The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-18


explanation, leaving the reader still In the
dark as to the real definition, or how to apply the
meaning This desire to understand the ancient
"stool pigeon business, of which the famous Bib
Wiley, police justice in his day, was 80 great an
adept, has increased in consequence of the recent
developement of numerous criminal mysteries, such
as the conviction of Biegs for threatening the life
of VIM b. Aston the indictment Of the Drugs
that of Arlington Bennet-that of Ashley, and many
others, which are still said to be IN embryo.
We will now explain TO the readers "a " stool
pigeon is an Individual who associates with
rogues of all denominations, If aot participation
himself in the actual crime; sometimes, however,
in depredations concocted by the " stool plgeon,"
II is necessary be present. IN order to hull suspl-
cion that he is the informer, and in this way he
is enabled to knew all the plots and missions
entered into by his fellow associates. In many in
stances, The "stoo pigeon" is man who passes
in the community for respectable person, or, at
least, to those who do suspect HIM; frequently
attaching himself to some decent calling, as blind
oihe public dresses excellent style, land generally
with plenty Of money in his pocket, which, to stran
gers, with d view TO cause an effect, he will fire.
quenty exhibit, making display, by offering to
make bet on small great occasions. The
" stool pgeon'' is mostly person of good address
and pleasing manners, which he cultivates for the
very purpose of deceiving the unsuspectng
We will now imagine a case that the reader may
fully understand the nature and practices of a
"stool pIgeen." Suppose crime has been COM
mitted, or plot or conspiracy has been concocted
TO fasen criminal charge on man who has
hitherto held in society position OF responsibility
A consultation is held privately, by the "stool
pigeon" and his associates, who adopt measures
and plans whereby their intended victim Is to
be enuapped The "stool pigeon,' next, by some
artfuly devised plan, becomes acquainted with the
person or persons whom the plot is 10 operate.
The arufce, now, OF the " stool pigeon becomes
allimporiant and, by ms-statements and false
repre- sensations, sort of confidence is established
between the "stool pigeon and the person about
TO be vicmised. This person, either honest or
dishonest, as the case may be, is led TO believe the
plausible story invented by the "stoo pigeon, which
exciting his curiosity, he is thus led from one step
the other until 1t is sufficiently in the power of
the associated gang to make prima fac'e case of
guilt against him, on which the Grand Jury might
find an indictment.
On the " stool pigeon arriving at this point,
some member of the police on whom they can
rely, is ENLISTED into their service make the ar
rest, and the matter then goes to the world as a
wonderful specimen of police ingenuity. In
other cases, such as burglaries and larcenles,
it Is no ncommon thing for the stool pigeon" to
accompany the rogues in the commission of the
crime, and when the officers make the arrests, who
are previously notified by the stool pigeon,' the
latter worthy is allowed to escape. However,
there are many ways by which ''siool pigeon can
carry out his treacherous designs, either on his
own companions OF in entrapping an innocent man
into snare, in order to brand HIM before the pub
lie as rogue
Some twenty or twenty-five years ago, this
"stoo pigeon" system was carried en- in this city
TO an alarming extent. The famous Bill Wiley
was then in his glory. Several police officers con'
bint together, aided by an aiidcht Of one Of the
daily press, who chronicled their wonderous dongs
as extraordinary proofs of police ingenuity. Eat
alas like many other great men, who advocate the
manufacture If vlllany and corruption, becoming
emboldened st The success OF many 4" stool pigeon
cases, which he himself had irumpeied 10 the
world great and glorious deeds, he went into the
business himself, and undertaking the restoration
OF the proceeds Of bank robbery, Tell into his own
trap; an explosion took place, which brought
the odIum OF the public on his character, and ia
consequence thereof, he sunk gradually under the
stigma, and, in a few years after, was numbered
amorg the dead.
In those days, however, the public knew but very
little about " stool pigeors." We may say, in fact,
they were ignorant Of such vilany, as il was only
known within the circle Of the few ATTACHES Of the
police. The occurrence Of burglaries and robberies
in those days were much more frequent than at the
present Time aud large proportion Of thsm wers
perpetsied under the sanction OF the "stool
pigeon" who communicated to the police officers,
aud the offer Of large rewards, The property was
invariably recovered These deeds Of arrests and
reoo,eIy 81 the ttol,n properly were displayed ia
long Newspaper ariicles, aad given to the public,
eyideIces Of wonderful adfoiincs5 and vigilance
OF the police, which, in fact, the reader wal
see, were produced b. tie ,l5.ts aud tFeachery
ct the "stoo pgeon"
On the election Of Mr.. VIM. f. Hsvemeyer, q.
MAJ or at the city OF New York, the old n, stem OF
wst,tp.n and police was abolished and the pre-.
seat police, created by The Lceisla'ure, was
adopted, ohd rutinto operation by hr layemeycr.
The now sysicm il the present police, and under
the puicsIcc oi Mr. WoojhgE snd Mr.. Mltscll,
the present Chiefof Police. itis siill continued. Al
the beginning it vas found difficult TO get it 70
work smoothly, N Consequence Of the mod. OF
spgoi1tiug officers. This new. N a great inci-
sure, Is Iect,t,d. bot much remains yet to be
done Nevertheless, the presen, police Is by Ear
the beat. aud the mos, effective Of any ever
edep,,d IA this CITY. or probably elsewhere. Ia,
pr,sent y stem # police, when adopted, was inu-
rcus to the old " stool pigeon" arrsn genenis, and
many Of The cid set underworld to isdoerinitc the
new with the ODD An incident occurred duuag
the mayoraliy OF Mr.. Haycmeyer, 0or iujg.msat,
IN police matiers, the city never possessed more
able mcn,) in ~hich IN application was made by
man well known for many years to the police
department. ss remarkably shrewd and cunning,
aided BY a fair education, and who offered his SER
vices to MIR liavemeyer, as a secret policeman.
to he paid by the city, for the alleged pur-
posc Of the detection rs he said. OF rogues and bad
men Of every DESCRIPTION. But on Mr. Have
meyer converting with him. he found at once
that this individual wished 10 be nothing more