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LOOKING BACKWARD J By CAPT. J. WALTER MITCHELL. Crooks of the "three-card monte" class flourished in Washington from about 1878 to 1883. Led by such human foxes as Charley OXeary and John H. Murphy, these sharpers operated boldly in the daylight hours, seemingly without fear of arrest. In the same period, bold and bedizened women, with their male accomplices, worked the "panel gan\p" here, and their victims included several men of high position. Eventually these confidence operators became so defiant that the leaders were arrested at the instigation of leading citizens and the detective corps at police headquarters pub licly investigated. As a result they were "legislated out of office" by Congress. Operated aa City t.uidc. .The 'monte men." under the guise* of being^ city guides, found many victims and lured them to secluded places where they were separate^ from their money and other valu able.*. This crooked work became so extensive and almost in open de fiance of the law. that It caused a great scandal and was taken up by William I'. Wood, formerly chief of the United States Secret Service, who in turn presented the matter to the cttisens* committee, then being farmed, for tfce purpose of investi gating the oil detective force. This committee was headed by the late John Thompson, president of the Metropolitan National Rank and the M*tu>politaa Street Railway Com pany. now part of the Washington Railway and Electric Company. His fellow committeemen included ex Mayor Matthew G. Kmery. A- I*. Bar ber. R. C. Fox. Thomas Somerville. Crosby S. Noyes, J. E. Fitch, W. A. Cook. T. A. Rover, S. H. Kaufmann. John H. Magruder. Thomas Dowling. Henry D. Cooke. W. W. Burdette. J. W. Boteler. B. H. Warner. William tthuster. A. El Batennin and Charles Stott. The former chief of the Secret Service, known familiarly as "Col." Wood, gave an expose of the "monte" I workers in a department of the Washington Sunday Gasette, which I he e<iited for a number of years, and Murphy and O'Leary were final ly arrested, tried and convicted. While in jail, ?>n appeal, these two men sent for Wood and made certain serious charges against the detec tive force. As the result the citi zens' committee investigated the "plain clothes men." and some timA later the latter, too. were legislated out ,of office by Congress. The bill also authorized the District Com missioners "to detail from time to time, from the privates of the force, such number of privates, not exceed ing six. as may in their judgment be necessary for special service in the detection and prevention of crime" This act was approved by the President. January 31. 1883. Following the regeneration of the detective force, and the "railroad ing" of Murphy and O'Leary the or- ! ganlsation of "monte" workers col lapsed About two years later "8lick" Wallace introduced the "pan-| ?1 game" here. After one successful haul. he and his two women \accom- J plices were driven from the city. ' Their victim, a prominent manu facturer. with much influence, re fused point blank to prosecute the trio, and the three trick artists were sent out of town and warned never to return under a penalty of a long term in the workhouse. Haw Straager* Were Fleeced. The business agent or "come-on" of the "monte men" was John Sklv ington. better known as "Skip" or "8kiv ** He was described as a con vincing conversationalist with "trick eyes." one gloomy, the other merry. He had several stations where he posed as a guide, and caught the . unwary who came here to see the j sights of the Capital. One of his; stations was on the north side of i Pennsylvania avenue, near the Peace ' I* Monument. Another wan at the cant gate of the Botanical Garden, and ??till another on Fourteenth street, near the Washington Monument. Upon the appearance of a prosper ous looking stranger "Skip" would' approach the man. exhibit his badge, a large german silver affair. bear ing the inscription. "Official City Guide," and volunteer to show the visitor all the Interesting places of , Washington and vicinity. Should the stranger "fall for his stuff." as the bogus guide termed his conver sation. he would be taken to *n Iso lated place where hia confederates were found engaged in a game- ??f "three-card monte," and induced to! join the play. 1 was a police reporter at that time, and recall one particular inci dent which will sertre to illustrate the methods of the crooks in other cases. Skiving ton was on "outpost" near the Washington Monument when lie spied a well-dressed, cleri cal appearing man sauntering along! towards the Bureau of Kngraving and Printing. regarded then, and now. as one of the best show places of Washington. By taking a near eut through the monument grounds i "Skip" reached the outer entrance of the bureau ahead of the stranger. , Removing his coat and hat and con- t tealing those articles behind the doorway. "Skip" rallied forth to' meet the visitor at the iron gate in front of the building. He appeared thus, in his shirt sleeves and bare headed, to cau?o the stronger to be lieve he Mas an employe of the money-making plant of the govern ment. ^\; ' "If this the Bureau of Engraving and Printing?" the clerical looking man inquired. "It in, but unfortunately the build ing is closed to visitor# today." the mohte man explained. "We have been given a holiday by the Secre tary of the Treasury In order that we may attend a moat interesting and historical affair Just across the Potomac. All th? employes are there now. with the exception of a few watchmen." Asked by the stranger as to the character of the event across the river, Skip" informed him that a ? magnificent monument to Gen. Cus ter was to be unveiled with much pomp and ceremony nenr Arlington national cemetexy. (The Custer monu ment fake was a stock story of the swindlers to induce strangers to ac company them outside the city limits where the game could be worked with more security.) "The President, members of Con gress. and many other prominent tnen and women will be there." Skivington further explained. "In fact I am. about to go over myself, and will be glad to have you accompany me. It will be a great occasion." The clerical stranger consented to cross the river to witness the monu ment dedication, and the bogus guide led him through the grounds to a small l>oat owned by the crooked gamblers and kept there for the pur pose of ferrying victims to the monte grounds on the other side of the Po tomac. During the pafsa?e across "Skip" learned that his victim was the pastor of an aristocratic church In Philadelphia. ai?d had numerous friends in Washington. Including gov- j ernment officials and Congressmen. Sklnninjg the Kentucky Drover. Reaching a secluded place on the op- I posite shore the preacher was led through the underbrush some distance! to a small opening where a number of men were engaged in what ap peared to be a wordy wrangle. "It's a gang of "monte swindlers'." Skivington whispered, "and they're fixing to rob some poor fellow." The minister held up his hands In holy horror. "I can thwart them." "Skip" declar OLD HRADqi ARTKRS OK POMCK DKPARTMRXT. Historic structure at Fifth and D streets northwest, adjoining th^ I ven^rabl** Daniel Webster homo. Police headquarters was located herei when the "monte" men and "panel gam#4*' workers were driven from the Georgette Waists . A beautiful line of fine Georgette Waists?all new styles and colors?suitable for gifts. $6.50 val- ?r ues, at.. J Correct Dress for Women?801 Pa. Ave. N. W. Fine Fur Sets ?consisting of wolf scarf and muff, black or brown, an ideal gift. vl? rial. $49.98 Wonderful Values for Useful Gift Buyers \\ In Ney's December Clearance of Women's Apparel J HKTHKR you arc buying for your personal use, or for gift purposes, you should profit by the wonderful opportunities this sale offers to save money on new Coats, Suits, Dresses, Furs, Hats, Waists, Silk lTnderwear and the like. No (ioods Sent C. O. D.?No Phone Orders Fillet]?No Goods Charged. Wonderful Values in New Wonderful Values in Real Furs Manchurian Wolf Scarfs In .black, taupe and brown; gold for $29.98; re duced to Manchurian Wolf Scarfs In black. taupe and brown; sold for $39.98; duced to. ... Manchurian Wolf Scarfs in black, taupe and brown; sold for $39.98; re duced to Real Wolf Scarfs taupe and brown; 175.00; reduced to Real Wolf Scarfs in black, taupe and brown; sold for $100.00; re duced to.... ReaJ Lynx Scarfs in black and taupe; sold for $159; duced to Mnff? to Match at Reduced Price* $19.98 olf Scarfs in brown; sold $24.98 jlf Scarfs in brown; sold $39.98 rfs in black, n; sold for $49.98 trfs in black, n; sold for $59.98 in black $150; re $100 Dresses, Suits & Coats' $1098 $14-98 $19 98 $1 Q.98 $10.98 $14-98 $19-98 $19.98 All-Wool Serge Dresses, Mostly Navy and Black $25.00 Pretty Silk Dresses, Taf feta, Satin and Messaline $29.98 Serge and Jersey Dresses. New Styles, Fashionable Shades $35.00 Fine Silk Dresses, Char meuse, Satin, Taffeta, Velvet $35.00 Stylish Suits, all Sizes, Mostly Navy, Black and Oxford $24.98 Coats, plain and trimmed, Meltons?Sizes for Women and * Misses $35.00 Coats, the New Models, Beaver. Kersey, Velour, Bolivia Cloth Wonderful Values in New Waists I/Ot of Waists in white and flesh; various styles; some slightly mussed; sold up to $3.98; .reduced to Big lot of Georgette Waists ?most all sizes and nearly all shades. Also new Striped Taf feta Silk Waists, desirable styles, sold regiilarly for $3.98; reduced to $1.98 $2.98 All Other Coats, Suits and Dresses Reduced from $5 to $10 Silk Underwear At Reduced Prices , Big lot of Satin ?nd Crepe de Chine Camisoles --pink - -all sires; pretty efTects; ex tra special at 1 N'ew Crepe de Chine Teddy nenrs?pink ? trimmed with fine lace; all sizes up to 44; ex tra special at. $1.98 Wool Dress Skirts Clearance Special Big line of All-wool Barella Cloth Dress Skirts, in navy and black; all sizes. Sold up to $6.98; now $3.98 Velvet Hats Reduced to $0.98 Big lot of stylish velvet hats; various ^ ? shapes; all prettily trimmed; values up to $12.50; reduced to Recent Arrivals in Midwinter Hats. The \ery latest creations in Satin and Fur, Satin and Straw, All Satin, and Georgette . <fc1 C Combinations. All fashionable colors V*) tO ?p 10 Petticoats At Reduced Prices I-ot of Changeable Silk Flo^nfe Underskirts that sold for $2.50; reduced New Lot of Flowered Silk Flounce Underskirts that sold for $3.98; reduced to.... : $2.98 DKTRCTIVK KOR(K AKTFH HFOR(iA*IXATlOlf. Headquarters "p'ain clothes men" who were appointed from the ranks after the old detectives had been legislated out of office by Con gress. Front row. Irft to riffht?Sergt. W. W. T'erry. Inspector and Chief of Detectives L. H. Hollinberger. Sergt. Robert Johnson. Second row, left to light?G. 1 .. Wheeler, Robert Burns. Joseph Carter. Third row. left to right?C. W. Proctor. George W. Boyd. Robert H. BoArdman. Fourth row. left to right?Lemuel K. Weedon. John Gallagher. Lid ward Home. M. W Quinlan. Top row, left to right?VV. Mattingly. H^nry Lacey. colored detective, known as the "Dark Secret," and M. B. Gor man. Nearly all of thes?- men have passed away. cd. "I'm from the West ami can heat j the man who invented 'monte' at his j own game. feet's go forward and in- i tervene." The two men stepped into the open | place evidently much to the surprise j of the Rang. The dealer, a bull-necked, surly , fellow, was behind a sort of | Htand erected on a tripod, with the : thr#?e (Mcfv) c ;ud? before him. Near-j by stood his assistant dealer. In I ?front of the stand were three hard- j looking individuals, and a rather stout man wearing a slouched hat with his trousers tucked into the tops of his> hi?h boots. Pointing to the latter) 'Skip" said: "He's the mark and he's got a big 1 roll of greenbacks. I'll wager." After a whispered conversation with .the man with the slouched hat. who ( (appealed to l>e considerably under the i f influence of liquor. "Skip"' returned to j , the preacher** side and explained: * "Just as I expected. He is a cattle drover from Kentucky. Sold several carloads of fine horses, and these rob- j bers are getting all his money. It is ' up to us to save him from further loss." Skivincton deelared that If he had i sufficient money with him to get in-1 to the Kamp h*> would beat the'gamb lers and win back all the money the j 'drover had lost and return it to him. Unfortunately, however, he had left ' his money at home, and quick action \ was necessary to protect the horse- i I man. who was undoubtedly an honest fellow, under the influence of intoxi-? , cants and in bad hands. "Skip" then, i I in a most diplomatic manner, learned that the preacher had several hun dred dollars with him. besides hi i gold watch worth about- two hundreo ! more. He suggested that the minister I "stake him" so he could go to the rescue of the Kentucky drover. "But I am a minister of the gospel." the stranger protested, "and cannot lend aid or sanction to such an unholy thing as gambling " "It's not gambling, it's robbery," Skivington rejoined. "I^end m?? your money for a few moments only. It will be like going to the rescue of a drowning man. It surely is not an un christian act to save a drunken man ! from being fleeced by such a gnng of j cutthroats." The Philadelphia preacher finally! consented and handed money to "Skip." The latter played and lost, of course. Then Skivtngton demanded the piewcher's watch promising to win back with it nil he had lost and the drover's money besides. "But that watch was presented to me last Christmas by my congrega tion." "All the better." ra*d the foxy "Skip." assuming s benevolent expres sion, "it will be the means of doing a creat service for helpless humanity, j I'll win and hand you back your time piece and money in a jiffy." flnlded bjr 4 ?nntables. The preacher yielded and the watch was put up against all the money "Skip" had parted with since entering the game. Just M. that Interesting Juncture there was a commotion in the surrounding thickets and four men ! armed with shotguns burst into the j opening, completely surrounding the gamblers and their victims. "Virginia constables.' Skivington whispered to the badly frightened preacher "Hands up. every danged one of j ye." the chief constable shouted, lev- | eling his vun at the group. All hands went up while the consta bles gathered in the cash, collateral J and paraphernalia. "Gambling In Virginia, eh?" said ' the leader in a threatening tone. '"It means a year in the county Jail, be sides a hefty fine when we catch you in the act. like this." The Philadelphia preacher presented a pathetic picture about this time. Ho was as pale as a ghost and his legs were trembling violently. "This is awful," he said. "I will be expelled from my faith and exposed In the newspapers as a cheat and a Rambler." And the poor man groaned j in agony as he realized his position. I The chief constable held a quick con- ' sultation with his deputies, and then turning to the group, commanded: "We won't arrest you fellows this time, provided you will 'beat it* out of the State and keep out In the fu ture. But T want you to 'beat it* on the double-quick. You. mister preach er man. in disguise, turn your head towards Alexandria and don't stop running until you get there, or I'll All your hide full of shot. Now. po it." The minister smarted at a brisk run. while the constables shouted at him to hurry up. Away he went through mudholes, into marches and bogs, un- I til he reached Alexandria, and took the train for Washington. When he reached his hotel he figured that he was "out" just $425 in cash and a gold watch worth 1200. Rut he was "In" several thousand dollars In experi ence. Afer the Virginia constables had watched the flying form of the Phila delphia preacher disappear over a hill top about a half mile away, they turn ed to the monte men. "Skip" and the "Kentucky drover" included, and sa id: "Come on. boys, and we'll whack up the profits." Kvery last man of them, except the minister, was a member of the "monte J gang" that had infested Washington so lone. The preacher was the goat. "I am a man of God." he explained later to a friend, "but the devil nearly got me that time." Police headquarters was located at the northwest corner of Fifth and D streets northwest when the nests of I "monte" men and the resorts of other "confidence" operators were finally eradicated. The venerable structure. I which has an interesting history, is still there; It is one of the landmarks I of Washington. Only once after the Murphy O'l-eary-Skivington ??mob" was put I out of business by the law was an at- j t^mpt made to revive the once pros- j perous swindling game. George Mc-1 Cauley, who had a most unsavory rec ord as a burglar and all-around crook. I with several of his pals made an at- ! tempt to "land" a wholesale liquor ] dealer from Chicago who was a visitor ' hero. Th^ gani; was rounded up by i the police* and MeCauley was sent to prison, where he learned the trick of whittling wooden ships and images and1 placing them ? in bottles with small necks. After his release from jail I met him in his old stamping grounds, a public house at Twelfth j and C streets northwest, and quizzed ! him about his attempt to restore the , "three-card monte" swindle. He was | hi a 'moody frame of mind. He said 1 Police Lieut. Amiss had notified him . to get out of. Washington and stay away on pain of being "Nagged" and sent to the workhouse if he was found *? on the streets after the day following. ' Aw, that 'monte' business is gone a-glimm^ring," he said. "Murphy and hid wan* overdid it. I learned a new ?Holy Jot' trick while taking my last dose of medicine in the tight house (jail), and ]'m going to be honest for a while and work the new thing." He produced several soda water bot tles and some soft white pine wood. In one of the bottles was_A full-rigged ship. The trick, he explained, was in j constructing the miniature vessel in j the beetle. "But I have a better one than the ships," he said. "I'm going to whittle little wooden figures, put them in 'pop' bottles and peddle them to goody-good people.'' WAR INSURANCE UNDER NEW FIRE! Representative Dallinger Cites More Cases of Hard- i ships on Dependents. Denunciation of the War Risk Bu reau for "inexcusable inefficiency" in handling allotments for soldiers' de [pendents was made on the floor of | the House yesterday. Tkis was the | third time in a week that the bureau! has been under Congressional flre. ?'Thousands of families have to be ? supported by chaTlty because of the I ! inexcusable fhefflci*. :y of this admin- J llstration, which is a disgrace to the: government of the United States." de- j Iclared Repreaentative Dallinger. Re- | publican, of Massachusetts. J "In common with every member of ! the House. I have been deluged with complaints from parents at home and | wives, stating that they did not get | their allotments and allowances. Just I before- election, when I went home. I | had not been there twertty-four hour* I when I was called upgn by two differ ent women, who said they had not re ceived a single cent for nine months, land we have a great many similar | cases." i One of the "most outrageous cases" [which had come to Mr. Dallingcr's at tention was that of a sailor. This man returned to this country after eighteen months' service in the North Sea, and I found that his family had not receives I "one single cent." He had made an | allotment to his wife twelve months I before, and for twelve months the money had been taken out of his pay. "Here is one case. An old man. un able to work, sick a good deal of the time, has a sick daughter who keeps house for him. He has three hoys in ; the scrvice. The fourth was drafted Just before the war ceased. One ' of j these boys married just before he went Into the army, and another married after he got to France. That left one boy in the service to make allotment to the father. Now they found that the | old gentleman had a house and land j which was assessed for >1.200. On the [strength of that the government took away his allowance." Representative Tague, Democrat, of j Massachusetts, said: "I know of numerous cases similar | to those mentioned by the gentleman. There must be something radically wrong." "She has a most remarkable accent, hasn't she?" "Yes. she can't get enough 'r's* in a month to eat oysters."?Cartoons Magazine. CI,EANS anything in the line of wearing apparel. Removes spots without a trace or stain. 25c per bottle at dealers. M. S. JOHNSON 826 FOURTEENTH ST. N. W.! 14-kt Sofa G*:j Snr.ict Watch, Octagon Shape, $22.50 QUALITY JEWELRY CO., 438 9th St N. W. CARRIERS' W.S.S. CONTEST ENDS Close and Spirited Race for Berberich's $1,000 Prizes Closes. J The letter carrier*- war ravins' stamps content, for which tbe cash prisea offered by Berberlch's totaling $1,000, were at stake. came to a close last night after one of the closest and : 1 most spirited campaigns of its kind j ever held by the Washington City ! Postofflcc. I Who the winners are im not yet I j known, although up until a late hour j last night a force of clerks was en gaged in checking up the returns. It is known, however, that the sales for yesterday alone will be at least IS5. 000. three times greater than those of i Friday, the previous higrhwater mark, j This would bring the total for the contest to more than $91,000. but of- j | tidal* say that this Is a very conscr- ? \ jtf ve estimate, and the total may ex ceed even $H*>.0uu for the ten days. From early morning until the closing hour, every carrier on the force was working to the utmost, bringing to" bear all the salesmanship talents they possessed for the dual purpose of put ting the District of Columbia "over the top" in the matter of ite W. 8. , quota for the year and sharing in the distribution of the cash prises so gen erously donated by Berberich's One man's sales for yesterday alone were in excess of 15.000 Although no hint was given as to the identity of the man in either case, it also was stated that one competitor annexed to ' his credit sales of more than 19,000 for the whole campaign. Owing to the difficulty in getting re i turns from the various branch offices : at suburban points, it is expected that ; the final results will not be ready for announcement until late tomorrow af- ! ternoon. It is planned to award the 1 prizes on the following day. The work of the contestants has been closely watched by Postmaster Mer rltt O. Chance and his assistant. Mai- . colm Kerlin. as well u by D. J. CaOr han. din tor of the District War >?v lnca Stamp Oomratttc*, at whow r?* quest the event warn planned. Co rain* directly under the super vision of CJlarence V. Schooley super intendent of carrier*, much of the suc cess of the competition U credited to hi* untiring work amon* the men The almost monumental task of tabulating the daily return* haa been in the hand* of Miss l>or>? Q. YVager, of Schooley's office, whoee efficiency accuracy haa contributed greatly to tte vmooth conduct. CLUB NOTES. Crrele Pf?rle? n R',4leal**. .Mile. Windom entertained the Cef* cle at ita current meeting Follow ing the hour of general conversa tion. the Maraeillatae sung in chorua opened the program An impromptu causerie of unusual interest on his experience* in the tre?ch'* waa contributed by Lieut. Jean Crie For the muaical entertainment Mme. Boury. Mme. Simpson and Mile. Becker drew upon a varied reper toire of vocal and instrumental numbers. Preaident Becker added a prediction in vers?\ written four years ago. on the resulta of the war which was as prophetic in its way as Frederick Palmer's "Last Khot" Refreshments were served and the Cercle adjourned at a late hour. The October meeting of th# Wash ington Readers' dub was held m the home of the Ootlege Women's Club. I street northwest. December H?. with Mrs. Edith Hamilton In charge of the program "An Illustrated Dis cussion of the Voice." Mrs. Wiley Ol I son read a scholarly paper on "The Sympathetic Voloe" In all Its phases anc it was much appreciated by her representative audience Miss Leonor* M. DeGrange's paper. "The Effect That Being in Tune with the Infinite Has on the Voice." sent conviction to the hearts of those present that her life exemplified her precepts, for both text and tone coloring evidenced the divine touch. Rev. Earie Wilfley read, by request, Poe's "Bells" and charmed his hear ers by the wonderful shadings, of which his voice is capable, and which had full scope in this claasir Mrs. Gertrude Mustain. Miss DeGrange. Mr. I son and Mias Elixabeth TI Will Mi also gave selections. for Christmas What will be your tribute to his accomplishment? All he wants is to be welcomed home as never before? and you'll do that. But be sure to make home more beautiful than ever before?add to its beauty with flow ers-?put them there fresh on the day he is to return. We have ready for delivery special assortments of Cut Flowers Hoosier Beauty Roses Black Velvet Red Poinsettia Plants American Beauties Any of these make excellent Christ mas gifts. Flowers are personal gifts. George C. Shaffer, FLORIST 900 14th St. N. W. Do These Things and Keep Your Hair Healthy i. Do not wash your hair too often. 7. Use only mild soap and wash it all out. 3. Massage the scalp daily and once a week use CARTER'S Scalp Invigorator The simple rules outlined above are the first principles of hair health. The delightful tingling sensation which Lux-1 produces at the very roots of the hair is evidence of its effectiveness. By stim ulating this vigorous blood circulation m the scalp Lux-1 assists nature to maintain a healthy and luxu riant growth of hair. Lux-1 also re- . moves dandruff at once and heals J/ any irritation that may have been caused by its presence. Practice this valuable Lux-1 home treatment. Carter's Laboratories Co., T*HABE( 933 G Street N. W. Washington. 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