Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-10

v1slToRS-A MINISTER vJCTIMIZED--PLAYIN6 THE
OLD GAME on A MAN FROM OHIO.
"Its hard to understand" said Detective Ran to
STAR reporter, ''how so many smart persons hand
over their money TO confidence men. But then
the confidence men are pretty SMART.
"How do they manage TO succeed 50 often:
asked the reporter.
"They do 1t very easily" replied the detective
"They first make up directory OF the principal
cities and towns in the country. This directory
contains the names Of a number of the most
prominent bus ness men OF each town, and also
a few well-known characters about the town.
Then, when they catch a victim and learn where
he Is from. they refer TO their directory. When
the confidence man mentions few names the
his town. They also frequent hotels and look over
the registers picking out names. They then search
lheir own register, and II successful In meeting
make him believe that they are from his home.
MINISTER vIcrMrzEp
'Only few weeks ago." continued the detec.
tive, ga confidence man successfully played his
game on the pastor OF a religious congregation
not far from the Capitol. He called on the rev.
erend gentlemen one morning ana introduced
De said that he Was here on business and that
before returning home he wanted TO get
that the pastor would introsuce him 10
some good young lady who would MAKE him a
SultaDie Vile anu Of c0u, Sc he was Confident that
none but perfect Lady would be selected. He
promised 10 pay the minister 900 for his services
II he succeeded. The pastor was impressed with
the sincerity OF his visitor, who not many hours
afterward was Introduced TO a handsome young
woman. Whether the lstor explained matters to
the young lady or not Is not known. Tier mother
consented 10 board the young man and for two
weeks he sprnt pleasant time visiting the young
lady and the pastor. Or course he was a pleasant
whole party any evening. After boarding at the
house Tor fortnight ne found it necessary
TO VISIT NORFOLK
for the purpose OF settling up some business mat
tiers, and he left to be absent only a day or two
He was In the pastors company during the day,
and in the afternoon the latter accompanied him
to the steamboat wharf. On the way the youny
man explained his business, and said he would
marry the young lady upon his return TO the city.
ready to settle up. 1t was after banking hours 80
he made out check for 500 and
among them the young man did not care to take
his roll OF bills from his pocket, because some dis.
honest person might notice him and give him
trouble after he mad lett on the boat. lie there
upon requested the loan OF $40, which was readily
granted and SO note was handed over While
on the boat between here and Alexandra the con-
fidence man addressed TO the pastor postal, and
telling the latter To take care OF his darling Car
rie' until he returned. The next morning the
postal card was received but no attention was
paid to iu until the check was presented at the
bank and found to be worthless"
Il suppose you arrested the confidence MANI"
sNo did not arrest him. replied the detective
che probably went to Norfolk BY the boat, but the
my house. he was terribly excited and was anxious
TO follow the man TO Norfolk but, OF course that
would have been useless
BUCKEYE TAKEN IN.
"About three years ago." said the officer ga
smart confidence game was worked In this city on
wealthy citizen OF Ashtabula, Ohio He was
An no foko
his home AFTER having settled up some business In
the South, when q neatly-dressed young man ap-
Some minutes the confidence man was pleased 70
learn that they were from the same town, and
both were going home on the same train. The
Wife and sister OF his new acquaintance
were at a hotel The latter thought
Of XshtaDula to travel with his family and he
latter kindly accepted the oner. They started Tor
the hotel where the Introduction was TO be given.
to mis- newly made friend that be had made some
purchases, and that the goods and bill would be
Sen 70 sn1 o1t an od me- S me
bill IN his hand. The bill was for SIZE, and
the young man handed over a check for $500
were closed. and the supposed mel chant suggested
that his friend, the Ohio man, might loan Nun the
had his money In the hotel The Ohio man took the
money from his pocket and loaned the young man
SS12 with which he paid the bill and then started
tOwsrd the hotel to refund the money and give
the introduction. The merchant here remarked
that he had seen the young mans wife and sister
In the depot. The merchant then told the young
man that he was too careless IN transacting bust.
ness for he had not asked for receipt Then the
young man described the ladies TO the Ohio mani
and told him II he would 60 TO the depot and wait
with them that he would Be there q soon as be got
the receipt.
m WHIT 10 THE DRPof,
as told. but failed to ma the ladies' He called
upon the ticket agent TO learn whether any tickets
had been sold TO Ashtabula, and learned that
there had NOT. He explained his transaction TO
the agent ana the latter advised him 70 20 to the
police He came 70 headquarters and reported the
case We soon found both the young man ana the
merchant on train ready TO leave the city. They
were prevented from leaving, and were taSen nom
the train e II steamed out OF the depot, ana