Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-12-19
The Gypsy Thieves.

One of the most interesting books Of this
century was that written by George Borrow,
some thirty years ago, giving an account Of
a long soiourn with the "Romany Rye the
Gypsies Of England. Borrow threw con-
| siderable romance about his associates,
but occasionally glimpse of their thieving
propensities was caught sight of between
his sentences He died too soon, however,
to have ever made the acquaintance of one
of the most noted Dick Turpins of the Gypsy
line known to history.
This man was Civic Milestone, full.
blooded English Bohemian, who was born
at the foot OF a milestone in Leicestershire,
and from the incident achieved his name,
paternity and patronymics being out Of the
question. lie and fellow Gypsy named
Temple inaugurated the most extensive gang
of horse thieves ever known in the eastern
portion of this country. Temple was a
high-born Gypsy; attempted to kill girl
who refused his love, and was transported
TO Van Dieman's Land.
lie escaped to England, and began the re-
spectacle profession Of burglar, but was
compelled to jump the country. Coming
to America, he met Milestone, and the two
arranged for profitable business They
formed gang Of Gypsy horse thieves
Their location Of operation was in Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Maryland and New York,
with an occasional incursion into Delaware,
just to let Senator Bayard know that horse
flesh was occasionally irredeemable cur
rency. The gang consisted Of twenty five
vania and New York, and all bold, active
fellows. They had, Of course, their outside
help. Their system was complete The
agents consisted Of the "prospectors, rob-
bers, runners and doers' The prospector
looked over the land and selected the loca-
ton. The robbers--apt, fearless men, fanil- |
lar with the handling OF horses, opened the |
stable doors and ran out the animals. The |
runners were close at hand, and their bust |
ness was to ride the stolen beasts TO the |
nearest farm belonging TO the Gypsies, or to |
the most secluded and safe place, by az many |
circutous and troublesome routes as posi- |
Bile. The business of the 'doers" was to |
alter the appearance of the horses by scar
ring, clipping, dyeing, singing, and all Of
the secret tricks only known TO a full-hedged |
GYPSY. They never stole wagons or har-
ness in the country llorse-Aesh was their |
hobby in the rural districts.
In the cities they also piled their trade. |
AS Turpin's Black Bess. by It's flcetness, of. |
ten furnished him with an oti6i, railroad |
communication gave to these knights Of the |
barn-yard not only the same convenience |
from the law, but means OF rapid, industri-
Gus thefts, in quick succession, in the city as
in the country. One order Of this fine lrater- |
nifty WAS termed by the rather plebeiac name
of "Gig-worksrs." They piled mostly upon
physicians or business men who rode in
buggies They were city workers. Their
plan was abrupt and daring. When II fine
horse was left alone In convenient locality,
the Gypsy united II, stepped into the buggy
and drove off. Risky as this business was,
1t is an odd fact that during the seven years
existence Of the equestrian appropriations but
one arrest was made. That occurred in |
Philadelphia One Of the gang Pole by
NAME secured magnificent black gelding,
the property Of DR. Penny baker, and drove
off. II happened that the son Of the physi- |
clan saw Pole in another portion Of the |
city, and knowing that his father never per- |
mitted any one to drive his favorltc horse,
started in pursuit with the cry Of stop
thief" Pole was arrested, tried and sent to |
the penitentiary.
The "lvery racket was another Of their |
city plans. Two Of the organization would |
put up at first class hotel, dress finely, pay
regularly hire teams on the cash principle, |
and for few days swell like respectable |
young fools with abundance Of money AZ |
ter gaining solid footing, they would hire
the finest team for an afternoon and depart |
None of this class were ever detected or ar |
rested. Il
Milestone and Temple withdrew from ar.
tive operation in these thefts after connpiet |
ing perfect organization. Temple liyed'ln |
fine style In New York, planned the rob.
berries and directed the operations. Mile
stone was the agent and general oyerseer.
Their principal stock-keeper was half,
breed Gypsy, who ran farm in Maryland. |
His name was Jake Mole, and he was well
known, though not In this connection, id |
our city. Mole was the fortunate one Of the |
party. He saved his money and returned 10 |
England for years ago with fortune. Mile.
stone ives the blood and bravery Of the party, |
and his death virtually broke IT, lie died |
as he liyed--by the saddle. lie entered u
stable in Ijird-in- Hand. Pennsylvania, and
secured n valuable-rding horse. The alarm |
was given by dog. Milestone mounted |
the high-bred beast and dashed rapidly |
away the horse stumbled, fell, and turning |
upon Milestone, the Gypsy brigand was
crushed and his neck broken.
A short time ufter--a year or 80 ago
Temple died In New York Of old age. He |
had lived In elegant style, and was reputed |
wealthy, but upon finishing up his assets II |
was found that he left but few hundred |
dollars. Much Of his earnings had gone
from time 10 time 10 defend his agents |
What money he left was used 10 send his |
body TO England for burial The rest Of the
gang dsorganized, and the Gypsy romance
is over Woh. Copitai
"BuT WosT."-This Is the way a Louis.
vile girl disposes Of n young man, accord.
ing 10 the Courier Journot she says "You
have asked me pontedly II can marry you,
and have answered you pointcdly that |
can. I can marry man who makes love
10 different girl every month. can mar.
ny man whose main occupation seems 10
be 10 join gauntlc, in front Of churches and
theatres, and comment audibly upon the
people who are compelled 10 pass through
H. can marry man who boasts that any
girl can bo won with the help Of a good tail.
or and expert tongue. ] can marry such