Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-28
DETECTIVES SAY
: GAMBLERS ARE
CONFIDENCE MEN
CLEVER OPERATORS PROMISE
TO LEAVE CITY
POLICE FIND LOADED DICE IN
RAID ON ROOMS
Alleged That Former DenVerites Made
Good Living by Games of Chance
with Carefully Cultivated
Acquaintance

In the arrest yesterday morning Of
William Beebe and J. A. Drouillard the
police believe two of the cleverest con-
1idence men that have ever operated in
Los Angeles were captured and a num-
Der of unsuspecting victims protected
from being further sWindled.
Although the men were in custody
but a few hours, they obtained the
services of Attorney Paul Schenck and
were arraigned late yesterday after
noon before Police Justice Williams,
charged with vagrancy, although the
complaints specifically brought a
charge of being confidence men.
Beebe was tried first He pleaded
not guilty and was taken back to a
cell to await his preliminary hearing.
Acting on the advice of his attorney,
Drouillard pleaded guilty, and an
agreement was reached whereby a sem
tence of 180 days would be suspended
if he would shake the dust of Los An
geles from his heels without delay.
Drouillard quickly agreed and was
released. In the meantime Beebe be-
ing apprized of what had happened to
his companion, asked permission to
change his plea to guilty This was
allowed and he was given the same
sentence as Brouillard, but was allowed
until Monday to leave the city, as he
stated he had some business matters
that must be arranged.
Find Many Loaded Dice
Beebe and Rrouillard are both well
dressed, Incorporating young men, and
according to Detectives Zeigler and
Hosick, who worked on the case, are q
pair of high class confidence workers
After shadoWing the couple for several
days, visit to the apartments of the
twain at Ponet square was made yes
terday morning, and in search of the
rooms of Beebe more than 200 sets of
dice, some finished, some partly fin
ished and others just being shaped. The
dice were all sizes and shapes, and on
examination were found to be crooked
on loaded dice.
There were also found a complete set
of tools and crude material for manu-
featuring dice. In Rrouillards rooms
was found a large assortment of paints,
chemicals and brushes, which the po-
lice say are often used in raising or
making counterfeit money
Both men are married and their wives
were at home at the time of the search
and arrest, the couples having adjoin-
ing apartments.
At police headquarters both were ret
icent and refused to discuss their cases,
only to wonder why they should be ar
rested. They acted with the air OF men
who realized that they were in a tight
place and that secrecy was their only
safeguard
Admit Gambling
Both admitted they had not worked
and were gamblers, Beebe saying he
often played dice and that craps was
his faVorite pastime, while Drouillard
claimed to be an expert checker player.
According to the police, Beebe, ac-
companied by his wife, came to Los
Angeles about three months ago, and
soon began to make extensive acquaint-
ances in the residential district, and
after gaining the confidence of his VIC
Tins wuold suggest game of chance'
The loaded dice would do the rest, and,
it is said permitted Beebe and his wife
to live in style and luxury.
Mrs. Beebe wrote July to Mr.. and
Mrs. Droullard, the letter being ad-
dressed to the Denver club, Denver,
Colo.
This letter was found in yesterday
mornings search, and was an urgenI
request that Mr. and Mrs. Droulllard
come to Los Angeles, las the town was
easy picking"
The letter stated there was excellent
opportunity for a good" game, ana
that it was easy to get acquainted and
the chances of being caught were
slight. The letter also suggested that
DrOullla1u ODldlIl 1lCuClAhAe'lH
would entitle him to membership IN the
Jonathan club, as it looked as though
the chances for easy money in that dl-
rection were unusually good.
Mr.. and Mrs. Drouillard came to Los
Angeles soon after receiving the letter.
but it is said that neither Beebe nor
Drouillard operated at the Jonathan
club.
Made Many Friends
According to the police, their strong
plav was to get acquainted with the
hest persons of society and of money,
and as they were dressed in the helght
of fashion, polished in appearance ana
manners, they soon enjoyed large cir
Gle of friends.
After introduction, a friendship was
formed, the purpose of when was
visit to the home of the victim.
1t is rumored that not long ago
prominent Los Angeles man contriDut-
e,1 $1,000 in good United States coin TO
the Golfers of the Messrs. Beebe ana
Drouillard, as the result of a quiet
family game. ;. s,es
Their mode of procedure made IT DIM
cult for the police to obtain evidence
against the confidence men, and atter
dsvs of surveillance a raid of the apart
ments was decided on as the pesI
means of getting evidence
The wives of the two men are lash
ionably dressed, and 1T Is SAID paVeo
the uov for many introductions.
Both men were pleased at their re-
lease. although apparently uncon-
cerned at the result, and spoke but
few words during the proceedings.
Refore hing allowed to depart they
,.are pbofograp and the pictures
1oid aside for future reference.