Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-25
sWINDLED BY A CONFIDENCE
MAN.
4 Roetonian Relieved of SIX Hun
dred Bollars-The Operations OF
the Bunco Men.


the BuncO Men.
Several references have been made re-
Gently in these columns to the fact that
''bunco" men-some of the gang that were
driven from Florida-were In the city, and
warning was given strangers. These refer
ences were concerning successful opera
ton of the bunco gentry, but the particulars
of which We were requested to withhold to
avoid placing the parties on guard, as the
detectives were after them. The necessity
for longer silence is removed, and
we now give the details which have
been In our possession, suPpressing
the real name of the gentleman concerned
for reasons obvious. Among the arrivals at
the ScreVen House on Saturday last were
prominent merchant of Boston and his wife,
who we're returning from a trip to Florida.
On Saturday afternoon this gentleman,
whom we will call Butler. WAS sitting in the
rotunda OF the hotel enjoying bis cigar and
reading his paper, when he was approached
oy well dressed, genteel looking young
man, who, with the greatest cordially, ex-
tended his hand, saying: "Why, Mr.. But
Ter, am glad to see you. When did you
arrive here 80
MIR. Butler looked at him with some sur
prise, when the young man, not In the
least daunted, said: "Why, you don't seem
to recognize me. My name is Foster Col
Inns, son of Col. Collins, President of the
National Bank, in Worcester. I've heard my
father speak of you frequently. You re-
member him don't you" ooh, yes" re-
sponded Mr.. Butler, extending his hand, t'I
am glad to meet his son." The young man
HAVING fhuO fpfr0dnaod hfrnco1f a
proffered seat by Mr.. Butler, and proceed
ed to do the agreeable. Being
fluent talker, and possessing
very plausible manners, he made very IA
vorable impression on Mr.. Butler, who was
rather pleased at meeting the son of an old
friend In a strange city. Collins talked
very glibly of number Of people in Boston
and Worcester well known to Mr.. Butler,
aud mentioned various circumstances In
connection with his fathers business, which
were familiar to that gentlemen, who had
no doubt OF the identity of his young friend.
After conversing for some lime, during
which Collins stated that he had
been urged by his father to travel
South for his health, the young
man very casually and innocently
remarked: "By the way, Mr. Butler, while /
was in Jacksonville l bought, just for fun,
two tickets In the little Havana lottery. and
| believe one of them has drawn a prize. |
understand there is an agency here where
you can get 1t cashed. II you are not tired,
suppose we look around and see IL we can
dnd the place. l have the directions, but
have, been in Savannah only few hours
and have not had time to get acquainted
with the streets" The evening was
pleasant, and Mr.. Butler, not hav-
ing an engagement, consented to
go with his young and agreea-
bic friend on search for the
agency. Collins was very chatty and quite
fascinated the old gentleman, who took no
particular note Of the direction they were
going until the young man suddenly stopped
and said, with surprise, "Why, believe this
Is the place according to my directions"
and Immediately ushered the old gentleman
up stairway into a room where there were
displayed number of lottery bills and va
rious paraphernalia, mot exactly recognizable
by the respectable old gentleman from
Boston, who was unacquainted with 'the
ways that are dark aud the tricks that are
vain." A serious looking young man, with
mutton chop whiskerS and bushY head,
was the presiding genius in this apartment,
and young Collins" addressing him, said
that he had twentieth ticket in the little
Havana, and believed he had drawn prize
The party addressed took the ticket, and
looking at 1t very solemnly for some
seconds, said: eyes, sir, this number has
drawn one thousand dollars, ard
your ticket being twentieth is entitled to
$50," and with great flourish handed over
to the young man five new crisp $40 bills
Young Collins" with pleasant remark
to his Boston friend on his luck, made a
feint as though to leave the room, when the
dapper individual with mutton chop whis-
kers insinuatinglY remarked, eve have a
regulation here that when party draws
prize he purchases coupon or so which
gives him a chance in q supple
mentary drawing which takes place
pon." Young Collins innOcently replied,
"Why, certainly, if that is the CUSTOM
and planked down the required $40. This
was the COMMENCEMENT of the little
"bunco" operation, and In course of an
hour young COLLINS" had won $3.50 and
lost it, and had managed to borrow 800
in cash and a certified check for $500 from
his obliging Boston friend, who had not the
remotest idea that he was being swindled,
and was rather pleased at the opportunity
to do favor for the son of his old friend,
the President of the National Bank. The
young man regretted that he had been I'M
fortunate, but kindly gave the gulible Bos-
tonian his due bill for $780, promising to
take it up as soon as he had a remittance
from home, at the same time impOrtuning
the old gentleman not to write to his father
the Governor" to know he was pressed for
money, his allowance being very liberal.
Mr.. Butler expressed himself willing to
wait for the remittance, which was expected
the following Monday, and, lin company
with collins" left the place and returned
to the hotel, where adieus were exchanged.
Up to this time Mr.. Butler had not the
slightest suspicious concerning the conduct
of his young friend, but after retiring began
to eject upon the events of the evening,
and Concluded to telegraph the President Of
the bank In Worcester, and make some in
quiries about his son. Accordingly, Sunday
morning after breakfast, he proceeded to
the telegraph Office and sent a dispatch in
the following words to the aforesaid Presi-
dent: "Have you a son travelling in the
SouthY Answer" During the day the
following reply was received 81 have no
sou travelling South or elsewhere" Mr..
Butler was then forced to the conviction
that he had been basely swindled, and being
naturally indignant determined to have his
plausible young friend arrested If possible
and get back some of his money. The mat
ter was placed In the hands of detectives,
who have been working up the case,
and from the description fur
nished by Mr.. Butler, got on the
"traveliDg South for his health, y but the
fellow had prudently retired to safer chimes,
and is now somewhere In the vicinity of
Baldwin. There is prospect of getting the
check back, bpt the fellow will escape, as
Mr.. Butler would rather lose the money
than endure the publicity of prosecution.
He has returned to Boston a wiser man, and
will not be so ready to make acquaintance
with the sons Of old friends who are mean