The Lock and the Bunko Men: How Two Hop Pickers Turned the Tables on a Seattle Con Artist

Richard Sullivan, a bunko man who claims to be a heater, was yesterday convicted of petty larceny by a jury in the municipal court. Sullivan is a member of a gang of bunko men that has headquarters at Tacoma and has operated at various times in this city, figuring particularly in the case of the Anvek sisters, who were victimized only a few weeks ago.

Thursday afternoon two Indian boys, Thomas Ewey and Roy Henry, hop pickers, were approached on the City dock by a man (Sullivan's pal) who called their attention to a small lock lying at their feet.

'It's a nice lock, isn't it?' said the swindler, picking it up. 'Just like the one ladies wear on their bracelets. Wonder if it will open?'

He handed it to one of the Indians, who opened it easily enough. Just as he did so Sullivan came up and began to simulate as to how the lock came there, whether it would open, and its peculiarities of shape and size. Finally Sullivan wanted to bet his pal 50 cents that it could not be opened, but was told that no bet under $10 would be considered. One of the Indians then offered to bet. His offer was accepted and he promptly opened the lock. He at once claimed the bet, but Sullivan disputed with him and, watching his chance, grabbed the lock and the $5 and took to his heels. The Indians followed and chased the thief to Euan's saloon on Washington Street, where he disappeared. They called Officer Philbrick, who searched the premises and finally found Sullivan stowed away under a bed upstairs. Sullivan's pal ran in an opposite direction and escaped.

When Sullivan was called on to plead in the municipal court yesterday to a charge of petit larceny, he evidently thought the charge would be bunkoing and said: 'Your honor, I desire to waive examination.'

He was informed that he was expected to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty of the charge in the complaint, and hesitatingly replied in a voice that indicated a doubt as to the result of the trial: 'Well, in that case I plead not guilty.'

The court appointed Judge Ladd to defend him. The evidence showed that there had been found on him when searched a regular 'dash' outfit, consisting of a roll of counterfeit Confederate bills ranging in denominations from $100 to $5, and two decks of sharper's cards. The case went to the jury at about 5 o'clock, and a verdict of guilty was rendered within a few minutes. Two ballots were taken, the first standing ten to two against the prisoner. While the jury was being polled Sullivan trembled violently and shifted uneasily in his chair. On motion of his attorney, sentence was suspended in order to give time to prepare a motion for a new trial.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Bass handled the case for the state and is gratified at the verdict. 'I think it will make the remainder of the bunko men hesitate before grafting again in Seattle,' he remarked as he left the court room.

Sullivan was tried on a charge of bunkoing about a month ago but escaped punishment. He worked the same game at the same place and mulcted $50 from two victims, who were also Indians.