Louisiana capitolian., 1881-11-17
A BURGLAR WHO CARRIED HIS
TOOLS IN A WOODEN LEG.
Leadville COLI Democrat

to small circle of spectators, and at
the same time illustrated the keen
ingenuity 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
scross readers was brought in for
board. The character that furnished
the amusement was well-knOwn
crook by the name of Mike Govern,
and to whom has been given the Sob
riquet of Limp Leg" He acquired
this title from the fact tina. when at
one time he was engaged in legltl-
mate occupation he was victim in
railway accident, and his injuries
necessitated amputation at the knee.
Mechanism furnished substitute for
a foot and calf, and he started out to
be a gambler. The indemnity that
he obtained from the railroad compa-
ny was deposited in the treasury OF
Dame "Chance," and he was compell-
ed to do something for a living. His
crippled limb hindered him seriously,
and as for doing hard work OF getting
down to the honest and honorable oc-
cupation OF a laborer, he had no
thought of such a thing. 1t was
easier to steal than to labor, and his
"ramen limb was fort and bulwark
against the vag. law. Consequently
he had every natural advantage for
a shining light as loafer, and
he stood on the street corners un-
molested. His associates were OF a
bad character, and finally "Limp Leg'
was arrested for completely in a bur-
glary. This was in Chicago; he was
confined in the Jail and upon convic-
tion was sent to the penltentlary,
where he served q short term. Hav-
ing served his term he again coined
the gang" and but for the fact that
he had wooden limb he would have
been expelled from the city or CON-
PEELED to sit and pound 'macadams"
continually. He naturally drlfted to
the West after he had established his
identity as q burglar. having been
repeatedly arrested upon suspicion,
and a few weeks ago, when the bur
glars 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 Will! a
scratch, made him naturally defiant,
and when Captain Flood led him be-
fore the court for examination he
laughed and scotfed at the proceed
ings. 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
1t isn't often that the prisoners sqnea
on one of their kind, but the joke OF
this occasion was SO extremely funn.
that they gave it away after thei
fellow prisoner had been discharged
There was little evidence before th
Graud Jury, and upon the warran
was marked "nOt q true BILL Th
doors we're opened to Gimp Leg,
and the Jailer, Reese Tucker, tOl
him that he might 60. At this juno
ture Sam Tate whispered somethin
into the ear of Jailer Tucker. Th
.jaiIer indulged in bland smile, an
turning to the fellow, who had hinge,
ed tor moment, said:
"Limpy," let's see your tool ches
before You 90, will yon7''
"What do yon mean 2 replle
"Limp Leg" feigning the most pr'
found ignorance of what the iailer n
ferred to.
80 you needn't be afraid, the Grar
Jury has said that you could so, az
we want to see where you carry yo1
burglars TOOLS"
Burglars tools exclaimed "Lin
Leg" as shade of color passed aero
bis features.
"Yes, the set you carry in 20
wooden leg" continued the jaile
while the burglar began to retreat t
ward the door, seeing that his rack
had been given away. By this tin
the prisoners were convulsed wi
laughter. and Sam Tate was bubblil