The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-23
A Teacher of Crime.
Ak IGNORANT MAN LEADIG YOUNG BOYS tt
STEAL IN MASSACHUSETTS.

Ak IGNORANT MAN LEADIG YOUNG BOYS TO
STEAL IN MASSACHUSETTS,.
The Boston Globe of Saturday says: The
discovery and arrest OF 4 gang OF young
thieves in Everett, who claimed that they
were taught to steal by man, with the
promise OF reward for their plumber, has
been before stated in the Globe. The sequel
forms one OF the most curious chapters in
criminal history, and, rs unearthed by State
Detective James P. Wade, is as follows:
Mr.. Wade has been busy most OF the
week on the case, and he yesterday arrested
one Bernard McNulty, who was employed
by Mr.. Woodbury., Oh Mount Washing
ton, Everett, upon the charge OF beng ac-
cessory before the fact TO the recent robbie
ries and thefts in that town. These young
stcrs, boys OF twelve to fifteen, were, so the
detective says, told by McNulty that he be-
longed to u gang Of robbers, some twenty
in number, whose headquarters were in q
certain grove in Everett, and II they would
steal certain articles he would pay them, as
he was treasurer Of the gang. lie told two
OF the boys, who acceded to his proposition,
that il they would steal some cigars from
4 certain apothecary store he would pay
them. They did so, and he divided the
cigars with them. Then he told them to
steal fur tippet that they would find at a
certain house, and he would give them five
dollars. They stole the tippet and brought
it to him, when he said they must bury it in
q particular spot in the grove, where the
gang. Of which he was O member, could find
it. The tippet being buried according to
directions, McNulty visits the police officers
and tells them that il they would go and dig
in q certain spot which he would point out
they would find the stolen tippet. The po-
lice did so, and greatly to their surprise,
found the tippet, but rs McNulty was indus
trious, and to all appearances honest, they
did not suspect him. Thus matters went on
for some time, until the thefts became so
frequent that the authorities sought help
from the State force. Detective Wade,
by dint Of diligent inquiry and
shrewdness in questioning the boys under
arrest, learned the whole story and arrested
McNulty. McNulty appears to have taken
his curious course purely for love OF the
sensation it caused and the reputation he
earned by recovering the stolen property.
He has apparently fed his mind upon sen.
sational stories until he became infatuated,
and while laboring under the hallucination,
conceived and carried out his plans, which
were so short-lived. Among the stories he
told the boys was this one, that If they
would steal harnesses he, or the gang, who
were but q creation OF his own excited
brain, would pay them $50 set. He
told them to go to Thaddeus Persons
barn on certain night and they
would find splendid harness, which they
must bring to him. II they met anybody
in the barn he said they need not DE afraid,
for he presumed so me OF "the gang" would
be there, and all they would have to do was
to walk off with the harness. The boys did
rs directed, broke into the barn, and were
about to carry away the harness, when they
heard some persons moving about. Sup
posing them to belong to the gang, they
called out softly that sit was all
right, they belonged to the gang" II
proved not to be all right, however,
for the boys were captured by the
police officers, who had been previously
told by McNulty that an attempt would be
made to steal Persons harnesses on that
night, and had lain in wait for them. These
valiant officers, it is said, tied the boys arms
behind them, slipped a stick under their
arms for more security, and in this way
marched them to the house Of one Of the Sc
lectment, that he might congratulate them
on their success. The boys were discharged
from custody, and McNulty will probably
reap sad harvest for his Sensationalism.
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