Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-17
BURGLARS IN A TRUST,
One Nspoieonic Thief Organized His Asso-
ciates With Profitable Results

One Nspoleonic Thief Organized His Asso-
ciaies With Profitable Results.
MILWAUKEE, August ia burglars syndi-
cate or trust now exists, according to police
authorities. In fact there are said to be about a
dozen OF these syndicates and the next move
will be to consolidate them. The facts
leaked out through the arrest Of q noted
criminal few days ago on suspicion
In his day he was one of the most noted bank
robbers of the east, and his picture adorns
nearly every rogue's gallery in the country and
occupies a full page in Inspector Byrne's book
on noted criminals. This man now belongs to
that class which is designated in police circles
as Gone"
For some time the police OF this city have
had an idea that organization of thieves
have been working the town. The variety Of
work done puzzled them, however, ii ex-
tended from safe cracking to sneak thieving
When this man was arrested the officials de-
cided to pump him. An attempt Was made TO
make him believe the police had a case against
him. but he SO stoutly maintained that he had
done no work for year that this was
given up. 1t decided to send him
up to the house OF correction for a year or 80
on general principles When he learned Of
this program he broke down and said he was
already dying of consumption A bargain was
made and be told of the burglars syndicate"
with which he was connected. A little investi-
CATION convinced the officers of the truthful
ness of his story and they are now at work on
the strength OF the information furnished.
The first trust was formed In New York city
by y confidence man nearly year ago. 1t was
his theory that burglars, safebreakers, bank
sneaks pickpockets, balcony men and the whole
coterie were like day labcrers-they needed
management. With a shrewd manager at their
head many of their stupid blunders could be
prevented and by systematic work. the chances
of detection could be greatly cut down. He
got about twenty-five men together and SO
conducted matters that very few knew each
other. With capital stock Of 5000 he mapped
out q route sent scouts or travelling lookouts
ahead and furnished transportation for his
men.
The tour was very successful and only one
man was held, and he finally escaped by the
power of money furnished by the syndicate.
This summer half dozen Of such gangs have
! worked different territory. That Wisconsin
has been thus fornged within the Past two
months is no longer u matter Of doubt. The
method was for men to jump into town or
| city at night, do their work and then move
ON to the next stand. In large
cities these artists played weeks engagement
\ instead of a one-night stand. The continual
| shifting OF the men from one town or state to
, another makes their capture very difficult.
Under the old system burglars and thieves
| always showed a tendency to stay where they
made good haul and keep on waiting until
, the police located aud captured them. Under
tbs direction Of the Napoleonic confidence man
this has all been changed, and froma burglar'l
! standpoint the syndicate system has been Z
great succses.