The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-03-29
THE STORY OF MoLLrE MATCHES
Il Peor Orphan Roy who Rose To be
Famous Pfckpocket.

haDs4s llty Times.
Il see Nellie Matches has done his
stretch ami is out again. remarked a
communicative reformed thief 10 a
Times reporter last evening. John
I.arney, or John Dolan. for he has
worn both names so long in private
life that he doesn't know which enc
be owns, said the formerly hard man.
lis now between so and SIS years old
nearer the former figure. He began
life as a street boy in New York at the
age OF : years. both bis parents having
died on the passage from Ireland. The
infant proved adequate TO the task of
taking care of himself, and early
evinced the possession of traits des-
tined to make him famous. Ii was in
New York that he gained the name OF
Nellie Matches being slender and,
with a fresh, fair complexion, at the
age of rs in woman's attire he readily
passed as d girl, and with basket OF
matches infested the crowded ferry
boats. Hid had a partner with him,
and as l-arney solicited customers
among the passengers his deft fingers
cluug to pocketbooks, lewelry, ANY,
thing in fact that was in sight yaiu-
able and easily carried His stealings
were passed over 10 his companion.
who did no work on his Own account.
In his earlier operations he was ire
quently caught, bat his yeah and vir-
Fuoas appearance and stalwart lies
secured release or slight punish
ment ln general he WAS very sac
cesSfal, as laen upon discovering the
less Ola pockcthook or watch were
slow Ia suspect al innocent poor girl
who had matches for sale As i.araey
grew his held Of operations widenea.
and his ambition scared. Before he
Was s. years OF age he had served II
years IN peuiseatiarieS and reforns2-
tories, had amassed an honest fortune
Of 5000, consisting principally oi
real estate in Toronto, Canada. ana
Cleveland, O. and diamonds. In the
matter of gems he was the equal Of an
expert lapiary in discrimination, and
il was his modest beast that he never
stole paste diamond IN his life. Nor
did he waste any time ON silver
watches, and when he did steal one
through error he made haste % retarn
il TO the owners pocket,
q Daring the war q new opening for
his talents presented itself, ana be-
tween sumter and AppoEnatfox he
had enlisted in numherless regiments
and jumped Sll 90 worth OF bounties.
He always lived hish. and when Mt
leisure or travelling on business spent
money like merchant prince. His
clothes were OK the finest, and from
his cape ehinehiIla overcoat 10 the silk
OF his underwear there was nothing
iew-priced or vulgar ahoat kiEa.
" Larney Was great actor and ire
aaentIy, although participating was
his legitimate business. he would for
exercise Try another branch. At
hzneo steering, being q charming
talker and OF gentlemanly appearance,
be was almost the equal OF Hangry
Joe, bar always fels IS II the industry
Was low down. Sometimes he doc
tered his eyes with red PEPPER and,
putting or blue goggles and otherwise
Disgusting himself, would SO 90 a
wholesale ieweiry store and call for
| loose diamonds These it's customary
60 display on velvet IN the counter or
show case, and having an excuse N
his defective vision " hen number Of