The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-04-25
LET GO BY THE POLICE.
Flim-Flammers Released in Ho-
boken Despite a Victims
Positive Accusations.

Policeman Haw of the Hoboken police
placed under arrest last night two finn
Hammers from across the river, who persisted
that they were only in pursuit of their bust
ness as secret service detectives when identi-
fed by a storekeeper whom they had
swindled. The men gave their names as
Frank Esquirrell, thirty-six years Of age Of
Smith and McNeils Hotel, New York, and
Thomas Callahan, forty-t two years of age Of
No.. $50 Madison avenue, Brooklyn. The
men were discharged by Recorder Melon
ough, although August Roster, cigar dealer
at No. BOB Washington street, said he posi-
lively recognized the men as the ones who
practiced the game upon him.
Esquirrell entered Rosters store about
half past eight o'clock last evening and asked
fol a package of cigarettes in payment for
which he rendered a fifty cent piece.
THE TRICK.
He left and a moment afterwards Gala
han entered and declared that he was a civil
service detective and the other he had rea-
son to believe was a fiimflammer.
"Let me see the money he CAV you" he
said to Roster. The proprietor handed him
the half dollar piece. Callahan took q bot
tie from his pocket, poured a drop of col
ored water upon the silver, and with the
ejaculation, s.Just what I thought, he's a
thiefr' left with the money.
Then Roster realized he was swindled.
He Immediately left the store, with his wife
in charge, and traced Callahan. The latter
turned up Third street, toward River, walk
ing briskly, soon overhauling Esquirrell.
Roster followed, n saw the two men
street and quicken their pace. He
lost sight of them and sent s.word to the
police.
Half an hour afterwards a man entered the
jewelry store of Morris Fogelson, No 305
First street and asked to be shown some
watch chains. He could not be suited and
left. A minute afterwards Callahan came
in the store.
sWhat did that man getp' be asked.
Fogelson answered that he did not take
anything.
II am sure he stole something said Cal
lahan with emphasis.
Fogelson become excited at the thought,
and while his mind was in a muddled condi-
ton the other left. Then Fogelson missed a
chain valued at $12, which nae been on a
tray shown with the men. At
twenty-five minutes past nine o'clock
three men stood at the ferry
conversing. Two of them were the
alleged detectives and the others was a man
with a black mustache. As they stood there
Roster came along and instantly recognized
two of them as the men who were in his
store. Haw arrested the two while the third
was lost in the crowd at the time coming
from a boat. The police, when the men as
serted they were detectives and showed
papers with their names signed, which might
have established their claim of being identi-
fed with the detective business, were re-
luctant to believe Rosters story. He re-
iterated his statements SO strongly, however,
that the men were held.
HAYES SAID THEY WEIR INNOCENT.
Detective Goode wa sent by Captain
Hayes to Recorder McDonough's house, and
explained that the men arrested were limo
cent. The Recorder gave an order for their
release, and at two o'clock this morning they
left the station house. Pawn tickets and a
black jack were in the possession of the men.
The detectives in Hoboken make light of the
matter, and say that the men were doing
their business and were tracing another man
who looked like Esouirrell and escaDed.