The Confidence Man’s Tears: How a Thief Fooled His Victim and the Court

The case of Dowd, one of the confidence operators, came up before Justice Scott yesterday, but his attorney moved for a change of venue, which was granted, and the case will come up before Justice Scott this morning. Dowd is evidently one of the most accomplished and darkest villains that ever preyed upon a community, and to turn him loose upon the public again would be an absolute outrage.

He has, however, been working assiduously for that purpose, and every influence will be brought to bear to secure his release. The increasing bles [bluffs] first attempts the bluffing game, but finding that it wouldn't work, have adopted the 'tears-off' policy, and are placing the smoothest faces adroitly, at least as far as Dowd is concerned. He played this role with skill in the Police Court yesterday, that those not thoroughly versed in human nature might easily have taken him for the very incarnation of outraged innocence.

After securing the change of venue, he asked permission to go across the room and speak to the old man whom he had robbed. Taking him by the hand, he related to him in the tenderest terms how deeply he regretted that he had taken his money, that he hadn't realized at the time that he was too old a man, and that since he came to discern his advanced age and that he was an old citizen of Seattle, he had been moved with compassion towards him and would give all the world if he had not roped him into such a game. 'But,' he added, in a trembling voice, 'It's the only way I have to make a living. I have a wife and two children dependent upon me for bread, and they are now destitute.' And then, in the same strain, he asked the old man if he didn't think he ought to consent to his release.

Such whining brought a broad grin upon the face of those who knew Dowd. But the effect upon the old man is said to have been magical. He was moved almost to tears, and then told him softly that he was willing. The whole community are deeply incensed against these men, and if the law is to be administered in so lax a manner as to again turn them loose, it will become the duty of our citizens to summarily dispose of them.

The statement of the District Attorney in the Justice's Court, pending the motion for a change of venue, to the effect that 'if he had had his way in this matter, he would have got back the money before this, and these men (the prisoners) would have been turned loose,' and that 'their prosecution was putting the county to useless expense, and would do no good,' moved much astonishment, and led to many surmises as to the reasons for such conduct on the part of an officer whose sworn duty it is to do his utmost to bring to punishment the violators of the law, not to facilitate their escape.