The Great Hotel Heist That Wasn't: How Seattle’s Gamblers Were Fooled by a Fake Fortune

A Rough Practical Joke

For some time past the patrons of the wealthier gambling saloons of the city have been annoyed by a person known as "Splitcheck Jimmy." He is a broken-down sporting man whose only object in life appears to be to secure enough money to rejoin his wife in Paris. He never has more than a dollar or two in his pocket, and on this capital he has made it his habit to frequent the various faro banks, making himself offensive in advising strangers, and trying all sorts of dodges known to the fraternity to secure a few extra dollars.

He has been got rid of by means of rather a rough practical joke. A young scion of a well-known up-town family was selected to arrange matters. Being known to the obnoxious gambler, he readily secured his confidence, and then unfolded a plot by means of which both were put in possession of needed funds.

In the St. Denis Hotel, at which he was stopping, he said there was a Frenchman, who had recently arrived from California on his way to Europe. He had seen him place fifteen $1,000 notes in an envelope and deposit it in his trunk. The plot was to steal the envelope, which the young man announced his ability to accomplish, but to get away with it would require two confederates: one to stand at the head of the landing and receive the money as soon as obtained, and the other to station himself at the foot of the stairs, take the envelope from the second man, and walk rapidly away with it. If the robbery should be discovered quickly, this plan would give the third man ample opportunity to escape, while Splitcheck Jimmy remained directed to the other two, thus placing the security of the last boy's misadventure.

A well-known sport named Lynch had promised to act as second man, and the opportunity was offered to "Splitcheck Jimmy" to be third. The young man was to have $10,000, and the other two $2,500 each. "Splitcheck Jimmy" jumped at the bait, and a day was appointed in the middle of last week to do the job.

As the hour drew near, several hundred sporting men seated themselves about the corridors of the hotel to witness the denouement. "Splitcheck Jimmy" was at his post pale and nervous, and unaware that anybody was watching him. In due time the young man appeared at the head of the landing with a large envelope stuffed with newspaper, which he handed to Lynch. The latter hurriedly descended the stairs and passed the envelope to Jimmy, who thrust it into his bosom inquiring, "Where shall I go?" "Up Twenty-second street," whispered Lynch, as he turned away.

Jimmy went out, and around the corner at the top of his speed, while the convulsed sports crowded to the windows. Just as he reached the ladies' entrance a stout, fierce-looking man, who had been selected to complete the job, stepped out, and clutching Jimmy by the shoulder, demanded the money. Jimmy blanched with terror, his legs shook under him, and in the most piteous tones he begged for mercy, at the same time handing the envelope to the captor. The latter released him, and the moment Splitcheck Jimmy felt himself free he set off on a wild run. He has not been seen since, and it is believed he has not stopped fleeing yet.