The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-31
WHAT "GOPHERs" DO.
Expert Second story" Thieves at
Work in the South.

work in the south.
Detective Mowatt returned from Florida
yesterday, and he was asked what is new.
''There is 2 great deal new" he replied.
"There are sore slick 'gophers' at st. Au-
CUISINE and Jacksonville. You wouldn't
know them. SIS many of them look like
tramps, but it is very thin disguise. he
same men wear the best the tailor can
furnish when they are in the north, and are
swells in New York. Some Of them have
been going through the jewelry stores
down in ST. Augustine, and there have been
a number OF 'seco sd-story' robberies in
Jacksonville recently These robberies
have been from private residences, and
some Of the haus have been quite large.
From the class of work done it is evident
thai gang Of experts are working Jack
sonvilleo
do some thieves make speciality of
robbi,g the seco7d story OF residencesW
Yes The bedchamber and toilet looms
OF tue ladies', where they generally keep
their jeweiry and their purse, is usually in
the second floor of the residence, and what
Is known a, TIE sec nd story III II know
this, and become expert in working the
rooms
Speaking of second story men," said
Detective Mowatt, "'Long John Carey
was for years one of the most ex-
pert thieves | ever knew. He always
worked alone. He did not believe in the
confederate plan. One can keep a secret
where two can't, and the chances of detec-
ton and capture was reduced one-half by
going it alone, be argued. CAREY attended
all the swell balls, strictly on business, to
get the names and address IF ladies who
wore valuable jewelrY. He would then
UaCch house for & few days, and f in the
meantime the jeWe.s had not been taken to
a safe depoSt vault, he would conclude that
the lady was in the habit Of keeping her val
uables in the house. ami when the opporlu-
nifty offered he would make his way into the
premises in search Of the diamonds or jew
elTy ne lad first cen in the ball room, and
he generally sue ceeded in carrying them Off.
Long John died violent DEATH as most all
thieves do. Like many Of MS class, he was
addicted to tue use of strong drink, and to
that he owed his death some four or five
years ago in Brooklyn, n. Y, although he
dld not confne himself 10 any one city lie
enjoyed the summer air of the southern
cities in winter as well as the tourists whom
he robbed when occasion offered.
But to the story of his death. Carey
had rented an attic room in a block of
buildings, one Of which latter he intended
to plumber. He was considerably under the
influence Of liquor. but even that did not
prevent the expert thief from securing his
plumber, and on his return to his room in
the attic at about 2 o'clock in the morning
he staggered through the open skylight of a
new building, falling into the cellar and
was found dead with the plumber on his
person"
Are any of the second story men in this
city.n the detective was asked
They have passed through here, and are
not unlikely to visit the city if it should get
too warm for them in Florida. There is an
old man in Savannah, however, who has
been very clever in his day. He at one
time stood at the head Of the list as hotel
thief, but his many terms in the pen, and
his age are against MIN. He is 70 ears old
and not likely to do much more work.
nevertheless lie is a safe man to watch.
would not advise any one TO lay a pocket
hlol in lis zuaE II thara IS .,,--t., ;,