Wichita eagle., 1888-01-01
FAN OLD THIEF's COMPLAINT.
Nothing but Stagnation in the burglars
Business Circles-Detective system.

Nothing but Stagnation in the Burglars
Business Circles-Detective system.
"Hello, Rill!''
The person addressed turned quickly
around with determined expression on
his face, as if expecting to have tussle
with some one, and a good natured smile
passed over the countenance of Bill Noble,
the western bank burglar, when he recog-
nized friend. Mr.. Noble is at one of the
Broadway hotels, but his name does not
appear on the registry book.
'How's business, Bill%' queried a re-
porter.
''There is nothing but light game in the
market ROW" answered the bank confis-
Gator. You can lay odds, my boy, that
it will be many day before big job is
worked up in this or any other city crack
ing safes. There is just as much money
locked up in safes every night as there
ever was, but it is a hundred times harder
to get at than it was ten or twenty years
ago. When a Waterman was left in charge
of bank it was all right; but now even a
small amount of treasure is guarded by
system of signals SO perfect that it places
half a dozen men on watch, and il is too
big risk TO try and beat them As far
west as you can go, and I've covered every
foot of the ground, no chances are taken,
and you're dead sure TO toss up your life
or twenty years of it, if you attempt to
get in your fine work."
''ATS he safes made today harder to
open than when burglary was a paying
prOfessiOn?"
Certainly. But there is not safe
made that cannot he beat. Time is all
that is necessary. The tools to do the
II l., J. u.
sneak has taken the place of the experts,
and even they are starving to death. All
the good men are doing their bit now,
and it's only a little while since / was do
ing mine. The old mcn in the business
can never make another deal The cops
are or to them ali the time They are
tracked everywhere. ! left Chicago a
week ago The police here knew / was
on the way before the train was ont of the
depot, and they nave been on to me every
moment since | arrived. They know
where | 90 and what do about as well
as | do myself, anu il | didn't walk
straight line I'd get the collar in a second.
I'm doing straight business now and have
no fear. ! used to get pretty hot when
Ia run into 4 fellow who was piping me,
but I've got used TO it now and feel more
amused than mad. have a little quiet
fun leading the boys on Il goose chase once
in Il while The efforts of the police are
directed to prevent thieves who are known
from organizing. This is the best way to
prevent crime, as crooks cannot work
alone on decent Job. The detectives
have a system by which the daily record
OF all well known crooks is kept ali over
the country, and the heavy hand of the
law can be put on man at any time.
This is harder TO buck against than all the
locks and combinations ever made"
Would you kill q man while at work
who tried to arrest you;'
Certainly, il / got the drop on him.
It's part of the trade. Usually the officer
has the advantage. because burglars are
surprised at work and there is no chance
to shoot. \ man must FIGHT for his lib
erty. even at the risk Of stretching his
neck"
Did you lay up any money while in
the business
Not q dollar. Flush today and broke
tomorrow is the rule. Crooks live good
while the dust lasts, but they blow every
thing in. Every crook has his failing.
Its either wine, women or gambling.
Gambling and drinking are all right, but
steer clear OF women. They are The de-
tectves' right bower. Many good man
has been sent away by a woman's tongua,
either from malice or stupidity. They
give clues. and the detectives get the
glory and the prisoner. New York Even
ing sun.