Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-03-21
ABOUT THIEVES.
A New York Reporters Talk with
Inspector Byrnes.
How Protest. ,nal Criminals Arc Made
No Such Thing rs "HonOr Among
Thieves'--Rich Ones Who
Stick to the Business"

"How arc profcs sional criminals
naue?'
They arc the product of a wide
variety of circumstances" answered
the Inspector "A great many might
be said to be born thieves. Their
parents were thieves. or of a class that
is in some way not entirely reputable.
The children, male and female, grow
up under influences of association and
early training that give them no
chance to learn to respect the teach
ings Of morality or the restrictions of
law. But in looking over the list, and
taking the number of criminals who
have become celebrated in my day,
the percentage is very small of such
who became SO by reason Of early
training by criminal parents, or even
from natural prediction growing
out of relationship of this kind. Even
Of those who grew up amid surround
ings and associations to such parent
age there are few who may be said to
have made a mark in the profession"
isn't it rue that in many cases
thieves who have families try TO keep
dren?''
Yes, they do it as long rs they can.
Many of them intend and mean to,
but generally speaking it is impos-
sible The father or mother. which,
ever is the thief. and sometimes it is
both, is away a great deal. TO the
inquiring minds Of children this may
lead to discovery. Then the visits
of associates, the chance of an arrest,
OF any Of perhaps hundred happen
ings may expose the facts. At first
there is a childish horror. natural re-
pugnancc. but blood is thicker than
water, and sympathy is soon excited.
The father or mother does not call in
vain for the chiid's regard and even
assistance and support against the law
and its operations, which speedily
take on the appearance of expressions
to the young mind. Then. unless
speedily removed from these influ-
ences, the force of circumstances,
some pressing want or some seemingly
excellent opportunity, makes the child
thief and another recruit is enlisted
IN the ranks of professional GRIM
inals.''
docs it ever happen that children
are successfully kept in ignorance Of
the business of their criminal par
ents?''
Yes, it does. On that score know
of more than one case in point. There
are criminals who have put their chill
dren in converts or some such institu-
tions when very young, and thus have
protected them from ever making the
dreaded discovery. They are visited
there by their parents at long inter-
walls, perhaps, but always under cir
cumstances when the visit is safe and
no exposure risked One of the most
notorious women crooks that New York
has ever known has daughter grown
who is a pious and religious woman,
Sister in a convent, and, 1 assume,
still ignorant of her mothers manner
of life."
You have only mentioned thieves
who have made their mark; does this
all apply to the common run of Offend
ers?'
No, really did not think of them.
They are not objects of study, and
would not repay it. OF course, in a
large city like this, there are many
young boys growing up whose parents
are poor and can do little for then
and for this and variety Of other
reasons have little control over their
children. At from fourteen to sixteen
years OF age these boys get u taste
for going to shows and places OF
amusement, and an appetite for
excitement of all kinds. In most cases
the first robbery committed by these
offenders is for the purpose of getting
money to so to the show. They are
led on step by step, and their associa-
tons CONSTANT get worse. They be
come professional thieves. but not of
dangerous grade--that is, not dan
gerous in the direction of large hauls.
They are the most dangerous to life,
and the most apt to do violence in
committing crime. They are ready to
knock man down to rob him in the
street, or shoot one to enable them to
escape when discovered plundering a
house. But they are easily caught,
and seldom are long out of prison. IL
the recent case of the Weeks murder
the capture of the murderer, when
there seemed to be little or no chance