The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-13
NEW YORK SHARPERS.
Men Who Live by Swindling and Preserve
Footing Among Respectable People.

Special to the Indianasoiis Journal.
New YORK, Sept 12.-The killing Of TON
Davies the other day by Texan who was bar
gaining with him for counterfeit money, was
big sensation. but the fact that he had been for
years engaged in what is known as the 'sawdust
game was still greater surprise to great
many of his intimate friends, and even to his
own family.
Il have known Tom Davies for twenty years,
and have been interested with him in half
dozen speculations, in which he handled the
money, and handled it honestly, too, but this is
the first time ever heard he was crook" said
noted sporting man the next morning. Il can
hardly believe that for the past ten years that
man has been running a sawdust den in Reade
street, and roping in countrymen who want to
swindIe thei- neighbors with spurious bills
There are a great many men in New York
who lead double lives who make their money
by gambling or swnding, and are, nevertheless,
exemplary in their domestic relations, and pre-
serve for themselves and their families decent
footing among respectable people.
Not many years ago there lived in the same
house with me two gentlemen of prepossessing
appearance. One was man of about sixty.
panion was much younger than himself. Both
were well-informed, agreeable men of the world,
and well liked by their fellow-boarders The
elder of the two was especially popular with the
ladies and children, and was the life of the little
company that assembled in the parlor every
evening for music, cards or conversation. No
body knew who these two gentlemen were, and
nobody tried to find out. They represented
themselves as ''speculators"-a title which COW
ers multitude of sins-and were frequently
heard returning to their rooms at very early
hour in the morning. Then there came a morn
ing when they did not return, but in their stead
came policeman with the information that the
elder man had been shot the night before while
"cracking" a bank safe, and that his companion
was in cell at the station house. They We're
Swell bank burglars. and it was remarked at
the time, as a rather singular coincidence, that
the cashier of the bank was inmate of our
house. and had been rather close friend of the
nice old gentleman and his companion.
Another death occurred the other day which
threw some light on the career and circum-
stances of one of New York's well-known char
Acters."
For many years past portly man with white
hair and mustache has been familiar sight in
saloons and other resorts where he played the
guitar and sang negro melodies, passing his hat
for nickes and accepting all invitations to drink
He was known as Nose Case. and although his
complexion was fair, he had African blood in his
veins and was, believe, born slave. This
fact was unknown to most of those who met him
in bar rooms and dropped coins into his hat after
hearing him sing the old time plantation melo-
dies which he had learned long years ''befo de
wah." For thrtyf five years hod this aged
minstrel wandered through the country. now
travelling up and down the Mississippi river, and
again turning up in New York. which was his
home during the last half dozen years Of his life.
Nose Case made many acquaintance during his
wanderings, but to none of them did he speak of
his family or home. He was fond of abiding to
old Zachary Taylor. whom he served in some
capacity during the Mexican war; but he never
spoke Of his wife, or son, or intimated that any
of his kindred were living
He died few days ago, at the Putnam House,
and during his last illness two weldressed ladies
called to see him. and told the proprietor they
would notify his family of his condition. They
did So and the old minstrels came to
New York just In time to give the remains of his
father decent burial The son. well-to-do
popular lawyer in thriving city, said that his
father had been wanderer during the greater
part Of his life. and had not visited
home for eight years. He worth at
time good deal of money, but he died in abso-
Lutte poYertY.