The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-31
BUNkO MEN HIT BACK.
They Sue Their Victim for
False Imprisonment.
sUNcE's STORY OF THE swINoLE
He Bought His Experience ut the Good
Old Monte Game-The Thisves
Fight for Liberty.

ID. Bushman, alias Japanese Tommy"
and ). Harrington, the gamblers charged
with bunkoing farmer named Joseph r.
Bunce out of $l02 during game of cards
on board the steamer Sehome last Monday
night, took retaliatory measures yesterday
by each bringing suit against Bunce for
Sl,20O damages for false imprisonment.
They allege simply that they were con-
fined in jail illegally for ten hours on
Tuesday
The prisoners were arraigned for exam
ination yesterday afternoon before Justice
Neagle upon a charge of grand larceny.
Bunce's testimony was TO the effect that
when he got on the Sehome at Whatcom.
bound for Seattle. he BECAME acquainted
with dapper-looking young man, who,
he later learned, was friend and partner
of Japanese Tommy" When the
steamer arrived at Port Townsend
Bunce and his new acquaintance were on
almost confidential terms. Shortly after
the boat headed for Seattle Japanese
Tommy" made his appearance and shook
hands with the dapper young man, who
sat near Bunce. "Mr Bushman" COM
planned about the long run and proposed
a game of cards, but the young man would
not think of it and advised Bunce not TO
go into a game. Bushman then told
story of how he had lost 81, 400 in Seattle at
cards.
~ was swindled out of my money" said
Bushman.
You ought to have made them give it
up" said Bunce.
Il wouldn't squeal when / saw / had
made fool Of myself" he rejoined.
The gambler then said il Bunce and his
friend would go into stateroom he
would show them how he lost his wealth.
When they adjourned to a state-room he
produced three cards and dexterously
manipulated them after the manner of
monte sharps. The young man became
deeply interested and made several bets,
winning each time. Finally Bunce
thought he would try his hand and said
he would bet a certain card was an ace.
'Ill bet 500 it isn't" said the gambler.
'It's CO." and Bunce took out roll Of
bills and two silver dollars. Before he
could turn the card over and claim the
bet. his young friend seized the $102 which
he still held loosely in his hand, and pIac-
ing it in Japanese Tommy's" palm,
said:
"It's your money"
The farmer wanted to fight, but ne
changed his mind and begged that the
money be returned, saying that it was
nearly all he had and that he had wife
and five children who needed the money.
What followed Bunce could not clearly
remember, owing to his great excitement.
and the story is best told by Daniel Kel-
leher, the attorney, who was a passenger
on the boat from Port Townsend.
He saw Japanese Tommy" take Bunce
into stateroom and remarked to another
attorney, who stood near him:
There go two gamblers with sucker"
In short time Bunce came out and de-
clared that he had been robbed by his two
companions The passengers, about thirty
in number, all sympathized with the
farmer.
At the city dock there was great excite
ment upon the arrival of the steamer.
Harrington, who had previously not inter-
fered, denounced Bunce as a baby VINO
would squeal when he was worsted, and
attempted to square" Bushman with the
irate passenger, but without success. As
soon as the gang-plank was out Bushman
made rush for the big gate opening to
the street, but a passenger rushed ahead
of him and closed the gate. Then Mr..
Kelleher grabbed Bushman by the arm,
and Harrington in turn seized Keileher,
saying:
you leave Jap Tommy alone"
A tussle ensued, and Kelleher's glasses
were pulled from his nose and his coat was
torn. Bunce, who had. in the meantime,
lost track OF his sly young friend, saw
Bushman getting away, and made rush
for him, grabbing him around the
shoulders. Harrington saw the move
\lment and, releasing Kelleher, turned his
Attention to the farmer. He seized him
by the throat and growled:
"Drop that man, you -----"
A customs inspector. who was on the
boat, was all this time vigorously blowing
a police whistle, and Officer Sam Corbett
arrived while the excitement was at its
height and placed Harrington and Bush
man under arrest. At police headquarters
two big revolvers were taken from them,
and fourteen-inch dagger was found on
Bushman. The case was continued until
tomorrow morning.
Reduced Prices on Sealskfns.