The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-21

part of the week Ries il one of the clev-
crest confidence men and bunko steerers
on the Coast, and his work In this city
was very lucrative, 1t being said that in
good times his earnings in some months
ran up into the thousands of dollars.
The manner in which the crook was
captured in Los Angeles il already we'll
known to the Seattle public. Ries il
known to almost every business man in
Seattle who has lived here any length of
time. the younk man being practically
brought up here. He became known as q
confidence man about Eve years ago. and
within two years became an adept at the
business, his quiet, gentlemanly manner
successfully throwing his victims off their
guard and making them easy game Tor the
young fellow to deliver into the hands of
his pals.
A statement OF the many offenses of
which Ries has been guilty would fill sew
eral columns. and the manner in which he
SO successfully escaped the clutches of the
law In most of the cases would make him
q very creditahle hero of q dime novel
romance. The crime for which Ries is
wanted was committed on board the
steamer Sehome January IS, 1892, the
victim being Joseph Bunce, q farmer who
was returning to Fall City, Or, from
Manitoba When the farmer got on the
steamer at Whatcom he made the acqu ain
lance of Res, III. Raushman, alias Jap"
Tommy and S. Harrington, all Seattle
sure-thing men and gamblers. On the
way down the gamblers. who pretended
to be strangers, got acquainted with
each other. and Bunee. being one of the
party by this time, the men engaged a
stateroom and proceeded TO pass away the
time until Seattle should be reached at
playing cards. When the men began
playing for money Bunce grew suspicious
and declined to play. Finally Rauschman
said to him:
"I'il teach you dandy trick for 500"
The farmer thought he was testing and
replied that be hadn't that much money
with him. This appeared to anger the
gambler, and he said in an insulting tone
of voice:
en- bet horse you haven't got any
thing"
I've got over a hundred dollars right
now" said the farmer. not a little pioued
at the treatment he was receiving.
Lets see it," asked the GAMBLER, and
the farmer very foolishfy produced a hand
full of gold. and, laying il on the table, re-
marked that he wasn't broke. anyway.
Then Ries reached out, took the money
and put il in his own poekat with the re-
mark:
That will do"
Bunce objected. bat another of the men
said Ries Was a 'hard josher." but would
not keep the money. Res then produced
some cards and began playing the three
card monte game. and Bnnce vas induced
TO bet He was allowed to win the first
lev games. bat then began to lose and
finally lost all the money Res had grabbed
-si02 Ries then declared the rancher
had lest the money and declined 20 q ye II
up. bgnes lett the men and notified the
captain thai lie had fallen among thieves,
and upon the arrival of the boat At Seattle
the police we're called by three short blasts
OF the whistle. In the meantime the men.
ali armed, attempted 10 escape, bur the
passengers kept them on board the boat. a
terrible rough and tumbie light ensuing
but the thieves were whipped and turned
over 70 the police.
Riss was found guilty and sentenced To
three years in the penltentiary. lie took
an appeai. and it ~ss pending the appeal
that he jamped his bonds. FROM here he
seat TO British Columbia. thence 10 Dem
yer and rAlt Lake City. and was finally
located and captured in Los Angeles. The
supreme court has affirmed the decision Of
the lover conTs. and there is no escape
from the penitentiAry for Rea uniss. he