The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-08-15
CONFIDENCE WORKERS.
They Are Cheating the I'm
wary in Hoboken.

Every day on which an ocean steamer
leaves Hoboken. some unsuspecting emil
grant is worked by the old confidence
game. An organized gang of these swim
dlers make that city their rendezvous
and are carrying on their WORK de-
spite the efforts of the police to
capture them. The matter has become
notorious of late, as the ''conn men have
grown bolder and bolder. 1t is well nigh
impossible for the police to catch them in
their swindling operations, as they are
too cautious. When they are arrested
they are as dumbas the proverbial oyster,
and being well supplied with money pro-
cure the best of legal talent. Their coun-
sci ask for their discharge on the ground
of want of evidence, and in nine cases
out of ten Recorder McDonough is forced
to allow them to depart, as case cannot
be proven against them.
This morning benevolent looking old
gentleman with closely shaven face
was arraigned before the Judge. The
fellow said his name was George Law
less, aged sixty years. and said he was a
saloon keeper in Harlem. The man and
address are undoubtedly fictitious, and
although the police were fully aware that
the fellow was slick confidence man, no
crime could be proven against him. Two
massive young women appeared in court.
One of them said she was the mans wife.
and that she was the mother of five
children. She cried bitterly.
Lawless was arrested in Church Square
Park yesterday by Policeman Porter. 1t
appears that a well dressed gentleman of
decidedly verdant appearance was enjoy
ing smoke in the Park when he was ap-
preached by two OF the con men. They
worked the usual bogus bill and check
racket and had the game successfully
- I. ~
one of the men, which made the country
man suspicious.
About this time the attention of Police
man Porter was directed to the men. He
saw the two fellows and their victim leave
the park and go up Sixth street together.
They were followed by Lawless, who was
about half a block in the rear. Lawless
kept his eye on Porter. Porter made a
detOur and caught Lawless after short
chase. The victim and the other two con-
hdence men ran away.
Mrs. Beam. of No. 90 Garden street,
who was passing at the time, saw one of
the fleeing men throw away pocket
book. 1t contained q worthless 500 bill.
and also a worthless check on New
Haven bank for S700.
Lawyer Bretzfeld asked for the prison
er's discharge the Judge was in a
qusndary, but finally remanded the fell
low for a further hearing. There is no
QOuDG out Lnab LaWler Will Oe eventually
discharged, as he cannot be held on the
evidence.
The Jeffersonians' Excursion.
The annual excursion of the .Teffer-
sonian Association of the First ward.
Hoboken, was held yesterday and proved
decided success.
The excursionists left the Hamburg
dock at about eleven o'clock, and went
up TO Idlewild Grove. The trip was q
very pleasant one. The march was led by
Mr.. and Mrs. Dede.
When the grove was reached Recorder
McDonough, Jimmie Jollie, Ed Price
John Dede and Billy Weeks left on the
tug and went over TO Glen Island where
the Fat Mems Association were holding
their clam bake and induced severa
members to join them on the grove.
The trip back was full of pleasant in
cidents. The return march was led by
Councilman Boucelet and Mrs. Boucelet
The party landed in Hoboken at about
half past eight, after spending most en-
joyable day
The officers of the Jeffersonians ares
President, Ed. Price: vice president, Will
lam Bathil: secretary, Robert Henry
treasurer. James Ryan; sergeant-at-arms
j. brennan.
The Water Board.