The Bunko Men, the Norwegian Sisters, and the Saloonkeeper's Revenge

The case of grand larceny against Frank Hart, Goodfriend and Mike Golden — three bunko men arrested for robbing the two Norwegian girls, Amanda and Aminda Lagvik, on the wharf of Myers' cannery May 30, Decoration Day — was called for trial in Judge Humes' court yesterday. The prisoners elected to be tried separately, and the case of Frank Hart was called first. Hart was downstairs in the county jail and pretended to be very sick, so much so that he endeavored to secure a postponement of his case. Judge Humes would not listen to it and insisted on a physician of his choosing being sent down to examine Hart. This was done, and Dr. Sharpies reported to the judge that the symptoms complained of were of a character to lead him to think the man was shamming. The judge ordered him brought into court, and when he came in he put on a doleful face, which soon wore away, together with his assumed illness, when the testimony of his victims was being given.

This delay, together with the time necessary for securing a jury, occupied the court all morning, and it was not until 2:30 when Amanda, the elder of the two sisters, was put on the stand. Amanda and her sister Aminda were the first witnesses for the prosecution, and their story coincided in every particular. They had come from Victoria on Decoration Day, May 30, and while standing on a corner near a dry-goods store they met a man they had seen in Victoria with Hart in his company. An introduction followed, and the men took the girls to a side room in a saloon, where they had three rounds of drinks. From there the girls were induced to take a walk and were taken to the wharf, where an old man appeared and started a shell game. Hart first lost $20 and the Victoria man [lost likewise]. Then Hart bet $100 and won. The shell man said he would have to see the cash before he would pay the bet. Hart showed a check, but the shell man would take nothing but actual cash, so the Victoria man induced one of the sisters, Amanda, to go to her hotel and get her money. This she did and brought back a small hand satchel containing $300. She handed the satchel to her sister, who counted out $200 to Hart, who at once paid it over to the shell man. The girls then objected and asked for the return of their $300. The shell man made a grab and got the rest of the money. The girls struggled with him and made a row. Two other men then showed up who claimed to be policemen and threatened to arrest the whole gang unless they ceased their rowing; he threatened to arrest the girls for gambling and finally, to quiet them, Hart offered to give her back $80, which he did, giving $95 in good money and $100 in counterfeit bills. This the younger sister took, believing it to be genuine. To quiet her still further, Hart gave her a bogus check for $250, which was to secure the balance of the money the shell man had taken and gone out with, and said he would call at the hotel where the girls were rooming and redeem the check. The other man had meanwhile cleared out one by one, leaving the girls with Hart, who succeeded in getting rid of them, promising to call on them at the hotel later. The girls then came across an officer and told their story and showed the money Hart had handed them, declaring it bogus. Shortly after they pointed out Hart, who was at once arrested.

Chief of Police Rogers testified to the money found on Hart. Officer J. W. Glasscock testified to finding the girls at the depot and to arresting Goodfriend at 10 at night while he was attempting to board the east-bound train. D. W. West, of the Merchant Patrol, testified to assisting Officer Glasscock in making the arrest of Goodfriend. A. A. Merrill, also of the Merchant Patrol, testified to the girls making their complaints to him and being taken to Myers' cannery by the girls and shown the spot where they were robbed. Officer E. J. Crandall testified to arresting Hart on the Portland train as it was about pulling out about 1 o'clock the morning of the 31st. Hart attempted to escape, and Crandall caught him at the door; another officer came to his assistance, and the man was then handcuffed. Officer Nick Hanna testified to articles found on him: bogus certificates of deposit, a "flash roll" made up of paper cut up and wrapped around with a bogus greenback, and an imitation stack of gold coins. Marshall Hodgson identified the sovereigns and bills belonging to the two girls and gave their value, $33. Amanda was recalled as to the description of her money and satchel, but as she was uncertain she was excused.

The state rested its case. The defense opened in the evening with John Egan, proprietor of the Bureau saloon, who testified that his was the saloon to which the two young women had been brought, that the party remained there for three rounds, and that the women drank about [three] drinks; he also said the prisoner Hart was one of the two men who brought them to his place. The prisoner, in his own defense, made a general denial of everything. He said he was a barkeeper and had been constantly "on the wing" and in Seattle only a short time. He claimed that at the time the officers said they saw him at the depot for the 10 o'clock train he was at Constantine's. In support of this, Constantine, Willard and Derive Wells went on the stand and swore that Hart was in Constantine's place at 10 o'clock. Hart also testified that he did not know Golden or the other man, but Detective Cadihee testified to seeing Hart and Golden together on several occasions. The evidence was all in, and Judge Humes limited the arguments to one hour each. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Haas opened for the state; Mr. Fishback contended for the defense, while Mr. Miller for the state asked for Hart's conviction. The case was given to the jury shortly after, and after an absence of three minutes the jury returned a verdict of guilty.

Matron Taylor, accompanied by the two girls, was going down from the courthouse after the verdict had been rendered. The girls were commenting on the evidence. Aminda remarked that the saloonkeeper swore to things he ought not to. At that point John Egan, proprietor of the saloon at the corner of South Second and Washington streets, came up rapidly from behind, grabbed Aminda roughly by the arm, and cried out: 'You — I am the saloonkeeper you are talking about.' Then he gave her a jerk that sent her flying into the street. Merchant Patrolmen Merrill and West, who happened to be at hand, interfered and prevented further trouble for the time being. However, when the party was near police headquarters Egan turned on Merrill and commenced calling him vile names. Chief Rogers heard the remarks and personally arrested Egan on the charge of using obscene language. When he learned what had happened on the way down from the courthouse, he arrested Egan a second time, the charge being assault and battery. Egan was released on $20 cash bail.