Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-10-24
eaagw YoaKsss ef PSivcxipsockers
Editor De Young Says They Are Very
Shrewd. but Byrnes Is Shrewder.

Editor dc Young Says They Are Very
Shrewd. but Byrnes Is Shrewder.
"You can say what you please about
New York" remarked NJ. H. DE Young. Of
San FranciS-o, Mt the Auditorium. but
we will have to admit that she has the
shrewtest pickpockets and the best detect
ives of any place in the United States Men
who do considerable travelling imagine tha:
they are too fly for theaverage pickpocket.
but | want to relate my experience in
Gotham few months ago
81 had Just left the tbeater with my wife,
and we boarded street car to get to the
hotel ! went out on the front platform to
smoke Pretty soon the front end became
very crowded and | began to grow sus-
picious OF several 'pushers. My double
breasted coat imagined was buttoned all
the way down. but it was not.
Somebody is being robbed, thought,
never dreaming that it was myself. But,
without any apparent reason, | fell tC
closely studying the features and form of
the big fellow who stood before me- His
picture seemed photographed upon my
mind. He left the car and ran up an
alley and then | discovered that he had
my valuable watch Calling my wife to
get off the car | informed her that the fel
low disappearing eastward had my watch.
"Of course visited Inspector Byrnes
and related the circumstances. Gould
identify the man?' Out of 10000 Then the
official got out his collection of photos and
rapidly handed them to me for inspection.
A new experience this for me. After lool;
ing over about 800 laid two aside. telling
him that it was either of those two men
who robbed me.
"'Tll describe them said the inspector
and he began This one is tail, dark
weighs 1875. is known as Portuguese joe
HE is not the man..
We'll, then the other is my meat. said
the inspector
al left the station and retired to my no
tel. The next afternoon Mr.. Byrnes sent
for me. Arriving at his office found
twenty men standing in line
Point out the man who stole your
watch gravely remarked the inspector. |
walked right up to my man without a mo-
ment's delay. Take the fellow below for
trial. said the inspector
Now said he Mr. De Young, point
out the pickpocket's partner. He is in
that row. In vain / protested that did
not take good look at the partner. hence
could not identify him. But make a stab
at it, suggested detective. Then, amid
roars of laughter, pointed out one of Mr.
Byrnes' own sleuths.
81 shall never forget the next day when
l appeared to prosecute the pickpocket.
The detectives had recovered my watch.
"'What case is thisS' testify demanded
the judge.
Stealing watch. sir replied the
officer
"'Ohi Fellow, are you guilty. The
court appeared to be taking but little in
terest in the officers tale. Where's the
complainant
"'I am, sir | answered.
Young man, where do you hail from?'
asked the court in rigid manner.
"'San Francisco.
"'Say, do you know Dave Seaman there?'
Eyes he is we'll known in IS place.
opposite my o.fice'
"'W here is your Officer
"'The Chronicle building. am pro-
prietor OF that paper
IN. H. De Young' The dickensi Officer.
remand the prisoner for trial for robbery
Il left the courtroom laughing ut the
judges attitude. 1t takes considerable to
get him warmed up to take an interest in
a ase."-Chicago News