The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-06-12

After Nearly Two Years m Appeal viii
Be Argued.
The only bnnko case in the annals of
this city wherein conviction has been
secured will be argued before the state
supreme court on an appeal next Thurs
day. Matt Ries and Rauschman. the con-
victed bunko men, although under SEN
1ence Of three years each to the
penitentiary, have been at liberty on
bonds since the early part of 1892. and
now that the case Is about to come up il
may be noted that neither of the parties
most concerned in the final disposition of
the case is within the state. Ransch-
man is said by some TO be in Leadvilie
and by others to be in Texas. Wherever
he may be, 10 il certain that he is not in
the state. Ries has also shaken the dust
of Seattle from his shoes. and while some
think he 10 In Victoria. others have an
idea he il in Northern California. OF
course Ries did not have anything to do
with the bunkoing of the Anveck girls,
yet he was in Victoria on the queens
birthday and after the trick, which was
planned In Victoria, was turned In
this city, be made . sudden trip
here and out again. 1t is said that
the most important factor in the
little shell game which was so disastrous
to the Anveck girls left with Ries. It is
also current talk among residents of the
lower end Of the city that the accession of
Bolton Rogers to the position of chief of
police had great deal to do with Ries'
sudden departure from the city which has
given him q most excellent living for the
past two years. Mr.. Rogers has expressly
implied in his acts since receiving his APP
pointment that bunko men cannot work in
Seattle. Four of these parasites on the
community are now in Jail awaiting trial,
the preliminary examination showing
probable cause to believe that the accused
were guilty Of crime. 1t is a remarkable
thing that the only case wherein q convie-
ton has been secured should bear the date
case aroused much feeling and occasioned
comment, 90 much so, In fact, that its his
tory will bear repeating.
January Is. 1892, Joseph r. Bunce. a
farmer residing At Falls City, Or, was re-
turning from Manitoba. and on arriving at
New Whatccm took passage upon the
steamer Sehome. Matt Reis. Tommy
Rauschman and S. Harrington introduced
themselves to Bunce. and. entering into
conversation. Refs and Rauschman repre-
scented that they had seen lately exposed a
novel and complicated trick at cards
which they desired to show the farmer.
Upon representing that privacy was de-
sired they got Bunce into a stateroom,
Harrington remaining outside. Bunce
would not bet. but ignorantly showed
sio2. which Refs snatched from his hands
and passed TO Rsuschman.
Bunce demanded his money, but Refs
and Rauschman declared that he had bet
and lost. Bunce would not keep quiet and
told some passengers. Upon arriving at
Seattle Refs. Rauschman and Harrington
were arrested. At the trial the Iast-men-
toned vas acquitted, the other two being
convicted and sentenced TO three years.
An appeal was taken and Refs and
Rauschman were released on s., 600 bonds
each. furnished by Jack Thompson and
Ben Goldwater. Should the supreme
codrt sustain the verdict of the superior
court, it would be a somewhat difficult
matter. after so long an interval. TO recover
from the hondsmea. and in case Refs and
Raushman were found outside the state
they would be comparatively secure. be-
cause the extradition fund is exhausted.