The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-18
HE TAKES IT COOL
Lawrence Daily, the Confidence Man,
Arraigned in Kansas City.
MAKES A JOKE OF 1T ALL
TO One Man He Passed Himself
Off as Marcus Daily and to
Others He Passed as
Marcus Brother.

In the gray dull light of a cherries
afternoon three men met in the dlngy
Office of Justice Ben Spitz yesterday
where they were individually and col
lectively objects of interest to group
of officers of the law, newspaper re-
porters and morbid curiosity seekers.
The men were James II. McEwen,
Patrick Nobody and Lawrence DAILY,
alias John Morrissy, alias w. "
Nickles. 1t was the meeting OF con-
fidence operator and his victims, and
of the three the operator was the cool
est. He scarcely deigned to glance at
his victims, while they eyed him mar
rowly and seemed never to tire of
studying his features. With nerves OF
steel and face as placid as the coun-
tenance of sphinx. Morrissy faced his
dupes and never batted an eye. 1t is
probable that he had been in such pre-
dicaments before.
At any rate it was an odd grouping
in that little justice office. while the
skies lowered, and the minions of the
law moved about the room with sol
emn mien and thoughtful tread. There
was Pinkerton Captain Mahady, con-
tentedly smoking a cigar, conscious or
o effecting a good capture, having over
taken Morrissy at Sedalia, Mo-, at
o'clock yesterday morning, where he
took him into custody.
Behind his desk sat Justice Spitz
also smoking a cigar. his brow CORFU
gated while he dallied with COM
plant. On the north side of the room
sat Patrick Melody. his iron gray
whiskers knotted and his keen eyes in
tently looking upon the face of the man
who had sold him for $50 green tint
ed piece of paper with a gilt border
and a cut of a miner about to bury a
pick into an ore heap, with the Fuller
Mining company emblazoned in gilt let
tiers of gothic across its face.
linn of hn cir NJ fIcffnn
was James II. McEwen, man of the
world, as the term goes, surfeited with
experience, full faced. clean shaver,
lynx-eyed and evincing an outward air
of sagacity. Yet he had endorsed the
draft of a stranger for $500.
Near the back part of the room sat
John Morrissy. recently Lawrence
DAILY, probably w. V. Nickels, alleged
brother of Marcus DAILY, mine owner,
millionaire. He did not look like a
confidence operator-that tall, well
made man, with the steely gray eyes
and blonde mustache. He was dressed
in a suit of black, with long black
overcoat with big bright buttons. A
heavy watch chain supported a square
charm, while two heavy seal rings
adorned his fingers. There was a rud-
dy hue that betokened good health in
the operators face. Occasional gray
hairs peeped out of his head of bushy
black hair. To reporter of the Jour
nal the operator gave his side of the
story of swindling:
These people fell over each other to
get to me. / couldn't help but take
them in. II was easy. Why, early i'm
the morning that fellow Melody came
to my room and woke me up. When L
went to the door he grasped my hand
and said: Why, Marcus, I'm glad to
see you. Sure, / would have known
you anywhere. 1t has been so years
oil NO har in he
of Virginia City, but you're lookin' as
natural as life. How are you, any
way?
well. what could do? Here was a
man who declared that ] was Marcus
DAILY l became Marcus Daily for his
benefit. He wanted to buy mining
stock and 1 sold him 10000 shares for
$50. He got ii dirt cheap, yet he kicks.
Isn't that ungrateful? Then along
comes McEwen. He did me the kind
ness to sign his name to a draft for
$780, 1 am much obliged. Say, it costs
money to stop in the best room at the
Coates house, and couldn't go out and
earn it with pick and shovel, could
II"
The operator paused for a moment.
Then he addressed the reporter:
Say, know your face all right Let
me tell you something. Do you re-
member Jim, the Penman,' who did up
McCornick's bank in Salt Lake in 1890?
OF course you do. / am glad to meet
you," and the operator extended his
hand. He was a cool fellow, this oper-
ator.
You would imagine that these folks
had never lost a dollar before" he con-
tinued. Say, how long a stretch can
they give me for obtaining money un-
der false pretenses in this state. What
From two to five years? Well. that
isn't bad"
Then son of Patrick Melody came
to where the operator was sitting. He
was big and muscular, was this son.
and he looked mad.
II say now he began, sitting down
near the operator. you thought you
were smart. didn't you, taking in an
old man like my father? I'll tell you
what think of you. You are "a
Remember that this man is a pris-
oner OF the law" broke in Captain Ma
hady.
"All right" said the son. "but If had
met him on the streets to-day 1 would
have evened up for that $50"
The son got up nd moved away A
smile overspread the face Of the opera
tor.
Justice Spi;z called for John Nor.
rissey, alias Lawrence DAILY" and the
operator arose and walked to his desk
The complaint. formally setting forth
the guilty deeds Of the operator. was
read TO him. He tapped the table be-
side him with show OF guilty impa-
thence. while the justice mumbled
When the justice paused Morrissey
said.
Il waive examination in this court
He tapped the table again and seem.
ed 10 wish that the arraignment was
over. A second complaint Of receiving
money under false Dretenses was read
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