Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-12-21
THREE.CARD MONTE.
A Countryman Loses 500 at
Snake Show-Recovery
of the Money.

A farmer from Mississippi, while walk
ing along Front street, yesterday even
ing, heard the footing of barrel organ
attached to onG-horse menagerie, located
between Court and Jefferson, and pro-
ceeded inside to see the snakes and other
things there exhibited. While looking at
the sights he was approached by we'll
dressed man, who conversed about the
crops, the snakes on exhibition, etc., and
nearing table, produced three cards
two kings and queen-exhibited them
to his country friend, threw them down,
and offered to bet that he could not tell
which was the queen. The countryman
bet two dollars, turned his card, found it
to be king, and lost his money. The
cards were thrown down again,
when another individual approached
the pair, engaged in conversation, which
turned on the cards, one of them offer
ing to bet one hundred dollars that the
Mississippi gentleman could not tell
which was the queen; he might have
two chances, pick up two cards, and if
either of them was the queen he sho6id
win the money. The Mississippian told
him he did not wish to win his money, for
he kneO which one was the queen, but
finally he consented to bet one hundred
dollars, and as matter Of course, lost
his money. All parties left the MENACE
richie countryman one way, and the
men with his money the other. After
walking short distance, the MISSISSIPPI
plan thought he would tell Metropoli
tan how he had lost his money, and see
if he could not recoverit; but he remem-
bered having read in a Memphis paper
that the Metropolitans were all thieves,
and he hesitated about laying his
case before one of them. Thinking
of no other way to recover
his money, he called at the police head
quarters, stated his loss to Col. Chandler,
who detailed officer Hastings to attend
to the matter. They proceeded to the
menagerie, found the proprietor of the
snakes and other things, who said he did
not know anything about the country
man losing his money; he offered to
give fifty dollars to settle the matter,
however. The policem an told him that
the full amount taken from the country
man must be returned or he would be ar
rested. He then agreed to 60 out and
hunt for the three card monte gentle
men, promising to meet the policeman
in a certain saloon in half an hour, and,
to time, he appeared, saying
that he had found the men and compelled
hem to disgorge. The countryman re-
ceived his money, and was perfectly de-
lighted, having almost given up all hopes
of ever seeing them greenbacks again.
he thanked the Metr opolitan, and left
declaring they were one of the best in
stitutions in the country. Similar cases
occur almost daily in this city Except
ing that the victim does not always get
his money back and our country friends
cannot be too much on their guard when
they meet strangers who profess to be
their friends, and want them to bet on
sure thing, or borrow money on check.
Avoid them all, and keep your hands on
your pocket book when you are in
iuced to enter snake show. The one
horse concern on Front street, near the
Commercial Hotel, where this country
man was swindled, should be looked
after by the police. The erection Of such
4 shebang ia violation of the fire Ordi-
nance, and the harsh grating of the tune
less organ, and the braying of the par
rotical jackass at the door, are nuisances
hat should be abated by those looking af
.er the welfare ofthe city,especially when
strangers are induced to enter such
places and swindled out of what money
hey have with them. The whole con-
fern should be cleaned out by the police,
-oot and branch.
REPORT OF THE GRAND JUDY.