The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-04

the check nearby I would pay the
amount of my bill. My victim suggest
ed that she might let me have the
money until cashed the check. L hes
itated, then gave the $3.50 check into
her hands, telling her that [ had $50 in
my Valise at the depot, and that would
return the loan as soon as we got back.
When L got her money, my confederate
suggested that we step into an adjoining
office, where he could get pen and ink
and make out receipt. That was the
last my dupe ever saw of me.
My success was phenomenal from
the start. There was no con game 1
would not attempt. I was always a
good student of human nature. BY jan
uary, 1882, had my business down to a
science; had met some of the cleverest
crooks in the country and was making
a vast sum of money. 1 did anything
that promised big money! picked pOck-
cts. l stole jeWelry from hotels, but my
largest returns generally were made in
the con game.
In the early part of 1892, I went to
St. Louis and was doing depot trick
when Detective Burke of the station
force caught me. I was tried and given
"a hours to leave town. My picture can
be found in the rOgueS' gallery in St
Louis.
From ST. Louis I went to Chicago,
where was exceptionally successful
1t may seem incredible that so much
money can be made by crooks, but 1t IS
the truth when [ say that in the year
1882 1 made 500 600. L was known
among the crooks in those days as the
confidence queen
Il paid off the mortgages on my faith
er's property. He never believed me
capable of wrong. L told him 1 had
come into the money by marriage fire.
quently left my profession and went to
visit my parents, whose names shall
not be given here.
In the latter part of 1882 I was
caught in Chicago, tried, convicted and
sentenced to three years in the peni-
f17+ Tn no n
Chicago now may be seen an imperfect
photograph of me. had money, and l
hired the ablest counsel that 1 could
procure to take the case to the appel
late courts. MY cash stood me in good
stead, and my lawyer succeeded in Sc
curing my release. Other warrants
awaited me, and I walked out of Chi
cago that night and slept in grave
ward They never succeeded in catching
me again
Il returned to Kansas City. I had
hitherto met Charles Gordon. Our intro
ductfOn came about in an amusing way
He had been long in the con business
but we had not crossed each other s
paths He had frequently told his fell
low crooks that he hoped some day to
meet the woman who always seemed
lust ahead of him. 1 was introduced to
him on the train between St Louis and
Chicago on the way to the latter city.
while I was in Chicago L sprained
my foot and was sent to the hospital
Charlie heard I was there and, after
one or two calls, told me he would mar
ry me. He seems to take it as mat
ter of course; never asked my permits
sion, and I did not see him again until
1 went to Kansas City.
After reaching Kansas City stopped
the active pursuit of my business for six
months and secured a position as sales
woman in the Bee Hive, Kansas City The
reason 1 left this place was because 5000
was taken from the safe one day and
was suspected. / divvied with me cash-
Ter of the store and escaped without sus-
picion I did not leave Kansas city;
s.XVhiIe I was still there I met Charles
Gordon again and he reminded me of
what he had said IN Chicago. We We're
He vas at that time following Fore
paugh's circus and was working con
games During these years, and up to
iSss Kansas city was the headquarters
Of one Of the biggest and most powerful