Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-22

tone, II don't exactly catch your
meaning, sir; but desire to say that
the people who have been invited to
my sisters wedding are supposed to
have some slight claims to respect
ability. live on west Walnut street."
That's all right, sir, that's all
right" explained the detective. ~
only wanted to know if you could de-
scribe any people you wanted watched
in particular.
"No, | cannot, but great many
valuable presents will be exhibited,
probably 1000 worth. and we can
not tell who may get into the house,"
- will send man, but you will
have to give him an invitation"
That shall be attended to- said
the gentleman, as he removed his eye
glass and marched out.
lis that sort of thing customary"
asked reporter who had witnessed the
interview.
"0h, yes" replied the detective.
"We send men, by request, not only to
weddings, but to churches and fairs.
One of our men is up now at the st.
Chrysostem fair, at the Bellevue"
"Why is a detective required at a
wedding, where everybody comes by
invitation?"
because it is not only the profess
sional crook you have to look out for.
There are plenty of wealthy kleptoma-
MACS. When a rich and well-dresscd
woman steals a diamond ring she is
called a kleptomaniac. When a dirty
beggar steals pair of shoes he is called
thief. We detectives think this is a
distinction without difference. Then,
you must remember that every now and
then a professional thief gets into a
private residence where fashionable
wedding is being solemnized, notwith-
standing that he has 10 invitation"
How does he do it?"
walks right in. The most expert
and successful of petty thieves always
dress elegantly and have the appearance
of the greatest rcspectability. 1t is a
peculiar thing, too. that they can con-
troll some of the handsOmest and most
accomplished women. A thief gets a
mash in 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. II the
thief doesn't marry her it is not because
he don't try to. When he makes a good
haul of 5000 or "a 900 he throws $500
into her lap. They live on the top of
the heap and dress as well as the finest.
Ii is the easiest thing in the world for
couple s.ch as have described
to get into rich mans house where a
wedding is going on. They drive up to
the door in a handsome carriage. What
if they have no cardsg Plenty of peO-
pie come without them, although the
invitation bears the explicit instruction,
present this card at the door, The
usher cannot afford to insult two such
MISUNDERSTANDING guests, so they
pass in. Once inside, what harvest
is spread before them! Frequently at
weddings of the rich 100000 or s6O,-
600 worth of jewelry, silverware, and
all sorts of most valuable articles are
spread out in room without any pro-
lection whatever. Then look at the
chances there are to steal jewelry and
ornaments from the ladies present. The
thief is given a better opportunity
than in a crowd on the. street, be-
cause everybody is totally unsuspicious.
All the women wear the most valuable
gems and ornaments they possess. |
am pretty good judge of a diamond
can tell one when ! see it-and | have
seen woman at a wedding with sj0,-
600 worth displayed on her person, in
her hair and ears, on her throat and
breast. and on the shoulders OF 'her
short-slecve 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 in the most law
ish extravaganza for months.
Then the kleptomaniacs. the high
toned thieves Of good families who have
been invited to the wedding. pick up 4
silver spoon here. fsh-kniie there, or
some knick-knack that is never missed
from among the large number of pres
ents. AT one wedding | remember,
some years ago. the wife of very
prominent Philadelphian dropped her
caba containing some jewelry just as
she stepped from the carriage. Some
one on the outside picked it up and
handed it in the door. 1t was received
by lady, and that was the last heard
of it. We worked on that case for
months. but were never able to get a
single clew.'
"What course does a detective pur-
sue at wedding!"
We'll. in the first place, you know,
he appears as a guest, and not in an
official capacity. lie wears dress
suit, even If he has TO rent 1t for the
occasion. white tie, and a gold stud
in his shirt-bosom. The work is ex-
trcmely difficult. Really all that can
be done is to watch the presents closely
and see that nobody carries any OF
them off. Sometimes, in a large room,
two men are required. OF course we
cannot prevent the crooks from work
ing on the crowd unless We happen to
know them. If We spot any We know
they generally get out as quickly as
possible without making any trouble.
After everything is over one man
usually stays all night, because as a
rule there are great many strange
servants in the house who have been
employed for the occasion, and the
need watching"