The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-02-06
THE BUNKO THIEVES OF NEW Or
LEAN.

AN OHIO MANS EXPERIENCE AMONG THE FRArER-
NITY-AN INTERESTING LETTER.
-, ONO, February l, 1876.
Editor N. o. Bulletin:
Dear Sri am pleased to notice by perusal
OF your excellent paper, that you have lnaugu-
rated war upon the bunko thieves OF New Or
leans and hope you will keep it up until you
drive the rascals from your beautiful city. Il IN
dreds and thousands Of Northern men visit the
South every winter, for health and recreation,
always spending a portion OF the time IN New
Orleans; and it is the experience OF nine out OF
ten of these visitors that they are annoyed and
frequently robbsd by these pests, until Northern
men seem to have a perfect dread OF visiting
your city again.
Now, let me give you some of nay own expert
ence: little over year ago made trip by
steamer from Cincinnati to New Orleans, and re-
ceived the kindest and most courteous treatment
from every Southern gentleman whom had the
pleasure of meeting. As the steamer (the
g Nicholas LongwurJh y was detained several
days in discharging and receiving freight. had
an opportunity Of seeing every part OF New Or
leana, and much of the surrounding country.
generally took my dinners at Moreaus, on Canal
street, at the It Charles Hotel, and spent the
evenings on the boat.
The c7tecaliers Of the gambling houses ap-
peared to watch me everywhere l went, aud
several times | WAS addressed by name-the
parties pretending they had mt me at some
TIME OF place before. but being pTbttr Wen
posted in regard to al such tricksters. lnvarl-
ably turned away from them.
One evening" however, was met on Gravlcr
street, near Camp, BY very polite young gentle
man. who was so glad to see me. He had been
introduced to me, he said. year before by his
g cousin," the cashier Of the fllst National
Bank Of --, Ohio and made particular in
quiry about said cousin y and all his family;
gave his name az "Sam Simp SON." said he lived
10 Cincinnati and was on his way to Florida, i'll
yuit ia
health. He was not only excessively polite, but
was extremely LIBERAL, treated to SODA and cigars,
and then extended a pressing invitation 20 ac-
company him 10 hear Owens, which at first de-
ciined: but he insisted so earnestly, saving he
was SO lonely and go glad to meet friend
from his native State, that consented to &C
company him.
We passed up to st. Charles street; when
Sam all at once remembered that ne had
bought ticket in the Havana Lottery before
leaving Cincinnati: said he uaderstood the New
Orleans Office OF the company WAS opposite the
st. Charles Hotel, and asked me to accompany
him for single moment, and then we would pro-
coed to the theatre. BY this tune l began to
smell pretty good sized mouse, but l WAS de-
termlned see It's head and tail. For stranger
in New Orleans, as Sam protessed to b. was
amazed at his readiness iii finding the lottery
Office without making inquiry. He ssc, nded
one flight OF stairs and raped at the list d0nr
to the lett. An opening III the door was made by
sliding panal the door was unbolted by gan
tleman OF African descent, and We were invited
into handsomely furnished room, hav pg al the
appearance of a well-to-do SenLlenians private
Office.
SIS this Havana Lottery oflice?:, asked Sam.
eyes, sir whats wanting" inquired line look
ing young man behind the counter. Il bought
ticket in the Havana Lottery before leaving
home, aad Tm told you pay the prizes herr II
any are drawn" yes, sir, that's correct; let ne
see your ticket, if you please Sam pulled out
his wallet and produced the ticket. This, sad
the gent behind the counter, is OILY quarter
ticket. you paid SIS for it, That's So" said
Sam Gent bchad the counter then turned over
the leaves Of large ledger until he came to the
proper number. Il am happy to inform you,
s aid gent behind the counter, ''thst you have
drawn S1200, less sinai. commission for office
have the money now"
nm" Yes said Sam, "as / am going to leave
the city in the morninS."
A till under the counter was opened, large
roll OF notes taken out. and eleven 500 bills and
the odd change counted down. Sam was ad-
vsed as he was so lucky, to invest s. of the Odd
| change in the next drawing.
N"When does that take place." asked Sam.
"Oh. we are drawing all the tins, SAID the
man behind the counter.
Up to this time no notice was taken OF " the
undersigned" when l very well knew that this
pretended drawing" was all 81 put up job " to
draw me in. The lottery man then removed
a cloth fl ON checker-board on the counter on
which various numbers were painted, and pr
ceeded to detail very infinitely the modus oper-
andi of the drawing"
Sam protested to be very green and dull OF
comprehension, but he finally said he ''saw
and Sam was again lucky, and $50 were
counted out to him, less the Commission" 1t
was supposed that was now sufficiently inter
sed in the game to- "bite" and be. "bitten."
cards produced. "Perhaps your friend here will
draw this time,' said gent behind the counter to
Sam, "for there is generally good luck when a
| second party assists. sam readily consented,
and they both insisted that should draw three
cards jus. for luck" told them [ should do
| SO with the perfect understanding that was not
interested in the lottery" one way the other.
Gan right," they both responded. The figures
on the cards and the numbers on the checker
| board were compared and l was told drew $50,
which was placed before me- but l politely re-
fused to receive If. saying as had put no money
it the lottery it would not be- fair to take any out.
/ told them, moreover, that had left my money
with the clerk Of the Long worth for safe keep
ing, and had only little change III my pocket,
which was 'fam,' but l expressed great graft
fication at Witnessing interesting a sight as
lottery drawing for the first time IN my life.
Gall night, | will be Ea9py to see you again, y
said the lottery agent. Good night" GOOD
night"
Just at this moment Sam remembered that he
had another engagement, and would meet me In
an hour at the st. CHARLES; but went in another
direction. The next morning sam ana 'tflend
drove down to the steamer i'll an elegant car
rage to take me out to see 1.-THE sights" but l
| was sorry to inform them that 1 had previous
engagement and must decline. l thus escaped
being q victim OF two of the worst bunko robbers
Of your city. OHIO.
Call on Messrs Pierson & Hews and examine
their stock OF heavy cashmere business suits and
overcoats. which they are offering for sale at re-
markably low prices.
Blackman's Commercial College, 131 Caronde-
let. Terms reduced. See advertisement.