The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-05-31
BosToN's BANco srEERER.
How Charles Francis Adams was Enticed
into His Den and Made a Victim.

n
into His Den and Made a Victim.
BosToN, May 24.-The Superior Criminal
Court Room was crowded to-day when James
Fitzgerald, alias The Kid" alias Morrison,
was brought on trial before Chief Justice
Bingham on a charge of obtaining money
from Hon. Charles Francis Adams at a game
called banco on March 2S
The most interesting portion of the trial
was the recital of Fitzgerald's story or con-
fesSion. He went to the Office of Hon.
Richard Olney, counsel for Mr. Adams on
April 3, Ia company with a private detec-
tive, under promise that ne should not be
arrested there, nor on his way to and from
there. Mr.. Olney and Mr.. John Quincy
Adams described the interview. Fitzgerald
was smiling gaily, and seemed to be enjoy
ing himself. He tipped his chair against
the wall and remarked:
This is disagreeable business. Mr.. Adams.
am a banco steerer, and don't suppose
there is man in the United States who has
done so much or knows the business as well
as /. When we go to city we find out all
We can about our intended victim, his
character, acquaintance, habits and resorts,
and watch an opportunity TO get into con
versation with him. l knew Mr.. Adams
and watched for him. When he came out
let him get in advance, and went up, told
hIm l was the son of an old friend, and
IL
by such a gentleman as he. Mr.. Adams
had the reputation OF being unSOCial, but
did not find il difficult to get down into him.
Wnen l once get into conversation the rest
is easy. drew him along to our rendez-
vous, and then, pulling out this lottery
ticket, told him there was 81, 500 due on il,
and asked him to go in and identity me.
There was no difficulty IN persuading him
TO 90 into the Office, where the ticket was
1. !
TO me. objected 1t was not right, and the
man explained that they always deducted a
percentage, but that we might have for that
some tickets to play on a board or table"
Fitzgerald described the game with great
gusto, turning frequently to the detective
with the remark: "You know. Heath; you
know how il is" He continued:
II permitted Mr.. Adams to play for me.
He drew 81 500, and it was explained to him
that he must give check to the bank for 16
per cent, and be drew one for $3.50 and
shortly after another for Sl,650 by the same
method. Finally he got into the dilemma OF
drawing blank, which subjected him TO a
loss of $1,000. We then charged him
with gambling. when the poor old man
threw up his hands and said that no
such charge was ever made against him be-
fore, that he had represented this country
in England, and never did anything to be
would my boys say if they should hear OF
such thing as thisg pitied the old man,
for had a. great respect for him, but
acted as his friend, told him l had lost the
same as he, and begged him 70 pay the
money and save nae from ruin. We induced
him TO sign the check, and l left with him
weeping bitterly, and telling him how
grieved l was that had been the limo.
cent means of his trouble. / went
home with him, soothing him all the
way. have roped in forty men as smart as
Mr.. Adams. They all paid the checks. This
check will be paid. They always pay They
kick as you are kicking, but they pay. The
Adamses would not let this story get into
Court for twice the amount. We always
have the regular check of every bank in the
city where we are. 1t is part of our busi-
ness''
Mr.. Adams testified that his fathers men
tai condition was not very bad except his
memory. He has, however, been unable tc
do any business of late, except to take mem
oranda of orders from the house TO the
grocery store. The trial will continue to-
morrow.