The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-30

No Cnse 9ufnclenf 60 Convict. But 1h1
Are Run Out Of Town


Tho Eve conndsnce men who. Il p al
legged, bunkced a young man named Alfred
Meany out of some so on Monday night
last. aud who have been In the city jail
ever since. we're released on Thursday
evening and Sfyea warning not 10 be seen
In the city after o'clock that evening on
penalty Of beng vagxed. They took ac-
vantage OF the warning and promptly
shook the dust Of the city from their feet
The money which young Aeany lost. and
which was found on the persons OF the
members of the bunko gang. was restored
to him. without any remonstrance or their
part The discharge Of the men was due
to instructions from the prosecuting at
torney. who stated that there was 20 pros
poet with the testimony at hand Of being
able TO secure the conviction Of the MEM
bers OF the gang.
Prosecuting Attorney HASTE. VINO was
seen In regard 20 the matter. explained the
situation Young Meany was the only witt
ness. His story was 70 the effect that he
had met o stranger, now supposed to be
a member of the gang, named Hopkins.
who persuaded Neany to accompany him
TO room IN the Kenflworfh Inn. where
the other members Of the gang were found
engaged In game OF poker. Hopkins
played for q while. and having quite q
number Of checks ahead induced Meany to
take his hand. pleading that he was called
away by business. He told Meany 20 90
ahead and play. and II he lost, he Hop
k.ns. would make good the loss: while II
he won the winnings would be shared be-
not only the chips which Hopkins had fur
nished him but so Of his own money.
He met Hopkins afterward and bewailed
the loss. and Hopkins made good so OF the
amount and promised TO meet him later
and settle the balance. but warned him to
ny nothing 70 the police.
Detective Cidihee go; wind OF the AFFAIR
and promptly arrested Eve members OF
the Eang-John Fitzgerald Harry White
O. r. Martin. alias Temple: Il Arthur,
alias Walters. and c. Crawford. otherwise
known as one-eyed Crawford. Martin and
Crawford were known 70 the police as all
around crooks and confidence men. Hop
ktns saw the patrol wagon go by with the
gang. and promptly made himself scarce.
Prosecuting Attorney HASTE explained
why u was impossible 70 make a case
against the men arrested. and why the
police were compelled TO discharge them.
While there was no Doubt that Meany had
been given the big nit" and had been the
victim Of a gang of confidence raeu, there
was not . particle Of substantial testi-
mcuy TO support a charge against any Of
the men arrested for any oyense save
gambling. Hopkins, the '-sseerer," was
the man who had persuaded Meany 10
enter the game. ard had promised to u,ake
good his losses. II any. The others. as far
a. any testimony which could be obtained.
seem 70 have simply played cards with the
victim and won HIS money. No connection
could be proven between them and Hop
kins 70 warrant charge OF conspiracy TO
defraud. and Hopkins himself had evaded
arrest. There was nothing 70 be done ex-
cept to discharge the men.
They Gid not make much by their expe-
rie1ce VITA this particular victim. He not
onfy recovered his money. but received 80
from Hopkins. The amusing part o. tia
case was tnat Mesuy throughout booked
upon Hopkins as his friend ana fel,,w-v,e-
tim. and the police sid not succeed IA
nnaily convincing him that that smooth n
d.vieual was member Of the gang which
had relieved him Of his money.