The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1888-08-31
CRIME BY TELEPHONE.
Strange Story Told by Inspector Bon
field of the Chicago Police.
Board Of Trade, and Finally Forced Him
to Pay Over $4,000.

"It is a ell-known fact that no other |
section of the population avail them
selves more readily and speedily of the |
latest triumphs of science than the Grim |
lnal class" said Inspector Bonfeld yes |
terday. "The educated criminal" he |
'skims the cream from every |
new invention, if he can make use of it. |
No safe has yet been constructed that |
burglar. and that's the way in everything.
But l don't recall case in which this
truth was more brilliantly demonstrated
than the Maxwell case"
"What case was that?" queried an old
man present. Il don't recol-
lect of ever hearing of it beforeF"
mo, suppose you DON'T said Mr..
Bontield, musingly. 1.-The fact of the
matter is, it never was a case that prop
erly belonged to the department, but l
can speak of it now. You see 1t was at
the time when the telephone had Just
been introduced into business and private
use. George Maxwell-that's not the
real name, but it will do as well-was at
that time one of the most successful
spectators ON the board of trade, and
was currently reported to have some time
ago tipped the scale which marked the
million. He was a young and handsome
man, and he Just married charming
woman. 1t was an out-and-out love
match. A score or so of messages were
dispatched every day during business
hours. They contained such important
queries as: '2:10 P. NJ. How are you now,
loyey?' And replies like this: '2:35 P. NJ.
l sigh for you How is nv sweetest?'
Well, to save expenses and to incref 81
the facilities of communication, Mr..
Maxwell connected his Office with his
home on Ashland avenue byspriyate
telephone wire. He was one of the first
men in Chicago to do so. About five
out of six business hours were now spent
| by him at the
HELLO
Zone day, just before the close of busi-
ness, there was ring at the telephone.
The devoted husband, with jump. was
| there. What does my sweet pet wishF
he murmured.
"'I'm no pet. You mistake me, sir!
came the reply, in an Enthusiastically mas
culine voice, voice grutf and rasplng,
but very distinct
"'Who are you, thenr asked the aston
ished millionaire.
| "T'm Thomas jefferson Odell, the ac-
complished burglar, if you want to know.
Repeat, please gasped the other.
'Odell, the burglar came the answer
over the wire.
1.-The devilr exclaimed Mr.. Maxwell.
| No, only one of his faithful servants.
But now listen. l have no time to fool
away. l and two of my pals have gained
access to your house. The cook, the
chambermaid and your wife are lying
here bound and gagged. The Niger
Il haa liC,NncaA Of Sn,np
bundles of oily rags have been judiciously
distributed about the house, ready to be
| ignited.'
You bloody scoundreln shouted the
agonized husband, whose eyes were bulg-
ing during the recital.
Don't excite yourself. Now, sir, here
is my proposal. If you should disappear
from the telephone without acceding to
it l shall set fire to the house. It's no
use applying to the police, for we'd be
too quick for them. You will see, Mr.
Maxwell, that you are completely IN my
power. The only sensible thing you can
do is to listen to my proposal and to
agree to it,
"'Oh, wish 1 had my hand at your
throat, you internal villainn shouted the
millionaire, mad with rage.
"'But you know you haven't, so what's
the use of talking that way! Let us talk
business instead. l need a loan of $50,
000 cash. l need it at once. If you are
inclined to lend me that sum without
guarantee l shall leave your house with
my pals in exactly the same condition IN
which found it.
"'You are running me- groaned Max
well. And l don't think 1 have that
much money in cash in the Office safe.'
%" You'll force me to commit an afro
cious deed came the remorseless reply.
ALL RIGHT.
"'All right, then-Yes, I'll pay, but to
whom?'
"Tt is now 5:l5 o'clock exactly. Al
this very moment my pal has entered
your office to receive the money. You
will pay him and he will tell you the
watch word agreed to between US, which
you will telephone to me at once
"Mr. Maxwell turned around. A
height of fashion, stood before him
Said the visitor: I have called TO collect
little matter of $4,000 for friend OF
mine, Thomas Jefferson Odell,
Correct replied Mr.. Maxwell. whG
went to the safe, took from it two bun
dies containing $4,000 each, and handed
the money to the stranger. The lattel
ascertained that the amount was correct
then placed the money inside his two
breast pockets.
"'And the watchwordT queried Mr.
Maxwell.
"'Do right and interfere notn replied
the burglars confederate with a grea
deal of dignity, and strobe out of tht
office with all the grandezza of Spanish
hidalgo.
"Do right and interfere notr joyfully
shouted MIR. Maxwell through the tele
/, phone. And now you'll leave my premi
ses, Mr.. Odell, won't you? And as fol
! my wife
"'Have no fear Mr.. MAXWELL replied
the man at the other end. You have tt
deal with a burglar and a gentleman
"Mr. Maxwell locked his Office, got int
his buggy and drove out to his house at ,
Maud S. pace. The more closely he ap
preached, the keener his fear of a catas
: trophe became. But as he stopped at th,
gate he noticed nothing out of the way
He sprang up the stairs, two at tim,
, and entered the pretty boudoir of hi
prettier wife. She was quietly reading.
"'How you must have suffered, IN,
: angelr he cried, and sob shook hi
voice.
"The young wife looked up astonished
Suffered? IP
"'That burglar, you know-it mus
have been awful. Oh, you poor darling
"'Why George, dear, what is the mat