Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-02-09
The Confidence Game.

now GRE IN HORNS ARE TAKEN IN.
Within the asst few days a fourishing. tusi-
ness has been carried on in this city by a nest
OF confidence men, who have been operating on
yerdsnt passengers arriving on the southern
trains gotRg north. On wednesday last a VIC
tim was dome out of $50, and on Thursday an
other wa bauloozled by the same little rims to
the Tune ct $500. Information of their tic Ks
that are dark having come to Mr.. Gee. 5:
-KOontZ. at the Baltimore depot, he kept his
eyes open and soon alter his suspicious rested
on three
SLEEK AND GILr-EDGK CUssKs
who were housing around the depot without
any visible means of support, and 50 he deter
mined TO u atch them. Their plan of operation ,
"a he had been informed. was To get or the
Il rough southern train at the Maryland avenue
depot, 60 through the cars. and select their Vie
tim or victims while running across to the z al
tifIore depot Yesterday evening when the
southern train arrived at the latter depot, Ia r.
KoOntz observed one of these bsHd-bOx chaps
leave the tain in company with a country
gree nhoTn, AID proceed up Indiana avenue to-
wards the City Hall, and a few rods behind
then were The two pals of the confidence man
follow ing. SIR. Koontz at once notified off Ger
MurDhy, who lad previously been informed Of
the little game, and that officer, with M.
kooHtZ,
H-ANKgD THE FARTY
in the DeighboShOod of LIST sire ct, and made fast
TO the chap who had the greenhorn in tow, the
two VITO were behind i'm the meantime making
their escape. Tcey then took their prisoner to
headquarters with the country man and put the m
in separate roOEls- Finding himself in limbo, the
demanded TO know why this was thus; but find
ing the officers here understood the high tone
dodge. he simmcre1 down, and tried dgniied
reticence. The Intended victim is Scotch
la5orer named James Sharp. and SAYS he took
the cars at Cuipeper on his way to PENNSYLVANIA:
that when ne arrived at the depot on Maryland
avenue this man entered the car, and after look
ing around him Familiarity, inquiring
his business. destination, Sc. He told him he
was on his way to Altoona. Pa. Said sharper
addressing him, You are? What a coincidence.
Altoona, and well trave together. I'm heavy
tobacco dealer there, and have just been max in 2
some spang up sales hare in Washington, and
am aaSut starting tor home" Here he offers
greenhorn cigar, and taking a seat beside him,
by the time they arrived at the Baltimore depot
greenbOEn Thought him, as he stated,
TEE BEST FELLOW he EVER SEEN
"Sharp." eays sharper, :. rye got some baggage
up town where I've been stopSing-we'ye got an
hour before leaving time-cOme along with me,
baggage and viii {0 trs1 to Altoona to
gether." At this he pulled out a fine gold
watch to show hiIa the hour, and Off they
started up street, and were pulled by Murphy,
The reader doubtless may solilopuise: ~ see
nsthing wrong in this" but here ii. just
WHERE THE JOKE CONES N,
as the $50 and $500 victims can be ar witness
The practice is for the coRfederates h oyertake
their pal and his intended victim in some quiet
spot, and present bill for some pretended SER
vice, anu de mana Its Immediate SettlelEen of
course MIR. Sharper has no money with him, he
is just going for his baggage, &c; &C., invites
them TO 90 with him to get his vaiise and he will
pay them. The creditors cannot wait-their
business ID very urgent. and they suggest that
ne borrow the money from his friend, the
sreenhorn.l The operation ends with the
greenhorn loaniDg the money, taking a draft as
temporary collateral for large amount. until
that valise is comeatable, and at a convenient
moment sharper lodges around some corner
and is OF in twinkling.
This is the little game which has been sue
cessfully Practiced Oflate, and which was tipped
in the bud last night.
The fellow gives his name as Chas Monroe.
and looks as if he is equal to any emergency
from playing elass-ieader to leader in a game of
dTaw-poker.
He was brought before the Police Court this
morning, but there being no law in this Dis
trict authorizing the detention of suspicious
characters, the case had to be dismissed. Sharp,
the intended dupe in this case took the train for
home last night. Had there been any law au-
the holding of such persons, the two
gentlemen who had already been plucked-one
living in Kentucky and the other in West Vir-
g1nia-could have been notified to come on and
identity the man. He is, however, turned loose
to look for new victims