Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-21
A YOUNG DETECTIVE.
Victor Kaufman, Aged 10, Applies to
Inspector McKelvy for a Job.
REPRESENTING AN IOWA AGENCY.
He Tells a Tale in Which q Baltimore
Oyster Boat Plays a Part.
SUPPOSED TO BE A DIME NOVEL VICTIM

A boy 10 years old and claiming to be q
detective appeared at the Twenty-eighth
ward station last evening. He gave his
name as Victor kaufman, and is probably
a victim of dime novels and detective
bureau advertisement.
On entering the station house, he first
made inquiry for Inspector McKelvy,
whom he desired to consult privately. He
found the Inspector in his private Office.
The Inspector was called to one side, and
Kaufman stated that he was a private de-
tective. having been appointed by the Wash
ington Detective Agency. OF w ashington, Ia,
and as "spottiug" was a specially with him
he was desirous of doing any extra work of
that kind that the Inspector had on hand.
The Inspector directed Kaufman to sit
down, and he would see what he could do
ior him. He began by questioning Kauf-
man in regard to his career, how he came to
follow such profession and from whom he
had obtained This authority to act in such a
capacity.
Tickled the Kid.
Kaufman was elated over the attention he
was receiving, and answered all queries un-
y.
cial papers the young man produced his
badge and certificate. The badge is FIVE
pointed star labeled "Private Detective"
with the picture of an eve placed in the
center between the words private and detec-
tive. The certificate stated that he had been
duly authorized to act for the Washington
Detective Agency, of Washington, Ia, for
one year from the date on which it was
granted. To the lower left hand was a
large gilt piece of paper bearing the seal of
the agency and the date OF incorporation,
1879. 1t was numbered 424 and dated' Feb
rruary 10. 1891. For these articles.
Kaufman paid 81 90 He said he
had been doing spotting work for
sometime past. and that was his mission to
Pittsburg. He said he had been engaged in
Altoona few days ago to spot" negro
who had stolen four umbrellas. On Sunday
he found his man on freight train passing
through Altoona, and getting on, he fol-
lowed him to Pittsburg, where he has lost
trace of him.
Letters From Patrons.
II addition to other papers in his posses
sion he had letters of recommendation from
people for whom he had worked in New
York. One was granted by Kursh & Wal
ersteiu. of 109 Mercer street, and another by
w. II. Taylor, of 12S Park Row. He left
New York September last and went to Bal
timore where he was engaged on an oyster
vessel named Florence. He worked about
three months, when he was accused of being
at the head of scheme to drown the Cap
tain of the vessel. A mock trial was had
and he was fined 50, which he says was the
whole amount received during his time on
the vessel. He was then put ashore
and going to Attorney Hudson he was
told TO enter suit for damages, which he
says was done. The case is in the hands of
Attorney Hudson, and will come up at the
next term of court in Baltimore. After
this episode he worked in a restaurant and
obtained sufficient funds to become de-
tective, and since then he has been wander
ing back and forth between Altoona and
New York. Several attempts were made to
get him tangled up in his story, but he was
too smart for the Inspector.
He was dressed very shabbily, and had
the arpearapce OF not having used soap and
water for several days. He is a native of
Bnda-Pesth, Hungary, and has been in
America five years, the greater part of
which was spent in New York. He also
stated that his parents were dead, and that
he had sister living in Hudson. Kauf-
man was dead broke. and Inspector Nc
Kelvy said he thought him to be a victim
of circumstances and decided to let him 90.