He Fools The Confidence Man

1895

How a Guileless Looking Traveling Man Hoodwinks Bunko Steerers.

There is a growing fashion among traveling men to attach to their satchels and valises those well known little straps fastening to the handle of the baggage a small leather tag, into which is slipped a card bearing the owner's name. As a traveler walks along the street carrying his baggage thus tagged it is often easy to read his name by walking a moment at his side and glancing at the tag.

The confidence men and bunko steerers have not been slow to discover that fact, and they not infrequently in this way learn the actual name of their intended victim without the assistance of the usual confederate, whose business it is to learn the victim's name and place of residence.

I have a friend who travels a great deal, but whose appearance of guileless and childlike innocence attracts the bunko man as sugar attracts flies. He has become accustomed to them now. They never dupe him, but their attentions sometimes annoy him.

He drifted into the city again not long ago, and as he laid his satchel upon the hotel desk I was surprised to see that it bore one of the little leather tags containing the card of "Mr. Jabez L. Simonds." Now, Jabez L. Simonds was not my friend's name, and I laughingly said to him: "What's this mean? I'll bet you've swapped baggage on the train and have got some other fellow's satchel."

My friend smiled, winked slyly at the hotel clerk and said mysteriously: "No, I haven't. That's my satchel, but it isn't my name. Come outside with me after awhile, and I'll show you how it works if we have my usual luck."

We went accordingly, and my friend carried the satchel with him. He had his "usual luck," and I saw how "it worked." We had not walked three blocks from the Grand Union hotel when a dapper little fellow came up behind us. I didn't notice that he even glanced at that satchel, but he must have done so, of course. He walked up briskly, as though to pass us; then turning, with a well feigned look of recognition, he held out his hand, effusively greeted my friend as Mr. Simonds, and was starting in on the same old bunko formula when my friend nudged me and interrupted him:

"Glad to see you, Johnnie," he said. "My name isn't Jabez L. Simonds, and I'm not so green as I look. I just keep that tag on my baggage for the sake of chaps of your kind who are so fond of recognizing old friends. Good day, Johnnie. Hope you're not offended."

"I like to to do it," he explained to me as we started back toward the hotel. "It's just a fad of mine." — New York Herald.

Pointed Paragraphs

1916

Leap Year is twenty-seven percent gone, girls.

Old men frequently give advice to young men — and occasionally they give up money to confidence men.

No husband is always wrong and no wife is always right. Remember this, you married disputants.

When a man offers you something for nothing you will save money by going out of your way to avoid accepting it.

Swindlers 'Giving to The Poor' Take More Than They Give

Ohio, 1921

OLD GAMES

Prove Good In Relieving Northwestern Ohio Residents of Their Wealth.

That the same tricks swindlers have been using for many decades are still good, was proven this week at Toledo, when George Kostak, fifty-one, was swindled out of $2,400 by two confidence men. Posing as an heir to $1,800, one of the swindlers said his father's will instructed him to give the money to the poor. Ostensibly he placed the money in a tin box with Kostak's cash and then told the victim to hold the box for safekeeping.

After waiting vainly three days for the strangers to re-appear, Kostak opened the box and found nothing but a wad of paper. The victim was first approached by a stranger who said he was seeking his wife who ran away from Lorain. Kostak solicitously accompanied the stranger downtown, where they were joined by a second stranger, who incidentally related the story of inheriting the money. Both men prevailed upon Kostak as a sign of Good faith to withdraw his $2,400 from a bank before they produced the tin box.

—Van Wert Daily Bulletin, Van Wert, Ohio, April 29, 1921, p. 5.

"Hoochy-Coochy" Dances Seen Immoral, Performances Under Fire

Portsmouth, OH, 1897

OOCHY-COOCHY

Four Prominent Citizens Say It Is a Moral Dance.

The Mayor Ordered It Stopped and the Four Protested.

Agreed to Modify the Program a Little and Work In a Punch and Judy Performance— Three Suspicious Looking Individuals Who Will Keep Several Days.

One of the spectators at the Oriental dances at Eddie Burns' saloon Tuesday night was Marshal Schmitt. The marshal's opinion of the performance, backed by that of several other spectators, resulted in an order from the mayor next morning stopping the show.

When application was made for a license Monday it was represented to mayor as an ordinary skirt dance. Complaints were made the next day that it was an immoral show, and it was decided to investigate it officially, which was done, with the above result. The dance is an imitation of the Turkish "Ooohy-Coochy" dance introduced at the World's fair and attracted enormous crowds.

Mr. Burns, when sent for, insisted that the show was not an immoral one. The mayor had the opinion of a number of spectators to the contrary. Burns agreed to get six of the best citizens in the city to sign a statement that it is not an immoral or indecent performance. He left and returned an hour later with the signatures of four prominent business men who saw the dance. He finally agreed to modify the program, substitute a regular skirt dance, "Punch and Judy" performance and other similar innocent amusements for the naughty dance.

In the mayor's court Tuesday afternoon some of the parties engaged in the free-for-all fight Saturday night at Ray's saloon, on West Second street, were placed on trial. Five of them were found guilty. Huston, Appler and Shakespeare were fined $3.00 and costs; Justice and McDowell $1.00 and costs.

Two young men, with the appearance of confidence men, were run in Tuesday night by Officer Ingles and slated "on suspicion." They gave the names of Jarvis Lloyd and Ed. Hastings and claim to be from Chicago. They will probably "keep" several days.

Belle Medley 'fessed up to the mayor Wednesday that she used bad language in the presence of Edith Turner, Paradise alley. She was fined $4.80.

—The Portsmouth Times, Portsmouth, OH, July 31, 1897, p. 1.

Swindlers at Police Station Pose as Detectives

1920

Crooks Pose as Detectives and Get $125 From Grocer

HOBOKEN, N. J. -- Police headquarters was chosen by two daring swindlers as the most convenient place to defraud Harold Bonnell, a Milburn, N. Y., grocer, of $125.

The men, posing as detectives, induced Bonnell to go to headquarters under the ruse that his money was counterfeit.

Arriving at the station, the "detectives" excused themselves on a pretext. Bonnell, after waiting an hour for their return, explored the building and finally unfolded his tale to the astonished lieutenant at the desk.


Starved Self to Feed Dog

Women With Income Makes Strange Sacrifice for Pet

REIGATE, England -- A strange story was told at an inquest here of a woman named Giles, aged 66, of independent means, who according to medical evidence, died from pleurisy, accelerated by starvation, the body being very emaciated. It was stated that she lived alone and was of eccentric habits. She had an income of $50 a month, but it was said that most of it was spent in feeding her dog.

--The Saturday Blade, Chicago, March 27, 1920, page 2.

Con Men Selling Electric Money Making Machine

1920

BOORS ARE NOT ALL DEAD;
BUY MONEY MAKING MACHINE

By United Press Leased Wire

Milwaukee. -- Two men in jail here are said by the police to have fleeced several Milwaukeeans of hundreds of dollars by selling a new money making machine. The men are Frank Goeber, 39, and Samilo Bargieb, 35. Five of the bills used for demonstration purposes were of $50. The machine has electric equipment and the practice, say the police, was to give the intended victim a shock before selling him the machine.


PREACHER'S SON LEADS GANG OF HIGHWAYMEN

By United Press Leased Wire

Chicago. -- Henry Olson, alias Johnson, who claims to be the son of a Peoria, Ill. evangelist, was arrested today and charged with leading a gang of thirteen hold up men who have terrorized Chicago for several weeks. Police say Olson confessed.

Olson with seven companions was arrested after a revolver battle. Two of the bandits received minor injuries.

According to police, Olson confessed his gang had committed at least eighty holdups with the last few days. He also confessed, police stated, to shooting Patrolman John McNamen when the officer attempted to arrest them following the looting of a south side jewelry store.

--The Appleton Daily Post, Appleton, Wisconsin, January 6, 1920, page 1.

Alleged Arch Swindler Makes Friends With Victims

MAYBRAY MAKES FRIENDS -- MANY BELIEVE IN HIM

Alleged Arch Swindler, Though in Jail, Makes Good Headway Toward Freedom

A lot of people have decided that J. C. Mabray, alleged king of the wrestlers swindling gang, is not the archangel of the devil he was painted when first arrested.

Mabray is still confined in the hospital ward of the county jail, and two of his best friends of late days have been Ham DeFord, chairman of the county board of supervisors, and a nameless man who was swindled by the Mabray gang, it is alleged, at Keokuk.

DeFord is not exactly an easy man to win over by the gift of speech, being of the Abraham Lincoln hardy, rough and ready order, but since a memorable day a couple of months ago, when he spent a forenoon in talk with the alleged swindler, he makes the most of every opportunity to talk with Mabray in jail, or rather, to allow Mabray to talk to him.

A Keokuk man who was the victim of race horse swindlers, believed to belong to the Mabray gang, spent a day in the federal prisoner's cell, and when he came out told the jailers he was convinced Mabray had nothing to do with the swindling game.

"He's too nice a man," he asserverated. "I believe he's on the square."

And he went away with that belief firmly imbedded in his mind.

Another one of Mabray's victims, whose name is not public, is a wealthy banker in a small town near Omaha. He refuses to join in the prosecution of the alleged swindler. He lost $13,000 but he's ashamed of the transaction, and refuses to allow his name to be mixed with it. Federal authorities figure that there are dozens of such victims of the game who are taking the same attitude, too much ashamed of the game by which they were caught to attempt to recover their money.

Ready to Talk

Maybray's most noticeable characteristic is his readiness to talk on any subject, his ready gift of speech, and his seeming innocence of wrong motives. He is so eloquent on many subjects that federal sleuths may he could have made a fortune at any business as readily as he got away with the money of his "Mikes."

--The Des Moines News, Des Moines, Iowa, July 22, 1909, page 3.


From lengthier family news column, looking a hundred years ahead to Good Friday in 2016:

The birthday of Douglas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nelson, was celebrated today, Good Friday. Douglas was born April 21 on Good Friday. This year is the first time April 21 has fallen on Good Friday since his birth. Looking up the dates of the years to come, Mrs. Nelson finds that her son's birthday will not occur again on Good Friday until 2016.

"Bryan to Be in Storm Lake" read a headline in last week's Buena Vista Vidette. Well, guess it's all right. The darn lake ain't much good, anyway, and if the people want to turn it into a pickle factory it's none of our business. -- Estherville Democrat.

--The Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, Minnesota, April 19, 1916, page 15.

Comment: There seems to be a lot of confusion as to when Easter is. I googled it and you basically need a degree in advanced math to figure it out. But finally I found one site that appeared to know when the actual date is. They were right for this year, let's put it that way, and didn't have future Easters in May. Anyway, if they are correct, then Mrs. Nelson had it wrong about 2016. Although, if the sources were as confusing in 1916 as they are now, she no doubt thought she was right. And maybe she was, because it looks like some of the rules about this calculation have changed over time. I'm just glad I don't work for a calendar company as the guy in charge for getting this right on millions of dollars worth of calendars. They look at March, April, and even May and I've got five or six different Easters every year. I'm out of there and the entire Christian world is mad at me.

Agents Decline to Talk About Affable Swindler

Indiana(?), 1909
----------
AGENTS DECLINE TO TALK ABOUT A SWINDLE

Most of Them Hit Hard by Affable Stranger Who Was Fraud.

Although it is known that agents of local express companies were hit hard by an affable stranger about a week ago who presented some forged money orders, they are not bragging much about it and are about as communicative as their superior officers have bade them be. The affable stranger came noiselessly and went without much racket and in his going he lugged off a bunch of golden coin and a few bills that he procured with nothing more than a few forged documents and a bold front.

He was smooth and business like. He walked into the office and presented his orders and didn't seem so awfully particular about getting the money and didn't want to give anybody much trouble about it and seemed hurt when there was any hint that his paper were not all right.

All of the orders he had were duly signed, sealed and presented all the appearances of having been issued in good faith from the office of the Northern Express company at Butte, Mont. He had some letters from banking establishments and other concerns out there and an English passport that worked with a little cockney helped filch money from the local offices.

He tried them all and in only one was he turned down and in a couple of days he reaped a harvest of about $250, as each was for $50. A couple of days ago the orders began to come back with the notation that they forgeries. The Adams company has had no return on one that it accepted and the agent would say nothing. No report was made to the police and the companies are evidently using their own secret service operatives in an effort to land the man with the forged orders.

For the reason that they want to keep the matter quiet and that the officials of the company have enjoined the agents here to say nothing, it is difficult to get any of the details.

--Fort Wayne Weekly Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, September 8, 1909, page 8.

Fake Sleuths Dupe Boy From Kentucky

"Willie" Pays $5 to Escape Jail for No Offense.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., May 20. – Folks, meet "Willie" Gross of Russell County, Kentucky.

Altho little Willie is 18 years old, he never saw a policeman, or rather a detective, until he came to the great capital of Illinois. And then his first experience with the detective was not what you might call real. As he sauntered up the street with his 6 feet and 2 inches he was approached by two pompous-appearing persons of the male sex.

"You're under arrest," they told Willie, who groaned in surprise as the men backed him into a door.

One displayed a tin shield like regular officers wear. The other hiked down the street.

While he was gone the other with the star got confident to William.

"Aw, say," he said, "I don't like to do this. I wouldn't either if----"

Well, Willie greased his palm with a five-spot note and was free.

But when he got away he didn't like it a bit, so he decided to go down to the jail and see what it was they had against him.

"Nothing," they told him.

Then Willie explained he had never seen a detective before. Now Willie is mad all over and he and the police are looking for the tin-star "slickers."



Insane Horse Attacks and Injures Farmer

Man's Life Is Saved by Timely Arrival of Help.

MOBERLY, Mo., May 20. – E. M. Harrison, a farmer near here, is nursing some severe wounds as the result of an encounter with a mad horse on his premises and he barely escaped with his life by putting up a strong fight and because of the timely arrival of help.

Harrison had been to town with the horse, always regarded as the most gentle animal on the place, and while there he had the horse shod. He had reached the barn on his return and was preparing to unharness the animal when it suddenly became enraged and attacked him without apparent cause.

It bit and pawed him and knocked him to the ground. Harrison kept his presence of mind, defending himself as best he could and calling for help. The horse embedded its teeth in his face, legs and arms. As a result the muscles of his legs and arms were badly lacerated and torn. Attending physicians say that while the wounds are painful, Harrison will recover from them.

He has been unable to determine what caused the animal to attack him unless it was temporary "insanity."



Hotel Collects False Teeth

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., May 20. – Departing hotel guests forget many things in their hurry, but when they forget their false teeth they never call for them, according to Capt. James J. Coyne, superintendent of service as a downtown hotel.

Captain Coyne has just added another set of "store teeth" to his collection.

"They will never be called for," he said. "People are too sensitive about wearing them."

--All from The Saturday Blade, Chicago, May 22, 1920, page 7.