The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-26
SHOWED HIS HAND.
VERY NEAT DErEcrIvEwoRK
How a Celebrated POrs,r was Detected By Taking
on his GlOvs-shAdOwsd Ia a Theatre
BY DstsetlTes-The Story Of His
Crime. and also MIS- Arrest.

NRw YoRK, January ga circular
which Inspector Byrnes, chief Of detect
ives, received late in December from the
authorities of Dallas, Texas, contained a
description Of an elderly man, who, under
the name Of George Coleman, OF Norfolk,
Va, had duped the City National Bank, OF
that city, early in the month, out OF 50, 100
on worthless draft on the Park National
Bank, Of this city. Detectives Dusenbery
and Radford, while making the tour OF the
down town saloons frequented by profes-
sional forgers and thieves, came across a
man whose description answered in many
particulars that Of the slayer down" at
Dallas, Texas. The stranger when first
seen was in the company Of Philip
Hargraves. When Inspector Byrnes
learned of the discovery he instructed the
detectives to watch the movements Of
the suspected person in the hope Of OBJ
tanning some information about him.
Shortly after New. Years the man suddenly
disappeared and could not be traced. Har-
graves was then shadowed and a week or
so later was found again in the company
Of the man from Dallas. George Coleman,
OF Norfolk, Va, was described as being be.
tween forty.five and fifty years OF age, five
feet ten inches tall, OF florid complexion
and having a full, black beard, prominent
nose, snaky and nervous eyes, slow in
movements, and with dark clothes. It
was also mentioned that his fingers were
iurrowed, probably by hard work, and that
on the back OF his right hand there were
half dozen India ink spots.
MAKING COMPARISONS.
Upon looking closely at Hargraves' friend
Detectives Dusenbury and Radford found
that that he had a prominent nose and that
his eyes were deepset and restless. They
were satisfied that the supposed Mr.. Cole
man had trimmed his whiskers, but were
on several occasions unable to see his
hands, as he always kept them gloved. Not
desiring to arouse any suspicious the de-
tectives thought it wise TO allow him full
liberty. That the stranger was interested
in some unlawful affair was apparent to
them by the,company which he kept, and
II he was not the Dallas swindler he would
in course of,time, they thought, attempt to
victimize some one here, and thus fall into
the trap.
Inspector Byrnes was daily consulted as
to the movements Of Hargraves and the
supposed Mr.. Coleman, and by his advice
Radiord aud Dusenberry were relieved OF
the tedious watch by Detective Sergeants
Cosgrove and Williamson. Less than a
week ago the stranger believed to be Cole
man held long consultation with George
Wilkes, who, It will be remembered, was
arrested December %, 1880, in Florence,
and who afterwards loitered about the cor.
ridors, OF the General Post Office. He was
frequently found in the saloon in
Twenty.third street. kept by John,
alias "Red" Leary, and made tho
liquor store Of Eddie Matthews, at Twenty
seventh street and Second avenue, his
headquarters. Although the detectives
were at the Suspects" heels almost night
and day they were unable to catch view
OF bis hands on account Of the gloves which
he constantly wore. Another strange point
was that he was known only to few men,
and they were criminals OF distinguished
grade. Inspector Byrnes at last telegraphed
to the authorities OF Dallas, Texas, inform
ing them that he was satisfied that the man
Coleman was in the city, and that II some
one who had met him would come on here
to identity him he could be arrested.
AT LAST uNGLoyRD.