The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-26
THEIR ONE CONSOLATION.
PROUD OF THEIR WORK, EVEN IN
THE HOUR OF DISTRESS.
The Ruling Passion Among Crooks
Strong in Death-An Arrested Sharper
sneers at the Easy Victim for Whom
He Is in Trouble.
"What do YOU think OF nv work."

"What do you think OF my work.
Even the confidence man, crook on
general principles and professional thug
feels great pride in his work.
1t is the one crumb of consolation he has
when the arm OF justice, outstretched, falls
upon him with tight and unrelenting
grip, that the work for which he finds
himself ENGAGED was well done.
Oscar j. Ruthven, or j. ]. Sullivan, as
his real name may be, fell into the clutches
OF the local police yesterday. To Sergt.
Koran it was that he earnestly addressed
the foregoing question. 81 consider it
pretty much like professional would
have performed, and such you must be.
You played your victim very fine, replied
the officer. "Oh," replied the prisoner,
nonchalantly, che was nothing to work.
That sucker is as green gourd as ! ever
saw"
Ruthven, or Sullivan, bears all the ear
marks and other distinguishing marks OF a
professional crook, tholgh he is evidently
not of the high roller type. lie reports
himself from Springfield, ILL.,, and that the
name of Ruthven, which he gave TO the
police. is fictitious. his real name being j..
j. Sullivan. He has been in the city bul
a few days, and fell early in the action.
The green gourd" to whom he referred
was Thayer T. Singleton, telegraph oper-
ator, lately on duty at some rural office,
Finding himself out Of n job, the innocent,
zuileless youth came over to Memphis IN
search Of employment. He located at the
st. Nicholas Hotel. On Wednesday, hearing
of a probable opportunity at the Memphi,
d Charleston Railroad depot, Singleton
started in that direction. A stranger in q
strange city, lac knew not every crook anu
turn, hence he fell upon Ruthven. "Oh
yes; know the city thoroughly, said III,
operators new-found friend, land vii
accompany you TO the depot. Don't men
tion it; have nothing else to do and vii
enjoy the walk" Thus the Acquaintance
began. II was late in the evening. Belor,
reaching the depot the guide timidly an,
with pang OF r. greet % referred TO hi
sore distress arising from Il completed
emptied purse. That's all right" into,
posed Singleton, moved by compassion
and rs a return Tor the supposed friend
slim bestowed upon him. "You com
around TO my room, and I'll see that yo
wv uNA HAhlNNf W. ~ NAsif VI wv ~ 'N'.''''
Singleton's kindly offer was accepted,
goes without saying.
During the night Singleton complaine
OF violent headache. Ruthven prompt
volunteered to procure medicine th,
would knock the complaint out in on
round, but Singleton had TO furnish III
money. lie soon returned with bottl,
rubbed some Of the connection on Ill
young mans temple, aud, sure enough,
* said, slight relief followed. The ncS
morning the attack OF headache was ST
on. Ru,hveu gave the medicine int
nally. Sleep soon took possession of IL
patient. and did not release him until la
IN the morning. When II did, the your
man found himreli alone, with his none
oil gone and also rolled gold chat
Information was furnished the polio
along with description Of Ruihye
IhHt was Thursday. Yesterday II Vi
discovered that young man who file
the bill had paNned the chain for s..
few hours aitcrward the fellow was ca
turcd. and at the station-house he pr
pounded the question with which this q
count opens "What do YOU think Of II
work?' Tie Criminal Court will doul
less pronounce 1t excellent 30 eXccllcf
indeed, a. to entitle the artist 10 lol
tom Of existence without danger OF $50
walton.