davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1905-06-11

<lI/ EB kcb. sir. keb." came a
whining voice out Of the
IN darkness. 1t was one of
those moonlight nights in
Washington when there Is no moon, but
the District Government. relying upon
the weather, bureau reports economies
By not lighting the streets. and the
shadows about the cabstand in front Of
Mcpherson Square, near the Arlington
Hotel. were thick enough 10 hide tail
specter-like hanson cab But the
northern Yoice-it must have come
straight from New York-L-ought The
Times reporter TO a halt
No keb. sir? Beg pardon, sir, but have
you match?"
The reporter had no match, but he
handed UP a lighted cigar TO The figure
on the high box.
Thank e, sir. It's a lonesome time
o night / always makes 1t a point 10
save a smoke for two a. m. II sort o.
cheers things up and after that the rest
o the time hikes by quicker an a
butchers picnic drys up a tub O. suds.
Every now and then / picks up u fare
gettin a light just as | get one from
you. sir. SIZE you don't want keb?
From the North, sir? Yes, I'm from
the great CITY. l used TO drive a keb
on Fifth Avenue and hang around Sher-
rvs and Delmonico's and the Waldorf,
but the pace was too fast. for me and
five years ago i came down here 1t
was Ike gettin' into a horsccar after
rtdin on the l. road. Not but what
there's many a funny thing happens
right here In Washington after dark
and nfght-liDer like me sces some of
EN- too 1t was lust three wears ago
tonight that / picked up a fare as was
a fare and had look into things which
had they got out would have made
trouble in some big families here. !
was thinkin' about IL as you came along,
sir.
Whats the story? Well, walt q
minute till / come down and I'll tell you
sir A dark figure swung down from
+ Oh beg
The Washington times., 1905-06-11

blind was finished the CRATER limited
that ne had n bottle of good STUFF in
his pocket, and, producing quart bot
tie of choice wine and whisky mixed,
took a drink and passed 1t to tho
farmer. who also took a social smile.
Then, TO make the blind more at@rac-
tive, he hid the bottle under log, re-
marking that it would come in good
play hereafter
Being an experienced sportsman, the
grafters success in bringing down
fine mess of SQUIRRELS every morning
made things doubly interesting; besides
swig from the bottle created a good
appetite for breakfast
After the High Mark had establish
ed himself in the good graces of the
farmer and his family, one of his pals
appeaTe~-- This accomplice was a full
blood Indian, who had been educated by
the United States Government He had
joined the gang in the West and had
been with them for several years. He
was shrewd, foxy fellow, quick to de-
tect weak point in the game, or to ap-
preciate a strong one.
On going to the blind one morning the
CRATER happened to notice, a short dis
lance away beyond the fence inclosing
the farmers property. man who SEEM
ed to be digging hole in the ground
He Immediately called the farmers at
tention to the stranger and both watch
ed the outcome with much curiosity.
When the man had dug hole, about
three feet deep, he placed chunk of
something in 1t and covered It up; af-
ter which he scattered the surplus dirt
broadcast and then covered the top
with pieces Of sod. very carefully press
ed down.
The Washington times., 1905-06-11
A Plan So Intricate Few
Have Grasped Its
Details.
A Citizen, an Assayer,
and an Indian PIav
Able Roles.
BY ]. P. JOHNSTON.

fAuthor of Twenty Years of Hus'.
ling" What Happened to Johnston"
etc.)
Copyright. 1906. by Joseph B. Bowles)
TINE old-time gold brick scheme
although familiar in name, to al
i most everybody, nevertheless is
a game OF whose inside workings
few people have the vaguest idea. Even
men buncoed out of thousands of dol
lars by It have been unable to under
stand or explain every phase of the play
The sharpers engaged In this risky
work are careful, educated men; in fact
just the class one would suppose would
keep clear OF such dangerous and afro
cious work.
In my Investigations of all sorts of
bunco schemes, 1t was many years be-
fore 1 was able to understand how it
could be possible to sell an intelligent
farmer a gold brick for from $500 to
$1,000
A man might stop at the some hotel
with a dozen of these confidence men
for six months and never suspect what
was their business. or even that they
were interested in one another.
Always supplied with money, well
dressed and educated, they disarmed
suspicion. and for that reason were the
more dangerous.
Even while working up gold brick
job. no two Of them were ever seen to-
gether. Nothing would be known of
their work until some farmer had been
sw1ndled out of several thousand dol
lars. The newspapers could give only
a vague account of the affair, because
OF the farmers inability to explain how
he had been duped. Besides not one
in ten victims would let 1t be known
that he had been gold-bricked.
Had 1 not accidentally discovered that
an old acquaintance was In the gold
brick business, and had been for years,
never should have fathomed the mys-
teries of the game.
The Washington times., 1905-06-11
Started as a Gambler.

Having naturally a good physique this
CRATER developed into a magnificent
specimen of manhood. When twenty
four years of age, he weighed 230 pounds
was handsome. well proportioned. and
a fluent ta1ker, with the vocabulary Of
a college professor. After leaving col
i1ege he was first with a large travelling
st. Louis tobacco house, as a travelling
salesman. While on the road he began
playing poker and eventually neglected
his business. Later he began frequent
ing gambling houses. and this brought
him in contact with the sporting ele-
ment- He lost his position. and being
without funds or influence to procure
another. he had recourse to gambling
as business.
The Washington times., 1905-06-11

For many years I supposed. as did
many others of his old townsmen, that
he had turned out to be an all-around
sport, frequenter of race tracks, a
bettor on baseball games, pugIistic en-
counters, etc. However, we were all
mistaken.
While I was in the jewelry business
in Chicago he made frequent calls at
my store, and on different occasions
purchased a watch and several dia-
mcnds.
On one of his visits he was accom-
panied by a bright-looking fellow with
whom / happened to have a few mo-
ments' conversation In reply to a
question from me as to the direction
in which they were going next he said
that they had plans all laid for a job
up in Wisconsin.
The Washington times., 1905-06-11
fIt's All Riqht -

So saying. he picked up a piece of
brass and placing drop of the acid upon
1t let them see how quickly 1t began to
boil and turn green. Then he tried a
piece Of copper and a piece Of low karat
gold with the same results Then, pick
ing up the chunk of gold.' ne placed
the acid npon it without affecting 1t in
the least
Now said he, I'VE have tested the
outside; suppose we drill into the in
side" After drilling into the metal an
inch or two he filed up The hole with
acid, which did not in the least affect
it.
Gentlemen, you needn't worry about
this. it's all right he said.
What is the value of that chunk? %
asked the High Mark"
Il can tell by putting the needles to
1t and Weighing IT, said the assayer.
and, after moments figuring. he said:
That is worth a little over $4,000"
How much do we owe your asked
the farmel- excitedly.
"Oh. about so cents" the accomro-
dating assayer replied. I'VE never
charge much for information"
Thanking him for his kindness. the
CRATER and 'Rummy" placed the
gold BAR (as the assayer had called
it. in the bag. They returned to the
farmers home in high spirits. and again
buried the gold bar In the wheat bin
In the estimation OF. the CRATER, the
most feasible way TO dispose Of it was
for one of them to go alone to some
large city and have the bar made into
several hairs. and then dispose of them
to different dealers. He even limited that
he would be willing to do it.
Two men together, he said. would
be likely. TO create some suspicion. as
offering the gold fer sale is different
The Washington times., 1905-06-11
81 Want a Little Fun"

Now, see here said the CRATER. L
have at my hotel several fine guns and
plenty of ammunition, and / want TO
have Il little fun If you will give me
board for a week or two I'll bring out
my guns and will pay you $50 or SO
a week with the understanding that you
are to give up your personal time TO 60
out with me. What do you say
To this the farmer agreed The fol-
lowing day the CRATER returned, bag
and baggage
The first CAV they went to the woods
to erect blind under which to hide
while waiting for squirrels. After the
The Washington times., 1905-06-11
"I'll Give You $1,000 Cash"

See here, 1 haven't the money to buy
your half of the gold bar, and 1 haven't
time to wait TO have it melted and di-
vided. so I'll tell you what I'll do. II
you will give me $500 you can have my
half
no other reason than to get a better
deal; whereupon the CRATER showed
him that by accepting his offer he would
be getting $500 the best Of the bargain
Well" the farmer said 'h I can
raise s., 600 more than I have on hand.
I'll give you 81 600 cash for your share"
.An right agreed the CRATER.
Take me to town and settle with me
and I'll start for Massachusetts on the
first train for the East -
The cash was, of course. forthcoming.
and would have been had the farmer
been obliged to mortgage his farm.
During the grafter's stay with the
| farmer. the Indian had come every night
with letters. which he had left at q
given place under the porch and taken
! from the same place letters from the
High Mark to different members Of
the gang. thus keeping them IN per-
feet touch from first to last
I asked Charlie what average Of fall
ures they had in such a wonderfully
strong play, and learned that something
would turn UP to spoil about one in
every five or six jobs.
When asked II he had lost all feel
ing Of conscience. he declared that he
was as sympathetic as anybody. except
when It came to selling a gold brick.
When dealing with e. rich man, and one
who was as avaricious as himself, he
had no feeling whatever, and. aside
from the satisfaction Of making bunch
of money, he was glad to see ths greedy
old wolf buncoed.
The Washington times., 1905-06-11
lack Takes a Hand.

I've been waitin' for you for an
hour said Jack, to tell you what l
thought Of you. If you ever set foot
inside of my house again I'll have you
thrown out by the footman. Now get
out O. this
Jack stood watchin' the swell as he
crept down the steps like a beaten
dog with his tail between his legs He
didn't offer to come back to the keb. He
was wise enough to know that his goose
was cooked after that face slappin' and
nothin dom ION his part. He went over
and got on the car goin' toward Du-
pont Circle. Jack laughed a little and
then turned and went into the club.
For a few minutes l sat still not
known Just what 10 do. II was an
ernbarrisin' situation. even for a keb-
man, and a night-liner at that The lady
inside had stopped cryin' and 1 guessed
she was thinkin' right hard about what
she had better do. Presently she threw
open the door and hoped out into the
street. But just as she did so Jack
comes out Of the club again. Quicker
an a newsboy scramb1in' for n penny
on the East Side. she jumped behind
the keb- Just then Jack saw me and
beckoned-
The Washington times., 1905-06-11
Picked for the lob,

We'll, this same foreign guy took his
time lookin the lot Of US over. Whether
1t was because l had the newest Iookin'
rig or because he thought l would be
apt to hold my tongue. l don't know,
but anyway he come up 10 my keb
and s.id in good English though he had
a accent:
/ want yoC 70 bo at tho corner of
Rhode Islard avenue and Seventeenth
street ct 1890 tonight. You rcod not
stand under the street lamp. Under
stand2"
He said II very quiet like and didn't
oTc.l wait for mo 10 answer, but turned
on he heel and wnii.ed u, the greet,
lie WAS rEod 20 haY.a people do MS he
told cT..
''7-r-r cG7 bet didn't make no mis-
The Washington times., 1905-06-11

the locality. Calling upon the farmer,
of Rummy,' as he was known to the
gang, he would explain that he was
business man from Massachusetts ana
was looking around with a possible view
to buying a small farm, upon which 10
sbend his remaining days.
They had turned their last trick IN
southern Ohio, working it as follows;
Charlie, as High Mark. called upon
the farmer, who had oetn carefully Sc
lected by the advance man. After CIV
ing the above explanation to account
for his visit he inquired whether there
was any kind of good hunting in that
section. When informed that there was
excellent squirrel hunting and that the
season was then open, he became en-
thusiast1c and asked the farmer II ne
ever hunted.
The reply was that he scarcely ever
did. principally for the reason that he
had poor gun.
The Washington times., 1905-06-11

from calling upon an assayer for intor-
matice"
This suggestion was Intended to make
the farmer suspect that his partner was
working a scheme to beat him out of his
half of the oold.
The following morning telegraph
messenger came to the farmers house
with telegram for the CRATER. which
read:
Mother very sick; given up to die.
Come Immediately
"GSigned) MARY"
Half beside himself, the CRATER show
ed the telegram to the farmer. and said:
The Washington times., 1905-06-11

standin' there a tall man with n gray
suit on turned the corner of Seventeenth
street and went toward the door OF the
club, | heard the fare inside sort o
gasp and say:
The Washington times., 1905-06-11

face It was quicker than Z can tell
you. sir The swell didn't seem to like
ii a little bit, for he spluttered and
cussed. But he didn't offer TO do any
thing
The Washington times., 1905-06-11
- Jack

jack
II made swift guess that Jack was
related to her by marriage Then a
thing happened quick. Jack ran up the
club steps and stamped the swell in the
The Washington times., 1905-06-11
e lie 8
M54hEHne5
c1nT
u +.
Taa)Eb

II/ EB. keb, sir. keb.'' came a
whining voice out Of the
N darkness. 1t was one of
those moonlight nights in
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-05

Governor La Toilette, of Wisconsin,
was not on hand to see his states rep.
resentatives achieve glory, but Cover
nor johnson, with party was in a
box and cheered for both sides to show
his kindly feeling and his appreciation
of real snort. !
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-05
SIDE.LINE SCENES
OF THE GREAT GAME

rs
I Holt and King, Wisconsin Is long and
short of it, were conspicuous by con-
trast as they nervously paced up and
down the side lines during the now his
toric struggle. Assistant Coach Holt
looked like Phil IS father and when the
two came together for hurried word
usually one of congratulation-Phi
looked up at the big one in con-
fding sort Of way that conveyed the
impression that perhaps the head coach
really was confidence man. There
were other developments that gave Min
nesota rooters the same impression be-
fore the close of the game. Holt smoked
a cigar in large, luscious puffs, while
King was satisfied with cigarette that
he inhaled quickly to snort forth when
the plays didn't go to suit him.
The great King paced up and down
the side lines, following the play with
eagle glance. Some people said he was
giving signals. If he was he certainly
lived up to his reputation for foxi
ness" az his code was beyond the un,
derstanding of the finite minds in the
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-05

-s b - g &c.. = i ~ 80
Man for man from end to end Of the
line the gophers had a 5shadeat the better
of it. Wisconsin 8 backfeld was the
superior in weight and there lies the
whole situation. - .+:<z ) :!
Melzner played good quarter, altho
he did not shine as distance kicker.
He directed his play at the weak spot
in the gopher line and varied 1T with.
trials on the end. The end runs were
not successful in the main, altho the
two touchdowns came from this resort.
vanderboom' Work. r. 7; : :.
Vanderboom, the left half, was called
upon to do a. great deal Of the bali-car;
rying and did not play as sensational
game as he did last year, when he
terrific plunges and got into every for
nation as a pusher or puller,. and IN
this way gave great aid to his team.
Findley on the other side played much
the same sort Of game. 4 He was fast
on his feet and quick to start. = He, too,
got into the push and pull and when
Roseth was added: to this mbination
it made an attack which required tire
mendous effort to withstand. The back
field played most Of the game and the
credit for the victory rests with this
quartet almost entirely. Minnesota &
backfeld did not get chance to show
it's real speed, as the players wore them
selves down in defensive work and
jumping in to meet the rushes OF
King s men. -,
70 the credit Of both teams it may
be said that the play was clean thruout
and there was little manifestation o.
unnecessary roughness. Wisconsin wa'
in splendid physical condition and wen
thru the play, without putting in a sub
/ stitute. Minnesota IS substitutes wer'
were but three in number. DR.. Viii
liams had his men in superb physica
condition, and none Of them received
anything more than superficial bruises
in the game. = s... (, 5.
@-2 Losses Thru Penalties.
Minnesota suffered heavily in penal
ties, most of it for offside play. This
was due more to quick charging thar
to anything else. Melzner conducted
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-05
Two Great Elevens Almost Equally
Manufacturing and Findley the
Chief Heroes of Memorable Game.

his play with elaboration, which the
gophers have not been accustomed to
and as result they were in too quick
on several occasions.
The work of the officials was salts
factory. Every rule was enforced right
up to the letter and while the gophers
caught more Of the punishment of dis
lance thru their activity than did their
rivals, there was no complaint. The
crowd within the gridiron enclosure was
inclined to get in too close most Of the
but the officials saw to it that every
thing was clear before the play was al
lowed to proceed. q.
Outside Of The three long runs for
touchdowns and the field goal, there
were few startling features to the play.
1t was smash, smash, smash most OF the
time, no matter who had the ball. Min
nesota won on the exchange Of punts
and showed q greater versatility in at,
sin excelled in the team play and this
was due to the more circumscribed at
tack. Honors were even assto speed and
endurance and the field goal almost told
the story of the difference between the
| teams. F.-l r..
Melzner attempted the field goal 8
second time, but did not get his kick
IHWdY UEu0.- I10 uCSlCCG6Q a CndnC0 1O1
a field goal, the first half, when the
ball was in better position for the at
tempt, than when he was successful
King said Thursday night at Madison
| that he expected to win as Minnesota
had no Eckersall. This indicates thai
King had an excellent line on the goph
ers. But field goals are bart Of the
game and Minnesota fell in front OF
this method Of scoring.
Spirit Was Splendid.
The Wisconsin team played will
splendid spirit and in winning from
Minnesota accomplished an end no
reached by any other western team TO-
several years. The victory will doubt
less prove the biggest kind of boon
! for football in Minnesota, as the gophe
spirit will never rest until the defeat O.
yesterday is avenged.
It was a great day for Wisconsin an
the team and coach are entitled to tn
full measure of credit due them TO
their victory. It was one Of the great
est struggles ever seen on Northro
Field and one Of the cleverest.
Minnesota's followers joined wit
Wisconsin rooters in the cheerin
after the game. It means much t
. Wisconsin, to defeat Minnesota and a
the universities have, been old rival!
but friendly thru the rivalry, the los
of the game while regretted, was of
nature to merely arouse all Of tn
"never quit" of the gophers.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-05

consin goal in front of him, and he went
there like a man with but a single aim
in life. The demonstration following
the touchdown and when the plucky lit
tie half kicked the goal must have been
pleasing to him. On defense he never
hesitated to jump into the pile-up and
danced around back Of his line in splen-
did shape. =. 49, :-:. r. =. - = -
Kremer played Just as vigorous a
game on the other side Of the quarter.
He was strong on defense, and, like
Burgan, was driven in by the mass Of
interference accompanying Findley's
runs on, right end. Kremer, did not
carry the ball great, deal, but made
good gains. IF -.''5..5 -.
Current, at fullback, played smash
ing game. He not only took the ball
for hard bucks and distance gamers on
Wisconsin 8 line, but on the secondary
defense was into it in a flash. He was
responsible for several repulses of Van
derboom and Bertke, his rush at the at
tackled point, in. the line being Of such
momentum as often to throw it, back
for loss. On straight football Min
nesota proved her equality with Wis We i
consin on offense. On defense, the weak
ness came at center: g.. i S.; ,.s.'
Wisconsin's Three Stars.
The laurels for Wisconsin were worn
by three men-Findley, Roseth and
, Melzner. Brindley at left end did not
| carry the, ball but few times and Bur.
gan generally got him out of the way
when anything was coming in that side
of the line. Bertke played stiff game
at left tackle, but found himself opposed
| by Brush. Brush was immovable fol
| the badger tackle and Bertke s gains
were made when he was called in .ant
sent in to assault some other part of the
line. Brush outplayed him thruout The
game. Donovan outplayed Smith, al
the gopher guard was not only havinS
to care for Donovan but to withstan;
the terrific humping of Kings mass
plays. Donovan was pulled back severa
times and usually succeeded in gaining
ground. Bertke and Donovan on de
fensive play proved stronger than tn
badgers on the other side of Remp.
Remp was charged up with one of tn
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-05

~ Losses Thru Penalties.
Minnesota suffered heavily in penal
ties, most Of it for offside play. This
was due more to quick charging than
to anything else. Melzner conducted
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-05

&
momentum. Gelback proved rather easy
at times when Ittner or Brush were sent
obstacle, and neither the right guard
nor tackle could doJa great deal against
Ittner and Vita. Bush had battle royal
with MARSHALL. Both are masters of the
game and the fight between them was
Interesting turnout.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-05

worst passes seen ID varsity football
in recent years. TIE diminutive Kjel-:
land was responsible for this and kept.
the big badger worried almost beyond.
endurance thruout the play. When the,
play was not sent over Kj elland, Remp.
was set back to ponder on numerous
occasions, but Of course when the play
came that way Remp was merely
boosted over the gopher center by sheer
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-05

While ringing church bells at Shor-
well, Isle of Wright, man named
Ridett was caught by the neck in
loop of the rope, and was nearly a case
rived to see why the ringing had
stopped.