The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-27
CAUGHT on TIE Ely.
The Instantaneous Photographic Camera
Added to the Detective Outfit.

The instantaneous Photographic Camera
Added to the Detective Outfit.
New York Letter in Philadelphia Times
''Do you see that man ahead9" asked friend,
as we were strolling up Broadway. ''Well, Just
keep your eye on him for moment
The person referred to was about twenty feet
in front of us, well dressed, though in Bohe-
mian sort Of fashion, and was strolling along
looking at the sights in the shop windows The
only thing about him at all out of the common
run was the fact that he carried under his left
a square box of rather large size. 1t might
have been a case of surgical instruments, for it
was carefully covered with green covering and
had quite a professional appearance.
The man strolled along leisurely, looked up at
the windows, stopped for moment to glance at
the pictures in one of the big art stores near
Eighth street, then joined the throng and kept
that confounded box over to the other arm,
when he turned suddenly and in very natural
manner stumbled and lodged before tall thin
man almost behind him. The man with the box
lodged before him moment, in the ludicrous
way that is often seen on the street; then both
stopped, muttered an apology and so got clear
OF each other and were soon in the crowd that
surging mp tie street. The box / noticed
was now under the other arm, and was carried
rather carelessly. The owner seemed 10 have
lost his interest in the stores and was about to
hail a Broadway stage and probably disappear.
box and all, when my friend stepped up and
touched him on the arm and said: well, did
you get himl"
The man with the box looked up quickly,
smiled when he saw who it was, then broke into
ripping laugh. ! was finally introduced, and
in a quiet corner in the Hotel Dam cafe learned
the mystery of the box. ''There are tricks in all
trades but ours" said the tall man, lighting ci
gar and watching the smoke ascend upward ring
after ring. "But am tired. I've been follow
ing that man you saw me pretend to run into all
day. went down town with him this morning,
fn11 - II
Jersey City ferry, and finally he started up
town and got him as you saw"
What are you going to dot" 1 asked. elbow
him upl"
Hardly" replied the stranger with laugh;
then taking up the box he gave glance around,
sent a waiter to see if man by the name of
Dobbs was on the register, and quickly lifted
the cover, and instead of q dynamite machine
there was simple photograph instrument
known as a pin-hole camera.
YES" continued the owner of the box, "this
is phase of the detective system and whether
| am detective or photographer don't know.
The latter is my profession, and | try little Of
both. They tell me have an Innocent far-away
look that is quite necessary in the makeup Of
the detective. Yes this machine is my idea,
there others in use in England
and France. The idea is this; This
little box contains the camera, and at this
end there is small round hole that closes or
opens with spring that l govern by my thumb
or finger. Now, no one would ever guess what
it was, but if 1 can get any one in front of it
and snap that spring in the tenth of second
your image has been indelibly stamped on the
plate within. In other words, its instantaneous
photography and used whenever you want to
take a mans picture without his knowing it
| try it in different ways. The man whose
picture you saw me take this morning is wanted
in Belgium on a charge of forgery. The authori
ties suspect that he is the one wanted but as
they are not sure, they don't want to arrest him.
In the meantime he is watched by detectives,
and l take his picture without his knowing it.
When I finish it up it will be sent to Belgium,
and if it is the man a telegram will be sent to
that effect, and he will be arrested"