Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-10-15
CLEVERLY CAUGHT.
A Stylish Crook Who Lacked
Worldly Wisdom,
BUT WAS AN EXPERT AT HIS TRADE

He Makes an Acquaintance without
Knowing the Latter's Antecedents and
Comes to Grief Thereby-A Novel and
Scientific Method of Opening a Safe
The Sense of Touch Made Temporarily
Very DeIicate-A Sudden and Embar-
RAISING Interruption.
CHICAGO Oct Is Hairy a. Adams.
an ingenious and dangerous safe robber,
was arrested at daylight yesterday morn
ing just as he was removing $3.50 from the
big safe in the Hotel Wayne, at the cor
ner Of Michigan and Wells street. The
story of his remarkable exploit is both
sensational and dramatic. He came to
Chicago about ten days ago, registered
from Minneapolis and was assigned to
one of the best rooms in the hotel. He
loitered about the office a good deal and
after lapse OF day or two made the &C
quaintance of pleasantfacee young
stranger The two became chums.
Where He Made His Mistake.
Last Saturday Adams asked his friend
If he wanted to make money and, receiv-
ing reply in the affirmative, cautiously
unfolded an ingenious plan to rob the
Office safe.
We'll go down there together at 4
o'clock Tuesday morning" he explained,
"and while you keep watch I'll do the
trick"
A right" the chum assented.
The latter happened to be cousin of
the proprietor of the hotel but Adams
did not know it. He told the story of the
plot to his cousin. who in turn unfolded
it 20 Inspector Hubbard, at the Chicago
Avenue Station.
Enter the Expert Burglar.
At midnight Monday Officers Bell and
Hiatt were secretly admitted to the hotel
Office and slowed away under a staircase.
They waited four hours for the burglar TO
come down stairs, and rs the clock IN the
Northwestern tower struck 4 their pa
thence was rewarded by the sound of foot
steps on the stairs over their heads. A
moment later Adams was gliding silently
across the floor of the Office. His hands
were empty and the officers began TO won
der how be would proceed. The burglar
suddenly bent down before the safe,
seized the combination and began turning
it cautiously He worked in this way for
nearly an hour when, the big doors sud
denly swung open.
HOW tie D1d the Tick.
Eagerly thrusting his hand into the
money box Adams drew forth the prize
he was after. 6at before he could stow it
away in his pockets the detectives had
sprung from their hiding place and made
him prisoner An examination of his
hands quickly revealed the secret of the
seemingly supernatural power which en-
abled him To open n strange combination.
The nail of the right index finger was
pared so close to the quick as to produce
wound from which blood flowed freely.
1t was through the medium of this pain
full and sensitive cut that he was enabled
TO tell when the tumblers fell. As each
one dropped down the vibration through
the handle WAS communicated TO the
finger by means of the barred quick, and
Adams instantly started to turn the sec
ond tumbler
"Ain't No Paul John.tone"
When he was taken to the Chicago
avenue police station he boosted bit
about the success of his feat and said he
could perform it on any safe in the city.
Il amt no Paul Johnstone and l don't
need nobody's nut TO feel" he said rather
proudly as a turnkey changed the barred
door in his face. The police are of the
opinion that Mr.. Adams will open no
more safes for many day to come