Bunco Artists in Richmond, 1870-1920: Sharpers, Snatchers, Swindlers, Flimflammers and Other Con Men

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A kind of sub-society existed in Richmond, as in other urban areas, of tricksters, swindlers, confidence men and certain thieves. By looking at the lower sort of deception and crime, one can gauge a fringe society. The indefatigable crime reporters of Richmond’s newspapers, always with a bit of humor or pathos, give glimpses of a wide variety of misbehavior.

Much of the goings-on are derived from the proceedings of the Police Court, which tried misdemeanors and presented felony cases for trial at a higher court. The period under consideration has been describe as the
Golden Age of the Con , when hordes of gamblers, thieves, swindlers, and confidence men plied their trade across the country. Richmond proved a fairly accommodating place for the enterprising petty criminal. Of over two dozen activities considered, topics range from clairvoyants to body-snatchers.

Special events such as fairs, conventions, and commercial promotions attracted a traveling criminal element to the city.

Richmond’s tightly-packed population (the most congested city in the United States), the large number of the very poor, and the substantial immigrant population aided the ease of victimization. The under-staffed police had all that they could do to keep up with the chicanery and crime.