Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1875 — How Mr. Dudgeon Was Interviewed by Chicago Bunko Ropers. [ARTICLE]

How Mr. Dudgeon Was Interviewed by Chicago Bunko Ropers.

Mr. Anthony Dudgeon, of Grosse Isle, was in Chicago a short time, and a pair of bunko ropers undertook to initiate him into the mysteries of that seductivescheme for acquiring sudden wealth. The details of his experience are told by himself in a letter to the in which he says:, The next day after my arrival I walked’ up Monroe Street, and opixisite the theater (Adelphi, I think) I met two smart-look-ing young men, onifbf whom stopped and offered me his hand, saying: “How are you. Major?” I took his hand and replied: •• I am well, thank you, but I am not a Major, and I have not the pleasure of knowing you.” “ Why,” said he, “ are you not Maj. Johnston?” “No,” said I, “I am Mr. Dudgeon, of Grosse Isle, Mich." “Ah! Gross Isle? Is that near Detroit?” he inquired. I repliedlt is an island in the Detroit River, and one of Detroit's beautiful suburbs.” “ Well, Mr. Dudgeon, I am very happy to meet you—pardon my mistake,” he said, as he rejoined his companion. Now the moment this young mau accosted me I suspected he was a “ bunko roper,” and I purposely told him my name and residence to see what he would do. I thought a five years' soiouru in Chicago had not quite deprived me of the honest Granger appearance acquired by forty vears’ residence ia Detroit and its suburbs. I walked up Monroe to Clark and turned down 'Clark to Madison, expecting every moment to be hailed by the confederate. A few steps up Madison from Clark my arm was ■ touched by a smart, genteel-looking young <m&n, who said: “ Mr. Dudgeon, how are .you?" I replied I did not know him, -when he at once handed me a card, with “ William A. Butler, Jr., Detroit,” handsomely engraved thereon. Now, William A. Butler, Jr., is the son of an old friend of mine, who is a prominent and wealthy banker of Detroit, and the son was a friend and classmate of my son in the University of Michigan, f had been expecting to meet my bunko friend, and exclaimed: “Why, Butler! I thought .you were a bunko roper, and was just thinking of calling a policeman.” I then told him of meeting the young man on Monroe street. My storv rather embarrassed the young gentleman, and he suddenly left me, and: I really believed I had offended him. When I returned to Detroit a few days after I told the storv to several parties, one of whom told young Mr. Butler. Yesterday he accosted me saying: “ Mr. Dudgeon, I am WilliaricA. Butler, Jr., but not he who presented mv card to you in Chicago.” Now, I had not a suspicion that the Madison street man was not Mr. Butler, and had he asked me to lend him £IOO, cash a small check -or anything of mat kind I would have done so at once. My exclamation, however, luckily frightened him off and s&ved me. I keep pn ty well posted in Chicago matters, and I am, startled to think, with all my experience, how easily I could have been done for by this new dodge. Yours, etc., A. Dcdgeon.