The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-06-03
HOW <sBUNCOo Is PLAYED:

HOW <sBUNCO" Is PLAYED.
Hon. Charles Francis Adams's Case,
A telegraphic dispatch from Boston
furnishes the following particulars of
the robbery of Hon. Charles Francis
Adams, by bunco steerer, the facts
being developed on the trial of the thief,
who was subsequently convicted:
James Fitzgerald, alias. tsThe Kid"
alias Morrison, was brought to trial
before Chief Justice Bingham on a
charge of obtaining money from the
Hon. Charles Francis Adams at a
game called banco on March %.
The most interesting portion of the
trial was the recital of Fitzgerald's story
or confession. He went to the Office of
the Hon. Richard Olney, counsel for
Mr.. Adams, on April 8, in company
with private detective, under prom
Use that he 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 gafiy, and seemed to be
enjoying himself. He tipped his chair
against the wall, and remarked:
"This is disagreeable business, Mr..
Adams. I 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 T.. When
we 60 to city we find out all we can
about our Intended victim, his charac-
ter, acquaintances, habits, and resorts,
and watch an opportunity to get into
conversation with him. I knew Mr..
Adams and watched for him. When
kka II ln< 1sSs
and then went up, told him was the
son of an old friend, and that it would
be great favor to let me walk by such
a.gentleman as he. Mr.. Adams had
the reputation of being unsocial, but
did not find 1t difficult to get down
into him. When I once get into con-
versation the rest is easy. Idrew him
along to our rendezvous, and then, pull
ling out this lottery ticket told him
to go in and indemnity me. There was
no difficulty in persuading him to 20
into the Office, where the ticket was
presented and nearly $1,000 in bills
handed to me. I objected it was not
right, and the man explained that they
always deducted percentage, but that
we might have for that some tickets to
play on a board or table,"
Fitzgerald described the game with
detective with the remark: oYou
know how it Isl" He continued:
81 permitted Mr.. Adams to play for
me. He drew 1880, and it was ex-
planned to him that he must give
check 10 the bank for 10 per cent, and
he drew one for $3.50 and shortly after
another for 81 $50 by the same method.
Finally he got into the dilemma of
drawing blank, which subjected him
to loss of t17 900. 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 before, that he had represented
this country in England, and never did
anything to be ashamed of, and exclaim-
ed: ooh, what would my boys say if
they should hear of such a thing as
this pitied the old man, for had
a great respect for hun, but I acted as
his friend, told him I had lost the same
as he and begged him to pay the money
and save me from ruin. We induced
him to sign the check, and I left with
him weeping bittely, and telling him
how grieved was that had been the
innocent means of his trouble. went
home with him soothing him all the
way. I 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 Adj
aZnses would not let this story get into
court for twice the amount. We al
ways have the regular check of every
bank in the city where we are. 1t is
part of our business
Mr.. Adams testified that his fathers
mental condition was not very bad ex-
cept his memory. He has, however,
been unable to do any business of late
except to take memoranda of orders
from the house to the grocery store.
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