Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-06-10
A Talk An Thieves.

|
ger, are built on different pattern
from the average human being. They
are supposed to be without fear and to
carry in their natures a large amount
of terrifying material, ready to be set
off at moments notice. They are
supposed to be rough, gruff and care
less of human life. This is true in
some instances, but in the great major
ity of cases thieves differ little in these
respects from the ordinary citizen.-
They don't like to work, are lazy and
their organ Of acquisitiveness is not
regulated by a cultivated conscience
1t is difficult to understand why p man
with wife and family, who moves in
good society, has an income large
enough to live in comparative luxury
and is respected by everyone, becomes
a thief. He has everything to make
his life happy, and yet will give it all
up to have a little more money. 1t
looks a good deal like a disease which
comes over a man, and he cannot help
giving up to Its influence. Prisons are
full of just such people.
Thieves when committing crime al
ways have in mind way to escape if
detected. They do not want to be
caught or killed. They will take des-
perate chances to get away. If a lite
standsin their way of escape, they will
take it,not as matter Of hatred or pleas
ure but as a part of their education and
trade. But this in every case is only Il
last resort, and no thief will add mur-
der to his CRIME unless certain he can
get away. AS rule they are not to be
feared. A show Of nerve will always
unbalance them. This applies partic-
ularly to the policeman. Even though
they know that they have an advan-
tage over a man who wakes up sudden
ly IN the night and finds a stranger
prowllng around they will respect and
fear him, if he docsn' show any sign of
fright. Scared people help along their
business. But policeman is on an
equal footing with thief in regard to
being awake and armed If he is pos.
scssed of the real genuine nerve, the
case is soon settled, and the thief will
usually surrender without trouble,
Bluff will not do. A thief can see
lurking sense of fear in an officers
heart, and will make things lively if he
finds it. A quiet determination on the
officers part, that indicates a supreme
confidence in his own ability to take
his men into custody, as if it is was an
every day affair, Is what takes the
starch out of the boldest rascals.
Policemen frequently get into tight
places. When they get out of them
alive, and think what they have gone
through, | have seen the most stout
hearted of them shake little. A good
man will never know his danger until
it is over. If,he should stop to think
when there are many chances agains
him, he would be likely to lose his
grit. He must think and act like Il
flash. Hunting for thief in a dark
house is what will try man. The re-
collection of places l have been in at
times during my long experience as an
officer will bring on a chill Of fright
we'll remember a lively burglar |
went after many years ago. An alarm
had been given, and had him located
in the second story of high building
He was calmly picking out the most
valuable articles to take away when /
surprised him. He was a tall sinewy
and slippery fellow, and at the first
sound l made, he made a leap as if shot
from cannon. Up the stairs he flew
like u streak, and | went after him.
He evidently knew the building; | did
not, and hit every obstruction could
find. He gained the roof when | was
halfway up the stairs leading to the
scuttle, and when | got there | could
Just see his figure in the darkness go
ing like the wind. | followed him
without hesitation and when he got to
the side of the house he stood a second
and then jumped. l was going so fast
that l went right off the house without
knowing where l would land. 1t
seemed in the confusion as if | went
down fifty feet, before | struck any
thing. Then l landed square on my
feet with force that nearly shook my
teeth out. 1 thought for moment
that I had fallen between two houses.
| was right on the thief's heels and be-
fore he could take a step, I caught him,
| was sore from that fall and | did not
put tender grip on the fellow. lie
did not struggle and | took him in