Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-17
CROOKED PEOPLE.
SOME WEEL-KN0wN CROOKS
The Different CLASSES OF Thieves. and How
They Work their Games.

gone py was one OF the most remhrka-
bic bank-robbers OF his time. He Is
living with his wife on royalty de-
rived from patent, Of which he is the
inventor. The invention was perfected
while he was serving sentence in
States prison, and patented after the
expiration Of his term. John Moore
was at one time considered one Of the
most expert and dangerous OF "all-
round" thieves. His experiences have
been varied. An Enquirer reporter
ran across Moore a few days ago, and
during a conversation, in answer to a
question as to why bank-robberies are
not so frequent now as in former
years, Moore replied
There have been Of late years such
rapid Improvements in the devices for
the prevention OF burglaries that
thieves have not kept up with the age.
You may occasionally hear of some
burglary in which the combination
lcck has been overcome, but, take my
word for it, such jobs are put up by
some one familiar with the combina-
tion."
"What do you consider the safest
kind of crooked work." asked the
Enquirer.
"In these days" he replied, "you
rarely hear of stick up job, and
yet if properly managed it is about as
safe work as any,"
a stick up job. What's that"
sit is rough work. These jobs are
confined to the country, and are gene
rally put up by some one living in or
who is well posted about the neighbour
hood. The victim is one who is afraid
TO deposit in banks, and as he boards
up his earnings secretes it in some part
Of his house. In such jobs getting
away after the robbery is committed is
the most important thing to consider.
A conveyance of some kind is kept in
waiting near by where the robbery is
committed, or, if near stream,
boat is in readiness. Sometimes the
gang split in two, take to the
woods, and get as far away as pos
sible before daylight. Four men
are plenty to do the work. One
man is selected to effect an entrance,
and one remains outside on the look
out. If there are no women in the
house the undertaking is not generally
dficnlt. Women are the worst to con-
tend with. A man don't want to hurt
them, and their screams often cause a
tumble. Sometimes the man who puts
up the job overeStimates the amount.
! have known a job to be put up for
$4,000 which only realized s400.
know little dred-up editor of coun-
try weekly in New. York State who put
up job that brought us in several
centuries apiece. This fellow gave
us - in his little paper. After
ward be came down to New York city,
got his bit, and we had good old time
together after that"
"Do you believe in the THERE'S
honor. among-thieves idea? :"
81 knew man, who died at the Co
lumbus penitentiary several years ago,
who walked seventy miles with $1,000
to divide it among four others. Stolen
bonds to large amounts are often en-
trusted to one of the gang to negotiate,
and, when travelling, one Of the party
always acts as custodian of the spoils.
Kill Rush, better known as the
Irish Count, who, think, died in
Joliet penitentiary, and one Of the clev-
crest pickpockets Of his day, was one
Of the most conscientious of men in
this respect. 1t was he who picked the
pocket Of the Prince Of Wales of
gold snufr-box, inlaid with diamonds, at
reception given in his honor at the
White House, in Washington. The
snuh-box was afterward turned up
for the reward. The Irish Count was,
however, an exception to the general
run Of pickpockets."
"What is your opinion Of counter
feiters?"
They lack honor among themselves.
Iwould rather be tried for murder than
for handling the queer | had some
experience in that business about
twenty years ago, and, through treach-
cry. got into trouble and did time for
il.
How do they do the business?"
There are two distinct classes Of
counterfeiters. First and foremost,
those who make and sell the soft stuff
notes, in the manufacturing Of which
it requires good talent and quite an
outlay Of capital. The persons who do
the engraving, printing, &C., are backed
by some one who handles the stuff,
and he disposes Of it to some middle
man, who in turn sells it at so much on
the dollar, the price charged ranging
from fifteen to forty cents per dollar.
All reap quite harvest until the dis
covery is made that the bill is bogus.
Then some one is arrested, immunity
is offered him if he will tell what he
knows, and squeal he will every time. At
the present time there is very little if
any soft stuff made. OF late years
such great improvements have been
made in engraving, printing, &C., that
il is impossible to make any fair kind
of counterfeit notes that would not be
detected. Then, the Government offers
such large rewards for convictions, and
the Secret-Seryice Department has been
reduced to a perfect system. The Sc
cond class is composed Of those who
make, sell, and shove hard stuff (coin).
These people were very numerous about
the time of the resumption Of specie
payment, but their prosperity was
of short duration. The manufactu-
rers are envious Of one another's sue
cess, and instances have been known
where information has been furnished
by manufacturer, through anonymous
letters or otherwise, to the secret-ser-
vice officials, that has led to the arrest
and conviction of a rival. There are
always plenty of suckers willing to pur-
chase counterfeit money, though | know
Of locality in Lehigh county, Penn.
sylyania, in which there was more
'queer' in circulation than genuine
money, and believe the majority of
the residents up that way would like to
have made it legal tender"
81 should imagine it required very
n. - IL.