The herald., 1898-09-11
A NOVEL BuNcoINd
THE CREDULOUs CHARACTER OF
THE GERMAN BAKER
EASY PREY OF PIRATES
A Bogus Officer Arrested Him and
Bogus Judge Took HIS
Good Money

For WAYS that are dark ana trlcks that
are vain, the local bunco steerer, as well
as the heather Chinee. Is peculiar. An
entirely new gag was worked on an un-
susnecting baker Saturday. the Bird In
slant. and while the new "con" netted but
s25. the buncoist's originality was worthy
NJ greater returns. G. S. Schneider.
baker. residing at 1926 Star street. was the
victim.
He is employed in the bakery near the
corner of Pico and Vernon streets. On the
Saturday in question, he decided to take
a day off and enjoy the sea breezes. Being
of a frugal turn of mind. Schneider. whose
name Is corroborative of his German ma
tionalfty, took with him $50, no doubt with
a view Of making extensive investments IN
town lots at San Pedro. provided work had
already been commenced on the break
water Schneider was not satisfied with
the prospects, apparently, for his money
remained glued to his pockets. He spent
some cash for drinks but not enough to
cause him to care to daily overnight with
lovely San Pedro, so he took the O'CLOCK
train 10 this city. He stopped at Joe Ar
nold's saloon, corner of Fourth and spring
streets. He claims he was not intoxicated,
but merely in a reminiscent mood regard
ing the wet stun he had consumed. Sub
seeuent developments rather Tend to dis
prove the first part Of his assertion. While
he stood on the corner, exerting his
strength to hold up one of the telegraph
poles, a man attired In citizens clothes
approached, tapped his right shoulder and
informed him he was under arres, for be-
ing Intoxicated. The stranger drew back
his coat and exposed a star or badge of
some sort Schneider had thought 1t
rather a strange proceeding, for. had the
officer been a regular policeman. he would
have ordered him TO move on" On sec
ond thought, Schneider, who had heard Of
the mysterious manner of local detectives,
decided it must be one of that tribe who
was attending to his case; SO he offered no
resistance, but mentally calculated. Il
suppose I'll be locked up couple of weeks
before they file any complaint against
me-"
Schneider was marched on Fourth 20
Broadway. then north to First street.
where Schneider paused. expecting the
"officer" to turn west and take him to the
police station and small book" him. The
Officer said he would treat Schneider
better than that and would take him be-
ICIe d JUSTICE Ol Tie pedCe, WLeic uc COuId
put up bail and secure his immediate re-
lease. When Schneider heard that he was
not To be Small booked and perhaps in
carcerated for days until his friends
mourned him for dead, he was overjoyed
and accepted the suggestion OF the 'of-
ficer" as a drowning man grasps at
plant They went past the courthouse.
then down on New High street for about
half block north Of Temple street, turned
down a flight of stairs, crossed little
courtyard and walked into small room.
There they saw a stout, well-groomed
fellow seated al table, who was intro
duced as THE Judge" This dignitary d.
rected Schneider 10 give him all his mon
ey, $25, and a receipt was made out.
Schneider being told to return Monday and
secure his money with the fine deducted.
The receipt was given Schneider and his
official acquaintance sent him home IN
q blackboard.
On Monday Schneider called at the po-
lice station to get his balance, but Clerk
Hensley was unable to discover any trace
of the bail money. Schneider reported the
matter to Chief Glass and then was in
formed that he had been made the victim
of bunco men. The officers were unable to
find any trace Of the bunco men or he
place whittier Schneider claimed he had
been led astray. Yesterday Schneider re-
turned to the police station, and, assisted
by several reporters, located the place in
rear room In the Golden Eagle saloon at
322 New High street. Schneider claimed
to recall several pictures on the walls and
also to recognize the poker table at which
the bogus Judge had sat. The proprietor
of the place said he remembered nothing
of any men answering the description of
the three having called there Saturday
1t is thought that Geo. Bowers and some
more of his sure-thng workers were in on
the deal, but no arrests have as yet been
made. as Schneider has not succeeded in
locating any Of the men to identify them.