The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-12
STREET BE:GGARS
FLEECING PUBLIC
DR.. Buchanan Issues Warning
Against Fakirs Now Oper-
ating in Richmond.
TOWN FILLED WITH THEM.
Even Children Are Sent Out to
Solicit Dimes for Drunken
Fathers.

Fake BerFars of all kinds and de-
scriptions arc now reaping harvest
in Richmond and it is said that there
is m unusually large number, even
for this season, the most profitable for
the professional pan-handler, operating
here
These impostors, who prey upon the
public with pathetic stories of a sick
father dead child, and what not,
have already dupcd many well known
citizens. Many of them are known to
tho Associated Charities, while some
are strangers to the midnight missions
and wayfarers' inns of this ,city
DR. James Buchanan. superintendent
Gently received communications from
several friends OF the poor and desti-
tute. telling varied stories of being
feeced By cheap swindlers.
Always Warns Public.
Or. Buchanan has taken no steps to
nave these imposters brought into
court, but takes every occasion TO warn
the public against aiding the profess
sional beggars. who arc so closely al
lied with the criminal classes that the
distinction is barely recognizable.
Many purses are open during this
happy season OF good Will toward
mankind for the aid OF those with
whom fate has dealt unluindly. Gu
rtous methods and all manner of tricks
are resortod to by worthless men and
women that their more fortunate
brothers may hear their pitiful tales
and contribute to the aid of some
mythical character.
sorrobful yarns of all kinds are
conceived in the imaginative brains to
the shake OF the shekels from the
pocketbrooks of the prosperous.
Children are frequently forced by
drug wrecked mother or whiskey-
soaked father to seek money along the
streets to keep up the supply of NOR
rhine and booze. These youngsters arc
early taught the elementary knowledge
of the thief, They are adept liars.
some Ways of the Craft.
Some altusseekers, more profound in
the ways OF the craft, intiict with
acids horrible sores upon their bodies
10 he displayed upon occasion. This
trick frequently lessons the finances of
sympathetic persons.
In Richmond to-day there are sew
eral men who are clever contortionlsts
They roam the streets as cripples. Their
bodies are wrought into revolving
shapes purely for the purpose of
handout from the susceptible
Forgeres Of letters of recommends
tions are common. especially among
;he female crooks. one OF them has
heen going from house to house in
Richmond for several days with
paper, translated into three languages,
purporting 70 be from a well-known
physician stating that she is a WORTH
character and deserving of assist
ance.
This case was brought to the atten-
ton OF Or Buchanan yesterday He
al once communicated with the doc
tor 10 question and found the recon-
mendation TO he fiction. The woman
was unknown TO the professional man
Work in Gangs"
Many applications for begging let
ters have recently been made TO the
Associated Charities. These are al
ways denied
The sale of pencils, souvenirs and
worthless gewgaws Is another scheme
with which would-be beggars torment
the public.
The professional beggar travels from
city 10 city. He is tho pest of Christ
mas time and the hobo of summer
Almost always he is member Of
gang headed by a captain. who
maps out and plans the work
The members live. or exist wherever
shelter is afforded Each morning they
go forth To return at nightfall and
equally divide III: spoiiS Of the day
And the almsg'fref' MY rest assured
that not once'n - hundred times Is
he assisting any but this shiftless ele- |
mont when he passes a dime or quarter
TO the street beggar