Evening star., 1896-12-23
FRUSTRATED BUNCO GAME
A Bold Attempt to Swindle Assistant Secre-
tarysf the Treasury Curtis.
Excitement In the Department Caused
by the Flight and Capture
of the Man.

A bold attempt to swindle Assistant Sec
retary Curtis this morning was luckily
frustrated by the bad acting of the chief
conspirator, a colored man named Charles
Edmonston, now in the custody of the
police. The swindle was bold and ingen-
ious In conception, and nearly succeeded
The affair caused considerable excitement
IN and about the Treasury Department,
during which 1t was currently reported that
the treasury had been robbed. This i'm
preston gained belief from the appearance
OF man dashing down stairs and along
the corridors and then out of the building
pursued by a number Of coatless and hat
less clerks and messengers shouting
Catch thief" Edmorston for ii was he
ran rapidly past the Office of the captain of
the watch and out Of the main entrance
on 18th street without any one trying to
head him off, for the reason that it was
only those in the rear that knew he was
wanted. When he gained the open air he
ram rapidly across 18th street to the cor
ner of Riggs Hotel ard down G street to
l4th street, where he turned and continued
his course far F street, where he
was stopped by citizen and turned over
to policeman who came up soon after.
During his short flight the streets became
thronged with people attracted by the
shouts of Fire. stop thief" Catch
him." stop that man. ETC., which were
taken up by the constantly increasing
apparently knew what was the matter or
why they tried to catch the fleeing man
until it was all over, but that did not pre-
vent their joining in the chase Most of
the people thought that the treasury had
been robbed, and that the man they were
chasing was one of the robbers.
Attempt to Bunco Mr.. Curtis.
According to the story told at the Treas
ury Department 10 a Star reporter, the
affair was nothing more serious than an
unsuccessful attempt to bunco Assistant
Secretary Curtis out of SO. Why he was
selected for the operation is not known,
unless it was because of his reputation for
tender heat tedness. Just as he was prepar-
ing to leave his Office for a short time this
morning EdmonSton called upon him and
made neat attempt to play upon his sym
pathy. He introduced himself as George
Williams and claimed to be an old acquaint-
ance He said that he was a porter in the
employ of the Pullman Palace Car Com
pany and that he had unfortunately gone
to sleep in Philadelphia a few nights ago
and had been robbed of his uniform and all
his money He added that unless he could
procure another uniform Immediately he
would lose his job. What he wanted Mr..
Curtis to do was to advance him SO for
few days SO that he might make the neces-
sary deposit with the Pullman Company
and get new uniform.
To Investigate the Matter.
. Mr.. Curtis said that he did not know him
at all and was not sure that he had the
money to spare. He was very busy just
then. he said. and had to go out. He in
structed his private secretary. Mr.. johnson,
however, to investigate the matter. and if
it proved to be worthy case to do what he
could for the man.
Soon after Mr.. Curtis left, and while Mr..
johnson was talking with EdmonSton,
there was call the telephone. Mr..
Johnson answered it and was told by some
one whose voice he did not recognize that
it was the office OF the Pullman Palace Car
Company.
The man al the other end Of the line said
he merely wanted to notify Mr.. Curtis that
If one of their men came to ask his assist
ance in getting money for uniform that
it would be all right, and the company
would see that the money was refunded out
of the first wages due the porter. Mr. john
son thought the circumstance little queer
at the time, but did not say anything about
it to his visitor. He told him, however,
that he would look into the matter and let
him know later # anything could De done
for him. After the man had departed, Mr..
johnson concluded to get further informa-
ton from the Pullman Company. He called
up the office, and telling them what the
man said, asked If it was all right Their
reply was that the man was not in their
employ, and that they knew nothing what
ever of the case.
The Escape and Chase.
d, Consequently, when the self-styled porter
came back for his answer, Mr.. johnson
concluded to turn him over to the secret
service for such action might be deemed
proper. Telling Edmonston to take a seat, |
he sent messenger out for the chief clerk
of the secret service division, meantime |
dropping the latch of the door TO pre- |
vent the departure of his visitor. The lat
ter evidently suspected that something was
wrong, for as soon as Mr.. Johnsons back |
was turned he forced back the latch, and |
opening the door ran swiftly downstairs
and out of the building, with Mr.. Johnson |
and several messengers in pursuit. Mr.. |
Johnson soon gave up the chase, but others
joined in, and supposing that the man had |
commit ed some serious offenSe made every
effort to catch him, and it was their cries |
that acded to that impression when the |
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