Sam Schepps
Encyclopedia
Samuel Schepps also known as Schapps, was a New York City
mobster with the Monk Eastman Gang. Schepps ran gambling houses for Jack Zelig
as part of his work with the gang.
was murdered in front of the Metropole Hotel in New York City
. Schepps was identified by coconspirators as the "paymaster" of the plot to kill Rosenthal. Within the week, Schepps had disappeared and was believed to have left New York. He was tracked down and, on August 10, 1912, was arrested in Hot Springs, Arkansas
. Sick and broke when he was caught, Schepps was reportedly happy to return to New York to testify against his accomplices. The fact that Schepps was hiding in Hot Springs was revealed to police by Harry Vallon
, an accomplice in Rosenthal's murder. Vallon, along with Schepp and other mob informants Bridgey Webber and Jack Rose
, testified at the Becker-Rosenthal trial. His testimony resulted in the conviction of Charles Becker
and the four gunmen involved in the murder.
Schepps and his brother Nathan later ran an antique and jewelry store, the Maison Cluny, located at 437 Madison Avenue. In October, 1921, famed soprano Lydia Lipkowska
charged Schepps with usury
over his refusal to return two diamonds worth $80,000 that she'd pawned to him. Lipkowska said that she'd borrowed $12,000, had left the diamonds with Schepps as security, and that he sought $5000 in interest before he would return the jewels.
On October 3, 1933, he and Nathan were arrested and charged with forgery in connection with falsified checks worth over $10,000 which they had deposited in their business's bank account.
Sam Schepps died on January 12, 1936, in the Fifth Avenue Hospital.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
mobster with the Monk Eastman Gang. Schepps ran gambling houses for Jack Zelig
Jack Zelig
"Big" Jack Zelig was a Jewish American New York City gangster and one of the last leaders of the Monk Eastman Gang.-Early years & the Eastmans:...
as part of his work with the gang.
Biography
On July 16, 1912, Herman RosenthalRosenthal murder case
The Becker-Rosenthal trial was a 1912 trial for the murder of Herman Rosenthal by Charles Becker and members of the Lenox Avenue Gang. The trial ran from October 7, 1912 to October 30, 1912 and restarted on May 2, 1914 to May 22, 1914...
was murdered in front of the Metropole Hotel in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Schepps was identified by coconspirators as the "paymaster" of the plot to kill Rosenthal. Within the week, Schepps had disappeared and was believed to have left New York. He was tracked down and, on August 10, 1912, was arrested in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
. Sick and broke when he was caught, Schepps was reportedly happy to return to New York to testify against his accomplices. The fact that Schepps was hiding in Hot Springs was revealed to police by Harry Vallon
Harry Vallon
Harry Vallon was a New York City gambler and mob informant.He turned state's evidence and testified against the gunman in the murder of Herman Rosenthal, and also against Charles Becker, under a promise of immunity from the district attorney. He testified as one of four mob informants, along with...
, an accomplice in Rosenthal's murder. Vallon, along with Schepp and other mob informants Bridgey Webber and Jack Rose
Jack Rose (gambler)
Jacob Rosenzweig was an American gambler and underworld figure in New York City. He was one of several star witnesses in the Becker-Rosenthal trial, among these being fellow gamblers Bridgie Webber, Harry Vallon, and Sam Schepps. Rose's testimony was the most damaging because he directly...
, testified at the Becker-Rosenthal trial. His testimony resulted in the conviction of Charles Becker
Charles Becker
Charles Becker was a New York City police officer in the 1890s-1910s and who was tried, convicted and executed for ordering the murder of a Manhattan gambler, Herman Rosenthal in the Becker-Rosenthal trial. Becker was the first American police officer to receive the death penalty for murder...
and the four gunmen involved in the murder.
Schepps and his brother Nathan later ran an antique and jewelry store, the Maison Cluny, located at 437 Madison Avenue. In October, 1921, famed soprano Lydia Lipkowska
Lydia Lipkowska
Lydia Lipkowska was a Russian operatic soprano. Born in Babino, she was trained at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. She was committed to the Mariinsky Theatre from 1906–1908 and again from 1911–1913. She was a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City from 1909 -1911...
charged Schepps with usury
Usury
Usury Originally, when the charging of interest was still banned by Christian churches, usury simply meant the charging of interest at any rate . In countries where the charging of interest became acceptable, the term came to be used for interest above the rate allowed by law...
over his refusal to return two diamonds worth $80,000 that she'd pawned to him. Lipkowska said that she'd borrowed $12,000, had left the diamonds with Schepps as security, and that he sought $5000 in interest before he would return the jewels.
On October 3, 1933, he and Nathan were arrested and charged with forgery in connection with falsified checks worth over $10,000 which they had deposited in their business's bank account.
Sam Schepps died on January 12, 1936, in the Fifth Avenue Hospital.