The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-12
MATT RIES CAPTURED
The Notorious Bunko Man
Caught in Los Angeles
CHIEF ROGERS RAN HIM DOWN.


Mst. Ries, the notorious bunko man
who worked this city for ali il Was worth
during the last Democratic administration
and tho suddenly left last June just prior
10 the time the supreme court hanoeo
down q decision sustaining the superior
court in sentencing him TO three years IN
the penisenttarv for bunkoing Joseph X
Bunce. of Fall Caty. Or. out OF sluz some
time in January. Isa2. has been captured
in Los Angeles. This startling news was
received Yesterday by Chief OF Police
Bolton Rogers through dispatch from
J. NJ. Glass, chief of police al Los Angeles.
Chief Rogers intends 10 take the train TINS
morning for California to bring back
the ex-king of Seattle bunko men. Ever
since Ries' fight last June it has been the
general opinion that Res was sharp
enough to keep out of the laws clutches
He forgot, however that VI. GotIstein was
one OF his bondsmen, who did not intend
to give mp the chase. The case was placed
in Chief Rogers hands, and at length
RIes was located in San Francisco. 1t was
the old, old story. q woman in the case.
Ries was greatly interested in a variety
actress named Kitty Edmunds, who used
to sing and dance at the Peoples theater.
After the theater business was broken up
here she eventually returned to San Fran
cisco, and sure enough Ries appeared
there too. He disappeared again. how
ever. and it was some time before Chief
Rogers had him located in Los Angeles.
HIS arrest wss a pleasure 10 Chief Rogers,
who convicted him under his first term as
many others in the city.
40
ters' bunko case. the one IN which Ries fell
down is the most celebrated in the history
OF King county. At that time farmer
who did not know all the crap and dice
games. was in continual danger from the
time he LETT any of the down sound ports
until he was in this city. and then lie was
apt TO be tricked il his friends did not look
out for him. Matt Ries, Tommy Rausch-
man and s. Harrington were on the
steamer Sehome January %. 1892. and
scraped acquaintance with Joseph Bunce.
a farmer who was returning TO Fall City.
Or, from Manitoba. He refused to take
part in their card game but ignorantly
showed his money. which Ries snatched,
Bunce demanded 1t back. but Ries claimed
Bunce had bet and lost. Matters
went from argument to heated dis
cussion. and when the Sehome reached
this city the police were sum-
moned by six sharp whistles. The three
bunko man were arrested. but Harrington
was released. not having been in the state
room when the trick was turned. Ries
and Rauschman were convicted and SEN
fenced 10 three years. An appeal was
taken, pending which they were released
on $1,000 bonds. After the Democrats
came in power Ries did land Office BUSH
ness and the police did not sesm to be able
TO stop him or his rnderstudies. Ries
planned the tricks and after the victim
was skinned appeared as lawyer. He
would tell q man that even if the swindlers
were arrested it would not bring back the
money. Then compromise would be
made and the victim, after receiving
ticket to Portland and few dollars, would
leave the city. After Chief Rogers took
the reins again Ries had to go slow with
his work and eventually skipped out just
before his appeal was decided.
Los ANGELES. Nov. u.-Matt Ries, one
OF the most daring and successful bunko
men and confidence operators on
the Pacific coast was arrested in
this city tonight by Detective
Goodman, who had lively chase
to get the man. Ries is wanted in Seattle.
where a term in the penitentiary awaits
him. Ries has been hunted by officers all
over the Coast for several months. He
will be held until an officer with requisi-
ton pa pers arrives from the north.