Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-08-11
RICH AND poor THIEVES.
How Their sins Find the TraRsgress
or Out and His IniQuities Follow
Him
New York World.

New York World.
"Does a thief's trade pay"
The question WAS put to Inspector
Byrnes in his office in Police headquar-
tiers by World reporter. The 1nspec-
tor to whose success as detective a
shrewd knowledge of human nature has
contributed no less than downright abil-
ity as policeman. looked at his ques-
toner thoroughly, then az the trophies
of triumphant skill and expiated crime
that lined the walls, knocked the ashes
from his cigar and said, with laconic
dryness, Hardly"
60 Ever" was on the lips of the ir-
reyerent scribe, but warning look
of the chief in the direction of collec-
ton of battle axes in the corner made
him swallow the word.
Then why do men steal?" he asked.
Some because they can not help it,
others because they find the chance.
Most because bad company and lewd
woman drive them TO it. There are
families in which crime runs like insan-
ity. / knew of five brothers born anu
bred in New York who are now in
prison for theft. Such people; you may
fairly assume, are born to steal. Bank
cashiers and collectors are tempted by
their opportunities. Dung clerks on
small nay, whose employers fail to look
closely enough alter their personal hab-
its, serve their apprenticeship at such
resorts rs McGlory's, OWney Geoghe-
gan's and the Aliens, where they
spend their nights with loose woman.
The cases of young Stern who robbed
his father and Jacob Vix who stole from
his employer are characteristic instances.
Drink helps TO drown the voice OF con.
science and the gambling table fin
ishes the Job. The man turns
thief. According to his ability he ranks
in that as in all other trades. Some
steal great sums, others small; very few
keep anything. A common fate awaits
them all. All thieves gamble and waste
the money they steal. Plenty of them
never work unless they are two-thirds
drunk; along with almost every report
OF burglary comes the story of whisky
bottles left observation-disclosures that the
thieves required stimulants to give them
courage. When their money is drank
up or gaInbled away they have no alter
native but to steal. They rarely attempt
it till driven. Thu tools and money are
furnished by class Of men who, with
out participating in the actual crime,
find the funds and get percentage il
the trick is successful. What the thief
himself gets, be it much or little, goes
always the same way"
"DO none get rich and retire from
business?"
t. g IL
cry, or psupers, or in their boots, many
at the hands of their own comrades.
Fear and guilt are the passions that sway
them. There is no such thing as honor
thieves. / could easily count on
my fingers those who have amassed
wealth, an d to how many Of them has il
been of use? Adam Worth, a noted
bank -sneak, is one of them. He is an
American and very skillful mechanic
He devised several improvements in
burglars tools that proved very useful.
His last job was to rob Boston bank.
With the instinct of an Israclite he saved
what he got. Now he lives in luxury in
London, where his house IS the resort oil
ali great American thieves who go abroad.
He drives around in his dog cart every
day and has all he wants. Yet he would
give all his wealth if he could come back
to America. But he can't and he knows
it. He is wanted her"
Rule Minor, the bank-sneak, who was
caught week or two ago and is now
doing time for robbery in Baltmore-one
of the If dozen sbig robberies he ia
for-is another. He is said to
own considerable real estate in New
York, but what good is it to him now2
Mortimer Kelly. a great thief in his day
who robbed Larry Jerome of $500, 900,
but got off for want ofeyidence AMI died
in an insane asylum in Paris, left much
in Boston, where he belonged,
but it did not benefit him. John
0'Keefe, alias JOHNNY the Creek an ex-
pert pickpocket, died two years aga.
eaving $4,000. Joe Dollard and Jack |
Welsh, two of the worst men running !
around at large, burglars who associated |
With Johnny Dobbs, Jack Irwin, Billy |
Portor and men of their stamp and made |
t very hot for the police of New York
md its suburbs once, accumulated a
FOOD deal of money. After working |
he South and West, when it was unsafe |
o stay here any longer, they concluded |
wo months ago 10 try their hands i'm |
europe. They went over to England, |
Ind were caught there in burglary |
hree weeks ago. Now they are both |
long time on five years sentence. |
IN, yes; few of them have money. |
int the great mass are poorer then |
Iob's turkey"