The daily gazette., 1879-09-20
CATCHING LADY .SMUGGLERS.

DETECTIVES EXPERIENCE WITH THE
WEAKER SEX. s.l 4'- "'i
From the Detroit Free Press. ..t,lts
Going to and iro on the regular ferry
boats and observing the ladies who crowd
the upper decks, one Is asionished at tho
of feminine fashions-the
prevalence of ultra-large hoops---thc un-
graceful drapery Of shawls-and the
bulkiness of the tOurrure in contradis-
tinction to the sheath-like slimness of
apparel which has so long been the pre-
vailing style. 1t is noticeable, too, that
these very respectable ladies are Of a !
ages, single and married, some very
handsome, others quite ordinary In ap-
pearAnce. They seem TO shun observ-
ance and sit In remote corrers. They
have, too, o flushed, disbeveled look, Is
If they might be refugees from the fever
district. Sometimes they are shadOwed
by plain, respectable looking woman
past the boundary of youth, who seeina
to take q great interest in them. Each
restless mAtron or maiden passes under
her surveillance, though unaware OF the
fact, until the landing is reached, and
sudden tap upon the shoulder is followed
by low spoken "Come with me-" - IN
exorable command as the edict of fate.
Who are the much-be-clothed victims P
They are Que and all smugglers excel
lent people, belonging to the best Cana
dian or American families, but as intent
on defrauding the government out of its
tariff as If the object were the most
meritOrious in the world. Women are
natural smugglers. They enjoy the
perils as well as the profits of outwitting
government detective. There is 4
smack of outlawry about the business
that is delightfully."- romantic, and not the
least bit wicked-so the dear creatures
argue. The woman who confronts them
with the fact that they have smuggled
goods about them is governm snt detec-
tive, several Of whom are employed to
watch the ladies and compel them "to
render unto C@sar that which is Cesar's. /"
A representative of the Free Press had
recent opportunity Of moments chat
with Miss Harriet Thompson, the new
employee Of the Canadian government,
who is only interested in goods passing
from Detle to Windsor.
"Have you been long in this business,
Miss Thompson ?" was asked by way OF
prelude.
"About two months only; it was en-.
tirely new to Te, but think under
stand 1t thoroughly now."
"About how many do you average on
your daily trip"
81 do not make daily trips sometimes
l am at Chatham-Or at Sarnia, and
have an Office where ladies are searched.
1t Is my business TO assist them to dis
robe-gently, if they will, but fore bly, il
they resist. 1t is not a pleasant busi-
ness can assure you, but have my
duty to perform. Some of the ladies
are very nice. The younger ones will
cry and wiring their hands, and some.
times faint; they hate to give up the
goods and are so ashamed at being
caught
"Where you find smuggled goods dc
you keep them ?"
"No, we compel the smugglers,i If we can
to tell what they paid for them. They car
then keep the goods by paying us whai
they originally cost. We appraise then
ourselves if they give false prices. Some
times the Detroit firms make out bills o
.ower value, or furnish the parties will
bill heads, which they fill up to sui
themselves. These we estimate at Ou
own figures and release the parties OF
payment"
"What class Of goods do the smuggler
give the largest preference to"
'White and gray cottons, heavy
colored drillings, fancy knitted goods
and that class. The duty on such /.
about 20 per cent. The goods are bulky
and hard to handle; that is why thel
are so easily detected. The ladies pil
whole pieces of cotton about them
sometimes folded in their shawls or dis
posed about their skirts, and it make.
their movements very awkward.
brought one young lady in here thu
other day who wore a very large hustle
composed entirely of American laces
She cried and pleaded, but had to pay u
the value of the whole lot"
"How is it about the Canada side; d.
the Detroit ladies smuggle from here ?"
"Oh! have nothing to do with that
1t is for your government TO attend
to that. But our goods are prin
cipally laces, kid gloves, ribbons ant
small articles that are easily secreted.
lady can wear pair of gloves and carr!
a new umbrella in her hand, and swath'
herself In laces, and no one will be tn,
wiser. The French women are said tt
be expert in carrying plated straw acros!
without detection. could tell you some
| funny stories of shrinkabe in dry good.
of ladies who came in here plump ant
who went away very much attenuated
| One stout lady inventoried one piece o
| white cotton, four pairs of embroidered
hose, seven yards of black cashmere, one
| dozen pocket-handkerchiefs and a pair o
children's shoes, besides Innings, button.
and trimmings. She was nearly dea(
with the weight Of the things, but wheI
| we took her Into the office she gave us {
sight of trouble. l was obliged to take
the things almost by main force unit
she saw there was no help for 1t, and Il
cost her pretty severely In the end"
"Will they not recognize you as be
ng in the employ of the government il
lou frequent the boats ?"
e"No; they never see me watching
them besides, there is nothing abou
me to attract attention. l am not II
uniform, nor do ever seem to be.watch
ing"
"How is it about the male passengers
| Do they never smuggle !"
| "Yes; but the custom house Officials
can be much more peremp' ory witt
them. They are not in my line; II |.
only the ladies am commissioned u
watch"
"Is the situation lucrative ?"
at pays very well. have a regular
salary and commission on all revenue