The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1888-05-18
THE "BUNCO" MAN.
Captain Williams on the Methods
Of a Glib Rascal
Origin of the Term-The Commonest
Form of Observation-Disclosures
in the Way of Suppress
ing the EVIL

u 10 hdlN w say NhcIO JuC WOIQ
bunco' was born. 1t comes, if not
from the gutter, at least from an ORR
gin of not better, if even of as moral,
a character. Its first appearance, to
the best of my knowledge was in the
early part of the '70s, when it was
added to the list of such sporting
words, so called, as faro, keno, Lotto
and the like. At the outset it was the
equivalent of " confidence operation,
but after brief while it became limited
to express those transactions in which
a swindler secures money or valuables
from victim who willingly parts with
his property in the hope of securing a
pretended reward of ludicrously enor-
nous proportions.
The success of the first "steerer"
and "hand-shaker" upon the ignorant
and credulous brought imitators into
the business. These tried their hands
upon men whom the original workers
would never have approached, and
found, to their surprise, that educa-
ton and knowledge of the world did
not protect their possessors. They con-
tinued in their experimenting until,
having buncoed Charles Francis
Adams, the late Commodore Garrison,
Oscar Wilde, the distinguished apostle
of aesthetic culture, and other men of
prominence in various fields, they
concluded that every man was capa-
BILE of being robbed in this manner,
provided, of course that the right ope-
rator and right mode of attack were
employed.
Nearly all the famous bunco men are
well-dressed, mild-mannered, quiet
speaking and mpanionable fellows.
Many of them would be ornaments to a
parlor, and most would be popular and
thriving business mon if their talent is
were honestly and properly applied.
Like every other art, the bunco of
to-day has innumerable variations.
The commonest form that comes TO
the notice of the police is as follows:
Mr.. Smith, well-to-do-farmer or
tradesman, comes to New York from
his native town, Smithville. He car
ries with him a well-filled wallet,
which, being distrustful of hotel clerks
and hotel safes, he carries in some in
side pocket. Near the Brooklyn bridge,
the Central Park plaza, Madison or
Union Square he is accosted by a
pleasant-mannere man, who shakes
his hand violently and says in the
most friendly fashion: Drown, dear
boy, how are youP"
Mr.. Smith draws himself up and re-
plies: You've made mistake, young
man. I'm not Brown. My name is
Smith-Ephraim Smith, of Smithville,
Smith County, Pa"
This is all the "hand-shaker" wants
the mans name and address. FIRE.
quently, in fact, generally, these are
not given as short and pat as in the
interview described Frequently he
half suspects the friendly stranger and
brief talk is needful to secure the de-
sired information. When it is given
tho accomplish joins the bunko man,
who is not far away, and who has at
this moment in his hand small ban
ker's directory, which contains a list
of all the banks in the Union by States,
the names of their president, secre-
tary, cashier and sometimes other in
formation. As the accompliee reaches
the worker he says: Pennsylvania
Smithville, Smith County," and to.
gether they run down the entry. II
usually reads as follows:
SMTTHvILLE.- First Natl-Jabez Jaggs
Pres't; William A. Snow, Sec; John Porter
C'shr.
Smith County--John Piggsnap, Pres't and
Sec
The bunco man, trained to this
work, needs not to write these entries
down to remember them. He runs
them over twice, and can then recall
them to the letter at any time unit
the job is over. He approaches the
victim, who has moved leisurely along
in the meantime, pleasantly bows as
he reaches him, coughs slightly and
says: p-.l.
why, good morning, Mr.. Smith.
1t is a pleasure to meet you in New
York How are your folks, and how
is my uncle, Jabez JaggsP"
lie may vary this according to his
man, He may address him as squire,
Judge, Colonel, Major and Captain.
tie is pretty certain to use military
title if upon Smiths person he has
seen a Grand Army button, badge, or
other insignia. He may use the Judi
cial title if the victim looks as ii he
had ever been a Justice of the peace,
court clerk, constable or other official.
For to all such the words squire and
Judge have q strangely sweet and
fascinating sound. 1t makes but little
difference what words are used. Those