San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-10-20

Leadviile Democrat

The Exposure VI the Tricks OF Notel
Burglar.
Leadville Democrat
An episode that was quite amusing
to small circle OF spectators, and al
the same time illustrated the keen in.
genuity Of the burglar in keeping dark
everything that would tend to convict
him, occurred at the county Jail few
days ago, when one Of the "cross.road'
ers" was brought in for board. The
character that furnished the amuse'
ment was q we'll known crook by the
name Of Mike Govern, and to whom has
been given the sobriquet of"Limp Leg.
He acquired this title from the fact that
when at one time he was engaged in a
legitimate occupation he was victim
in railroad accident, aud his injuries
necessitated amputotion at the knee.
Mechanism furnished substitute for
the foot and calf, and he started out to
be gambler. The indemnity that he
obtained from the railroad company was
deposited in the treasury Of dame
"Chance" and he was compelled to do
something for living. His crippled
limb Kindred him seriously, and, as for
doing hard work or getting down to the
honest or honorable occupation of a
laborer, he had no thought of such q
thing. It was easier to steal than to
labor, and his "game" limb was fort
and bulwark against the vag law. Con-
sequently he had every natural advan-
tage for shining light as loafer and
he stood on the street corners unmolest-
ed. His associates were of a bad charac-
ter, and finally Limp Leg" was arrest.
ed for completely in burglary. This
was in Chicago, and he was confined in
Jail, and upon conviction was sent to the
penitentiary, where he served q short
term. Having served his term he again
"joined the gang" and but for the fact
that he had wooden limb he would
havessbeen expelled from the city, or
compelled to sit and pound "mcAdam"
continually. He naturally drifted to the
west after he had established his iden-
tity as burglar, and after having been
arrested repeatedly upon suspicion, and
few weeks ago, when the burglars
were doing such extensive work here,
he was again taken in. limp Legs"
familiarity with the business and his
knowledge of how to slip through the
wheels of justice without scratch made
him naturally defiant, and when Captain
Flood led him before the court for ex-
aminition he laughed and scoffed at the
proceedings. Nevertheless he was
bound over to await the action of the
grand jury, and being unable to furnish
bond he was placed in the county Jail.
It isn't often that the prisoners "squal"
on one of their kind, but the joke upon
this occasion was SO extremely funny
that they gave it away after their fellow
prisoner had been discharged. There
was little evidence before the grand
jury, and upon the warrent was marked
anot true bill" The doors were open
ed to Limp Leg" and the jailor,
Reese Tucker, told him that he might
go. At this juncture Sam Tate step
ped forward and whispered something
into the ear of Tailor Tucker. The
jailor INDUCED in blank smile, and
turning to the fellow, who had fingered
for moment said:
"Limpy," let's see your tool chest be-
fore you 60, will YOU"
"What to you mean?" replied "Limp
Leg" feigning the most profound ig-
norence of what the jailor referred to.
ooh you incident be afraid, the grand
Jury has said that you could go, and we
want to see where you carry your bur
glars tools"
Burglars tools!" exclaimed Limp
Leg, as a shade of color passed across
his features.
"Yes, the set that you carry in your
wooden Leg" continued the jailer, while
the burglar began to retreat toward the
door, seeing that his racket had been
given away. By this time the prisoners
were convulsed with laughter, and Sam
Tate was bubbling over with merri-
ment.
"Here, you'd better show us the