The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-02-16
MY BURGLAR FRIENDS.

Any newspaper reporter, or at least
any attached to a daily journal, will tell
YOU that there are certain seasons of the
year when people refuse to commit sui
eide, when there are no victims of muir
der, when railroad trains refuse to smash,
and burglars and thieves insist on re-
manning inactive. No reporter is re-
quired to furnish just a certain amount
of matter each day, but most reporters
are ambitious to furnish all they can;
and so when these dull times come the
journalist takes longer tramps, writes of
matters which would be overlooked in
good times" and does his best to keep
up the show of local news.
Years ago, when / was member of
the local staff of a New Orleans daily,
we had bad summer of it. Accidents
were hardly known; few new buildings
were going up, and we had to draw
out " on things to make even half show.
We finally started the interviewing
business. One of the boys gave the ex-
perience of a gambler, another the adj
venture of river pilot aud in time we
had worked up everybody but the burg
lars. 1t was left to me to hunt up some
one who could enlighten me on the mys-
teries of midnight visits in search of
"swagn and sugar" l believed l
NOhAu AlAu a man, vi Aldll Il uOLtn OF
them. had in my minds eve a saloon
near the river where a suspicious crowd
was always cOngregated, and l knew
that two fellows known as Big Sam :"
and lawful Dave" had just come out
of State Prison and were hanging around
the place.
Were L to enter the saloon, day or
night, inquire for one of those worthless,
order the drinks, and then frankly tell
him who was and that l wanted him
to give me the foundation for a general
article, why, of course, he would do it.
So | argued, and when the time came
around that such sketch would help
out | made my arrangements.
| went down to the saloon one Friday
afternoon, and l had the luck to find
both men in. After beating around the
subject for a spell / came directly to the
point. / did not ask them to criminate
themselves in any way, but to furnish
me an insight into their mode of "put-
ting up and executing 81 Jobs
Well, now, you've got us, replied
Dave. I'VE couldn't begin to tell you.
It all depends on what YOU mean to do.
You might go into house by the hall
door one time, by the window another,
and next time you might not go in at all.
We go accordin' to circumstances. Cir
cumstauces often knock all plans on the
head
wanted to get them to talking on tho
subject, and did not much care what
they said, rs l calculated to put my
Imagination at work and give in some
adventures which would be considered
tall" even by old professionals.
learned from the men what articles con
stituted a burglars kit" what they
4 IS So ct
and thought / had secured about al
needed information, when Dave detained
me.
1--WE can give YOU some big things il
this line if YOU will go to a little
trouble. We know where there's {
cracky' lying low just now, who car
talk to you all night, and he'll give YOU
some almighty big points"
/ replied that l would 90 TO considera
BILE trouble to interview the man, anC
asked how the meeting could be brough
about.
Easiest thing in the world" he
continued. Come back here at ter
o'clock tonight and Wen go with you
Mind, now, if you go to blow on u
TO the detectives you'll get yourself Int
a mussW
was an innocent ass, eighteen year,
old, and, though HNlng IN the CITY scN
eral years, had not sense enough t.
warn me that the company of such mel
afternight was dangerous. 1t did no
strike me then as it did afterward tina
the men were too willing to oblige me
in matter of no interest to them, anC
] agreed to return TO the saloon at ter
o'clock.
/ was free of duty after nine O'Clock
that night, there being no meetings
lectures or outside business on tn,
diary. I mentioned the fact of my en-
gagement to the city editor, and h,
warned me that had better break it
The men might have some designs
against me, or might lead me int
trouble, He said SO much that Gav'