The New York herald., 1870-11-22
A "SKIN" GAME ALL AROUND.
Three Cent Trick Detects Burglars and
Incensiaries-The Dark side OF Il Volunteer
Fire Department.

Three Gent Trick Detects Burglars and
Incensiaries-The Dark side or u volnntec,
Fire Department.
fOrGHKEFPSIE Nov. 20, 1870.
On Friday or last week two young men, named
Ira Baker and l.. L. Harris, accOsted colored man
from Rhincbeck, on Main street, and commenced
playing the three cent game" on him, which was
operated as fOows-FIom Bakers side coat pocket
dirtyooking string dangled, Bakers face being
turned away from Harris and the col
ored man. Harris apparently ana to all an.
pearanccs secretly pulled the string out OF Bakers
pocket, tile colored man watching the movement.
Upon the hitherto concealed end Of the string was
bit or leather closely rolled. This Harris unroled
and took from It three cent piece and put it into
his mouth, and then quietly slipped the string back
INTO Bakers pocket In pulling his hand away he
suddenly, when Harris asked him what he
was doing with that string He replied In
substance That he found It on the street, and that
there was piece OF leather on the end with three
cent piece In IT, The colored man. whose name is
Jackson, thinking that Baker had had good Joke
played on him, commenced laughing, when Baker
asked him what he was laughing at.
Jackson replied. 'You hain't got no three cent
piece IL, in there whereapon baker offered to
bet him ten dollars ne haa. Jackson told
him he did not want TO win his money,
but he knew. he had not One word brought
on another, Baker stoutly pressing his offer to
bet, when the col0red man put up ten dollar Con
federate nete. The leather was opened, ana OF
course aHOIHeT bnfee-CcHL piece WAS IOlnu In
secret enclosure. The colored man, seeing how
easily he would have lost mad he put uD good
money. started TO 60 away, when the confidence
men made grab Tor his watch and chain,
and, tearing II from his vest, started on
run up Main street. the entire transaction
having been witnessed by Mr. Van BEN
schOten, who had been watching the parties
through the window of Jcwett's shoe store The
police were notified, and soon after both Harris and
Baker were arrested ana the watch and chain found
on them They were at once lodged in jail and yes
terday morning were taken before Recorder Robert
Il. Taylor. The court room was densely crowded
and during the examination Baker took out the
string and leather and gave an illustration Of the
the proceedings decided 10 hold both of the pri.
soners, whereupon Harris was sent TO Judge
Joseph +. Barnard to have his bail lxed His
friends expected a light bail: but when the facts
were laid before the Judge he pronounced the case
one OF daring highway robbery ana put the BAH at
81 500. This was scorcher, but 1t had to be taken
In. In the meantime Baker received
ASTOUNDING INTELLIGENCE
AT the Recorders Court when his counsel asked to
have bis bail fixed asO the Recorder replied, "Hold
on, haven't got through with HIM yet" and then
turning to the prisoner SAID "Bakcr, you are also
charged with r0Dbing Wetlel'S shoe store in wash
ington street, and shall set your examination
down for Monday morning This piece of news
made the prisoner vince He had not expected
it. Information In the possession Of the police
shows mat Baker and a man named Fullard entered
the store in question, took number OF pairs OF
boots and rolls Of cafskins, which they carried to
the residence OF Mrs. Harris in Water street, where
they packed the property III trunk and al night
MORE SERIOUS CHARGES
VIII also probably be made against the prisoners.
It is thought that Baker and Fullard were the
Origlnators or the recent inccndiary fires III this
city, especially the burning OF Parker's mills aud
UnderwOOd'5 feed store. Both Mr.. Parker and Mr.
Underwood are aldermen Of the city, and both have
spoken determinedy and openly IN relation to abuses
In our Fire Department, and especially IN relation
TO certain transactions IN the house Of Engine Com
pany No. l. Baker and Fullard were .'runners',
attached TO that company. They have made the
house their rendezvous at all times OF night, and on
the nights of the fires referred 10 were seen hang
ing about at all hours From all OF the above facts it
would seem that Bakers 'lIttle gamen may give
startling developments. Certainly all that has al
ready transpired has fully awakened the authorities
TO the necessity Of determined action upon the mat
ter or Improving the condition OF the Fire Depart
ment.