by automaticpleasures » Tue Sep 27, 2016 10:24 am
Hi Freddy- keep up the good work!!!
Here's a short article concerning the theft involving Bert Firman which happened in 1935, but the case came to court in January 1937. Sounds a bit Alphone Capone since there were death threats made but thankfully not carried out (the money had been hidden in the pit in the Garage so that the legal authorities would not find it- shady business eh?
"REMARKABLE THREATS ALLEGATIONS BRIDGFORD MAN BOUND OVER "Obsession" He Was Robbed Of £2,000 GARAGE " ELDORADO " FRUIT MACHINES AND MONEY STORED IN PIT Remarkable evidence was given at the Nottingham Guildhall to-day, in a case in which John William Tomlinson, 47, of Gertrude Road, West Bridgford, was charged with using threatening language towards Bert Firman, of Curtis Street, Nottingham, on January 7th. Tomlinson was bound over for 12 months in a surety of .£5O. The chairman (Major J. Ashworth) stated that, failing to find the surety, accused would have to serve six months' imprisonment. Mr. E. E. Eccleston, who prosecuted, said the facts arose out of statements made over 12 months ago that complainant had taken £2,000 in bank notes which belonged to accused. Twelve months ago it was arranged that a large sum of money and fruit machines should be stored in the pit of a garage belonging to complainant. The money remained in the pit for about three months, being taken out a week before Christmas. Apparently the accused had the " obsession that he had lost £2,000, and a threatening telephone message was sent to complainant. Mrs. Tomlinson went into the witness-box and stated that she gave the telephone message threatening complainant. [Full story on another page].
I am also still looking for any info that might still exist concerning Charles Fey's time in London- he lived and worked in exactly the same part of London as Jack the Ripper operated and where the earliest coin machine made by Percival Everitt was located. Perhaps they all bumped into each other?
Anyway Charlie got out of London some 3-4 years before Jack became famous for his work, so Charlie's innocent, honest guv!, ..but young Percy might have given him some bright ideas to take over to the States with him...
Any info concerning the young Charles Fey other than what has already appeared in the Fey books would be most WELCOME- IF IT EXISTS...