The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-21
In New Gale
dOnia,
is BUNCO O'BRIEN
Well Known to Worcester
Police.

The following Chicago dispatch re-
calls wildly to those interested in po-
lice work, a sensation that was sprung
on the people of Worcester about "A
years ago. The dispatch says:
Tom O'Brien, the once noted king
Of bunco men," is dying of Brights dis
ease in New Caledonia, the French pc
nal colony to which he was transport
ed for life for the murder of kid"
Waddell, in Paris, in 1895. A Chicago
friend received a letter from the king"
a few days ago. O'Brien says in part
How l would like to see Chicago
once more before I die! 1 suppose she
has passed New York by this time in
population. Years ago. when l was a
kid. we used to think that the Bulls
Head was away west. I'd like to see
the old town just once more and then
cash in. But that privilege will never
be granted me-
Say, Jim, I wish you'd do me a lit
tie favor The last time I was in
Chicago, I had to set out in a hurry
as Jack Shea was after me, and left
an unpaid bill at Billy Boyle's, in the
alley. 1t was something like 81 or SIS
supper for two, with a cold bottle If
Boyle is still living, l wish you'd pay
him. He's the only man in the world
that I owe a dollar to-"
O'Brien, who earned the title Of
king of bunco men" by transactions
beside which those of the famous John
Reed are comparatively tritllng, has
been in Worcester, and Inspector
O'Day who had considerable expert
ence with the man, recalls him perfect
".
In 1884 O'Brien and companion
known here as George Post, came to
Worcester and made their headquar-
ters at the Bay State House, where
they passed as capitalists or promoters
of investment schemes which possessed
a decidedly attractive appearance, as
set forth by the "bunco king"
The late Captain Partridge of this
city was one Of the men interested, and
but for the work of the police the gang
would undoubtedly Eave taken $4,000
or SIS 900 from this city alone. In some
way the swindlers were suddenly
warned one day that the police were
watching them, and without waiting to
complete their plans they jumped into
a hack that was standing near the no
tel and ordered the driver to drive them
to the Union station.
The officers were on hand, however
Inspector O'Day jumped into the hack
with them and Inspector Colby, who
was on the force at that time, got on
the box and directed the driver to the
police station.
The men were detained at police
headquarters, and finally sent out of
town, as there was no actual case
against them.
ON another occasion O'Brien drifted
into Worcester, but was overhauled
by Inspector O'Day and driven out of
town. At this time O'Brien gave the
name of J. c. Burton, Louisville, Ky.
A short time afterWard Post and
o. Brien buncoed a man named Peck in
Albany, N. Y. They We're arrested and
sentenced to 10 years each in the state
prison.
A writ of review" was obtained and
O'Brien taken to Utica, in custody of
an officer, and like John Reed made his
escape, the only difference being that
O'Brien was confined in a room in the
court house, while Reed was taken to
hotel.
The officer concerned in O'Brien's
case was sentenced to two years in
jail
The next heard Of OBrien was in
New Orleans, and from there he went
to South America, appearing subse-
quently in Paris, where he committed
the crime for which he is now serving
a life sentence.
While in Paris, during the summer
of 1895, he met Kid" Waddell, a form
er pal, who, O'Brien believed, was in
strumental in his arrest and Danish
ment from America.
! As a result of their meeting Waddel
was shot and died from the effects OF
his wound.
| O'Brien was sentenced to die, but the
| sentence was afterward changed 10 life
confinement in the penal colony al
4 New Caledonia.
4 in 1887 and furnished bonds in the
sum Of $4,000, which were forfeited