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EXTRA
CHAPPIE MORAN ARRESTED
Principal in Swindle in Which Attorney Charles VOIGT Lost $6,300 is Taken Into Custody at Terre Haute, Indiana --- Attorney Charles VOIGT Rejoices Over Arrest of MORAN --- Wanted in Numerous Cities --- Said to Have Swindled People to the Amount of $1,000,000 --- The Cleverest Criminal in the Country.
"Chappie" MORAN, the most noted confidence man in the country, and wanted in numerous places as a swindler, including this city, where he worked a confidence game to the tune of $6,300 with a helpmate by the name of Louis DE RYDER, is under arrest at Terre Haute, Indiana, wanted on two similar charges in Texas, in which $7,000 was involved in each instance.
News of the arrest of MORAN was received by Attorney Charles VOIGT of this city, and it is planned to have MORAN returned to Decatur, Ill., to stand trial for the Sheboygan swindle, in case there is a question about his being convicted in Terre Haute, Ind. MORAN, as ring leader, and DE RYDER and O.C. MAXEN were the principals in working the clever swindle which resulted in a loss or $6,300 to Mr. VOIGT. MORAN it seems came to Sheboygan and became acquainted with Mr. VOIGT and interested him in a mining proposition. He first purchased $1,000 worth of the stock of the Queen Princess Mining Co., paying $700. On this transaction Mr. VOIGT did not lose, sending the stock to a St. Louis brokerage firm recommended by MORAN and in return received $1,500. After this transaction Mr. VOIGT went to Decatur, Ill., where the two had negotiated for the purchase of a large block of the same stock from O. C. MAXON and O. C. JENNINGS. The deal was closed by Mr. VOIGT paying $6,300 and in return was given the stock. MORAN then left VOIGT on a plausible pretext and Mr. VOIGT took the stock to St. Louis to dispose of it through the same firm which had previously paid $1,500 for the stock which he had purchased for $700. The head of the firm, a man named COWEN, was out of the city, and the man in charge said he was not authorized to negotiate any deal calling for the expenditure of so great an amount of money.
Mr. VOIGT realized he had been swindled. But as he delved into the workings of MORAN and his pals he ascertained that he was not the only victim. Their operations extended from coast to coast. As near as can be learned MORAN has fleeced people to the extent of $1,000,000 and has operated throughout the land. At one time when arrested in Chicago some years ago, he had in his possession thirty outfits, showing that he was prepared to change at a moment's notice.
The clever swindle worked on Mr. VOIGT was not a day's effort by any means. In order to accomplish the object, fake telegrams were used, telegraph wires were tapped, and several crooks figured with MORAN in his scheme. DE RYDER, who was found guilty over at Oshkosh was a party to the plan of swindling Mr. VOIGT.
DE RYDER was fined $100 and the costs of bringing the entire amount up to $600, and this was promptly paid by Milwaukee parties.
The arrest of MORAN is a feather in the cap of the Terre Haute officers, and if he is not held there for trial in all probability he will be brought to Decatur, Ill., where his conviction is assured on the charge of swindling brought by Mr. VOIGT and which can be supported by his testimony.