The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-22
BERKERY BAGGED.
An Ex-Penitentiary Bird Caught at His
Old Tricks Again.

Those who wish to do SO can let their
memory carry them back to the month OF
March, 1877, when Ben Berkery was shackled
and conveyed to the State Penitentiary to
serve an eighteen months term on O convic-
ton before the First District Court of having
obtained money and goods under false pre-
lenses
Berkery's time expired In the month Of
August 1878, and, as will be seen before
reaching the end of this article, he returned
to his native city, as well as the scene of his
many crimes, neither wiser nor q better man.
In fact, his eighteen months hard labor pun
iShment seems to have failed in either correct
ing his morals or teaching him a lesson of
sufficient severity to prevent him from re-
peating his Offenses.
He had not been Id the city but very short
time before he started to work at his same old
game known as the confidence game. He
called at millinery establishment, No 55
Charities street, and, giving the name OF q
lady, one Of the customers OF the store, stated
that she wished to have sent to her two bon
nets, as she wished to make o selection.
Two bonnets were Immediately placed In q
box and one OF the young women employees
sent In company with Berkery to the house
where the young lady who wished to make
the selection resided. While on the way Ber-
kerry snatched the box from the young
woman's hands, and that was the last ever
heard Of him and the boEnets until yester-
day.
On the thirteenth Of May he repaired to
Mr.; II. l.. Jones, yr.'s carpet renovating es,
himself with the fact that the proprietor was
out, addressed the little boy who waslsln
charge OF the store, and at the same time
pointing to bundle that was on the shelf,
said, "Mr. Jones sent me here to get that
bundle and take 1t to the corner Of 1choupi-
toulas and Thalia streets" The boy handed
him the bundle which contained two Califor
MIA blankets and two handsome rugs Suffice
1t to say, Mr. Jones was considerably out on
the bogus messengers transaction.
The next man who found himself loser by
Berkery's operations was Mr. l.. Moliere,
the proprietor Of paint store, No 1876 Felic-
ity street. Berkery called at this store with
getting some merchandise; but, finding the
store unmatched by any one, satisfied himself
with stealing the proprietors coat, In the
pockets OF which were a pass book, some or
derS for goods and a few business cards.
As will be seen, Berkery was not only sup
piled with good coat, but the orders and |
business cards helped him greatly in carry
ing out his nefarious work.
Armed with one of Mr.. Moliere's cards, he |
called at the music store of A. G. Carriers,
oO7 Magazine street, and presented the same, |
stating that the gentleman wished them to |
send him two accordeons. The accordeons T
We're boxed up and placed In the custody of a
boy who was employed in the store and who
was sent with Berkery to Mr.. M Oliere's.
While on the way Berkery administered to
the boy severe drubbing, and relieving him
Of the ACCORDION effected his escape The
boy crying, returned to the store and told |
what had happened.
On another occasion Berkery went to the |
store Of Messrs Barnett X Williams, No s27
MagaZiRe street and obtained from them a |
saw valued at So 80, On the ground that he /
was employed at work at the house of Capt. |
LeatherS.
On May II he repaired to tie shoe store,
No. 81 South Rampant street, and giving the |
proprietor, Mr.. A. e. Perrand, the name of
one of his lady customers, stated that she |
wished to have sent to her three pairs of shoes
up and placed In charge of Mr.. Perrand's son.
with orders to go with Berkery to the lady's
house. While on the way, as usual. Berkery
beat the boy and came out victorious to the
value of three pairs of ladies' shoes.
He next forged the name of Mr.. Molere to
all order for twenty rolls of wall paper, and
presented it at the paper store at the corner
OF jackson and Magazine streets. The order
was filled, and subsequently when Mr.. Ra-
tele presented Mr.. Moliere with bill for the
paper he found himself the loser. in conse-
quence Of the order being proved forgery.
And still this does not end Berkery's ras-
calities. On the twenty-tirst instant he re-
paired to Mr.. Merles tailor shop, No. 223
Gravier street, and gave the tailor the name |
OF a customer who mad left S12 pair of
pants to be cleaned, and stated that he had
been sent for them. While the tailor was in
Berkery slipped the shears into his pocket, |
and when in possession of the pants lett the |
store.
Up to the present these are all the unfortu-
mates whom Berkery is known to have vic
timized. His capture was effected by some