Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-26
SW|NDLERS GET ALL
Californian Loses $440 in
Checks and Diamond.
VICTIM OF COIN GAME
Defrauders Work on Lawn Near the
White House.
EXPERIENCES ARE TOLD
r. E. Maxwell Tells Police How He
Was Buncoed by Two
Strangers.
EXPERIENCES ARE
Heads. | win; tails. you lose"

Heads | win; tails you lose
After r. E. Maxwell of Kingsbury.
California, had listened to this refrain,
coaxingly and not altogether unattrac-
lively droned by two strangers for some
time yesterday, he found himself loser
$40 in travellers checks and diamond
ring worth s175. And it was all done on
the lawn in front of the White House.
1t was the old, old game of matching
coins that has been successfully worked
in this city a number of times during the
past year Two strangers. one of them
an Englishman. became acquainted with
Maxwell on the street and induced him
to participate in game. When it was
all over, the Californian was forced to
telegraph home for cash.
Maxwell was strolling through the
Capitol grounds about 3 o clock in the
afternoon. taking snapshots with his
kodak when one of the strangers spoke
to him.
Taking pictures?" asked the stranger
II would like to have some of them to
take home. and if you are willing to take
them for me / will pay my share of the
expense. I'm stranger in town, but l
have no kodak.
Ready to Accommodate.
Maxwell was only too glad to accom-
modate his new acquaintance. and he
also was glad to have company. To-
gether the men strolled along Pennsyl-
vania avenue, looking at business places
and public buildings, and at 18th street
the man with the strong English accent
appeared, Maxwell having previously eX-
hibited his check book when he stopped
and had a check cashed.
Standing at Pennsylvania avenue and
18th street, the Englishman talked dis
paragingly of the buildings.
We have<better buildings than these
in the old country" he said. his COM
panon and supposed friend of Maxwell
taking him to task about his remarks
I'VE have fine buildings here, he pro-
tested. I'VE also have money and are
willing to wager it,"
If that's your game, said the Eng
lishman, I'm on"
The two men matched for dollars
worth of cigars. After having reached
a point near the White House they
induced to take a hand. his supposed
friend telling him they could win all the
Englshmans money.
You turn a head every time" Max
we'll was told, and we can't lose.
Wins From Englishman.
The game was on. Maxwell's friend
won all the money the Englishman had,
and it was quite a sum.
You're a pair of bunco men, the
Englishman protested, pretending he was
angry.
And. he added. pointing to Maxwell.
that man hasn't put up any money and
/ don't believe he has any"
In order that the disputed question
might be settled, Maxwell handed over his
check book to his supposed friend, which
called forth the remark from the sup.
posed irate Englishman: That's not
money" .
Then let me have your diamond ring"
was suggested to Maxwell. and he can't
say that's not equal to cash.
Maxwell removed the diamond ring
from his finger and handed it over to
his new friend to hold. Still the Engllsh
man was not satisfied. He continued to
protest that he was the victim OF sharp
ers and said something about calling the
police The one who had posed as Max
wells friend during the afternoon sug-
gested that 1t would be well for them
to get out of the way ,
Won go around that corner he said
to the druggist from kingsbury, ana II
go this way Well meet around the
block and I'll slip you your book and
ring
The men parted. the one man having
what he had apparently won from the
Englishman and the property OF MAJ AZ
IL.
friend was not on hand to slip him cae
checks and ring.
Other Visitors Robbed.
Realizing he had been robbed. MaxWeH,
who was stopping at 40 c street north
east. went to the sixth precinct ponce
station and told of his experience He
was told that the men against whom
he complained had treated other
strangers as he had been treated. al
though he had given up more valuaDies
than the others should the sharpers sue
coed in cashing the checks.
PAYMENT of the checks by banking in
situations in the large cities has been
stopped. 1t is probable, the police say,
that Maxwelrs name will be forged to
them and that they will be cashed at
hotels or in business houses. Descrip-
tions of the two men have been sent to
the police of other cities, and the local
police will pay for information leading to
hoi