Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-05-31
"M0LLlE MATCHES"
4 POOR BOY WHO STOLE HIM
SELF INTO OPULENCE.

HE BEGAN HIS LIFE IN THE
STREETS OF NEW YORK AND
HAS CHEATED PRISONS OUT OF
SEVERAL YEARS OF TINE.
al see 'MollIe Matches has done
his stretch and IS out again." re.
marked a communicative reformed
thief to reporter. "JOhn Larney,
or John DJlan, for he has worn
both names so long in private life
that he doesn't know which one
be owns" said the formerly hard
man, "is now between fifty and
fifty.hve years old - nearer the
former figure. ne began life as a
street boy in New York at the age
OF eight years, both his 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 destined to make him
famous. It was in New York that
he gained the name Of 'Mollie
Matches being slender, and, with
a fresh, fair complexion, at the age
OF sixteen IN wOman's attire he
readily passed as girl, and with a
basket of matches Infested the
crowded ferry boats. He had a
partner with him, aud as Llrney
solicited customers among the
passengers his def fingers clung
to pocketbooks, jewelry, anything
In fact that was in sight valuable
and easily carried. His stea llngs
we're passed oyer to his companion,
who did no work OIL his own &C.
count. In his earlier operations he
was frequently cIught, but his
youth and virtuous appearance
and stalwart lies secured a release
or a light punishment.
ain general he was very sue
cessful, &c men upon discovering
the loss OF peck etbook or watch
we're slow to suspect an innocent
poor girl who had matches for sale.
AS Larney grew his field of opera.
lions widened and his ambition
scared. Before he was thlrty.fye
years of age he had served eleven
years in the penltentlary and re.
fOrmatOrles, had amassed an hon
est fortune OF 100000, consisting
principally of real estate i'm To.
rOnto, Canada, and Clev Gland, o.,
and diamonds. In the matter of
gems he was the equal Of an expert
lapidary IN discrimination, and it
was his modest boast that he never
stole a paste diamond in his life
Nor did he waste any time on >il.
yer watches, and when he did
steal one through error he made
haste to return it to the owners
pocket.
"Dnnng the war new opening
for his talents presented itsel:, and
between Sumter and Appomattox
he had enlisted in numberless regl-
ments and jumped Sill 900 worth
OF bounties. He always lived high,
and when at leisure or travelling
on business spent money like 4
merchant prince. His clothes
we're OF the finest, and from his
cape chlncbila oyercOat to the silk
of his underwear there was nothing
low priced or vulgar about HIM.
"Larney was a great actor, and
frequently, although pocket picking
was his legitimate business, he
would for exercise try another
branch. At bunco steering, being
a charming talker and of gentle.
manly appearance, he was almost /
the equal of Hungry joe but al. +
ways felt az if the industry was .
low down. Sometimes he doctored /
his eyes with red pepper, and, put
ting on blue go~s i and otherwise
hikSelf, would 90 to a
wholesale jewelry store and call for
loose diamonds. These It is cas-.
tomary to display on velvet on the
counter or showcase, and having
IN excuse in defective vision when
4 number of unset sparks were be.
ore him, he would examine them
1t very close range and convey
)ne or two of the most valuable to
ais mouth with his tongue.
cat the centenlal Matches stole
himself into comparative Opulence.
lie realized a bushel of gold
watches, but the market was glut-
ed, aud he did not get as fair a
'eturn for his time as he felt be
,ught. He complained also upon
lis return home that he had to
qusre the detectives with twenty
)er cent. instead of the customary
1.-THE of his earnings. This was
PROBABLY a libel, and tue out
growth of gall and bitterness.
"FOr six years prior to his last
Larney lived in Cleve-
and, and advertised himself as
eadinG life of honesty and in
egrity. aud did no Stealing within