Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-03

NAV have resulted in the wild being bur-
dened with another's crimes, because the
blood of the man whom she married had
been tainted lor generations with insane
and criminal strains-so much so that they
were generally called the mad McNallys.
"Mrs. McNally even went SO far as to say
her son was hopelessly criminal. He was
unfit to remain in society, and whether or
not he was adjudged kleptomaniac, she
only wished him shut uplforever from the
world, either in the penitentiary or Dix
mont, she did not care which, just 90 she
knew he could no longer do any harm or
bring further disgrace to her family.
"Seeking for still further informa-
tion, 1 visited Warden Wright, of the
Western Penitentiary, under whose charge
McNally had been for many years of his
life, and whose quarter of a century's expe-
rience with criminals entities his opinion to
respect and con66ence. In answer to the
question, DO you think McNally is in
sane?' came the emphatic answer, i most
certainly do. Not only he but large num-
Der of so-called professional criminals.
For instance 1 may mention Horace
Hoven, or Hampton, better known as
Little Horace" whose delight was in
doing some daring or exceedingly hazard
GUS daylight robbery, without violence, and
who, strongly believe, would no more
firmly resist a presented opportunity to
sneak into banks or brokers' office, and
steal in sight of all a large amount of
money or valuable securities, than a con-
frmed inebriate or opium eater can re-
sist the indulgence in his favorite stimulants
or narcotics
Judge Gripp indorses the opinion of
Warden Wright that many so-called crimi-
nails are insane-monomanics; which he il
Illustrated by many stories of men who. un-
deferred by repeated imprisonment, will, as
soon as released from Imprisonment, steal
exactly the same kind OF an article in pre-
cisely the same manner as that for which
they have just been confined and punished.
Assistant Superintendent of Police O'Mara
is seemingly biased by his profession, or
rather has never sought to make distinc-
ton among criminals, more than to class
them as professional or occasional criminals.
Still, he would not assert that motive act.
uating mother before the birth OF q child
might not influence the child's whole life.
ONE CURIOUS FACT.
"It is curious fact that if any one visits
Dixmont or any other insane asylum, many
of the inmates will not only appear sane,
but will actually endeavor to impress the
visitor with the fact that they alone amid
the number of keepers, officials and patients.
are the only sane persons. If you should
visit jail or prison, and get the conf
dence of the professional thieves confined
therein, you will find that the slick, slim
fingered pickpocket will look with scorn on
the burly highwayman. and insist that his
method of stealing is the only perfect one.
The bank burglar regards the professional
house burglar with the same feeling, and
each devotes himself assiduously to his own
chosen branch OF criminality, regarding all
others as unworthy of a moments attention.
''It would be we'll worthy of more certain
and extended investigation TO prove what
my limited researches have satisfied me as a
fact-that is, that prisoners in solitary con-
fnement, and allowed no communication
with their fellows, show greater number
of reformations than where the prisoners
are allowed to mingle with each other. 1t
would seemingly prove that crime is a dis
ease. and only Incidentally profession or
mania, kwhichever you choose to term it,
and that, as is we'll known to physicians,
in some form of disease quiet
and Loneliness, aided by proper treatment
and careful nursing, or supervision, will
insure cure.
1.-The term hypnotism is now attracting
worldwide attention, and in France they
have woman under arrest for taking part
in most atrocious and diabolical crime.
She claims that her accomplice hypnotized
her, and compelled her to do the crime,
and as proof OF her assertions she says that
as soon as she had been from under
his influence and out of his COM
pany a sufficient length Of time
to regain her normal condition, shocked
OF he in xrhi oh CHI had folr -
soon as she possibly could she gave herself
to the authorities and confessed her crime.
This opens up wide field to the psychology
ical student. And involuntarily the first
thought that comes to the mind is, has
hypnotism been known TO the animal
world before it was to the rest of mankind?
Might not this be an explanation OF the
seeming blind faith with which criminals of
lesser intelligence will follow those possessed
of greater power of mind? Officers of
the law will inform you, II closely ques-
toned, that invariably, in every band of
an older and not a younger MEM
will be the leader, and that invariably, if
the leader of the band be captured, the band
will either very soon follow the leaders fate
or disintegrate and melt away. Let me saw
for them on this subject, that OF the 1000
in the United States, the average
age is only about q years. Thus it would
seem that the older men recruited their dis
,iples from the yohng and impressionable
class.
A FEARFUL POSSIBILITY.
1.-THE hypnotizer who fills hall with
curious people to see the seemingly myste-
,ious exhibition of his powers invariably
selects young and immature subjects on
which to practice. The thought is before
you, and the fearful possibilities Of the |
thought make the investigator draw back |
With shudder from pursuing further. 1t |
nay be that many criminals unconsciously |
possess this power. This thought is in |
'pired by the remark of notorious conf |
1ence sharper, who said: After 1 have |
urned a trick feel limp and exhausted, |
and must seek quiet and repose.'
The so-calle1 clairvoyant and trance
medium possesses exactly corresponding
after a seance. Is it possible |
hat the notorious criminals whose histories |
'mirch the pages of every nations history, |
may have been hypnotizers? On what other |
ground can be explained the character |
which enabled such men as Robin Hood in |
England, and Jesse james in our own |
to hold together q band of
olindly devoted followers through a series of |
,errible crimes and adventures, extending |
over period of years? Jesse James, it is |
stated, invariably selected young and mex |
men to be his followers. II, in the |
criminal profession as in others, expert |
.nce and intimate knowledge are desidera-
um, why did not this prince of criminals |
eek out and gather the old and seasoned |
ascals to follow his banner?'