Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-08-06
THE BUNK0 ARTIST
GETS IN HIS WORK AT NEW MARTlNSVILLE,
IN GREAT SHAPE.
Thomas D. Stewart, Farmer, Politician and Preacher,
Done for About $500 by Two
Dead Sharp Strangers.

pers from time TO time for years back have
contained accounts of confidence games,
that any one at this late day would be
caught in one of them, but it seems victims
are always ready to bite. A game Of this
kind took place at New Martinsville, last
Saturday, in which Wheeling ICON" men
took leading parts, and the details Of the
story are of wide interest, pointing an ex-
celent moral and adjoining romantic tale.
Last Friday two well dressed strangers
went to the home of ThOs. ID. Stewart an
old Baptist preacher, fairly well-to-dO, and
prominent rs a farmer and Republican pol
itician, residing about four miles from New
Martinsville. They represented to Stew
art that they lived in Wheeling and desired
10 purchase farm in the country for their
sister. who was widow with some bad
| bows and il was desirable to get these bad
bows away from the city into the country.
Their sisters husband had died recently
leaving an estate of $4,000, and they
thought something Of this kind was the
best disposition that could be made OF
the family, as they did not desire TO have
their sisters family very far removed
from them. They finally concluded bar
gain with Stewart for his farm, the price
being ii, 500 cash. The parties 10 this con
tract were all to meet Monday at New
Martnsvillc. at which time the necessary
papers and money were 10 pass, and pos
session of the farm given. After these
arrangements had all been made the two
fellows and Stewart started together TO
New Martinsvilc \ mile or two from
Stewards place, they met another well
dressed fellow, with Buffalo Bill air, and
slightly intoxicated.
"What are YOU d-n Yankees doing here
ANYHOW roared Buffalo Bill.
Never mind what we're doing. replied
the gentlemanly strangers, "what do you
want with us.'
II want you to get ont Of here" roared
Buffalo Bill. "Whoop was in the Rebel
army, and | hain't got done lickin' you
cusses yet
III that's your game, replied the gentle
manly stranger, Il am on 10 it," and was
proceeding 10 get out of his buggy
Hold on, men," cried Stewart, Pm a
minister and a man Of peace Outside OF
politics this war is over, and besides m
Notary Public and command the peace
Hostilities ceased, and Buffalo Bill lerked
from his side pocket wad Of money that
made Stewards eyes fairly ache. He next
threw down three cards, and all the world
knows how the game went on.
"rll bet $500 that no d-n man can pick
the Jack Of Clubs out Of that lot face
down" exclaimed Buffalo Bill.
IN take YOU said the gentlcmanly
stranger, and forthwith picked up the Jack
Of Clubs.
Buffalo Bill forked over his 500.
~ fool and his money soon parted, eX-
claimed Stewart
Maybe you think you can do the trick. -
4 I'll. -s..
Well, men, hain't got the money here,
but could get it if ] went to town. re
piled Stewart
SEQ to town then and get it" said the
other stranger who up to this time had
not spoken. III the drunken fool wants to
lose his money you might as well have it
as anybody.
Eyes, 20 and get it, d-n YOU" roared
Buffalo Bill. IN wait for you. Where
did YOU get that Bengal tiger shirt you have
OnE
The gentlemanly stranger took Stewart
aside and told him 10 90 and get what he
could and he would lend him the rest.
Don't let him get away men, eXclaim-
ed Stewart, and jumping into his buggy no
whirled his old gray horse into
town in foam of sweat Arriving in
town Stewart got note drawn up for 500
which friend iudorsed for him. He then
went To the bank and had the note dis
counted. Posting back TO where he had
left the others of the party, Stewart found
the strangers watching over the sleeping
form of Buffalo Bill who could hardly be
reused from his drunken snooze. But
Stewart reused him and the bet was made
and Stewart won. The new found friend
then put the 500 Of Stewards and the 500
obtained from the Indiana man into tin
box, which he had with him, locked the box,
put the key in his pocket and handed the
box 10 Stewart. telling him TO take the box
home with him, take good care of it and
bring the box TO New Martinsville on
Monday, when they were TO meet TO con
clude the arrangements about the farm.
Stewart saw all this done with his own
ewes, took the box and went home with II,
as happy as a man could well be, supposing
that nc had sold his farm for $500, twice
what IL was worth, and had won 800 OF
that darncd fool from Indiana.
Stewart wenJtO town Monday morning
as per agreement. but the purchaser of his
farm from Wheeling failed 10 meet him
Stewart after staying around town
awhile began TO get uneasy, 50 he
went TO his friend who had endorsed
the note, and unbOsOmcd himself in regard
to the matter. His friend asked him if 'hc
had examined the contents of the box He
a.
to break the box open, as he might get into
trouble. His friend told him 10 60 home,
break the box open and eXamDgthe con-
tents. He did So and returned in the after
noon and reported that the box contained
some scraps of paper only. but the $1,000
will had gone where the wOOdbine twineth.
The same slick gentry tried to play the
same game ON three or four other citizens
Of Wetzel county, but failed. These fel-
lows were at New Martinsville on Friday
and Saturday of last week and seemed 10
be perfectly coutonted, were in no hurry
to get away, We're around on the
streets a good deal, and from outside
appearances were well fed, good, jolly fcl-
lows. They went about their work in bold,
fearless. business-like style. They hired
horses and bugcies from the livery, and
rode around the town very unconcernedly.
II was q slick bold trick and is the first
thing of the kind 10 occur since Wallace's
circus was there several years ago, ut
which time several New Martinsville
church deacons were taken in very hand
somcly.
REACHES, Flies, Bed Bugs, Ants,
Beetles, cleared out by Rough ON Rats.
See directions.