Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-07-24
THE GAME OF "BUNKO.Y
Information for UnsophIsIiSated
Persons Visiting Chicago and
Other DfsrepuIable cities.


The FIRST knowledge to be obtained by
the steerer is that the intended vic
tim is a stranger, which is usually as.
certained in the following manner: See
ing person whom be supposes to be
good, he approaches him and asks
the name of the street If he dees not
readily inform him. he knows there is
no mistake, and produces a three-num-
Der lottery ticket, OF the proper date, in
the Missouri State Lottery, and after the
proper conversation asks the stranger
TO accompany him to the "ofice,
which is only short distance, to ascer-
tain what has been his luck The
steerer's" accompliceis is standing few
steps in advance, waiting the result IL
the stranger is induced to accompany
him he hurries ahead to the room TO
have things fixed, the steerer max.
ing sufficient delay by asking his friend
to join him in glass Of beer, and, as is
generally the case when seated at the
beer table, the stranger will respond and
ask the steerer TO have a glass. By
this meanshe gets peep into his pocket
book, and can judge about how much
he is worth. They go TO the Office "
Of the lottery, where things have been
arranged in manner we'll adapted to
attract attention, having all the appear
ance of a legitimate business Gold
pieces to the actual amount of about
$4,000 are neatly stacked up in front of
looking-glass, which makes the amount
appear double, which in most cases
works well on sore eyes. In addition to
the gold is large drawer set in sight be-
hind the counter, with glass front and
open top the front represents packages
of money; the wrapper can only be seem
like the inside of the drawer, they are
stuffed; The top is covered with bills OF
all sizes, giving the idea that the amount
in sight will reach more than Sl00, 900,
when in reality not more than $500 is
necessary to make the appearance. The
clerks show up with pens behind their
ears, sleeves held up with rubber hands,
books ali open, doing business, etc. The
"steerer" approaches the desk, produces
his ticket, asks what it drew the clerl;
refers to the book, and finds that it
drew $9l in gold. The money is paid
him, with the exception Of 81, which
they cannot pay in gold, as their dollar
pieces are all out; but he asks If he will
not have a ticket in their special draw
ing, which will be drawn in five minutes.
After signifying a willingness, he asks
the stranger to go in y with him. AS
the amount is so small, and his success
has been so good, he goes in" At this
point a ten dice lottery cloth is pro-
duced, and having fifty numbers painted
on it, from ten to sixty. Several OF the
numbers are what are termed repre-
sentative numbers-that is to say, they
neither lose nor win, but you put double
the sum up TO represent what you have
already up when such a number comes.
There are three numbers that have the
word "Bunko printed on them, which
are considered blanks; the remaining
numbers-more than thirty-are all
prizes, in accordance with how much |
money the player invests. The draw
ing is ascertainea by placing ten |
dice in q box, and throwing them out, |
and the count is sure TO be representa-
tive number OF course, the victim
will represent, as he does not want to
lose without q show for his money. He is
doubled this way, till the matter becomes
serious, VIXEN he thinks something
might possibly be wrong, and he desires
to quit, at which point the steerer
proposes to take it of his hands and
make good for him; but the clerk objects,
on the ground that such cases are all the
percentage the Association have, and
insists that he must represent or forfeit.
This again gives the victim confidence,
and he makes it double the amount once
more, when he is thrown into blank.
At this point commences the kick,
and when the greeney leaves the
room everything is packed in less than
a minute, put into an express wagon,
and moved, and possibly opened again
before a policeman can be found. As
each play amounts TO as much as $500, /
ID will readily bo seen how well Il paws
10 keep moving. Only the knowing
ones-seven or eight-most all Of Chi. /
cago, know where the game is at: the
gamblers generally are barred, their
assistance not being necessary, and the
move being 90 often the question among
them each morning is, Where are they
fo-day2" A man 70 play at the game
must necessarily be complete fool 10
continue after be has been made 30 rep.
resent 50 often.
The grand total Of the Louisiana State