Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-22
AN OLD GAME.
A Pair of Rascals at Work on the
Streets of Washington.


According to statements made by the po-
lice this morning, the badger" and pan
ell games have been operated here to
some extent during the past six weeks and
the victims Of these operators are numer-
Gus. But only few of them cared TO risk
the chance of being exposed, and therefore
did not report their losses. Inspector Hol-
linterger however learned that the games
were being worked, and had his men on
the lookout. From time to time the Off
GERS learned Of the whereabouts of these
men and women, but they changed their
residence so frequently that the officers
found it difficult to overtake them Some
of the beSt-known badger and 'panef'
operators in the country have been here,
including the well-known Tim Oates
and English Jen." They We're here last
evening, the Officers say, but they did
not succeed in experimenting them. But
they did apprehend Charles Ryder and
Hattie Brown and place them behind the
bars Hattie was stylishly dressed last
cinct Detective Helan saw her on the
street. They had been told that Hattie
was one Of the badger workers, and so
they watched her movements for at least
three hours. She sauntered along the
streets in the vicinity of 10Th and II streets
and also about New York avenue Her
sweet smiles and glanceS were of no avail
until nearly 10 o'clock, VIXEN weIl-dresS-
ed man proved an easy victim, SO the wo-
man thought, and she started off with him
in the direction of No. 90S 18th street,
where she and her companion had a room.
All this time Ryder was on the street fol-
lowing the movements of his female ac-
ccmplice, wholly unconscious of the fact
that both were being watched by the off,
GERS.
Did Not Work.
Hattie and her supposed victim chatted
pleasantly as they walked slowly along the
in
movements brought him to the house be-
fore the couple and gave him time to hide
in the closet, ready to surprise the victim
and play the injured husband racket
Then the couple appeared and entered
the house. Outside on the sidewalk stood
the officers waiting to hear trouble in the
house. But their expectations in this re-
srect were not realized, for the supposed
victim became suspicious and the spider
and fly game did not work. A glance at
the interior of the room and a short con-
versation with the woman convinced him
that the coast was not clear and he de-
parted. The officers interviewed the man
when ne reached the pavement and then
they entered the house In the room occu-
pied by the couple the furniture was ar
ranged in a manner to make the game
easy. There was a fastening on the in
side of the closet door, and it was stated
that Ryder was in there when Hattie and
the strange man APPEARED.
Woman Confessed.
At the first police station the prisoners
We're locked up as suspicious persons. Both
are known under many aliases and are
well known in police circles. They were
here several weeks ago and then returned
to New York. Two weeks ago they came
hack, and the police claim they have VIC
timi5 d number of men.
The woman admitted that she was all
that was charged against her, and eX-
pressed a desire to appear witness
against the man. as most of these women
do when arrested, for then there is only
one TO get out of trouble instead of two.
She said that she had been led into the
business by the man, who had threatened
to injure her If she did not do as he want
ed. If her story is true, she met Ryder in
Philadelphia last fall, after she returned
from Atlantic City. where she spent the
summer. She is about thirty-five years
old and is only fairly good looking.
Their baggage consisted of two small
valises and few clothes there being not
a weapon of any kind among their effects.
Today the prisoners We're photographed
for the rogues gallery, and tomorrow they
will probably be tried as suspicious per-
sens, unless one of their victims is willing
to appear in court against them.