aid he gave the government in the fraud cases, combined with his good conduct, made an additional term in prison for the nonpayment of his fine an undue hardship. During 1909 the country was startled by the announcement of the remarkable "millionaire club" frauds. Eighteen states, Canada, and Alaska were invaded in the wide field of operations. The plan of the gang, of which John C. Mabray was head, included the extensive use of the mails, and this led to the ultimate capture of 14 of the 84 men indicted. According to the plan, one of the members of the gang would visit a strange city, and represent himself as a confidential friend of the secretary of a coterie of wealthy men who were touring the United States. He confided this information to some well-known man, relying on him to spread the news. It then would develop that the wealthy men were engaged in promoting athletic sports of all kinds throughout the country. The "secretary," so the "steerer" said, was angered at his employer, and wished to get even. Whoever the "steerer" selected as a victim was urged to write to the "secretary" of the club and arrange through him for a bet on some coming event. The "secretary" was to arrange it so that the victim would win easy money at the event. Letters to the "secretary" finally resulted in the posting of a check ranging from $100 to $30,000 by the victim. His money would be placed on some supposed sporting event that was "fixed" for the victim to win. Foot racing, boxing, wrestling, horse racing, and "wire tapping" were among the schemes by which the "secretary" was to aid the victim in winning his money. The gang carried many of its own pugilists, and pretended to "fix" any sporting event that could be influenced by money. The name of the organization was derived from the fact that it was supposed to have made more than $5,000,000 during its two years' existence, and every member was supposed to be wealthy in his own right. The fourteen men captured were convicted on March 20, 1910, and each was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and a fine of $10,000. Those convicted were John C. Mabray, Leon Lozier, T.S. Robinson, Willard Powell, Clarence Class, Edward Leach, Edward K. Morris (colored), Clarence Forbes, Harry Forbes, Frank Scott, E. McCoy, W.S. Harris, B.H. Shores and William Marsh. Harry Forbes, during the time he was on the witness stand, furnished evidence which showed the conspiracy to defraud the public. It was shown, furthermore, that he was largely a dupe of the bigger men in the gang. When he was sent to jail he was without the money to pay his fine. It was stated after the trial that Forbes was instrumental in introducing the witness Edward Fenby, a professional wrestler, who showed letters from the Mabray gang telling how to lose wrestling matches. One of those letters was written by Mabray, and told how a bladder filled with blood could be broken in the mouth during a wrestling match, giving the appearance of a hemorrhage. The reports sent to the President by those who had Forbes in their custody were of the best. They described him as a model prisoner, a man who had thoroughly reformed, and who had not complained at his sentence, though it was as severe as those given the men he had helped to convict. Leavenworth KS: October 29, 1911 John C. Mabray and E.K. Morse, members of the Mabray swindling gang, were released from federal prison but their liberty is brief. At the prison gate, Deputy Sheriff Waddington of Council Bluffs IA re-arrests the men on a state charge. SWINDLES TOLD ABOUT IN COURT (Wire story, Nevada State Journal, Reno NV, December 20, 1911) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia., Dec. 19 — Continuing his testimony today at the trial of Benjamin Marks, accused of having been the "fixer" of the notorious Mabray gang of fake sporting affair swindlers, John C. Mabray, chief of the gang, who has just completed a term in the federal prison at Leavenworth, Kansas, for his share in the operations of the gang, gave a complete history of the operations by which hundreds of persons throughout the country were duped out of amounts aggregating a million dollars, and told of making an agreement with Marks to "fix" the police and the county authorities here. The witness declared that notwithstanding Marks had promised him police protection, one of his men had been arrested but later released after Marks had "arranged it." Scores of horse race swindlers were detained by the witness. He admitted having "cleaned up" $80,000 in New Orleans. MABRAY COWBOY BUT NO GAMBLER (Wire story, Nevada State Journal, Reno NV, December 21, 1911) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia., Dec. 20 — Deals by which victims were relieved of from $10,000 to $30,000 today were described by John Mabray in his cross-examination in the trial of Benjamin Marks, charged with furnishing the police protection for Mabray and his "swindling syndicate." Diamond brokerage, organizing fraternal lodges and conducting rooming houses furnished Mabray employment before he began his swindling operations, he admitted, and life as a cowboy on the plains was part of his history, but he declined to admit that he was a gambler by occupation. References to his operations as "thievery," "stealing the victims' money," and similar expressions by counsel for Marks, were resented by Mabray, who defined them as "winning the man's money." Telling of taking money from A. Dellney, a section foreman of Pemberton, Wis., Mabray declared "it was one deal of which I was really ashamed." He readily admitted that he won $3,000 from John Corbett of Chicago in a poker game on the train. MABRAY RECITES HIS EXPERIENCES (Wire story, Nevada State Journal, Reno NV, December 22, 1911) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia., Dec. 21 — Telling of the handling of large sums of money with the casual interest of a millionaire and of the alleged connection with the swindles of an ex-county official and of an ex-city official, John C. Mabray spent tonight under cross-examination in the trial of Benjamin Marks, a well known politician charged with having furnished police protection to the notorious Mabray gang of swindlers. In telling of the distribution of the percentage of the gang's profits which, he said, was paid Marks for protection, Mabray declared that Marks had told him that a part went to J.J. Hess, "who was to give notice of complaints that might be made at his office," and a part went to officers of the First National Bank, who kept the gang informed, Mabray said, regarding the financial standing of various persons, "so that the 'big steer' could 'go after them' at the right time." The defense introduced an alleged list of swindles perpetrated by the Mabray syndicate here, at New Orleans and Seattle, aggregating $454,295. The list bore the names of every victim, the date of the swindle and the sums taken from them. It was also shown that swindles were perpetrated in Davenport, Iowa, San Francisco, Denver and South Bend, Indiana. HIGHER UPS CALLED TO TESTIFY IN BEHALF OF ALLEGED SWINDLER (Wire story, Nevada State Journal, Reno NV, December 24, 1911) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia., Dec. 23 — Leading Iowa politicians, officials of some of the large local banks, former city and county officials and one former deputy United States marshal are among those who will be called to testify in defense of Benjamin Marks, on trial for alleged conspiracy in the swindling of various persons throughout the United States of sums ranging from $1,000 to $30,000 and aggregating more than $1,000,000. This announcement was made today by counsel for Marks. Practically all the evidence for the prosecution was in when court adjourned today for two days and the defense will open its case Tuesday. Ernst E. Hart, national republican committeeman from Iowa and president of the First National Bank of this city, will be one of the leading witnesses called by Marks' attorneys. Others on the list will include J.J. Spindler, cashier of the First National Bank; T.G. Turner, president of the City National Bank; Dr. Donald McRae, former mayor, and W.A. Greneweg, deputy United States marshal. It is believed several of these witnesses will be asked to rebut the direct testimony of John C. Mabray who admitted he was leader of the ring. Today was spent by the prosecution in winding up the case. J.C. Swenson, a post office inspector who worked up the case against Mabray, and his associate, C.S. Ranger, were the principal witnesses. Both identified numerous letters, telegrams and other documentary evidence. The jury, heretofore in charge of a bailiff, was relieved of that restraint until Tuesday, with a severe admonition by the court to refrain from any conversation or reading reports of the trial and conversing among themselves as to the merits of the case. DENIED A HEARING (Greene IA Recorder, issue of December 27, 1911) DES MOINES, Ia. — John R. Dobbins, a lieutenant in the J.C. Mabray gang of swindlers, will have to serve his sentence of two years in the penitentiary. The supreme court of Iowa has entered a motion overruling a petition for a rehearing of his case, filed by his attorneys of Council Bluffs. Dobbins was convicted on a charge of larceny and sentenced to two years in the penitentiary. The supreme court affirmed this conviction several weeks ago. COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia. — John C. Mabray, notorious for his connections with the so-called "big store swindles," has secured a position as manager of a Kansas City hotel, according to a letter to Post Office Inspector C.S. Ranger. MABRAY PLEADS GUILTY (Wire story, Nashua IA Reporter, March 21, 1912) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia. — Four more of the swindlers associated with John C. Mabray, who recently completed a sentence in the federal penitentiary for his part in swindles on fake sporting events aggregating $1,000,000, were brought before United States District Judge Smith McPherson and pleaded guilty. They are: W.H. Bryson, Joe E. Wright, Frank Scott and W.S. Gibson. Bryson was fined $300, and sentence will be pronounced on the other three later. KING OF GRAFTERS CHASED FROM CITY (Wire story, Wichita Times, Wichita Falls TX, March 28, 1912) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Once the alleged chief of the $5,000,000 big sport swindle sydnicate, proud, prosperous and always wearing a smile of contentment, John C. Mabray walked from the Kansas City police headquarters yesterday branded as an "undesirable citizen." He walked from the station with bowed head. The pride which he had cherished had been dealt a blow which felled him for the count of ten. He must move on. Mabray is acknowledged to have been one of the greatest "fake sport scheme" promoters in the country. The pages of his and his associates' history telling of the methods employed in taking money from credulous men of wealth, by "fake fights," "fake foot races," and "fake wrestling matches," would read in true "Diamond Dick" style and give the reader a thrill of excitement. The details of the prearranged matches were always complete and the "mikes" fell but were so embanked with complicated circumstances that they feared to tell of their losses because they imagined they were accessories in the deals. "You'll have to leave Kansas City," Mabray was told by Chief Griffin before he left. "You asked for a chance. We are willing to give you one — that is to get out of the city." Mabray hesitated before replying. "I'll have to notify the United States district attorney before I go," he said. "I guess I might as well go one time as another." "All right," continued the chief. "You will be able to arrange for your departure by Saturday. If you are in Kansas City after then you will be arrested. Goodbye." Half turning as if to make another reply Mabray again hesitated. He changed his mind and walked from the station. Mabray was arrested Wednesday evening. He was booked for investigation at police headquarters. "The arrest was made on general principles," said Chief Griffin. "There have been too many swindles called to the attention of the police lately. We had nothing on Mabray but wanted him arrested to hear his story." Mabray was released from the federal prison at Leavenworth last October, where he served two years for using the mails to defraud. J.C. Mabray was one of the leaders of a gang that operated in the Central West for a number of years, promoting fake foot races, horse races and prize fights. So successful were they that it was estimated that they fleeced business men of unquestionable standing out of more than a million dollars. Mabray and five of his associates were arrested at Little "Rock, Ark., in the early part of March, 1909, while preparing to leave the state to avoid the storm about to break because of the many frauds perpetrated. All five were held in bail for $10,000 each, and Mabray's bond was $15,000. Other arrests followed, and in the federal court at Council Bluffs, Ia., March 21, 1910, Mabray and either other members of his gang were sentenced to the federal prison at Leavenworth for two years each, and were fined $10,000. Two other members of the gang drew sentences of fifteen months in prison and were fined $100. In October, 1911, Mabray and a couple of the other members of his gang were arrested as they were leaving the federal prison on a charge that came from Iowa, and four were sent back to prison for using the mails to defraud. Most of the victims never realized that they had been swindled until they learned of the arrest of the gang. The whole story was never told because many a hard headed business man kept his losses to himself. When Mabray was arrested, he was identified by ten or twelve men who had parted with $5,000 to $40,000 each in fake races and fights. Then came scores of complaints from all parts of the central west, from bankers, hotel keepers, doctors, railroad officials, bank cashiers, lumber dealers, storekeepers, every branch of business, represented by the complainants who admitted they had bitten. They could not resist the chance to win big money on a "sure thing." ENTERS PLEA OF GUILTY (Wire story, Greene IA Recorder, September 25, 1912) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia. — E.C. Moore, an alleged member of the Mabray gang of swindlers whose fight of three years against extradition from California for trial was recently ended by an adverse decision of the United States Supreme Court, pleaded guilty in the federal court here to participation in the operations for which John C. Mabray and other associates served terms of imprisonment. H.K. Robine, who pleaded guilty to being implicated in three swindles on fake wrestling matches, was sentencfed to pay a fine of $250. The amount was paid and Robine released. Greene IA Recorder: (issue of) January 8, 1913 "The Merchants' Life Insurance Company of Burlington foreclosed a mortagage for $35,000 on the farm of Orson Newberry, a farmer near Keokuk, last week. Newberry was the man who exposed the operations of the Mabray gang. He borrowed the money to recuperate the losses sustained by his dealings with the confidence men." |
