New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-23
pBOCTOES CAREER IN CRIME.
A SUCCESSFUL BURGLAR Gagged AT LAST

TRACED by sPECULA1lONs IN olL-LikELi ~
SPEND HIS LIFE BEHIND BARS.
The criminal career of George ii. Proctor, who mas
been sentenced to solitary confinement for nine years
and six months at the Eastern Penitentiary at Pha-
delnhia was an interesting and varied The crime
of which he was convicted the robbng OF the sae
of the United States Express Company, at susque-
hanna Penn. of $4,000 on the night OF June w.
1883. The money was intended TO pay the workmeh
i'll the Eric Railroad shops, and did not reach Susque
hanna until midnight. 1t was in sealed pouch ana
when it arrived placed in the express company
safe In the morning the money had disappeared ana
bag similar to the original one sent from the Marine
National Bank tn city was found TO contain only
packages of MANILA paper cut into the shape OF bank
notes and strapped together The was placed IN
the hands of Pinkcrtuns detectives ard after year
and a half of constant watching suspicion 1cli on
Proctor who finally arrested by Detective hOoeIt
Pinkerton. His conviction probably ends his career;
for other charges vii be pressed at the expiration oi
his present sentence.
Proctor was, in burglars parlance htterIone VINO 10
secures impressions of keys to places which u IL
,1anned TO rob The principal obstacle 10 success II
the difficulty getting the impressions In the Sus-
quehanDa robbery Proctor who was skilled ilacnlst
worked over wear the Erie sOps before lac secured
duulcates 10 the KEYS of the express companys sac
His share of the spoil amounted TO $4,000 and when
he received he buried 1t IN his garden ana Tor over
wear afterward he remained steadily at work at his
trade. He then dug up his money ana removed 10
Buffalo where he opened accounts III three dinereht
banks He began speculating IN oil through various
brokers at buffalo. He soon formed an extensive
ACQUAINTANCE and in short time was made member
of the City Club OF the prominent clubs oi the cy
His family renamed at Susquehanna and PROCTOR
visited them every Saturday. He pretended that ne
had friend in the management OF the standard Vli
Company who gave him inside Information ~ I" the
movements of the oil market. lie induced seNerhi
Susuuchanna persons TO JOIN him III his specuatiOhs
No suspicion that he connected with the express
robbery had fallen on him at this time.
.g.s.. hA hnh
watchtulness heard of these specuations. detective
was set to watch HIM at Buffalo and 1t was soon dis-
covered that he was III connection WIN men IN ahaua
who known to be professional thieves ABOUT INC
same time his spccuiaions proved unuckN ana ms III
gotten wealth swept away lie was about putting
into oDeration plans Tor robbng the safes of some o
his Bunalo friends which he had been couc0cing all
the time. when he was arrested by Mr. llnkertoD 10
secure his accompliccs. who were then III 'anaha
a plan arranged by which Proctor was To decoy
them across the border. Proctor broke faith. however
and Joined bis friends IN Canada. Soon aiterward
Mr.Pnkerton discovered that Proctor had been con
ccriied In robbery Quebec aud by putting de
tecvc his track this account he 80 frightened his
fugitive prisoner that he attempted to escape TO Europe
by steamship from Portland. He had scarcely crossed
the line when Detective lnkerton again arrested hIf
at Island Pond. while asleep IN q car on the Grand
Trunk Railway. In tracing Proctor alter suspicion
fell him the dctccVe- discovered that he was not
simple mechanic but tor Years successful burglar
who unknown tO the police.
Proctor was born at Portland. Maine, and after
good education lac learned the machint- trade under
his father and In 1873 he had been promoted 10 be-
foreman in the Portland Boiler Works. lie became
addicted 10 gambling and short time lost his os
ton lie had meanwhile formed the acquaintance OF
several Eastern burglars who easily persuaded HIM To
Join them He was successful in his trade until
caught in the act of fobbng safe ut Lowell, Mas.
for wc1 he sentenced In February 1877, to four
years III the Massaoh husctts state Prison at Charles
town. Well ednoatsd. 1grcni; iiEhcd musician ard
of pleasant address, lac a general iayoritc
with the prison officers He made orgauist and
finally was allowed unusual freedom. IL not long
before be had secured duplicate keys 10 the prison
doors and on the night ot September 30. 1873 he
walked out with four friends whom he first met IN the
prison From hi- escape To his latest arrest 10y De
tectiyc Pnkcrton his career was continuous success
sion OF burglarics IN the United states aud canada