The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-08-10

NeIs, JlLlllues DTdSS hnuCkloS, Sung SnOtS, ana
other weapons, which have figured as evidence
in noted criminal trials in the courts of the city,
The collection is the work of Mr.. Richard Syl-
vester, Chief Clerk of the Metropolitan Police
He has been making 1t for eight years. At
tached to each of the articles in the cabinet is
small tag, with number corresponding to notes
in book, where can be found the more impor-
tant details in the history of each.
Mr.. Sylvester considers the collection COM
plete with but one notable exception. The pis-
tol with which Guiteau shot President Garfield
was taken by the United States District Attor-
ney's Office, and no one ever knew what became
of it. 1t is the absence of this that makes the
cabinet appear incomplete in Mr.. Sylvester's
eyes. The other articles are arranged in the
cabinet in an artistically, if not estheticaly
pleasing manner. As many of the articles in it
have tragic histories, and all of them interesting
histories, it is hardly necessary to say that the
collection is worth describing.
Jimmies of all sizes, shapes, and conditions
radiate from the centre, and have all been used
in effecting entrance into the houses of citizens
There are probably a dozen of these tools, and
the history of all would be monotonous In the
lower right-hand corner may be seen accompa-
niments to the jimmies in their house breaking
utility in pair of heavy socks, which the bur-
glars pull over their shoes after forcing an en-
trance into house. In the centre of the cabi-
net is medium-siZe dark-lantern used bv the
same class of citizens
Down in the left-hand lower corner is a
smooth stone about the size of mans fist, by
means of which, way back in October 1855
Daniel Montford assisted William j. Murphy in
shuft1ing of this mortal coil. In near proximity
is coil of different nature, being composed of
leather thongs, and designed primarily to infiict
corporal punishment upon awayward infant, of
whose blood the father was by no means spar
ing. Ihe child died OF gangrene from wounds
inflicted by the strap. There are knives there
in various stages of dilapidation that would
gladden. the heart of South Pacific cannibal,
but the one bearing the most interesting history
is an ordinary cheap table-knife ground to a
point. This knife was used by John Daley,
couple years ago, to kill Judge Kennedy. John
was an lrishman, and the Judge had invested
some of his hard-earned savings. The interest
didn't accrue as rapidly as John desired, and,
fancying himself mueh-abused man, he sharp
ened the aforesaid knife and started on the trail
of the Judge. He met him at the corner of Fif-
teenth street and New York avenue, and with
out waiting to examine the balance sheet which
was rendered him stabbed the Judge several
times. John still had the knife about him when
arrested. The court declared him insane, and
he was sent to st. Elizabeth's Asylum where
he afterward died.
On the opposite side of the case is a saw made
of sheet iron and used to dissever the Stats of
window shutters This belonged to Charles
"
tempted arrest him and was shot Francis
Fields has furnished Mr.. Sylvester several in
teresting specimens in the way of brass knuck-
les. Francis attempted to use them on police
officer who caught him house breaking and got
laid out There is neatlookng brass lock in
the cabinet, which formerly was the precaution
Mrs. Lieut.. Tyler used between eleven thou
sand dollars worth of diamonds and the world
in general. One night, Just before preparing
for ball, man entered her residence, put the
box under his arm, and walked off without
creating much of a disturbance. The police
tracked them up and in a few days the jewels
were all recovered.
OFF to one side, looking demurely modest in
the midst of so many dangerous weapons lies
the tip end of an umbrella stick. 1t seems that
Mr. Beverly Johnson got in little alteration
with man on the Avenue one night and poked
him in the eye with his umbrella. The tip broke
off, the man had it taken out of his eye, and he
died. Not far off is tackled heavy and danger
ous-looking bludgeon. This it is learned was
used to commit murder by George Holmes
One of the most interesting specimens to refined
tastes is the piece of the skull of colored baby
buried without permit. 1t seems that Re
becca Banks, colOred had for some reason or
other wished to dispose of very Young infant
in some way that would be unknown to the in
quistive eyes of her neighbors So as she was
afraid its cries might arouse the neighborhood
she first took the precaution to tie a small cord
right below its ears when she put ii in a box
Being afraid of being asked some embarrassing
questions, she dug hole in her back ward and
placed the box therein. She was soon after ar
rested, charged with buryug the child without
permit. Mr.. Sylvester has the occipital bone
of the child's head, with neatly punctured hole
through it for the insertion of a cord and it
forms ghastly but very interesting feature of
his collection.
Mr.. Bates Bedford got into a dispute with
Philip j. Hearth, and not having blackjack
handy attempted to make one impromptu by
putting q stone or two in his handkerchief 1t
was very effective, and was used as evidence in
the murder case shortly after ensuing. The
cabinet also contains number of skeleton KEYS,
nippers and other burglars implements. There
is also a roll of counterfeit money formerly
used as 'bOOdle' by three-card- men in p
game something like bunco, so popular among
rustic visitors. There are augurs and chsels
used for forcing locks on ordinary wooden
doors and numerous other implements familiar
TO police courts.
Several very queerlooking instruments, which
were supposed to be internal machines, are in
the collection. One small one of dark iron,
about the size Of walnut with copper cover
attachment, was sent to Chief Justice Waite as
most people Will remember, but turned out to
be bogus machine, and intended merely to ad-
Vertise the sender. Another, real one made
of gas pipe, was left at Justice Field residence
A bottle OF powder, a yard or two of fuse
augurs, and brace form the outfit which was
used 10 blow open the safe at Albaugh's Thea
tire. half brick was used by Lewis Williams
TO kill eX-Ofiicer w. Q. Alder, and it occupies
prominent position among the attractions
Among the firearms finding positions in this
impartial display OF weapons may be mentioned
the one used by Thomas jackson in an attempt
70 kill Officers Sheehan, Boyd, and Brice
Jackson is at present serving twenty years
Another Taylor Garry used TO kill his brother In