The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1891-01-03
A MEMORABLE EXPLOIT.



Man OF .forty-six Thousand Dollars.
A band OF piekpockets were one day
working q train running to New York
on the Hudson River railroad. There
were four OF them, says the Kansas City
Star The exigencies OF pocket-picking
require at least that number-one pick
pocket proper, who does the actual
taking, and three stalls, or assistants.
The chief OF the band was John Larney,
alias MoiAe Matches, than whom no
surer or more eXpertthlet ever dipped
hook" They were not on this train at
| random. A man was going to New York
who had forty-siN crisp and brittle l,oOO-
dollar bills in pocketbook inside his
vest. This man was occupying seatnear
the center OF the car. Two OF the band
were ahead OF him on the other SIDE
| Of the aisle and the other two were
disposed OF on the next seat pehlno
him.
Suddenly the man arose ana stepped
into the aisle Anxiety parcheu MS
mouth and he wanted a drink. AS he
arose the four thieves, as II by accident,
all left their seats, This brought the
victim between the two pairs. Ihey all
came towards him, the ones to the rear
apparently seeking the opposite end OF
the car to that sought by the ones IN
front, For second the i've blockaded
the aisle, the victim in the center.
Everybody was the spirit OF poltenessi
apologies were muttered as tho four
well-dressed, qulet-looklng rascals APP
parently attempted to get out OF every
body's way. The victim was not hustled
or jostled by these masters OF their art,
but with every touch he was placed and
held in position while the deft Matches,
that prince OF light-tingers, performed
the feat Of wedding his long pocket
book wherein the forty-six 1,00O-dollar
bills were disposed lengthwisc,
"Weeding" is the name of process
in thievery which takes the bills on oc-
casions when the ends thereof project
beyond the pocket-book- and leaves the
empty wallet still in its owners pos
session. The value OF the process lies
in this, that it is generally long time
before the victim discovers his loss-not
until he opens his pocket book-w where
as if the pocllet-booll itself should dis
appear he might note the fact at once
The victim in this instance did not
discover his loss at the time, as nothing
occurred during the despollatlon which
t gave him notice; but, having some rea-
son for taking out his wallet about ten
minutes later he found himself plum
dered. He made great uproar. Inc
! conductor and train-men were called,
5 but, as he did not posse a or even
a suspicion as to who robbed him they
5 could do nothing
One thing was sure the money was
= still on the train, as there had been no
f stop, The conductor assumed the pres
\ sure. He halted his train out IN the
rural regions, and, tapping the wires,
telegraphed to the New York police
Meanwhile the train was guarded and
: no one allowed to allght linen the
train was started for the run in Inc
g four thieves were aware OF all that was
: going on, They knew of the difficulties
d which beset them and that the entire
d detective force of New York was now
a on the lookout. They secretly divided
l. the money and it was agreed that inc
d word should be every man Tor nm
>. self. Larney was IN a pfedlcament
T. His face was as well known TO inc
t Metropolitan Nidocqs as the ltoWery
II He knew If he was recognized ne was
j lost. In his dilemma he went through
4 to the Pullman car Ihefo ne iouha AZ
& old Clergyman travelling with has daugh
@ ter and her little girl, chlld OF fouI
"a years. An idea came to the plckpocket
a He was quietly end taultlessly attlrea
If He had considerable store OF rellglou
n knowledge. lie could play the rol'
4 and resolved for the nonce to be
). preacher. lie intropuced himself U
= the old minister and his daughter. IL
. described himself as from Hamilton
"A Ont, and the pastoroi Bapustchurch
/. The edifice which had seen his sacre
"a mihistrations had been burned TO II
10 foundations, and he was on ms way !
"A New York to see what help might DC o
l. fered, as his congregation was yer
M poor The old man and has daughte
. were very glad to see the plckpocKe
"a They gave him all manner OF counS'
h and sympathy and invited HIN TO the
III house. When any one passed throug
q, the car, which happened once or twlc'
ma Larney turned his back and aVolue
M. notice. At last the train came to sto
at the Central depot and they must leaN
it. Here was the ordeal Larney feare