Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-08-07
THE BUNK0 GANG,
MAKE A RAID THROUGH OHIO COUNTY WITH
THEIR LITTLE GAME.
A Wsll-Plaansd Attempt to Euchre Horace Ridge
ley Out Of a Large Sum-Ths New
Martinsvills Operation Over Again.

The REGISTERS exclusive account OF the
successful bunko operation, upon Mr.
Thomas d. Stewart, of near New Martins
vile, published yesterday morning, was
read with eagerness by a large number OF
people who, while admiring the nerve and
dash of the operators, could not but won
der how any one with his senses about him
could be induced to yield up good money to
perfect strangers upon the old time racket.
This morning it is the privilege of the
REGISTER to present the details of an oper
alton nearer home, which, while not sue
cessful, was worked upon the same lines
and by the same men who figured in the
fleeing of Farmer Stewart.
Monday a well-dressed stranger drove up
to the residence of Mr.. Horace Ridgeley,
about a mile this side Of West Liberty, and
dismounting from the rig, entered and in
trOduced himself as Pittsburg lawyer and
real estate estate agent in search OF farm.
He had heard that Mr. Ridgeley wanted TO
sell, and also that he could give him some
points about neighbOring real estate. Mr..
Ridgeley was disposed 10 be accommoda-
ting, and discussed real estate matters
quite freely. and finally got into the stran-
gers buggy and started to drive TO a neigh
boring farm. which was understood 10 be
for sale.
On the road the two men overlook rath-
err seedy looking pedestrian, who was
tramping along the highway. Neither OF
the occupants OF the buggy knew the
stranger, but the fellow stopped them, upon
some pretext or another, and after a gen
,f.,..
the subject of betting was introduced. The
seedy looking stranger produced the usual
three cards, and did some lightning
work with them. The man in the buggy
with Mr. Ridgeley did not bet very often,
but he thought he could pick out a certain
card, and at the seedy mans invitation he
wagered fifty dollars on il and won The
seedy fellow opened his clothing and ex-
tracing a fifty dollar bill from a well-filled
belt which he wore around his waist he
handed il over.
There was more talk about betting, and
finally MI Ridgely won five thousand dol
lars from the somewhat stupid and I'M
steady stranger who once more had re-
course to his belt, taking out one hundred
fifty dollar bills and passing them over TO
Ridgeley, who put the money in his pocket.
big effort was then made by the man
with the money belt to get Mr.. Ridgeley to
bet again, in which the gentleman in the
buggy judiciously assisted by well directed
hints. but Mr. Ridgeley would bet no more.
The first stranger, after considerable time
had been spent in talking, then grew moral,
said it was wrong TO take the seedy mans
money, and in burst OF magnanimity
handed back the fifty dollars he had won,
and induced Mr.. Ridgely 10 return the
5000.
Before parting Mr. Rldgely asked the
tramp if he was not afraid 10 carry so much
money around with him, but the fellow
said he would take good care of it, and that
he had never lost cent that way. The
couple in the buggy then drove on, and
after looking at the farm Mr.. Ridgeley
went home. the real estate agent making an
appointment to meet him the following day,
Tuesday, and talk further about purchas-
ing "a farm That night the real estate
agent and the seedy looking tramp, who
did not know each other when they met on
the road, occupied the same room together
at West Liberty, where people who saw
the money belt. displayed guessed that it
contained $4,000
The real estate agent did not meet Mr..
Ridgeley Tuesday, but drove TO the farm
Of Ninian Bell, who lives in the vicinity Of
West Liberty, and made determined effort
10 have Mr. Bell 20 with him 10 look at
some farms in the vicinity, telling him that
he would pay him well for the trouble.
you know said he, that if you came TO
my Office in Pittsburg and asked me for
legal advice would charge you for it, and
l expect you TO charge me something for
your time and trouble. It's a mere matter
of business" Bell refused to show the
stranger around, and the agent left.
The couple went in the direction of what
is known as the white Oak region and
are supposed to have crossed into Brooke
county.
There seems TO be no doubt but that this
couple are two of the three men who oper
ated in Wetzel county Saturday, they prob
ably coming up TO Wheeling and spending
Sunday, and then starting out Monday
morning to work this county for what they
could get Farmers would do well TO keep
their eyes open for such gentry