The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-07
A NEW YORK STEN0GRAPHIC
THIEF.

Cell-The story OF John sheridan. the
Biggest Hotel Thief IN the World.
From the Chicago Post and MALL
On Thursday evening there escaped from ward
f., in the County Hospital. while slowly recovering
from q seltlndcted pistol wound, man brought
up in ease and luxury provided in childhood with
every tning that parents love could suggest and
money procure, educated in the best colleges or
the land, 4 proficient shorthand writer, who de-
scended not step by step. IN usually the case.
but by one leap. the social scale which leads from
honesty and responsibility to crime and degra
datiOn
JOHN SHERIDAN,
the subject OF this sketch was born IN Central New
York In 1891, his parents being well to 40, respect
able persons, whose reputation had never been
furnished by the breath Of suspicion, aud who in
every way conducted themselves as beitted their
station IN lie.
John, the only son, was given every advantage
which money could procure, and, MS ne was natu-
rally bright, Intelligent boy, sOoa gave promise OF
bringing additional honor upon the family name.
AFTER COMPLETING HIS EDUCATION
he studied stcnography. and soon became one OF
the most proficient writer's in New York city.
OF his history While III that city but little Is
sainsd he conducted hmsa in an o eNemplary
manner, winning the respect OF oil with whom he
came IN contact Undressing upon their minds
recOlectIons OF the many good points in mis- char
acter, making friends OF al and enemies OF none.
ABOUT SIX MONTHS
he concluded TO try his fortune In the West and
came to this city, lie soon obtained empoyment
as private secretary to Allan Pinkerton, the well
known detective, and worked for several weeks in
this capacity, earning from $40 TO $50 per week,
being seemingly on the high road TO success
suddenly, and without warning he notified his
employers OF his intention to leave their service.
When questioned as to his motives Tor the change
he eynced dispeasure, and would give no salts.
factory answer.
FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS
after his departure nothing was heard concerning
him, and the impression among his former asso-
clates was That he had lett the city.
one evening, as the onlcials at Police Head
quarters were taking their usual alter supper
sno01e, a waiter from the Pacific Hotel entered
the Superlntendcnt's office and Informed the per-
son In charge that an officer was wanted at once
III the Pacific Policeman Ellis, who was present,
was sent 10 the hotel where he found an excited
crowd gathered around young man who APP
peared very much confused by the condition OF
An English gentleman who appeared to ie in
charge OF atfai, ). stated that tue room Of
LORD TALBOT. OF ENGLAND,
who was on tour OF inspection through this COun-
try, had been entered by young man In custody
and ROBBED OF gold ring and pair OF sealskin
gloves. At first the policeman was I'm willing to
arrest the man as nobody appeared willing to make
the necessary complaint but TINS being finally over
come, he was taken III charge.
On searching him the officer was very much CUR.
prised to fnd complete and extensive set OF keys
which would open the door OF any hotel room In
the city. When
ARRArGNED AT THE POLICE COURT
on the following day he pleaded guilty to the
charges preferred against HIM, said that It was his
first offence ana begged SO pitiuily ior mercy that
the charge was changed from ..larceny'' to "a,s-
orderly" and line OF 300 imposed
The money was paid and
JOHN SHERIDAN WAS FREE
either to return to the life OF honesty which he
had led so long or SINK still deeper in the slough o.
crime. the borders Of which ne had touched with
such disastrous results.
For a few weeks nothing was seen or heard Of
fulfilled the promise made when in danger OF being
punished for his crimes. and left In disgrace the
city which he had entered with hopes so high.
In q snort Time the DOarders at the BnrdicR
House, on Wabash avenue discovered that the
doors of their rooms were being tampercd with,
and the propretors OF the house sought the as
sistance of tue police 10 capture, II possible, the
person with felOnlons intent who was causing all
the trouble.
OFFICERS DRESSED IN CITIZENS CLOTHES.
were stationed In the building, and soon the dis
covery was made that the would-oe burglar was
none other than John sheridan.
HE WAS ARRESTED
and again faced the police magistrate TO answer TO
the charge OF larceny. THIS time he pleaded mot
guilty." and, as Inc evidence OF his guilt was not
conclusive, he was discharged.
From this time until the 10th February nothing
was heard or seen OF Sheridan. On the evening OF
that day
BoAnDEn AT THE PALMER HOUSE
entered his room, and ii the darkness saw man
CROPPING around the bureau He ut once started
FOR nm, seelng which tue night prower started
for the door, closely followed by the Colonel. y
who. IN his excitement, feared that the burglar
had obtained possession OF soEe valuaoles which
the bureau contained. Down the marble stairway
went the thie, the Doarder following closely III the
rear.
When the ground noor was reached the dying
PAIR
MET CAPTAIN LULL
whose recent unpleasant experience with the
Younger brothers in Missouri mas been the theme
Of so muc6 Talk and speculation, VINO was ut that
time employed as detective az the hoiel.
He comprenendcd the situation at once, promptly
arrested the thief and took him TO the armory,
where nc was recognized as being none ether than
sheridan. He was placed in q cell, where he re-
manned during the nignt, and In the morning re-
celvcd
VISIT FROM DETECTIVE GALLAGHER.
10 him he expressed the utmost penitsncc for
the many crimes he had committed, vowed that
he would abandon the life which had proved SO
nnDroiitabie ootn in moral and pecuniary sense,
and, in proof Of The carnestness OF his good inten-
tons volunteered TO conduct the officer 10 his
room in Congress street. and deliver 70 hun all
the property which lie mad acquired IN the pursuit
OF his neiarous and criminal calling
HIS PROPOSITION WAS ACCEPTED
by the officer VINO only too wiling to add TO
his lame by recovering stolen property in such an
easy manner anu, securing the assistance I'll he
tectiye ,layton, IN order that any projects Tor
escape which sheridan might have could be cnec-
tuany frustrated, the trio started for tie place
where the booty was concealed
ON REACHING THE Room
Sheridan proceeded 10 the wall, opened the door
OF secret vault whose presence WIS not thought
OF by the Officers. and began TO take out the goods
which 1t hat cost him 40 much time and ttoubie TO
, obtain.
He handed to Gallagher handsome KNIFE. re.
questng tuna as he did 80 TO Keep 1t az ~ ren.em
brancc.
Then, stepping 10 a bureau, he took from a
drawer small single-barrelled pistol, and. before
either OF the officers could comprehend his ntcn.
ton Or take measures TO Illustrate 1t, ne
PLACED rnE NuzziE 70 Ills HEAD
and pulled he trigger. The pistol was discharged
with dali report and sheridan fell hcadorg into
Gallagher's arms. the blood lowing
IN A CRIMSON TORRENT
rom the gaping wound in his head.
As soon MS possible mcdIcal assistance was pro-
cured. and the doctor who arrived soon found that
the wound would not prove fatal although Its
victim evidently mscpded that the bullet should
END his miserable career.
wagon was procured and the wounded man
taken to the County Hospital
For days he
FINGERED BETWEEN LIE AND DEATH
but finally the crisis was passed and he slowly be-
gan to recover.
FOR some time he had been able to sit up in his
bed. hut refused 80 converse with any OF the MI.
merous visitors who came to see him, drawn
| thither by curiosity 70 see and talk with mat
VINO had ALLEN from the top TO the bottom OF the
social scale.
| As soon as he entered the hospital the police an.
thorities, recognizing the dangerous qualities o.
the man with whom they had TO dcal, stationed an
Onicer nom the Twenty-sccond street station IN
building the purpose OF preventing the