National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-02
ACLEVERCRACKSMAN
sHEENY MIKE, THE BOLD BURGLAR,
Brought to This City by Deteetiyes-His Arrival in
Town Last Night His Connection with
the Burdette Job Detected
by Photograph.

Detectives McDevitt and Acton returned from
| New York last night having in custody Sheen!
| Mike, who was arrested by the New York officer
| Sunday. on information connecting him with the
recent burglary at Burdette's dry goods store il
this city. The burglary was committed on the sd
ultimo an entrance having been effected by fore
ing the Kstreet door and from the manner in whi%
the job was executed the detectives were assuea
that professionals had a hand in it. A number Of
pieces ofsilk and satin several dolmans and usters
all valued at 5000, were taken, and clew could
be obtained as to their whereabouts. 1t was ascer
tanned that several strange men had been lodging
at house in the vicinity of the store whose ac-
tons were suspicious, and the lady with whom
they had stopped went to Police Headquarters to
inspect the "rogues' gallery" Upon one of the
men con cerned in the Shuster robbery the 18th OF
January, 1873. They were Machael KurtZ, alias
Mike Sheehan, alias Henry Miller, alias Sheeny
Mike Patrick Smith, and James Carroll, alias
Adams.
AS soon as the lady saw Kurta's phiz she ex-
claimed, That's one of the men who was at my
nose and full black beard" Acting upon this clue
description of Mike sent to the principal
cities which resulted in his being arrested in New
York city Sunday afternoon. He of course denied
being guilty of the robbery, but the evidence
considered strong enough to hold him, and the au-
thoritieS here were notified that he could be had
by sending for him. Monday morning an indict
ment was found against him by the grand jury,
and the necessary papers were given to Detectives
McDevltt and Acton, who left the same evening
for New York.
Upon arriving there they found their man at the
Essex Market Police Court, and he expressed
willingness to accompany them without waiting
train that left New York yesterday for Washing
ton, and should have arrived here at hafpast nine
o'clock last night The train was delayed two
hours between Philadelphia and Baltimore, and
did not arrive here until nearly midnight.
Detective YoSS. Charlie Flinders, and a repre-
sentative ofTHE REPUBLICAN were waiting for them
he off ln1f hair nt1a
ceeded to Hudson IL Martins restaurant for supper.
While engaged III putting away stew and coffee,
Mike was an object OF considerable interest, but he
betrayed ne nervousness at his impending confine-
ment. lie chattcd pleasantly, and seemed only
annoyed that the train had been delayed for two
hours. as he said he could show that he was not
the man wanted and his time was precious.
After finishing his supper he was taken to Police
Headquarters, locked up preparatory to being sent
to Jail pending reindictment. a flaw having been
discovered, il is stated, i'll the first one prepared
Sheehan Is about thirty years of age, a native of
New York city, and a carpenter by trade. His
criminal history is most eFentful one. He was
Tor years associated with the gang Of skill
fui and daring burglars of which George Howard
was the leader. Sheehan made the acquaintance
of Howard i'll Philadelphia, and was associated
with him III several burglarieS i'll that city
"Sheeny Mike" was esteemed as a valuable
member Of the combination by reason of his quick
ness 70 observe the peculiar construction of build
ingS which 1t was determined to rob, and to de-
nOnStrate their weak points He was never bank
burglar but Is very clever i'll Secreting himself in
Dti!u!s ana cutting through noorS ana partitions.
lie Is also an expert at Safe-breaking, and has a
peculiar affection for jewelry and silk goods.
= His first exploit in Washington the 18th of
January, 1873 when, in company with two others he
was captured while in the act of robbing the dry
goods store of W. NJ Shuster & Bro, on the avenue,
between Ninth and Tenth streets. For this act he
months. He served his term, and nothing more
was heard from him until the 18th of March, 1877,
when he was arrested for completely in a burglary
in a large dry goods store in Boston and on con
m aarc' inn
prISonment, but was pardoned out three or four
months ago.
While in prison in Worcester, Mass, he was Wis
tied by Detective Virgins, of Boston, who endeay-
pred to extract some Information from him in re-
gard 10 the murder of the burglar Howard, and
also the killing of Cashier Barron, of the Dexter
Me:) Savings Bank, but was not successful. Al
most as soon as he was at liberty he got into mis-
chief again and successfully plundered dry goods
stores in Buffalo, n. Y, and Charleston, S. G.,
without being detected. He is considered good for
| long term now when his trial comes Off