The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-11-09
TRIED THE DAMPER GAME
Saloonkeeper Casey Catches
a Thief and Numerically
Mauls Him.

Charles Brooks, who says he is an cleo
trician. having a home at No. 734 Orange
street, Philadelphia, but who is supposed
to be-a New York crook was committed
by Justice Potts this morning for the at
tempted robbery of John Casey, a saloon
keeper, of No. 17S Pavonia avenue. Brooks
and an accomplice Saturday afternoon at
tempted to work the "damper' game on
Casey. That gentleman discovered what
was going on just in time to save himself
1926 which Brooks had taken from the
cash box. Casey grappled with the thief
and pounded him to such an extent that
Brooks eyes were blackened, his nose
broken and four teeth knocked out.
Brooks entered Casey's saloon and call
ing for glass of beer rendered a S5 bill.
Having no change in the cash drawer,
Casey opened closet and took from it a
roll of bills to the amount of 1926. Brooks
had been out of the store only a short
time when another well-dressed stranger
entered. buying a glass of beer he en-
gagged Casey sin conversation, represent
ing to him that he was the agent of a
New York drygoods house and said he
would pay $40 for the privilege of placing
an advertising sign in the saloon window
for few weeks. Casey became interest
ed in the mans proposition and went out
side the store TO see how much space the
advertising card would take up The ad-
vertising agent kept Casey dodgfng from
one window to the other to such an ex-
tent that he became suspicious.
Happening to glance over the screen
which stood before the front door Casey
was startled by seeing a man behind the
bar ransaeksng his cash box, which had
been removed from a closet under the
counter Casey did not rush into the sa-
loon, put very wisely waited near the side
aoor Leading from the saloon. He had
oeen there only a few minutes when the
man he had seen behind the bar dashed
out into the hall Casey grappied with
MIN and. seizing him by the throat de-
manded that he give up the money he had
stolen.
LET me go" cried the man, at the same
time dealing Casey several vicious blows
in the face
:. Give me that money" yelled Casey,
.'or I'll break every bone in your body''
The struggle was a fierce one. The thief
was kicking and biting Casey and would
probably have escaped had not Martin
sullivan, John Flynn and Casey's brother
Martin. hearing the struggle in the hall,
They dragged the thief back into the
saloon and he was then recognized as the
man who had received change for a SIS
bin shortly before by buying a glass Of
beer.
"Give me my money" yelled the infu
rated Casey. 'sor 1 will kill you
Casey meant business. and 1t was with
difflcuity that he was prevented from do
ing. the thief serious injury. The thief
declared that he had stolen no money.
He showed fight and attempted to es-
cape, but he was given such an unmerci-
full drubbing for his attempt that he final
~ admitted that he had stolen the money
and said he would surrender 1t if released.
Once in possession Of his money Casey
again attacked the stranger. They were
engaged in a rough and tumble fight
when Policeman Sullivan of the Seventh
street station happened along. He arrest
him to admit the theft. While Brooks
was being locked up his supposed accom-
plice, the alleged advertising agent made
good his escape.