The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-10-08
civ d}ailg q slletin.
FRIDAY. OCT. 8. 1886.
CULTURED CRIMINALS.


1t is mistake to suppose that
criminals of higher grade, like bur-
glars, forgers and bank robbers, are
coarse, ignorant, vulgar men. If
they were, they would not succeed;
their dishonorable trade requires in
telligence, mental training and
large amount of self-restraint. Many
of them have been clever mechanics,
while some are cultured and of good
antccedents. Louis G.. Clermont,
the notorious bank robber, who died
three years ago, was a Southener by
birth, his parents being rich and
highly respectable. He was col
lege graduates; but he was without
principle and extravagant. His
father got tired of furnishing him
with money, and he determined to
get it for himself by what he thought
TO be the easiest means. He became
acquainted with several notorious
forgers and check raisers, adopted
their calling and proiited by it. He
went abroad, and in Germany fell
in with Max Shinburn, noted bank
robber, who got rich by plying his
profession here, crossed the sea,
purchased the title of baron and
settled down as member of the old
aristocracy. Clermont probably
gained valuable knowledge from
Shinburn. He returned to his ma
tive land, took up his abode IN
Philadelphia, and by his handsome
person, agreeable manners and
bright conversation gained some So
cial position. He assumed to be a
Cuban refugee, and his dark eyes,
hair and complexion, with his
fluency in Spanish, assisted the as
sumption. He paid court to pretty
widow, Mrs. Joseph Dumel, and
married her. They decided to go
abroad for bridal tour. She got
her valuables, together with $780,
600 in cash, and they were ready to
start, when he asked her to carry a
note somewhere for him, while he
took charge of her things. When
she returned he had disappeared.
He was engaged in several bank
robberies afterward under the name
of Col. Ralph Pollard, formerly of
the Louisiana tigers. In one of
these he was arrested, sent to prison
for twelve years, and ended his life
there.
George Leslie, alias George How
ard, was another educated bank
robber, who had an extraordinary
career. Born in this State, he re-
ceived classical education in the
West. He went into business in
Milwaukee and San Francisco, but,
not relishing it, joined several accom-
plished burglars, and excelled them
in shrewdness, GOODNESS and enter
prise. He took part in robbing the
Beneficial Savings fund, Philadel-
$1,000 900, and afterward cut pro-
minent figure there as gentleman
of scholarly tastes and Independent
means. He spoke several languages,
and his address was insinuating and
wholly deceptive. He married a
fine woman of position, who was hor-
rified when she learned the true
character of her husband. He was
suspected Of killing two cashiers,
and of various big robberies, which
he conducted SO adroltly as to avoid
punishment. He was found dead
not long ago by Long Island high
way, with pistol at his side and a
bullet through his head. The evil
dent intent was to give the impress
sion that he had committed suicide,
but there is little doubt that he had
been killed by some of his compa-
Mons in crime, from jealousy. He
was a great favorite with some wo-
men of Il certain sort, and made the
most of his favoritism.-N. Y. Com
mercial Advertiser.