Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-05-10

| I'liitlS across Ms DjCh- w ncH lHc COuii
tryman started to get up he was hel'
down until his pocke;-book was takel
out of his hip-pocket.
"Some years ago AZ a country fair il
West Virginia the thieves reaped y har
vest, but found no convenient place t.
throw the empty pocket-books. There
was 4 politician speaking from a small
stand, in front Of which stood a coun
tryman with green cotton umbrella
One by one the empty books were
| dropped into the old man's umbrella
Finally shower came up. and when
the old man hoisted his umbrella there
was shower of pocket-booIs. Through
the fair ground was a gully, and after
| the rain had continued scme time il
was almost impossible to cross the
small stream. One of the thieves pro-
cured a plank, which they placed across
the gully. While one Of them assisted
persons across the others robbed As
many rs they could, ard many persons
who crossed the stream were relieved
of all the money they had and were un-
able to make any more purchases.
A good mob will never let business
get dull while wor.:ing 4 city. for they
are always ready TO raise some exci,e-
ment and cause rush, which will en-
able them TO go through the crowd
They usually reap Il harvest after some
celebration is over and persons are
making rush for the cars. They are
always ready to ,n;sinform persons as
to where the different cars take them.
Then, when the train IS ready to start.
one of them will enter 4 car and inform
the passengers of the :nistake Then
there is a rush to get on the right train.
During the rush and excitement per-
sons are unable to take care of their
pocket-books. aid the pickpocket takes
advantage of the opportunity.
'Iremember several years ago." con-
tinued the detective, when McGlade
and Collyer fought at Goldsborough,
Pa. They stopped at different hotels,
and the friends of the principals in the
light followed them. Early in the
morning farmer drove up in front of
one of the hotels in sleigh. Several
young men ran out and kindly covered
the horses with blankets and arranged
matters generally for the visitor. and
while 50 doing relieved him of his
pocket-book. Then they invited him
into the hotel to take drink. Several
treats were passed around. and when
it came the farmers turn he found he
had lost his pocket-b book, but instead OF
accusing any one of the theft he went
out to his sled and searched it thor
oughly. Not finding it, he started to
return to the hotel. a smile came upon
his face as he saw his pocket-book on
the cellar-door. 4 moment later his
cOuntenance fell again, for when he
picked up the lost book it was empty
1t is wonderful how expert these fell
lows become. They can rob man in
broad daylight so neatly and quickly
that the victim sometimes knows moth
ing of it for an hour or more afterward.
1t makes no difference in what pocket
a man carries his pocket-book to the
thief: it is only matter of getting an
to get at it.
After they have acquired the knack
Of taking pocket-books." said the de-
tective, they go step higher in, and
become members of the gang who only
wiring or steal watches. which are known
to the profession as white and red 'su-
pers.' The chain they call slang
These watch experts pay no attention |
to pocket-books, and they are too high |
in their profession to tap store-tillS. |
They devote their entire attention to
taking watches. White superS are sell
lom taken now, because there are so
many cheap and nickel-plated ones that
t does not pay to run the risk.
Tine older members of the profession
Usually pick up young converts and
make them do the work, while they |
watch and give instructions. and then
lold the property. There was once a
fellow known as johnny. the Greek.
He WAS Il good worker. and never had
my trouble in securing corIfederates.
lie once went to Il country fair, and.
oeing alone. lie employed Il couple of
to assist him, paying them
= each. All they had TO do was stand
n some paSsageway and prevent per-
ons from passing. The countrymen
hought they were having lots of fun.
)ut when they tumbled to their en-
,loyrr's racket they demanded an in
,rease of pay. Instead of increasing
heir pay he got rid of his 'swag and
discharged them. In taking watches
III thief has to do is to snap the chain
n two or break the ring, which can be
lone in an instant. An expert finds no
whatever in taking watch.
What effect does it have on one of
hese professionals to send him to the
,enitentiary?" inquired the reporter.
sit usually has the effect of making
i'm better thief" replied the detect
We. flor while he is in prison he does
lothing but concOct new schemes.
When released he imagines that there
5 no such thing as getting caught
gain. and will be back to his old hab-
IS before he is outside the prison walls
hours.
Crime" said the detective. "haS
lways appeared to me as disease
ecause there are many young men
aving all the luxuries of life at their
ommand who prefer to follow the life
f thief and travel with thieves rather
han associate with respectable persons.