Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-29
HUNTING A BURGLAR.
I. Il, Davis Asks Police Aid in Sc
curing an Old Safe Blower.
RIVERSIDE PENITENTIARYv VISITED
Warden Wright Refuses to Give Any In
formation on the Subject.
TWO oLD-TTMERS WHO HAVE REFORMED

T H. Davis yesterday asked the assist
ance OF the police in securing two safe blow
ers and burglars The men are well known
in police circles, and their records include
Jobs done in almost every city in the coun-
try. Mr. Davis is not detective, as might
be supposed. He is, on the other hand, a
genial and ioyial theatrical manager. In
his combination two safe crackers open a
safe before the eyes of the public. At pres
ent the cracksmen are Kid Mccoy and
Spike Hennessy, two reformed ''blokies, !"
who have been three years in the theatrical
profession. They have now graduated, and
will next year star in piece of their own,
under the management of Mr.. Davis.
1t was to secure men to fill their places in
the Stowaway company that Mr.. Davis yes
terday asked police aid, and he is anxious
to secure men of national reputation for
their adeptness in the art of safe blowing.
Three years Of professional stage life have
completely reclaimed Messrs. Mccoy and
Hennessy from the exciting life of burg
larry, and Mr.. Davis hopes his next recruits
TO the theatrical profession will do as well.
RIVERSIDE PENITENTIARY VISITED.
Mr.. Davis went to the Riverside Peniten-
tiary yesterday afternoon with the hope
that he might secure the two men needed to
fill up the proposed vacancies He ex-
pected 70 be granted an interview with
some of the safe blowers whose time will
expire within the next few months, but In
this he was disappointed. Warden Wright
positively refused 20 allow him TO see any
of his burglarious guests. He even refused
to give the names of any who are TO leave
Riverside within the next few months
s'It is a State law peculiar TO Pennsylva-
MIA, " said Warden Wright, that forbids
me or any other prison official talking about
the men under my charge. The law says
that upon entering prison man is givena
number, hy which he must be known. That
evidently means that he is TO be dead, so far
as the name is concerned, until the end of
his forced retirement Under these condi-
tions cannot give you names, but will
talk to some Of them, and if they are will
ing TO talk to you after they are released,
viii let you know. 1 don't really know
that have anybody here that would answer
your purpose. We have some notorious
crooks here, but they have their board paid
several years in advance and we can't let
them go yet. Some Of them would make
excellent men for your business if you
could get them to go.
AFAMoUs GERMAN CRACKsMAN.
1--WE have one man here" continued the
Warden, whom believe would be a great
man for you. He is little German fellow
with white hair, q fine looking old man, and
ne has spent the greater part of his life be-
hind iron bars. He has reputation all
over the country as a safe blower and burg
lar During all his leisure moments he
whittles out all sorts of figures with his pen
knife. Hei wonderful artist with the pen
knife. However, his term is not up for
over two years yet
''What is his name?" inquired Mr.. Davis
"Ah, that's another question replied
the Warden. That's one of the secrets
locked up with the man."
Mr.. Davis was much disappointed at not
being able to get couple of "gocd" burglars,
and will keep on the lookout all along the
route of the play. He said he had reason
to believe that several old-time cracksmen
are about to be released from Riverside, as
he has been told SO by one of the Pittsburg
officials. However, the only way now open
for him is to watch when they get out and
secure them then. Hennessy and Mccoy
were secured with the assistance of Inspec-
tor Byrnes, of New York.