, 1874-12-20

Iaporter-Are they =. ..::..,.. -.
EDUCATED TO THE BUSINESS?
prisono1-They educate themselves. When
they cot little knowledge the older profession
ais take them in hand, because no man, or .vou,-
an, or child, can work without being discovered
by pickpockct.
Keporter-Aro there no schools where they
practice, and become e1pe1t2
PrBoner-Nono that T know OF. There used
to DO in England. wAers men had q dozen kids
bovs aud girls under tutolage. The teachara
would protect them as we'll as thoy conld-post
them rs to the detectives, and keep them we'll
clothed, and give them money to spend. If they
kept anything they stole they were turned up to
the officers, and as q general thing, Nero very
faithful, being constantly reminded by older ones
what they might expect il they didn't do right,
OF squcaled when caught. When they reached =
certain age thoy branchcd out for themselves,
going to different parts Of the country.
.Heporter--4rs the women pickpockets mar
ried5
Prlsoner-Nearly always to q thief Of some
kind Many arc merely mistresses. but they are
true to their men. They cannot run long with
out being discovered by thlsves, and soon marry
pckpocket or crossman. And they all live in
zbout the Same neighborhood in city.
Eeporter-Do they travel much?
Prisoner-No; they live in tho pisces where
their husbands hide, aud, when they have worked
they 70 to so1po other city. Most Of them how
ever, are permanent residents Of New York, Chi
cago, Phifadclohia, aud the other citles.
Reporter What do you mean pg hide?
Prisoner-Eyery mob has L city which they
call home, ,nnd they pay the police there to pro-
tect them not oply when they ere :aught work
ing ihero, but from foreign officers who may fol-
low them from city thoy hare visited. :,
Reporter-What does thief do when he
"shakes"? :.
Prisoner-Ha sivea up percentage OF his
Reportcr-Do you know anything Of
TIE BURGLARS
OF this country? ,.'..,
Prisonor-C considerable. They mostly keen
together, and have homo i'll . certain city
where they do not usually work themselves.
They 80 to come other place and work, and bring
what they get to their home, where they stand III
(sharo) with tho police, and arc protected by
them.
lseporter-How are they protected !? :r-~
Pr1sonar-1f an officer follows them, be in
variably goes to the police-headquarters for in
formation and assistance. There are detectives
there who are in the pay OF tho mob, aud thay
tell the thieves OF tho arrival Of tho officer, ant
BY that means they escape arrest.
G'3orter-But outsida detectives often como
hf:a and make arrests?
Prisoner-phat is true !; but the mon they COL
lar are clothes-line men fellows who steal small
amounts). It is very seldom a gun (the best
IN the business) is given up and when he is. it
is only after nard fight. Yon must know of in
stances here in Chicago,-tho Eli Brown case was
ono there were two sets Of detectives fighting
for him; but the city's employees got the best OF
it and kept him Did you ever hear Of gun be-
ing taken ont OF New York without a regular
knock-1own The detectives will not turn them
up if the mob plant their stuH there, and gire
thom shake.
Roportor-1s it truo that
EANK MEN
will work mouths before they rob vault or q
safe ??
pr;uorar-vaa. an1on+;rpoo - +,toa 1,,..
while to perfect arrangements.
Reporter-Are all classes Of thieves protected
by the police /?
PriBoner-No; only those that are liable to
have big money-the shoplhters, pickpouEots.
glars-6rst-class men who go for large stakea
gopher {eafe) blowers, aud few coufidenco-
men. a fellow who steals because he il hungry
is punished to the full extent Of the law; and
they are gohbled up and not accorded any priv
ilcges bVt man who ranks high in the pro-
fession can do about as he pleases so long as lie
shakes. -
Koporter-Do all the mobs shako with the
police
Prsoner-Wel1, some do not give up US
much as others; but there are very few who
keep all they make. Such men arc hunted down
and co!lared as often as they show up (make
themselves viablo), and ruu out Of town.
A rnan can't do much in g city IT lie refuses to
whack with the detectives. have hoard it said
that SO much has to be given up in Chicago that
Reporter-Ihat is q good thing for Chicago2
Prlsoner-There is plenty Of work done here
This town is
ALMOST AS GOOD As NEW YORK; "'-'
in fact it is better now, becauso no ono ia ar-
rested.
Reporter-How camo you to be appre-
hended
Prisouer-I havo lost my grip and do not oc-
cupv tho position I did once. l am in the Sit |
uatiou OF a man who has been deserted by his !
friends.
Reporter-Do all the commanding officers OF |
the different police forces OF the country receive
money from thieves? -. |
Prisoncr-No; there are SONG who cannot be |
corrupted. But there Is @ little clique in all |
largo cities who run the force and nlaio all they
can. A man's position is not surety, aud whllo |
he is in he trya to accumulate enough to keep
him when lie goes out.
Reporter-Docs the Chief stand in?
Prisoner-Generaliv: but he doesn't know
what is going On except as he receives informa-
lion from the detectives; and, II any one OF
them has particular friend whom he desires to
shield, he doesn't toll any moro than he call
help.
Kaporter-Do tho detectives eyer put up jobs:
Prisonsr-Yes, very often; and get q percent
age for the Information.
Roporter-What other means haVe bank-burg-
ara for
GETTING INFORMATION? rs.
P1isoncr-Tney usually rent I'LL Office next to
ne Dauk CF oFt1ueaA HuU tuo4 Auo" LAd ses7oos
Sheu the most money Is on hand. They work |
nto the bank from their office. in which they |
larry Oh IN apparently Legitimate businesa- They
lscertain all about the lnbits Of the watchman,
earn the maker OF the safes SO as to know what
ools will bo required, tho location Of the vaults,
md all nbout the bank. It takes time. OF course.
nut they can afford to wait, for tho haul il al
Ways big. /
Keporter-Do outsiders furnish them infor-
nation?
Prisoner-Yes There arc mon ali over the
ountry always on the lookout for jobs; and all
;lasses OF men notify them Of chsncea.
Repotter-For percentage?
PriEonef-1ea.
Reporter-Are such people what a1s called rc-
pectable2
Prisoner-Yes: aud they arc often officers Of
lie banks.
Reporter--What is your opinion Of going to
he Cashiers house md demanding the keys2
Prisoner-That has been done, but it is only at
time when they become desperate, and will
ake chances The banks Of this country ara
enerally 80 vell guarded now, that, before long,
on will find an organized gang making raid
II them in the day time while tho clerks are at
rork. ! burglar will mover commit d murder,
ut will intimldato man BY shooting over his
cad