The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-07-13
About Confidence Men-A card from
sheriff Irwin

CAIRO, Ills, July Is, 1876.
EDITOR CAIRO BULLETIN-In your is
sue of Tuesday last you published an ar
ticle entitled, "A deplorable fact in
which tits stated that the city is over-run
with confidence men; that gang make
their headquarters here who prey upon
innocent strangers, until it has became a
common thing for men TO come TO Cairo
with well filled purses and fine watches,
and leave without them; that the atten-
ton OF the authorities has been frequent
ly called to this fact, but
with steadfast stupidity, amounting
to culpability they have refused to rid
the town of this gang. In your issue Of
yesterday you say Sheriff Irwin and his
deputies have taken this article very
much to heart. Now, MIR. Editor, the
obiectional, not only to myself, but to
every officer in the city, because they are
untrue. There has been but two cases
in the past six months where watches
have beon taken upon the street, and in
neither case was the work that OF con-
fidence man. In both instances the par
ties became badly intoxicated, so
much so as to be oblivious of
what was occurring around them, and
while in that condition, and asleep in the
open air, were relieved of their valuables.
The work has been conceded by all to be
the work of Negroes class of crimi-
nals,by virtue of their habits and assOcia-
tons, in town like this, the most diff
cult of all Others to detect. White men
who visit dives and bagnos, kept by ne
groes, while under the influence of Ii
robbed; and while it may be gratuitous
in me 10 say so, sometimes think they
ought to be. 1t is physical impossible
ity in q town of such vast
Importance as travelling center. tor the
small number of officers in charge of
police business, with the character of the
people who are dropped every day into
our midst, by river and rail, to watch
all. They simply do the best they can.
AS an evidence that the duty has been
well performed IN the past, not more
than six or seven watches have been ia
ken in six, years where the fact was re-
ported to the authorities, i'm which re.
coyey has not been had. 1t is notorious
ly well known, and is the subject of uni
versal comment among professionals that
Cairo. is crooked to Them" that it is
the most dangerous town in the country
in which to ply their vocation. 1t will be
remembered that in years no robbery of
any great Importance has been commit
ted here. No case of professional con-
tidence man pursuing his calling here has
occurred in years, except the one referred
to in your paper some time since as hay
ing occurred at Powers livery stable.
In that case the man beaten, himself a
gambler, while Boosting of his exploits,
was singled out by two professional con-
tidence men, and for his peculiar astute-
ness in the business, beaten out OF some
forty dollars. After getting his money
the operators jumped into "a
skid' and escaped from the State. They
have since that time failed to put in an
appearance here, probably rightfully con-
sidering it an unhealthy locality. Under
existing laws yagrancy is only an offence
where party Is without visible means
OF support, as interpreted by our supreme
court. A man or set OF men may come
here il he has an abiding place or money
to pay his hotel bills, and remain until the