Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-10-31
DETECTIVE PINKBRToN WITH BUEKo
STEERERS.

The game of bunko which fourishes in
so many of the large cities, and notwlth-
standing the constant warnings of the
press, ropes in it's victims by the hundred.
was first introduced in this country in 1869
at New Orleans, and progressed without
uninterruption for some time, but as soon
as the authorities were made acquainted
with its existence New Orleans was made
hot for the bunko players. The following
chapter of history, in which the famous
detective VIM. Pinkerton figured as the
hero, has been furnished the Express Ga
zette.
Jumbo Howard and Ruddy Murphy, two
notorious character, ran bunko game IN
ST. Charles street. One evening, during
Mardi Gras week, while Murphy and an
associate were quietly seated in their office,
Howard suddenly appeared in a state of
great nervous excitement, yelling Boys,
l have just become acquainted with the
richest planter in the Red river country.
His name is Colonel Oliver. This morning
he sold cargo of cotton, and the proceeds
(Sl5 000) have been put in a New Orleans
bank. Now be prepared for a coup d'etat.
In an hour l will have the Colonel here.
He may have no ready cash on his person,
but his signature is as good as gold. Well
take his check and cash it before he sus-
poets anything"
Sure enough Jumbo in a little while ap.
pesred in company with the Red river
planter, and introduced him. Murphy
acted as bookkeeper, while another of the
gang sat at the table handling the bunko
cards. Jumbo asked the old question, SIS
this the Royal Havana Lottery" cit is,
sill" was the reply, and thereupon he dis.
played aticket and was paid $50, the amount
announced as drawn. Jumbo then bought
two tickets for the next drawing. Very
soon the Red river planter was induced to
take hand in the play. He lost 500,
which seemed to him mere t:ife. and he in.
stantly offered his check in payment, add
ing that if this was not satisfactory he
would go and get the cash. OF course his
check was cheerfully accepted, for the
banko firm fully believed that the rich
planter had large deposit in the bank.
! The planter continued to play, and in a
remarkably short time had lost over SS,-
| 600. But in the face of all this he ap-
peared cool and unconcerned, apparently
taking his losses like true Southern gen.
tleman, and giving his checks for the
amount. The bunko firm were of course
elated at this big haul, and inviting the
planter into a neighboring restaurant, en-.
tertained him royalty with the best of
wines and cigars and good lunch.
Early the next morning the gang pre-
sented the checks at the bank and were
astounded at the answer that no such per-
son as Colonel Oliver kept deposit there
or was known to them. The gang looked
at each other in amazement, realizing that
they had been sold. Not word was said,
when suddenly Colonel Oliver, the Red
River planter, appeared accompanied By
six detectives, who arrested the whole
gang. Their surprise was still greater
when they learned that Colonel Oliver. the
rich planter of the day before, was no
other than William Plnkerton, of Chicago,
the most renowned detective in the cou-
try. Pinkerton, in his desire to thoroughly
understand the ropes of the bunko game,
had purposely come to New Orleans,
managed to have himself steered into the
bunko office, and with his well-known
bonhomie bagged his game.-[Express Ga.
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