The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-07-06
WAS VERY EASY.
SaIina Man Proves Himselfa Soft
Mark, Indeed.
Denver BuncO Men Gather in
William Wilson's Cash.
HE WON AT THE START.
Then Went to Betting $50 Bills
to His Sorrow.
Finally Quits the Game and In
forms the Police.
HE. WON AT THE START.

Denver, July 6.-With the incoming
of the summer tourists the local bunco
steerers, under the leadership of Lou
Blonger, are beginning to reap an alum
dant harvest. The old saw that
sucker is born every Minute" is daily
demonstrated along Seventeenth street,
and the fleeing of the unwary goes
merrily on under the skillful manage
ment of Blonger and his men.
One Of the first victims to be en-
shared by the wiles of the smooth gen
try was William Wilson, young bust
ness man rom Salina, Kan. He was
SEPARATED from $50 OF his hard earned
cash by one of the most primitive and
at the same time one Of the most sue
oessful games known to the profession.
s. Yesterday morning Swede Pete Lar
sen, one OF the local buncO men, and
number of his companions took their
station on the corner of Seventeenth
and Larirner streets diagonally across
the street from the Colorado National
bank, and casually sized up the incom-
ng tourists, who were taking advantage
pf the special rates for the Epworth
league convention. Wilson arrived on
The $40 o'clock Burlington and leisurely
ttrolled up Seventeenth street swinging
natty silver mounted cane in one
hand.
AS he passed the little group stand
ing at the corner of Seventeenth and
Larimer streets, 'Swede Pete,' evident
" thinking that Wilson looked good,
left his companions and followed the
lKansan to Seventeenth and Lawrence
streets, and then, touching his prey
lightly on the arm. asked to be directed
to the court house.
I'm sorry, old man, but I am astran-
ger in town myself returned Wilson.
The two men joined in pleasant con-
found friend that he had just arrived to
attend the Epworth league convention.
Gradually the two became quite chum-
my, and Larsen walked Wilson around
the block a few times, ostensibly to
point out to him some of the sights, but
in reality to give the signals to his fell
low workers to get the game ready.
Suddenly "Swede Pete" remembered
that he had an engagement in the Good
block, and wouldn't his new found
friend come up with him for few min
utes while he transacted his business?
why, surely; I'd be glad to- was
the reply.
The two went to a room on the second
floor on the Sixteenth street side of the
building, and there Larsen introduced
the Kansan to Colonel Sanders. tall and
dignifed, who in turn introduced his
friend Judge Randolph of Texas Judge
of the district court of Robertson coun-
ty''
1.-The judge and I were just having a
quiet little game of three-card monte
we enjoy the game immensely" re-
marked the colonel
For a few minutes Larsen and the
Colonel discussed chat Cripple Creek
deal that must be closed Wednesday,
for you know I am only to be here
during the convention as Larsen put
it.
Then the game was resumed. After
looking on a while pete made a cou-
pie of bets of $2O,winning both times. He
pocketed the money, remarking on the
side to Wilson that it was "just like
getting money from home" Presently
Wilson produced a 500 bill and made a
couple of bets of $10-and won. Then
he bet $40 three times-and lost. Then
he quit. and he and "Swede Pete left
the Good block, and as they stepped out
on the sidewalk the former innocently
remarked, "I don't believe that game
was just on the square, do your
''Oh, yes, it was all right you just
had a run of bad luck" said Larsen,
and together they proceeded to Frickey's
a. few drinks and some more confidence
inspiring talk Larsen led Wilson back
toward Larimer street in an endeavor
to get him in the same game again, so
he could win back what he had lost"
Wilson baked at the idea of trying
his luck again and refused to be lured
into the headquarters of the bunco
steerers. 1t finally dawned on him that
he had been f1eeced and the police were
notified.