The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1900-04-04
Three CARD MEN.
Work a Smooth Game on a Lac Qui
Qdrle County Farmer,


Lac qui Parle county, out of So, 600,
by three card monte sharks, on
March 23d, and had it not been for
A. J. Peterson, cashier Of the Bank
of Dawson, the attempt would have
been successful. According to the
Sentinel, about two months ago
Johnson bought a watch from a
travelling fakir. The watch was
sold to Mr.. Johnson for $50 and he
was made to believe that 800 was
done up with it, But instead, the
package contained only 81. It is
likely that the three who visited
him last Friday belonged to the
same crowd, for they seemed to
know considerable about their vic
tim
Johnson story is that on ''Thurs-
day evening man came to his place
in a buggy who introduced himself
as lumberman from Duluth, and
as guardian for his sister, who was
a widow He wanted to buy some
land for her, and having heard that
Johnson was an honest man he
wanted him to go with him and help
him find a suitable piece of land.
He said he would pay him S. day
and if a good deal was made he
would not mind paying him 800, as
he had plenty of money. johnson
told him he would go with him the
next day (Friday) and he said he
would return at 10 o'clock the next
morning if the weather was good, if
not on Saturday. At ten o'clock
Friday he returned to Johnson s
place and had the descriptions of
three pieces of land to look at.
They drove west a distance when
they met man on foot who walked
as though he was somewhat Grip
pied. He came up to the buggy
and began to talk. I am looking
for my sister, he said, who mar
ried an old rebel and ran away.
I've got 81, 600 900 and I want to
give her $780, He mentioned a
name, but as Johnson could not un-
derstand he told him to go to the
Providence postoffice. Johnson
said, we don want anything to do
with this man but his companion
replied, Stop, let US have a little
fun with him. Johnson told him
again to drive on, but he wanted to
have some fun with the fellow. Con
found the Yankees!' said the fellow
in the road, they tried to beat me
out of 81, ,O0O The first con. man
here wanted to know all about the
game the other fellow had been beat
and the fellow in the road pulled
out three cards, two having a star
in the middle and the third two
pictures. Then they began to play.
They were not particular how they
played, and the first turn the first
COZ. man won IS. He then told
Johnson to draw a card, that it
would not cost him anything. John
son turned a card and the cripple
gave him S., which the first con.
man told him to put in his pocket.
The cripple said probably you have
no money to show up for this S.
bill? johnson pulled out his purse
and showed him, and then they be-
gan to play again. The first con.
man won $4,000 and told Johnson, it
would cost nothing to turn a card.
Johnson turned a card and the
cripple gave him $1,000 Johnson
got excited The first con. man
told him to put the money in his
pocket, saying, we can just as we'll
have it as this d-n fool. 'Proba-
bly, you have no money to show up
for this, said the cripple. The
first con. man and Johnson were to
show up $4,000. Johnson told him
be could show more than that if he
wanted to. I can go in to Peterson
in the bank and holler out, Give
me $4,000, and he will give it to me
quick, said Johnson. The first
con man said. don't say it that
way; say you have got deal and he
will let you have it. Peterson
knows me and will give me the
money whatever | say. was John
son S answer.
They arrived in Dawson all
right enough, but Johnson did not
find it so easy to get the money, for
Mr. Peterson SuSnpctad Snmathinp a.