The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-01-17

DETECTIVES IN FULL DRESS.
Some of the Methods Employed by Ex
perts in Criminal Affairs.

pertS in Criminal Affairs.
Philadelphia Expressl
"Why is detective required at a
welding, whore everybody comes by in
9itationN
"Becauseit is not only the professional
crook you have to look out for. There
are plenty Of kloptomaniacs. When q
rich and well-dressed woman steals a
diamond ring she is called klepto-
maniac When a dirty beggar steals a
pair Of shoes she is called thief. We
detectives think that this is distinction
without difference. Then you must
remember that every now and then o
professional thief gets into q private
resideneSwherc a fashionable w5ddmg
is being solemnized notwithstanding
that he has no invitation.
How does he do iJ.'
"Walks right in The most expert
and successful of petty thiovej always
dress elegantly, and have the appearance
Of the greatest respectabllty. 1t is y
peculiar thing, too, that they IN con-
troll some of tho handsomest and most
accomplished women A thief gets q
mash on an apparently respectable
woman, and sometimes marries her.
Some thieves | know of have married
into fine families, and the people never
knew they were crooks. If the thief
doesn't marry the girl he keeps hpr as
his mistress When he makes a good
haul of SO, 600 or 81, 1000, he throws $500
into her lap They live on tie top Of
the heap, and dress as we'll as the finest.
1t is tie easiest thing in the world for
couple such as | have described 10 yet
into rich mans house where we'd
ding is going on. They drive up TO tic
door in a handsome carriage What ii
they have no cards2 Plenty of people
come without them, although the IN
yitation bears the explicit inscription,
Present this cHd at the door The
usher can not afford to insult such
distinguished looking guests, 50
they pass in. Once inside,
what harvest is spread before
tAon! Frequently at weddings of the
rich $780, or $50, 600 worth of jew
clry, silyerware, and all sorts Of luost
valuable articles are spread out in
room without any protection whatever.
Then look at the chances there are to
steal jeWelry and ornaments from the
ladies' present. The thief is given a bet
ter opportunity than in a crowd on the
street, because everybody is totally un-
suspicious. All the women wear the
most valuable goms and ornaments they
possess. am pretty good Judge OF II
diamoud--can tell ono when | see it
and ! have seen a woman at wedding
With $50, 900 worth displayed en- her
person, in her hair and ears, on hor
throat and breast, and on the shoulders
of her short-sleoyed dress An expert
thief does not want an easier job than To-
! slip off a pin here, or a brooch there.
and it does not take him long to collect
enough to support him III The most Law
ish extravaganza for months.
"N hat course does a detective pursue
at wedding!"
''Well, in the first place, you know,
he appears as guest, and not in an
official capacity. He wears q dress suit,
even ii he has to. rent it for the occasion,
| a white tie, and d gold stud in his Shirt
bosom. The work is extremely difficult
eally, all that can be done is to watch
the presents closely and see that nobody
! arries any of them off. Sometimes, in
4 large room, two men are required. Of
curse, we cannot prevent the crooks
! from working the crowd unless we hap
| zen to know them If we spot any we
know they generally get out as quickly
rs possible without making any trouble.
tfter everything is over one man usu-
lily stays all night, because, as rule,
there are great many strange servants
in the house who have boon employed
for the occasion, and they need watch
| inc. "