Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-20
ROBBED WHILE ASLEEP
A CONFIDENCE GAME THAT TOOK
DAYS TO WORE.

At 1890 o'clock Tuesday hight the
guests OF the Southern Hotel were startled
by a man rushing from one OF the room
in an excited condition and announcing
that he had been robbed. BE was almost
distracted by his loss, and it was evident
that it was a case of no ordinary hardship.
His misery was such that, strong man as
he was, he could not restrain his emotion,
but gave way to tears in a manner that
would melt a heart Of stone. His story,
which was learned later, is az follows:
His name is John Stewart, his age about
As, and he halls from Paterson, \. j. He
had heard of the chances that existed in
the West for turning capital to good ad-
vantage, and being possessed OF a little
property he turned it into cash with the in
tent:on OF investing it in some business and
bringing his family out West where their
chances for advancement would be greater
than in the overcrowded East.
With $1,40O. the proceeds OF his prop
erty in Paterson, he started about q week
ago. The money he had in bank bills,
which he sewed in the inside pocket OF his
vest. He bought q ticket to Chicago, but
had intended coming to Montana. At FL
mira, New York, two young men about 20,
named Joe Riley and c. N: Tice. got on the
They appeared pleasant fellows, and be
took q liking t o them. At Buffalo
they were joined by a third,
who gave his name as H. w.
Straight, whose name belied his character
completely. Straight was acquainted with
Riley and Tice but had no money, 80 the
others, Stewart included agreed to
pay his fare and see him
through. At Buffalo Stewart was
persuaded by his companions to change his
route and come over the Union Pacific. In
order to do so he had occasion to display
his roll in getting his ticket, and thus ex-
posed his means. He sewed his money up
in his inside pocket as before and the rest
OF the Journey passed uneventfully until
the four men landed in Butte yesterday
morning.
Stewart was taken to the McDermott
Hotel. where he had breakfast, and in the
course OF the forenoon. met his three fellow
travellers, who persuaded him to come with
them to the Southern Hotel. as being more
economical. They went there and were
given rooms, Riley and Tice in one aud
Stewart taking Straight in with him, he be-
Jog the youngest of the trio, apparently
about 20, and besides having no means,
Stewart undertook to become responsible
for him. There was nothing in the appear
ance OF any of the trio to awaken suspicion,
and as Stewart is a fine. portly looking
man, the landlord felt perfectly secure in his
customers.
About 9 O'Clock they retired to their
rooms, feeling the need OF . good nights
rest after their long journey, Riley and
Tice going to their room, and Stuart and
Straight to that assigned to them. Stew
art undressed and put his vest containing
the $1,4OO below the mattress at the head
of the bed on the side on which he lay.
Straight had brought up a bottle OF beer
aud went into the room occupied by the
others to give them some, as he said. Re
turning be induced Stewart to drink. The
beer was not drugged but was doubtless
given with& view to aiding Stewartin sleep
ing soundly.
Stewart says he went to steep about
h~alf.past 9, Straight being in bed with him
and a light burning in the room. He had
slept about an hour when he awoke. The
light was still burning but his companion
was gone. Instantly the fear possessed
him that his money was gone and on reach.
ing for his vest he found it where he had
left it, bnt the pocket had beed ripped open
and the money a gone. He then realised
how he had been duped. The police were
GU OuCc uOUlucC uuU ~ Woo I"poCoAo'o w
say how much Of a start the thief
had. Riley and Tice were taken
into custody and locked up but
of course professed ignorance OF the where
abouts Of their friend. Every possible
haunt wal searched unavailingly. At the
time they retired all the trains had left for
the day, so that it was impossible he
could have gotten away gu one. Neyerthe-
less kilograms were sent in every direction
and evers possible ]precaution taken to
catch the criminal should ne have left
town.
1t a evident that a confidence game
had been put up to rob Stewart at the
end OF the journey, az the method in
which they Travelled forbade the fulfllment
of any plan until then, by which time their
victims confidence would. be gained and his
suspicious, if he had any, averted. Stew
art says he never had the least cause to
suspect the nien. He was cautious in
speaking OF himself to represent himself as
a poo man, but his temporary exposure
of his capital at Buffalo did not escape the
keen observation of his companions, and
the game was doubtless Matched then and
worked smoothly after their arrival here,
"a alta fed.