The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-02
COURT OF SPECIAL SESSIONS.

COURT or SPECIAL SESSIONS.
Bowery Bummers Boxsd-Thc Latest "Oe-
vice" Unmasked-The East Side Gang OF
Watch Swindlers Broken Up-Trial and
Sentence in the Special sessions To-Day
Another Unfortunate Kelly.
Before Judge Bowling.
A calendar containing forty cases was handed 70
the Judge for disposition yesterday, and despite the
short time lie now has before him for preparing for
his journey, and the number OF visitors who daily
crowd his residence, he gave his attention 10 his
Official duties with the same saroi Jairs ana delibe-
ration as usual, rendering unto the criminal Caesars
their merted rewards. 1t was somewhat painful to
observe the numbers OF youths who were arraigned
for petit larccny-the principal number for stealing
small sums OF money. The majority OF these were
the offspring OF Catholic parents, and by reason OF
their tender years. sent to the Catholic ReformatOry,
while the remainder were committed to that excel.
lent institution the House OF Refuge, until they
twenty. one years Of age.
THE ccIN AND WATCH swISDLERs.
The first case OF importance was that Of Thomas
j. Kelly, of AS Third avenue, against Adam Winter,
a man who has made himself notorious in the
Bowery rom one end to the other, as a "trick and
device man, Ills general method OF carrying on
business was to obtain the assistance OF three or
four other rosues ana go into store saloon, hav-
ing few pieces OF old silver coin and watch,
which was alleged to be gold. one OF the party
would then ask for some irning article, as though
he were quite stranger and had nothing to do with
the gang, but before the article could be purchased
u discussion, previously arranged would be enccred
into and the watch be brought to light. high
value was generally placed upon this false timepicce
by the man who produced It, but as he was "quIte
Stranger IN the city anu very hard up" he appealed
to Winter-who had previously loaned 1t TO hlm--to
purchase 1t for thirty or thlrty.iive dollars. Winter
would examine II with all the acumen oil 4 dealer in
second hand leWelry, ana usually conclude to pur.
chase II ~ some lew dollars less tnan the amount
demanded. To give the matter an air OF business
contest
OF THE WORST IsRAELIrIsH CHARACTER,
would be undertaken by the man possessing the
watch before he could consent to the reduction, and
an assurance given that were not for his extreme
poverty and scarcity OF friends ne would not dispose
would produce about one-lOurth OF the amount
asked III counterfeit grcenbacks and a few pieces OF
silver but as lie had not enough, he sought a loan
OF twenty dollars rom the keeper OF the saloon,
wherever they might be- and promise TO leave the
watch-worth about doar-and tho pieces OF
silver oil no practical value as security ior the
money. Usually they succeeded IN gulling their
'man,' and would depart without any Intention OF
returning leaving the imam" with his worthless
watch ana useless 70 rave over the manner in
which he had been dupcd.
In the present Instance Winter entered Kelly's
saloon ana introduced a man who purported to be
trenchman, as the owner OF the watch. having
taken due care TO pave the way by ordering drinks
when they
ASKED HIN TO LOAN THEM FIFTEEN DOLLARS
to complies the purchase 1t was a genuine tranSac-
ton, and he gave them all he had IN MS cash box.
AS as they received the money three OF the lour
departed. Winter IN this case remaining behind
for few minutes until one OF the others should re-
turn with the money TO repay the loan ana take up
the watch, which was considered a great bargain.
Kelly waited, and Winter sauntered up and down
In front OF the bar watching ali opportunity to
git but somehow. after waiting an hour, Kelly
arrived at the conclusion these were the gang OF
HOwery, and ne sent for officer and sent Winter
in has custody TO the Seventeenth precinct station
house. tie uenicd MS quit, put all placed the onuS
OF the affair on
THE HEAD OF TIE MUSHROOM rREScHxAN,
a course he thought he was perfectly sale In adopt.
Ing, as lie considered his friends were beyond reach
Key's description OF the Frenchman, however, led
the tables RsN on Winter in such way that justice
Scott discharged him and still held the present de-
Jonn Morrell, a comcal but evil-looklng specimen
OF he Teulon endeayored to prove al excellent
character for Winter, and declared many persons
Judgc-Who did you ever hear speaking of hinis
Wlrness--NObody vud speak ov Inc.
-JMIgo--No, no; OF Winter?
WitnesS-Oh, Gum great many peoples.
Judge-Wel, how many
Mltuess-Lum cupple OF mems. An speak my
SELF
Caspar Nessick still more oiious lager beer
'sDi'' swore that he had known the prisoner for
five years.
Judge Who did you ever hear speaking of himS
Caspar-lIc lives dree doors rom NE.
Judgc-Wil you answer the question?
Caspar-lcs. l know INN more as five years.
He's good, Tell you.
judge repeat the question. Who did you ever
hear say anything III his fsvory
Caspar--So man speak bad Of him.
Jud1t-Who speaks well of HIN? Can you answer
that, or must send you below for consideration?
Caspar-Ncll, l yui speeA veil to him myself.
OATS watts zee matter Il.
Theodore Miller, respectable looking man,
alleged that he knew the prisoner to his cost and
handed several pieces Of battered silver coin over
the bench FOR the magistrates inspection which had
been left with HIM by the prisoner a security for
money. He SAID he not cnly knew the prisoner but
he was also aware that Iaspar kept q house where
ALL THESE EoGuES DAILY CoNGRgGATED
before the police began TO hunt them down, and It
had determinedly misunderstood the questions put
TO him.
Tie counsel tPrice) averred 1t was not an offence
II person promised To fulfil contract al any
future ,ime and lie believed 1t was not only sound
law but sound logic also that such cases could not
be deemed breaches OF any statute
Judge Downg--Fhat Is doubtless true with re-
gard to promiss0ry notes and checks dated ahead;
but you Will remember this Is an offence coming
under the head of 'trick and DEVICE" for the pun
ishment OF which think you VIII agree with me
there Is ample statutory power. ind the prisoner
guilty. and, though IL may seem somewhat para.
doxical, shall give Winter summer quarters by
sending him to the island for six calendar months.
The remaining cases were disposed OF and the
court adjourned at twelve O'Clock.