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TALE OF WOE.HOW THE “SKIHDIOATE” MAH- j11 AGED THE fAKE FOOT HACE. 11’,The Sad Qase of Shoffaer.W. H. Blodgett in Indianapolis News.The “holding up” of Robert C. Shoffuer, of Greensburg, is another remarkable case. Shoffner is not the greenhorn he has been painted.He clerked in a store in Sullivan, was buyer for the largest merchants Fe house in Terre Haute, had the practical management of one of the largest stores in Franklin, and his ■Establishment in Greensburg does Tin immense business. He visits New York three or four times year, has traveled extensively and is a great reader of books and news* papers. And yet he went up against a gtme that is as old as the hills.Shoffoer’s story is that Dennis Danuacher, a saloon keeper, of Greensburg, in whom he had the greatest confidence, approached him with a scheme whereby they would make 120,000. He went to the hotel at Greensburg with Dannach-er, who introduced him to a man named Kent, from St. Louis, a man who held the world’s record as a runner for fifty-seven yards.Billy Matthews Is a “moochei” who hangs around Johnny Connors' siloon in this city, and is a good sprinter. Kent wanted afoot race with Matthews, bnt had no backer. Johnny Collins had been electee three times as president of the Springfield Athletic Club, and was a square sporting man.I Now if Shoffaer would pretend to j bick Kent, Connors would pat up the money, Matthews would throw the i race and a lot of Springfield sports would be losers. All this rahoffner says Dannaeher and Kent told him. It was proposed that [ Shoffner take $2,500 along just as n make-believe bet. He was not to put up a cent—be was just to appear as Kent’s backer — Connors would j furnish all the cash.80 Mr. Shoffner put $2,600 in his j pocket and came over here with Dannaeher and Kent, registering at the Leland Hotel. Mr. Shoffaer | met Connors, who explained that j CoL Roberts, a wealthy Board of j Trade man; Gas Montgomery, who owned a lot of coal mines; Major Stillsoo, the famous turf man and owner of the largest stock farm In Illinois, and a number of other mil* liouaires would back Matthews. An arrangement was made whereby Matthews was to get $2,500, Kent $2,500, Connors $2,500, Daunnacker $1,250 and Shoffner $1,250 on the race which was to be thrown by Mat thews In order to give him some standing as a backer, Shoffner was required to deposit his $2,500, brought from Indiana, in a bank,; It was not to be used, understand,; but to remain there so Col. Roberts and his fninds could see that Kent’s backer had a financial ratio g.Mr. Shoffaer was wined and diner’, made much of and treated as a millionaire guest Connors at different times cave him big bundles of money, which Shoffner quickly bet 00 Kent, turning the money over to Connors, who was referee and stake holder. This went on for almost a wlt;??k. Shoffner had placed In Con noi’s hand? $7,500 of his, (Connor’s; money, and it had been promptly covered by Col. Roberts and his friends. Then Shoffner lost his head and drew bis $2,300 -rom the bank and gave it to Connors to make up a $10,000 bet. Well, the race was run. Kent fell down an Mr. Connors turned the money—$10,000— over to Col. Roberts. That race was July 11. Connors was great I.v grieved. He was sure Kent would beat Matthews, and it was proposed to hitve another race foi $15,000 Shoffner was not to put up auy money, just make his financial standing good.Shoffner went to Sullivan, Ind. aud executed a note for $2,500 to hie brother-in-law, J. R. Riggs, who is the Democratic nominee for Auditor of State, giving Riggs a chattel mortgage on the Greensburg store. Then he came back here to get even and win some money, Connors again being the stakeholder. Money passed freely until it was all up and the $2,500 Shoffner got at Sullivan was In Connor’s hands. July IS the second race was ran. Kent lost again and once more Connors turned the money over to Col. Roberts.Until after the second race Shoffner says be had no idea that he was being fleeced. After his $5,000 was all in, be tumbled, as he expresses it Then he proposed that there be a third race, aud that he would fur-j nish the “sueker.” Shoffuer went to j Terre Haute and employed J. S t Hughes, of tbe law firm of Hughes j ’* Caldwell, brought him to Spring- — field and introduced him to Cou-nors as a wealthy bicycle dealer, | with sporting blood in his veins. I
Newspaper Details
Greensburg Standard
Greensburg, Indiana, US
Fri, Aug 01, 1902
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Brent E.
NA, 03 Sep 2023
Other Publications Near Greensburg, Indiana
Greensburg Review
Greensburg New Era
Greensburg Decatur Press
Greensburg News
Greensburg Daily News and Greensburg Daily Review
