The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-01-29
From tho Chicago Sunday Leader.
LYNCHING A PICKPOCl EFT,
by Tue EDITOR.

Several years. ago, when that magnificent
floating palace, the Empire State, was ply
ling regularly between Buffalo and Toledo,
with Bob C--as chief clerk and purser,
THE following incident occurred, an account
Iof which may not be uninteresting to our
Ireaders: .. ,...-p ...r......
The Empire State left Buffalo with a
large complement Of passengers, among
hem, jolly, good natured son Of the old
Green Mountain State. 1t was his FIRST ex
perience of steamboat life and feeling
peculiarly good-natured and pleased with
,very,hing he saw, he INDUCED in occa-
nonal lbatons at the bar. lie soon made
he acquaintance of fellow passenger in
he steerage-an lrishman, who had for
nerly acted as fireman on the boat, but
Who had been discharged at Buffalo for
some derellction of duty--and they two
made frequent visits to the saloon, the Yer.
nonter invariably "standing treat" The
rank and innocent manners Of the Vernon
ter had interested our friend, Bob C,
aAd when he saw the company with whom
he had affiliated, he quietly called him aside,
tola hm to have u care and not become too
familiar with such questionable character,
&c. The Vermonter allowed he had his
eye-tetth cut, thought the discharged fire.
man !" a"danscd clever fellow" and went
off again in quest of the lrishman. The re-
suit was, that in process Of time, Mr.. Ver-
monter became slightually incbria,ed, and
shortly after dark proposed to turn in.-
Bob c, who had an eye out for break
crs, and who suspected the fireman Of evil
designs, watched the couple as they repair
ed below, and noticed that the lrisfman
"turncd in'' in the berth immediately be-
meath the Vcrmonter.
Iu the morning, on awakening, the Yer
mon.er discovered that his pocket had been
cut through and his wallet abstracted, con-
tainirg about eighty dollars in money. lie
immedIate y repaired to the clerks Office,
made his complaints to Bob C-,who lis.
tened to the story, took description Of the
money, which, fortunately, the Vermonter
could give accurately, and advised him to
keep quiet concerning his loss, set about
fastening tn guilt where he felt positive it
belonged.
1t happened, that amongst the money
taken was a fivc-franc piece, which had
upon its face peculiar mark. When the
fireman came on deck the Vermonter made
pressed much surprise and regret, but ad-
yIsrd his friend not to cry for spilled milk,
and to "come along with him and take II
drink Together they entered the saloon,
took their drains, and the fireman drew
from his pocket several pieces Of coin.-
The barkeepcr, who had been Informed of
the theft, and the circumstances which fast
ened suspicion upon the lrishman, discover
ed the identical iive-franc piece, and reach
cd over carelesSly and took it from the mans
hand giving him the necessary change in
return. Subsequently, Bob C, obtain
ed private interview with the Vermonter,
by whom the piece of money was clearly
identified. Here was positive proof Of the
lrishman's guilt, and shortly after dinner
Bob C repaired to the stccrase, where
he found the fireman in his bunk pretend
ing to sleep. lie was told to get up. The
charge of theft was made directly against
him, and notwithstanding his stout denial,
Bob insisted that he must he searched. To
this the lrishman refused to submit, and
threatened the life Of any man who dared
undertake it. But Bob was not to bc in
undated, and quietly approaching his man,
he told him to .'strip." The fireman made
an attempt to seize Bob by the throat, and
the result was, that 4 we'll directed blow
laid the lIihernian sprawling upon the deck.
By this time y crowd had gathered around,
and seeing resistance useless, the fireman
sulIenly submitted to the search. His gar
mcnts were carefully removed and searched
by Bob C, but the missing money was
not to be found.
Here was II dilcmma. There was no
doubt Of the fellows guilt in the minds Of
two or three-the recovery of the fve- franc
piece established that-but rs there was q
lack of strong, convincing proof, with
which to overcome that current Of outside
sympathy, which always sets favorably for
an accused party, the prospect of being
able to punish the thief appeared slim.
At this moment, gentleman, who had
remained unobserved on the outside Of the
circle. stepped forward and asked the clerk
the result of the search. He was informed
that nothing had been recovered.
'Will you allow me to search that man."
Certainly, SIR" replied Bob; "but have
already given him Il careful ovcrhauling,
and although feel positive Of the fellows
guilt, he has not tho money On his person.
However. proceed
The gentleman Immediately commenced
the examinations, searched carefully the
coat, vest and pnntauons OF his subject, and
the bystaudcrs thought he too was about to
abandon the case. But not so. Turning
to the lrShman. be requested him to re-
move his cravat, which appeared too ple-
thoric for the material of which it was COM
posed. The neck cloth was taken off re-
uctantly, and after running it carefully
through his fingers, the stranger quietly ask
ed how much money had been taken. The
amount being stated he remarked
81 have part of it here but not all"
The cravat was ripped open, and several
bank bills discovered, which were immedia-
teIy identified by the Vcrmonter.
Snow, sir, remove your boots.'
81 have already searched them carefully"
replied Bob, Sand am confident they con-
ccal nothing
''You may be correct, sir," answered the
stranger. "but, nevertheless, would like
to examine them.
The boots were pulled off by the IIbcr-
man with confident air, and the stranger
took them in hand. \ moment after he
said, "these boots have inside cork sors."
1t was true; and on removing them, the
amount OF money necessary to make up the
exact sum mentioned by the Icrmontcr,
was brought forth.
A shout of JOY and surprise greeted the
stranger, rs he pissed over the money to
its owner, and all were curious to know hi,
name. But, taking advantage Of the con-
fusion of the moment he quietly Withdrew,
and ascended to the deck. lie was follow
ed by the clerk, who, drawing him aside,
inquired respectfully:
"May have the pleasure of knowing
your name?''
"Bcnj jamin Hayes! :"
1t was the son and worthy pupil Of the
greatest police officer and detective the
world has ever known-the Vidocq Of Amer
lea. Travelling quietly through the country.
Il mere accident had brought his superior
qualities into action, and displayed the
keen practice and sagacity which become
| almost Il second nature to skilled dctec.
tive.
Attention was turned a gain to the miscr-
able culprit below, and the question rar
around ''what shall be done with him-how
is he to be punished ?" To proceed legally
with the fellow would require his return ts
Buffalo, whittier the Vernonter did no
wish to 60 as witness, as he was anxious
-