Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-10
TWOBUNCO-S -STEERERS
THE FIRST WHO HAVE EvgR PLAYED
THEIR CANE HERE.
Attempt BY a Pretended hcquaintanee to
Rob Or. A. @. Wollard-How the
Trap was Laid.

The first case Of what is known as
"bunco-steering" or confidence-gaming
ever officially reported in this city came
to light this week.
For the benefit OF such people rs the
young girl who wanted to know what sort
of ship bunco.steerer sailed in, it may
be said that the fellow is usually the ad-
vance agent or first party to some fraud,
( and worksin by pretended acquaintance
with some married man. He meets his
intended victim, addresses him cordially,
and, if his suavity is strong enough to
| inspire confidence. he leads the unsns-
/ pecting individual to some gambling
saloon or other place where he can
fleece" him in a way that appears
honest and business-like. All sorts OF
devices ere used, and the following is a
fair sample but fortunately the bait did
not hide the hook well enough.
RENTS A ROOM.
Tuesday morning two men applied at
700 east Clay street-a boarding house
and rented an unfinished front base
ment room for one day. Seventy-five
cents was charged and paid. The men
said they were book-sgents and wanted
the room to keep their stock in. The
next day the room was again rented and
IS cents again paid.
Later in the day, as DIR. A. G. Wollard
was going down Main street, young,
well-dressed man walked up and said, IN
an apologize tone
Excuse me for not keeping my en-
gagement, but / couldn't get here"
81 had no engagement with you, !"
said Dr. Wollard, surprised.
"You didn't? / had an engagement
with a real estate man here this morn
ing"
"But I'm not a real estate man. My
name is Wollard-Dr. Wollard.
The man excused himself and left.
Later in the dav another man accosted
the Doctor in cheerful, friendly way
"Why, Doctor, bowdy-do; I'm glad
to see you ; how are you today"
The Doctor, of course, did not know
the man, and looking at him steadily he
answered.
81 don't know you, sir"
"You don't know me 2" exclaimed
the young man with well feigned sur
prise. "Why, don't You remember MIR.
-? l am a nephew of his"
The Doctor did know the uncle
and said so.
His companion then proceeded:
If,.c ,.ot for ,~o,, nookCr
The other day when my aunt died she
left two books, and one of them has
your name in it, and before she passed
away she asked me to give it to you, and
if you'll come with me I'll get it.
The Richmonder, hoping no doubt
to regain one of the many volumes
of his library which had been borne
away by that person who never returns,
agreed to go. and together the two start
ed up the street, the young mans chat
showing that he possessed n lively in
terest IN and general knowledge OF Dr.
Wollard's affairs.
THE BOOKS.
When they reached the rented room
on Clay street the young man invited his
friend in. As he entered another person
was sitting ct table, on which were a
lot of money, some books, writing mate
rails. &c. He looked up from his work
as the door opened. and the Doctors
companion remarked
II understand that my ticket has
drawn two books, and | want TO get
them and make my friend q present of
one of them.
"What is the number Of your ticket ,"
inquired the Office keeper, as he reached
for book.
DREW PRIZE.
The young man named a number, and
after his confederate had looked over the
book he asserted
"Yes, you have drawn two books and
$50 with it, and turning to the Doctor
Your friend is very lucky, but there is
larger prize here now" and he endea-
vored to get him to take a chance. but
the Doctor began 10y this time to catch a
Whit of the rodent, and as soon as pos
sible he got outside into pure, honest air,
and making his way to the Second police
station he related to Captain Angle what
had occurred, but requested him to keep
his name n secret, and this the Captain
agreed to do, and did do, so far as the
writer knows. Sergeant 1omlinson was
at once sent around to the house, but
the men had departed, leaving behind
only few blank envelopes and sheets of
note paper.
DESCRIPTION.
One of the pair was young and had
clean-shaved face. His friend was taller,
and had "a black moustache and wore
spectacles- probably as disguise.
The police have been diligently look
ing for the men, who, they suspect, are
still in the city, but have been unable
thus far to lay hands on any of them.
Manchester News Notes.