The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-10-23
Exploits of Gentlemanly Burglar in
Chicago.

The Chicogo Tribune of Monday has a
long account of the recent exploits in that
city of very accomplished individual, by
name Handy Andy, and by profession a
burglar. 1t seems that few weeks ago
the residence of a Mr.. II. A. Bante was
entered, and jewelry to the amount of $500,
the property Of a lady visitor, was, stolen
The detectives failed completely in working
up the case. About week after the rob-
berry had taken place, the lady received the
following letter.
CHICAGO, Sept. Is, 1869.
DEAR MADAME had the honor of pay
ing you an unsolicited visit few nights
since. l presume you are painfully aware
of that fact. l took a fancy to your jewel
ry one day when you were walking on the
avenue, and believing you could afford to
lose it l followed yon to Mr.. HIS house.
| surveyed the premises, found out, by
means which it is unnecessary to mention.
the location of the room where you enjoy
the company of the drowsy god, my best
friend, Morpheus, and completed my ar
rangements for calling upon you. l would
have sent in my card, but the hour was I'M
reasonable, and the circumstances unpropiti-
Gus; SO you will please pardon the unavoid
able breach of etiquette. Twas particularly
careful, as L always am when l visit ladies'
rooms at night, not to act the part of
Nandal, and destroy things do not want.
l was also careful not to make any noise,
afraid of disturbing peaceful slumber.
find, in the practice of my profession,
that courtesy, politeness, and a proper re-
gard for the feeling of others pay best in
the long run. Nervous ladies become
alarmed, on waking up, to find gentlemen
in their chambers, and they have nasty
habit of screaming, which disturbs others
and hurts my feelings. You are beauti-
full sleeper, and don't snore worth cent
Having nothing else to do, am indulging
my cac9thes scribendi to inform you that my
exchequer is getting exhausted, and must
be replenished Immediately. One hundred
dollars is indispensable to me. If your
jewelry is worth that amount to you, am
willing you should have it. l assure You
it is bargain at that price. You cannot
buy anything half SO good at twice that
amount. | am good judge of jewelry, as
large quantity passes through my hands
annually. You had better trade with me-
This is in confidence, of course. l trust
y
swer through the Tribune. With assuran-
ces of esteem, and hoping to be pardoned
for any temporary Inconvenience l have
caused you, ! remain, dear Madam, yours
in earnest, "HANDY ANDY"
This was written on tinted, perfumed
note paper, in bold and firm hand. The
writing was excellent and the photography
correct. The lady replied through the
Tribune, inviting the gentleman to a con-
ference at Mr.. HIS house. He was on
time and was met by Mr.. H. at the door,
In appearance he was gentleman, digni-
fed and well dressed. He handed to Mr.
II. card bearing the words, "Handy An
dy, dealer in valuables." Upon being re-
quested to walk in, he responded by saying
it was unnecessary, that long practice in
his chosen occupation had inspired him
with doubts as to the honesty of mankind
and he would much prefer transacting his
little trade right there. Mr.. H. assured
him that he was perfectly safe. He placed
every reliance upon Mr.. HIS word, and
agreed to go into the parlor provided the
hall door was allowed to remain open. Mr.
H. acceded. He walked in and sat down.
lie took out six shooter, explained to Mr..
H. the use of the instrument, remarking,
incidently, that if any police should happen
to come round he would be able to give an
idea of his skill as a marksman. Mr. II.
took the hint. They proceeded to business
and the jewelry was exchanged for $780,
Mr.. II. expressed his surprise that man
of refineme:!t and education should be en-
gagged in hi nefarious profession.
''Handy .isidy'' said the same thought
often struc:s Linn very forcibly. He regard
ed himself as 4 curiosity. He did not con-
slider himself a villain by any means. If
there were &ay villainy about it, the cir
cumstanccs which made him what he was
were villai.!1us and not himself At one
time he Was prosperous merchant, but
losing heavily in speculation, became rob-
Der. He said that God had given the
world and al in it to man to scramble for.
He was sclambling, not stealing, and in
the end would be judged ON the former
charge, and not on the latter.
He went on to observe that he was not
afraid of being arrested, as he never would
be arrested until Death laid his hand upon
his shoulder. Death was the only police
man that he could not shoot. He had no
one to care for. The wife and children who
might have bound him to virtue were gone
before. Their hallowed momory was the
only soft spot in his heart, he said, as the
tears glimmered in his eyes.
He was very successful in his "profes-
sion,' as he insisted in calling his thievish
occupation. lie had an ambition to excel
in everything. He would ''rather reign in
hell than serve in heaven" He related one
of his exploits In New York he got into
a house one night and made his way to the
bedroom where the owner and his wife
were sleeping in bed. Beside the bed was
a child's crib. By accident he overturned
the crib, and spilled the baby out on the
floor. The young one began to cry. He
was in fix, afraid the parents would
awaken. He decided instantly what to do
and did it, He picked up the child tender
ly, for, said he, sit reminded me of my
own darlings,'' and placing it in the cot
he rocked it to sleep again. This perform
ance occupied half an hour, for the child
was restless. He then went through the
room and rakcd up $4,000.
After informing Mr.. II. that he was cap
tain of genteel gang, who were bound to
each other by an oath which pledged them
to avenge the arrest or death of any of
the members, he left, casually remarking
that if Mr.. II. did not keep his mouth closed
his house and the "damned bank" would
be burned. He also asked to be remember
ed to his friend the lady.
"Handy Andy" or Mr.. Andrews, which
is the name he goes by in society and i'll
the world, had another little adventure in
Chicago. Mrs. B. F. Haddocl1 had stolen
from her house jewclry to the value of 800.
She advertised, offering to pay 800 for its |