Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-29
AN ADVENTURES EXPLOITS.
How He Put Montreal Chief Of De-
tectives in the Penitentiary. -


sensational story is brought out by the dis
appearance from Chicago of Frank Hayner, an
employe Of Charles Peckham 4 Co.. insurance
adjusters. 1t is reported that prior to leaving
the city Hayner committed number Of forger-
les. Peckham & Co. being among the victims.
Hayner arrived in Chicago about eighteen
months ago, Pennies. hungry and dilapidated.
He had known Mr.. Peckham years ago in
Brooklyn. from which city both men came and
where Hayner is especially connected. He
was supplied with money and work by his for
mer townsman and until a few months ago con-
Quoted himself as a model Of business energy
and rectitude.
The alias Of "wilson," by which he was fire.
quently addressed by strangers, was to the
majority OF Hayner's acquaintance source
of mystery. His first exploit Of note was
about three years ago. For two years prior to
that time Montreal merchants had been sys-
tematcally robbed by an organized gang OF
burglars. Watches, diamonds, sealskins and
money were the principal plumber OF the
thieves, and so skillfully were the robberies
executed that they never left clue by which
the police could trace them. Men were dis
charged from the police force as incompetent
and others engaged in their places IN the nope
OF finding some trace of the robbers. 1t was
all without result, and Chief Of Police Paradis
was in despair.
Chief Paradis patroled the infected districts
himself in disguise, and though he was once or
twice arrested by his vigilant men on suspicion,
big jewelry store on Notre Dame street was
robbed right under his eyes, and the thieves, as
usual, got away without leaving trace. A num-
Der of prominent merchants then held q secret
conference with Chief Paradis and declared
that the police force was in league with the
burglars. Paradis declared such thing was
impossible, but he agreed to take on the force
detective to be selected by committee of the
merchants.
Hayner was at the time private detective in
Brooklyn and, owing to some Canadian connec-
tions. he was selected to keep tab onthe Montreal
police force. He went on duty in plain clothes
and was attached to the central station, it be-
ing given out that he was nephew of a prOmi-
nent alderman. BY agreement with the mer-
chants the secret OF Frank Wilson's" identity
was sacredly kept and neither Chief OF Detec-
tives John Fahey nor the chief of policies son,
young Paradis, who was second in command of
the detectives, even suspected that he was any
thing other thar he appeared to be.
In less than three weeks Chief Paradis called
a meeting of the merchants to listen to the
first report of the new detective Prank
Wilson" stepped forward and denounced Chief
of Detectives John Fahey and Detective Para
dis as the leaders of the gang of robbers and
implicated many Of the patrolmen as stool
pigeons and active workers. He told where
thousands of dollars worth of property was
uiuueu. Inc ONlc6fS accused were at once ar
rested, and in preliminary examination before
magistrate Frank Wilson" told how he joined
the gang, and how he had assisted in robbing
jewelry store only two nights before.
Wilson" was the hero of the hour, but when
the time for the trial arrived Wilson could
not be found. Young Paradis went free. As a
result, however, of Wilson's work, Fahey and
other members of the police force were found
guilty and are now serving their time in the
Kingston peniteptiary.
When Hayner skipped from Montreal he
went to England with the John L. Sullivan
slugging party as assistant treasurer. In Lon
don and Paris he very soon got rid of the big
bag Of Doodle he had carried away from Mon
treal and returned to Boston without a penny.
Then the benefit was given in Boston for Sulli-
van. and 1t is charged that Frank Hayner, the
treasurer, got away with the proceeds Of the
show, leaving the big fellow in the lurch.
From this time the adventurous youths Ca
reer is unknown until he arrived at Mr.. Peck
hams Office in the dead OF winter without an
overcoat, his shoes and elbows out and his face
pinched with cold and want.