Twenty Years a Detective in the Wickedest City in the WorldWooldridge, Clifton R. (Clifton Rodman)
History
Twenty Years a Detective in the Wickedest City in the World
Wooldridge, Clifton R. (Clifton Rodman)
Crime -- Illinois -- Chicago; Police -- Illinois -- Chicago
He went through the whole performance, save the grease paint. He
started to daub his face with the stuff, which gave a ghostly hue,
when the justice interrupted:
"You needn't dirty your face, Friend Spook. You've scored your points
already." The "Spook" had, indeed.
Despite the exposures, many women and a few men who had come to hear
the cases, expressed their devotion to the persons arrested and to the
"cause."
They finally became so demonstrative that Justice Prindiville ordered
the court room cleared of the "devotees."
"This is not a matinee, a spiritualists' meeting or a circus," said
the Justice. "Let the devotees meet in the outer hall."
Fifty women, of all ages and many conditions of life, stood with
mouths wide open and eyes bulging as Wooldridge went through his
performance. They were the victims of the Nichols women.
Jennie Nichols and Sarah Nichols were fined $100 each.
ARREST SOUTH SIDE MEDIUMS.
To conclude the record of the day, Detectives Wooldridge and Barry,
accompanied by two officers from the Cottage Grove station, visited
a seance given by Clarence A. Beverly and Mrs. M. Dixon at Arlington
hall, Thirty-first street and Indiana avenue. The officers bought
tickets and awaited the performance. After a lecture on psychic
problems by "Dr." Beverly and a programme of music rendered by
children, "Dr." Dixon took the rostrum and went through a series of
clairvoyant discoveries.
Among the things which she professed to predict while in her
"trance" was a prognostication which had not a little to do with the
developments of the evening. After she had pointed out a number of
persons in the audience and told what they had done or should do, she
discovered Wooldridge and singled him out.
"I see a man with glasses who has his hands crossed over his knees,"
she said. "I am governed by the spirit of John Googan, an Irishman. He
gives you a message," pointing to Wooldridge, "and says that whatever
John orders must be done."
At this Wooldridge, arising from his seat, advanced to the rostrum.
OFFICER SERVES PAPERS.
"John Collins, chief of police, says, Mrs. Dixon, that I am to put you
under arrest under a state warrant charging you with receiving money
by a confidence game. I also have a warrant charging the same offense
against Clarence A. Beverly. Dr. Beverly, please come forth."
Dr. Beverly presented himself, and both he and Mrs. Dixon were taken
to Harrison street, where strenuous efforts on their behalf on the
part of "Dr." Harry H. Tobias, spiritual mental healer, with offices
at 118 East Thirty-third street, and others, failed to procure them
bonds.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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