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TO EARTHDetective Norris Claims to Have Run a Bunko Trust.B«v-e Murray, Well-Known Here, Arretted At Indlnu spoils—HIb Travels and Hie Visits to Portsmouth—The Jones liunco and tlxe Death o£ “Kid” Waddell.. ,A telegram from Indianapolis announces the arrest of vDave Murray, a Cincinnati confidence man, well known here, all along the Ohio, and in faot, all over the country.He ia charged with swindling an old farmer out of $3,000 near Fremont,, Ohio, on the gold brick and tin box racket. ThB arrest was effected throngh the work of Detective John T. Norris.Murray is considered a king at swindling. As a conversationalist he has few, if any. equals. He possesses a wonderful power of flowery expression, a charming rnagio of tongue and voice. By this means he is enabled to hypnotize, as it were, and put viotimB in a state of “do as I say.”Formerly Murray traveled the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, winning several fortunes at three card monte and other card tricks. Leaving the river, he went to New York Qifcy. There he amassed auothor fortune and looated at Indianapolis. He posed as a traveling salesman and wqb highly respected.It is alleged that ho is a member of the most notorious gang of [swindlers iu tho country; that for some time they have made Indiauapolia their headquarters; that the gang working in threes havo gathered in over $150,000 from guiless farmers in the ; past three years, and that tho gang comprised, in addition to Murray, Louis Ludlnm, Tom Brewer, Frank Daggofct, “Big Charlie” Adams, Fofce Oorlisk and “Red” Austin, It is also claimed “Kid” Waddell, killed in Paris by Tom O'Brien, who is serviug a life •sentence at New Caledonia for the murder was a member.Tom Brewer, untifa few months ago, •kept a road-house' near Indianapolis, whero the gaug congregated. Brower is prominent os a politician. He acted as legal represnfcafcive for the crowd, putting up bail when any of them were arrested, and securing leniency/when possible. *■Detective Norris claims this is the gang that bancoed Farmer W. A. Jones, of near Cbillicothe, out of $7,000, and that he will Boon have the whole crowd behind the bars.In days gone by Murray made frequent visits here. He was hold in ■high esteem by bnsiuess men who knew him not; was admired and loved by giddy ladies and in short, made a big Btir whenever lie cams about. He is married and has a very Interesting family.Speaking of “Kid” Waddell reoalls his death and last words before going to the great beyond. Tom O’Brien, who shot him, was brought to his oouch ia tho Paris hospital for identifioatioD. Waddell turned half over and, clinging .to tho proposition that there is honor among swindlers and to leave no evidence if possible ngnins^ his assasin, also a Confidence man, .said: “I do not know you. I novor saw you before.” A moment afterwards ho said to his attendant, “Tell my mother my last thoughts wero of her. Bless her, is my prayer, and he passed away, taking with him to the grave tho seoreta of his life, which would, no doubt, compiled, form volumes.The latest from Indianapolis is to tbe efTaot that Murray enn prove a clear alibi. Tho oouvt has given until Wednesday for the oliioers to furnish witnesses tbat will establish his identity iu connection with the Fremont, Ohio, job. People hare, who know Murray are aware that after ho made big winnings in Now Yuik lie reformed, and, quitting his bad practices, went to Indianapolis to do what was right.
Newspaper Details
Portsmouth Daily Times
Portsmouth, Ohio, US
Fri, May 21, 1897
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Brent E.
NA, 20 May 2024
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