The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1881-07-30
THE CONFIDENCE GAME.

Mr.. Michael Crow, ST., of Spring
hill township, this county, came TO
Uniontown on Thursday morning
last, July II, 1851, and before be got
away was heeced Of $l,150. John
Robinson's Circus and Mcnagerie
were on exhibition on that day, and
two thieves induced him to enter
small canvass adjoining the main one,
and by some manipulation, three
card monte,or other device, they man
aged to filch from him the above
sum. The story goes that day or
two previous to the show, two men
were posting show bills of some kind
in the southern part of the county,
and, by chance as it were, had con.
ference with Mr.. Crow, representing
to him that they were in the lottery
and library advertising business,
that was very remunerative with
reasonable amount of capital, and to
induce him to come to the show they
gave him a complimentary ticket, as
surfing him that any persons he bro't
with him should be admitted free.
They gave him their cards, represent
ing the names of George w. Miller
and w. L. jackson, the latter alleg-
ing that he had been Judge Of some
Court, and that he was a candidate
for the Legislature. Mr.. Crow being
man of good standing, of unbend-
ing integrity, verging on three score
and ten years, perfectly reliable, with
a good farm well improved and unin-
numbered, he drew from one of the
banks of Uniontown that forenoon
the above mentioned sum. The cash
Ter appraised him it was show day,
and that it would be safer to give
him check or draft for the amount,
but he told him that would not an
swer the purpose. AS soon as he got
the money he sailed forth to the
show ground, and in shorter time
than it takes to report the facts he
was minus his $l,l50 This condi-
ton of affairs, in connection with
threats from the thieves, frustrated
him to such an extent, and the prom
Uses from them that they would make
it all right in the future, caused him
to leave the show grounds and return
home. On his arrival at home he
reported his adventure to his eldest
son, Mr.. VIM. G. Crow, who resides
a half mile distant from his fathers
residence, and the following day,
Friday, the son and Jacob Crow,
brother Of the man robbed, came to
Uniontown, and the former On infor-
nation, obtained warrant before
Justice Holmes for "two unknown
men" directed to Thomas NJ. Fec,
constable and detective of Councils
vile. They tclegraphed to detec-
tive Fee that they would meet. him
the following Saturday morning,
July 16, at Connellsville and repair
to Latrobe in Westmoreland county,
where Robinsons show would be on
exhibition in the afternoon. Detec-
tive Fec had in the meantime been
engaged by one. John Sterrett, of
Scottdale, Westmorelandacou who
had met with similar experience by
the same thieves at Connellsvile, on
Friday, and in like manner had
taken from him $1,000. The Messrs.
Crow having at Connellsville met De
tective Fee and Sterrett, and the four
started on the Southwest Pennsylva-
MIA Railroad for Latrobe, arriving at
that place about noon. Detective
Fee having attended the show at
Unientown on Thursday, and at Con
nellsville on Friday, had noticed at
both places suspicious looking
character, who claimed to be de
tective, but his actions and deport-
ment were such that Mr.. Fee set him
down to be fraud and a cheat Be
| ing armed with warrant he had
in his minds eye the arrest of this
suspicious character, if he came in
contact with him. The show grounds
| being about q quarter Of mile from
Latrobe, about 2 o'clock p. NJ, Mr..
Fee, the two Mr. Crows, and Mr..
Sterrett repaired to the grounds, and
in few minutes after their arrival
Mr.. Wee met the suspicious, pretend
ed detective and arrested him, by de-
claring him his prisoner. The stran-
ger asked him what he meant, and
Fee told him he had a warrant for
him and he must go with him, that
he was charged with stealing $3.50
at Uniontown and Connellsville.
The thief told Mr.. Fee to come into