The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-14

Frank Edwards alleged bunko man,
was yesterday convicted of vagrancy in
police court. In spite of his own testi-
mony and the corroborating testimony or
a witness of irreproachable character,
that he received an income from money
loaned out at interest and was a stock
holder in a well known Western WASH
ington silver mine Police Judge cam
ruled that the testimony of 1--WE members
of the city detective force TO the enect
that the defendant was, and had been for
two years, the constant associate of well
known confidence men, was suHlcieht 10
convict Edwards.
A fine of 500 and costs was assessed
Edwards took an appeal to the superior
court and was released on 900 cash pan.
The police officers who testified against
Edwards were unanimous in their testi-
mony They could not say OF their own
knowledge that Edwards had ever robbed
any person in a bunko game; they were
forced to admit on cross-eXaminauon
that no victim of such a game had ever
accused Edwards by name of completely
in 1t; they agreed. further. that Edwards
had never been arrested before for any
offense during his three years residence
in Seattle.
Nevertheless they were positive that he
had long been an outside man, lookout
or locator" for ''mitt' joints, and mad
shared in the proceeds of bunko games.
They stated that he was the constant
companion at all times and places OF
men VIGOROUSLY known to be sure thing
gamblers and was generally reputed TO
be one OF a gang of confidence operators.
This gang is known TO the general pubic
as the bunko syndicate. .,
Edwards lawyer called as his first wit
ness Charles X. Jenner. well known
Seattle lawyer of high standing IN the
community. Mr.. Jenner said frankly that
he knew very little. except by hearsay.
of Edwards. but was aware that the
latter had money loaned out at interest
Rf ctr hn "
Ave Consolidated Mining Company. From
this latter source Edwards had very re-
Gently received 5000. which was paid TO
him by the witness personally. Cross
examined Mr.. Jenner stated that the
Forty-five mine did not pay dividends.
As to Edwards associates. Mr.: Jenner
said that he himself had had business
dealings with him and had seen him IN
the company of some of the most reputa-
Bile business men in the community.
behalf and testified that he had been In
the city for about three years. He said
that ne had come here with money ana
with the intention OF going into business
His plans had fallen through. however
Later he was engaged In the jewelry
business on lower Yesler way. Since
then he had received an income from
money loaned out at interest. He testi-
fed that he was the owner of shares in
the Forty-fve mine and owned other min
ing stock He admitted that he had con-
sorted with bunko men, but said that his
dealings with them had always been
legitimate business TRANSACTIONS.
The court. in summing up the evidence
said that. while no witness for the state
had testified to Edwards actual connec-
ton with any bunko trick he was salts
fed that the latter was guilty OF vag-
rancy. Under the testimony that was
the only conclusion to be reached. The
defendant had admitted that he associat-
ed with bunko men, and while another
witness had testified that he had also
associated with some OF the best men In
the community. that was not sufficient TO
prove the defendants innocence. The
worst of criminals might occasionally he
seen in the company Of lawabiding citi-
zens.
Neither was the fact that the defendant
owned mining stock and had money out
at interest sufficient 10 acauit him. The
manner in which the money was made
was the question at issue.
Judge Cams ruling In the Edwards
case the police say. is destined 10 prove
Of greatest advantage to the police in
dealing with bunko men. The police claim
that II ts impossible 10 get direct evil
dence against most of the recognized lead