Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-01-14


PIanning-Jewelry the Peculiar Plum
der of tho second story" Thief--Earely
Caught at Work.
The most effective work at present among
those who steal for living, is being done by
what is technically known to the trade as
'ssecond story men. Robberies by this class
of thieves have become alarmingly frequent,
and there haze been many cases reported TO
the police few of which have been made
public, because tho thieves have not been
caught and it is the policy Of the police de-
partment to keep everything quiet when sno-
cess has not attended their efforts Second
story" thieves have been under "covern for O
long while, and this citylhas been free FROM
their depredations. Where they have come
from SO suddenly is a mystery.
Their work is first class and they must be
good men, experts in their line Their efforts
are characterized by boldness and dash
that must make old "Troy" Dennis smile in
his grave. ''Troy" is stifl treasured in the
minds of thieves as well as detectives, as tho
hing of the "second story" workers. He was
cool, daring and brave, aud had n chivalrous
strain that would not permit him to injure any
one weaker physically than himself. He died
with his boots on. While climbing a piHar
in Fiftieth street he loosened heavy stone,
and it fell on him and ilattened him out like
piece of paper.
After Dennis the famous men are Long
John Carney and "Jac1" Reilly, the leader
of the Murray Hill gang. Garyey walked
through a skylight in Brooklyn and had tho
flesh pretty well scraped from his bones, and
was killed. Reilly did neat job i'm "clean-
ing out" a Lexington avenue house He took
the stolen goods back for reward. The
amount did not suit him and he removed
the goods again. 1t will be many years yet
before Ire can practice his profession. He is
now making shoes for the state. With this
trio ont of the way New Workers have been
able for several years to enjoy a dinner in
comfort without feeling nervous about their
treasures in the upper stories.
GOOD "sEco0D STORY MAX.
"Second story thieves are technically de
scribed rs cross between burglar and q
sneak thief They are usually tall slim fell
lows, possessed of great strength and nerve.
They take pride in their calling and look
upon q highwayman or pickpocket as be-
meath their notice. Comparatively few
thieves have the grit to follow this line
Their number is thus limited, and they be-
come well known and respected by the fra
ternity. They are known as the "long
chance men in the thieves vocabulary
They are all quick witted and intelligent and
do not have the brutal instinct of maRy kinds
of thieves who 60 around with murder in
their hearts. There is o fellow feeling among
Them and they never 'squeaI."
"Second story jobs are not done by rash
impulse, but only after careful study and
planning. Sometimes there are two partners
but more often three. 1t is rare thing for
them To work Alone unless they hirn up
broke in q strange place. One of the gang
makes special business of locating places to
be robbed He picks out house with
front stoop and portico, or heavy stone work
around the front door, or olse where there
is leader, piazza or some other arrangements
that will give foothold in the rear. The
business of the occupant is looked into.
Brokers are considered the best prey and
bankers come next Jewelry is the peculiar
plumber of these thieves. Sometimes their
attention is attracted by the names and de-
scription of jewelry worn at social gather
ings. The habits of the inmates Of the house
are studied with great care and n note is
made of the number of servants and their
method of working. When any of the family
leave the house a ''piper OFF, takes good
look at the jewelry. All this takes time.
When enough has been found to indicate
that it will pay the house is said TO be
planted and u time is set for tho work
Winter, when night comes on early and
quickly is the second story mans season.
The ''piper Off" never does the stealing, as he
NAY have been seen in the neighborhood and
could be identified At dusk the thief APP
troaches the house. He knows what the
people within are doing in a general way.
The gong that sounds for dinner Is the signal
for the climber to slip on his rubbers, if he
has not already put on pair of shoes with
Rubber soles. The lookout is stationed close
at hand to give the thief warning after he
has got inside.
FINE WORK WITH A JIMMY
Time is given for the family to get thor
uughly interested in the good things before
them, and then the thief, with glance in
every direction, starts on his journey
Thieves are bold, Of course, but they never,
it is said, undertake a job without just lit
tie quivering around the heart at the begin
ming.
The climber follows tho plan which has
been previously marked out as tho easiest
way of gaining admittance, either in front
or rear. With soft, stealthy, catlike move
r1ents he goes up TO enc second story, some
times Jumping and then raisias his body
with his hands and arms If the window is
locked it is only a seconds work to slip the
fastening with wire. Once in the house
abe thief takes out a Jimmy" which is
about a foot long and has claw at one end.
He takes in everything in the room at
glance. The light is usually burning dimly.
de does not touch it. Bureau drawers the
doors of closets and wardrobes fly open at
the touch of the jimmy, as if it were a magic
wand The thief works at high speed, with
his ear listening for a footstep in the hall.
There is no time to examine jewelry, and
everything that sparkles or shines is taken.
1t is tested Gfterward. If a decent haul is
made ON the second floor the thief quietly
departs as he came, but if no is not satisfied
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