The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-11-27
NOTED CONFIDENCE MEN
"reminiscences Of SkiIlful Opera
tors on Railroad Trains.
Some Stories of Their Successful Tricks and
of Their Occasional Dcfeats-The
Chicago Stock Dealer and the
Wide-AwaI1e Farmer.

The death of Rush c. Wakeman, the
once noted railway passenger swindlel
and expert gambler, as reported a few
DAYS since, has recalled many reminis.
cences among railroad men and other:
of his operations and those of cO-worker:
of his in the palmy days of their bust
ness.
Rush Wakeman managed to keeI
out of the clutches of the law very sue
cessfully," said gentleman connected
with the Erie Railway, ''but very often
came to grief at the hands of men he
swindled or of railway employees. The
first time | ever saw him was III 1869.
was a route agent of the United States
Express Company. One day / was a
passenger on a train on the Fort Wavne
Road, coming east. At Liverpool. Ind.
tine-lOOking man, about thirty-five
years old, carrying a small satchei.
entered the car [ was sitting in, and
took seat at the side of an elderly
gentleman dressed like a farmer, and
looking exceedingly unsophisticated.
In a short time conversation arose be-
tween the two, and the young
man was soon informed that his
fellow-passenger was on his way to
Valparaiso, where he lived This
seemed to be very agreeable surprise
to the fine-looking stranger, who was
also going to Valparaiso, and when the
old gentleman gave his name the young
man was simply overcome with delight,
and shook the hand of the Valparaiso
citizen warmly. He was a merchant
from Chicago, and had been a school
mate of the old gentleman's son, whom
he had not seen for years. The two
conversed pleasantly for few minutes.
when a middle-aged gentlemen came in
from the smoking car. He was high
ly respectable appearing person, and,
while walking through the aisles his
eyes fell upon the pleased young man
who was talking with the elderly gen
tleman, from Valparaiso. The new
cOmer's face frightened up, and he
touched the young man on the shoulder
. and called him by name. The pleased
stranger looked up and evidently rec0g-
nized a friend, for the two shook hands
and inquired sOlicitously after each 9TH
er's health. Presently the newcomer
said something in MS friends ear. The
friend looked somewhat ANNOYED, and
said in a voice the Old gentleman could
easily hear: How much is it? Have YOU
got the bin with you?' The newcomer
took a paper from his pocket and handed
tito his friend, saying that he must
have the money, as he had been called
away from Chicago suddenly and would
need it before he got back
from the East. The bill was for goods
purchased, and amounted TO five hun
-dred dollars. The young man didn't
happen to have that much money with
him in currency, but he had a certified
check for one thousand eight hundred
dollars, and if the creditor could give
him the balance he would gladly liqui-
p date the debt. BY most singular IA
-tality the creditor didn't have the
amount. Then the pleasant Young
man turned to the elderly gentleman
from Valparaiso and blandly asked him
II he could not give him the cash for the
check. The old mans regret was
touching to witness. Contrary to his
custom, he had left home with less than
that amount of money in his clothes.
The young man was Just about to eX-
press his sorrow to his creditor when a
happy thought seemed to strike him.
He asked the old gentleman to let him
have five hundred dollars and take the
check until they reached Valparaiso.
when they would have it caShed. The
old gentleman actually appeared
ashamed to be obliged to disappoint the
old friend of his son, but the fact of the
matter was he had only thirtv-seven
dollars on his person, he said, and he
apologized es being caught in so en-
barras+Fs II position. The young man
told him not to mention it, and the
creditor passed on, looking exceedingly
disappointed. BY and by the young
man got up and walked back to where
the other was sitting. They talked to-
.gether awhile and then the possessor of
the unfortunately large certified check
returned to his seat with the old man.
Would you mind" said he, letting
me have the thirty-seven dollars until |
we reach Valparaiso? My friend saws
1t will help him out very much in the |
way of expenses until he can use some |
paper he has
Certainly notr' replied the old |
man, heartily. III let YOU have it with |
pleasure
LAS he was counting the bills out the |
young mans creditor came ND. The /
old gentleman counted the thirfy-seven
dollars and laid it on his knee. Then
he placed his hand on heavy cane he
had.
+" There's your money! said he.
Take it The good-looking Young
man reached for it, and the next mo- {
ment the heavy cane came down over
his fingers with a rap that brought him
to his feet with a yell Of pain. The two
Swindlers started for the car door, but
the old man was on his feet in a second.
and with blow from his cane on the
bead OF the old friend of his son brought
him to his knees in the aisle. The other
man was stopped by passengers. They
were both taken into the baggace-car
and bound to a beam. When the train !.
reached the swamp wilderness of North
ern Indiana they were dropped from
the train. / don't know how they ever
got away from there, but two years
later man who was playing cards with
three others in an Erie smokinp-car near