The New York herald., 1873-01-22
Five Men Arrested Charge d
with Fraud.
DESCENT ON THE DENs.
How the Game is Conduct
ed and Played.
UNTRY AIS.
Copies Of Documents that are Spread Broad
cast Over the Country.

cast Over the Country.
Ensor, James Houston. John p. Keollsted and Ed
ward Bunton were arrested yesterday bY Captain
Irving and Detective Riley, charged with fraud and
swinding. These men, II is charged, were engaged
in what is known as the "sawdust" game, at 208
and 600 Broadway. Their operations lately became
so bold and widespread that people in all parts
OF the country complained or the annoyance.
Circulars sent by them to merchants in
several OF the provincial cities have been returned
to the police authorities with requests to stop the
flood OF them that was inundating the interior; but
the police for some reason took no notice OF the
warnings, and the sawdust men went on, getting
more audacous from the apparant security they
enjoyed Numbers Of people, finding the police
took no measures to arrest the operations of the
swlndlers, wrote to the HERALD, and from time to
time attention has been called to the matter but
the gullibility OF the rustic seems to be always
| open to
THE TRICKS OF THR SHARPER,
and complaints kept pouring In every day from
new victims Since his installation Mayor Have
meyer has received many of them and the nuisance
went on growing to such magnitude that he de-
cided to send the whole matter to the Board Of
Police and give them an opportunity to do one
good thing for the people before they went out Of
once. sense Of duty so plainly put could not be
easily snirked, and the breaking up Of the little
game was placed in the hands OF Captain Irving
Taking Detective Riley with him, Captain Irving
started out on Thursday last to find the ONCE from
which circular had issued he held in his possess
sion. This particular advertisement was chosen
because greater number OF that kind
had been returned from the country than
any other. and 1t was supposed the men who
started them out were doing the largest business
After working at the case for several days, and
having located the headquarters OF this firm Of
sawdust men, the Captain and HE officer watched
the place to find something that would lead to an
excuse for an arrest and afterwards serve as tes.
tmony against the prisoner. Yesterday morning,
while the Officers were waiting near the premises
2Os Broadway, for something to turn up, q wagon
belonging to the Adams Express Company drove
to the door The driver got out, took parcel from
the wagon and went up stairs. Captain Irving and
Detective Riley followed him. The package was
handed to Mr.. Hubbard, the leading spirit of the
place. 1t turned out to be which had been for
warded to some one in the provinces but the
party to whom 1t was addressed, happening to
have the dark lantern OF common sense suddenly
turned upon his Intellect refused to release 1t from
the express office, and 1t was returned to Mr.. Hub
bard. Captain Irving took charge OF Mr.. Hubbard,
the spe and hem to
Headquarters. Three or four Officers were then
the nrm to the same building and in less than
couple Of hours nothing remained in the prosper
Gus establishment but the empty fixtures. Having
secured
THE PRISONERS IN COMFORTABLE CELLS
the detectives sail ed out again and made descent
U AT two tns
pal was out, and Is not now likely to return. This
business OF the sawdust game Is as varied in It's
branches as any staid, honest commerce known to
civilization. 1t is said to have been first started
by an Industrious New Yorker, who deals
| it Is reported keeps lawyer under salary to
show him how to steer his bark IN the eye of the
| law and keep his canvas full. The scheme 0rigi-
drawing large profits from its workings for years.
He Is said to be defer Of all law and to be very
gracious to the police, for whom he has velvet
touch and most sweet and persuasive smile. The
main staple OF the trade is sawdust, but many
little fancy articles are introduced into it, such as
| pretended patent medicines, counterfeit money,
| envelopes containing nothing, and SO FORTH, 1t
takes little capital to start it, and the routine Of
establishment devoted esn'fs to tne cuitivatioS sssi
| OF the sawdust business there is sleeping part
ner, who supplies the machinery, takes half the
| profits and remains in the background. Upon
| opening house OF this kind the first thing re-
| qured Is an ofilce and proper quantity OF saw
dust-say what dollar would buy; then as many
directories OF towns In the various States as can be
got hold OF and good stock OF printed circulars
envelopes and postage stamps. The directories are
the most expensive part OF the stock In trade as
the ordinary book won't do. 1t must be one that
has already done some service In the game and in
timized are marked. Very frequently house long
established in the business will sell list Of cou.
pie OF hundred fresh names-that is, names of per-
sons who have never been tempted-to beginner
for three or four hundred dollars. These lists are
VERY VALUABLE TO SwINDLERS
and take great deal OF time, labor and expense
to make up. With his list before him the young
sawdust merchant launches out. He sends cir
cular to the address OF every man on the list and
waits for results Pretty soon answers begin to
come In. One ambitious scoundrel, who will prob
ssy Gs the SasSaos Of win
He means to pass these upon his customers who
consume his wares as means to getting rich in a
lars and senCs the grocer package OF his raw ma
teral. The man OF honey and mOlasses seeing the
e te ne % @
heart and says nothing Very frequently the eau.
tious, suspicious bumpKin win send an order for
him O. o, ID. In answer to this he receives q
carefully sealed package, upon which is written
press ONCE in his town, but When he has
followed the directions on the backing of
the box and lifted the cover OF the
ter to picture the continuance of the dishonest
BOBBY when he finds he has been tricked, and
swlndled. Sometimes the men come on to New
YORK to SS see the principal as they think in the
W All the s they
over they ask to see the money. Some genuine
bills are shown (the sawdust man has other and
OF them. lie asks to Be allowed to try one in the
city, or he Is requested to do SO, and after that
operation he goes back to the Office ready to make
purchase. In return for his money he
Is handed box which Is supposed to
CONTAIN THE CoUNTERFEITs,
but when he examines 1t he finds the mistake. Mr.
Hubbard besides the regular requisites OF the saw
dust business had introduced patent medicine
very patent, which he called the "vital Spark.n
This stun Is nothing more or less than suassa
wood, done up In very exquisitely pictured boxes.
Captain Irving and his offcers found quantity Of
these boxes in the place, besides large quantities
OF envelopes, paper, circulars lists OF newspapers
In which they advertise, and parcels made up to
resemble pieces Of silk. The following is copy OF
one kind Of circular sent out from 2OS Broadway -
W. s. LESLIE,
Masonic emblem.1 General Collecting Agent
Trenton, N. j.
DEAR URlRND-Desirng the services of capable person