Helena weekly herald., 1889-11-21
BUNCOED A BUTTEIrE.
Barber Richard GOebler Taken in ana
Done for an New York.

Barber Richard GoebIer Taken in and
Done for an New York.
81 ought to be locked up aud given fifty
stripes with Russian cat o. nine-tails for
being duIed and swindled by confidence
sharps in that miserable way"
So confessed Richa.d Goebler in New
York to Herald reporter last week.
GOebler recently arrived in New York
from Butte, Mont, and was heading for
the South Africa mines. Years ago he was
Gotham barber and had shop in
French's hotel, Park Row, and out in Mon
tana followed the same business, dabbling
also in q small way in mines.
He was hurrying along Reade street last
Friday about noon when a stranger ran
plump into his arms. With an exclama-
tion Of surprise the stranger apologized and
then grasped Goebler's hand in wise like
grip, saying as he did so:-
well, we'll, well, Meyers Who would
ever have thought of seeing you here ?"
II guess you are mistaken, my friend, F"
said Goebler. my name is not Meyers"
What aint you Johnnie Meyers that l
used to go to school with in Chicago?"
calculated the stranger, still shaking his
hand.
mo, my name is Richard Goebler, and
come from Butte Montana"
well, by George you are the dead pic
ture of my friend Meyers" said the fellow,
as he begged Goebler's pardon and left
him.
IN THE TRAP.
At the corner of Grand street and Broad
way q man named Henry Davis came up,
shook Goebler's hand, saiuted him by
name and began to ask about people in
Butte City. Davis said he was the nephew
of the president of the First National Bank
of that place. Goebler did not remember
Davis, but as he did business with that
bank and had in his pocket draft for
81 500 drawn on it by Clark, Dodge & Co.,
of No. 81 Wall street, he concluded that
Davis must have seen him there. Davis
said he had q real estate Office in Elizabeth
street, near BrOOme, and invited him
around.
While they were sitting in the Office an
old cattle dr0ver, who said he hailed from
Missouri, came in and announced that q
man had Just swindled him out of $1,000
by means of q bad draft. He could not
read or write, he said, and cashed the draft
for q man he had met in the AstOr House.
He was almost in tears as he produced
satchel in which was $13,0 900 in greenbacks,
and asked where there was a safe place to
deposit his money.
Goebler said he had draft on Clark,
Dodge & Co. for 81 800 and he thought he
would be able to recommend sound bank
ing institution. The old cattle drover said
he would bet $50 to $50 that Goebler
draft was worthless, as it looked exactly
like the one he had cashed. The wager
was accepted by Goe bier. T5e man John
ston put the money into two separate en-
velopes and Davis added SEC, which he said
he would forfeit if his friend Goeblers
check was not good. Johnston held the
STAKES.
Goebler and Davis then started for
Clark, Dodge & Co.'s Office On the way
down Davis stopped in at Jacobs jewelIy
store, at No. Park Row, and came out
with one of the jewelers. business cards.
He said that Jacobs was conducting the
business for him. Goebler indOrsed the
draft at Clark, Dodge & Co. Office, and one
of the firm went with him to the Bank of
America to identify him and get the mon
ey. Then Goebler and Davis started back
to scoop in the drover's $3.50.
HIS MONEY GRABBED.
Goebler produced the money when they
reached the real estate Office again, and
gave it the Davis to count out. 1t was in
fifty and one hundred dollar bills. When
Davis had finished counting he grabbed it
up, together with the money in the en-
velopes and rushed out. followed by the
cattle drover with the satchel containing
the 5000 The men had reacht d door be-
fore GOebler realized what had happened.
He started after them but was met at the
door by Johnson and another man coming
in. johnson had Just before been sent out
to buy cigars for the party. He grasped
Goebler by the throat and said:-"Ill ar
rest you for gambling. l am one of In
spector Byrnes' men,"
Goebler succeeded in wrenching himself
loose, but when he got out on the street
the men with his money were nowhere to
be seen. Two men approached him and
asked him what was the matter. They
said that they had just seen two men with
pistols in their hands turn into Broome
street. GOebler hurried in the direction
indicated but, of course, no one could be
seen.
tOhDLhh lOhNc DbA hNiiNH-
When he returned to the office all the
men had vanished and the door was
locked. He went straight to see Superin-
tendent Murray, who placed detective at
his service. Goebler and the detective
shadowed the place the next day but with
out success, and then Goebler determined
to try to catch them alone.
He died his red moustache black, bought
an old pair of stogie boots, checked
Jumper and pair of overails, and in this
garb haunted the neighborhood of the real
estate Office every day. He made the &C
ouaintance of man living across the street,
told him how he had been swindled and
secured the privilege of watching the place
from the mans front room. The man said
that week ago Hebrew had been taken
into the place at night al d an attempt
made to rob him by knocking him down.
He showed fight The bunco men became
frightened at his screams and made their
way over back fence. As one of them
vaulted over he was heard to exclaim: He
has bitten my finger nearly off"
The Monday after the robbery GOebler
caught sight of the cattle dr0ver near the
Herald Office. He was dressed in an En-
glish hunting suit Goebler was not posi-
tive enough as to his identity to cause his
arrest, and followed him along Park row
aud down Frankfort street, where, to use
Goebler's words. HE turned corner and
disappeared as if the earth had swallowed
him.
IF I had had pistol with me" said
Goebler afterward, "as God is my judge,
would have shot him dead. l believe he
.ooocc;,oJ mn tbouUh 7 uoa diaOniaAd