The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-21
INSPECTOR BYRNES.
SOME POINTS ABOUT NEW YoRK's
CHEF Defective.

pOrterS.
Copyright 1892, bv the United Pressl
New YORK, March 19-The chief of the
detective bureau Of the municipal police de-
partment of the city of New York, is as
mild a mannsred man as ever caught a
thief or unmasked a conspiracy. He does
not assume a score of different disguises in a
day nor adopt other sensational methods
supposed to be part Of the business Of all
detectives.
Inspector Thomas Byrnes has matched in
telligence and good Judgment against the
low cunning OF the criminal classes, and his
success is the best proof of the wisdom of
his methods.
On duty the Inspector is q thorough busi>
ness man. He has a vast amount Of work to
do. all of it requiring a high order of intel-
ligence aud perfect Judgment Of mon. He
disposes OF his work in order and rarely
makes a mistake. Visitors who have bust :
ness with him are received without formal
ity or official red tape. He does little ac-
tual detective work in person, but success
in every case depends largely on putting
the right man In tho right place. He also
plans every important investigation and his
men report to him at every step.
lbs soector Byrnes' office is located on the
first floor of police headquarters near the
center or the building. A door opens from
the main hall directly into his office. To
the right Of the door is a bell knob. When
not engaged the inspector often aus wers the
bell himself. His ofice is a well.lighted
room, 1894 feet 1t is plainly furnished.
There is a carpet on the floor and few
pictures on the wall. The latter suggest
the character Of the place and ave been
presented to him by admiring friends.
The picture that first attracts the atten-
ton OF visitors hangs to the right Of the
inspectors desk. 1t is named His first
offense," and represents q young man
who, having committed his first crime, has
been caught and brought before the In
spector An officer stands behind the
youthful criminal, who hangs his head In
shame and cannot face the great detective
who is regarding him with an expression Of
pity.
On the other side Of the room Ia a picture
that is as humorous as the first is pathetic,
1t represents the capture of John Most, the
anarchist, at the time he was found con~
cealed under his bed. The inspector is seen
standing looking at his captive with smile
The body of Most is entirely concealed be-
meath the Led, but his head is visible and
on his face the artist has faithfully repro
duced an expression Of terror and surprise
that is ludicrous.
At the lower end OF the room there is a
large picture which represents a group of
frightened negro slaves crouching behind a
policeman, who. with drawn club, is pro-
tecting them from an advancing mob OF
white men.
The inspector sits behind large fat top
desk at one end of the office The other
furniture consists of q table, q lounge and
a number OF plain chairs.
ln this room secrets are daily revealed
that, IL made public, would often startle
the entire city and cause no end Of sensa-
tions. Men and women in all walks of
life come there, seeking the aid Of the de-
tective bureau to recover stolen property,
to find lost wives and husbands, 10 unmask
conspiracies to rob and murder, and to
solve mysteries great aud small, some OF
them fancied ones, perhaps, but very man y
real. Men and women disappear. and the
first step in search for them is
to report the case to Inspector Byrnes The
diamonds OF an actress are stolen, and as
soon as she discovers her loss she drives to
police headquarters to see the inspector.
Men of high position in social, business and
official life receive threatening or black
mailing letters, and they do not feel safe
until they have invoked the protection of the
chief of detectives.
All these people are given a hearing. The
inspector listens patiently and quietly while
they tell their stories. His wonderful ewes
big gray orbs that look one through and
through glance at the faoo before
him aud read the thoughts OF
the talker faster than they can be framed
into words The story ended, the in spector
will ask a few questions II iG is a
story of crime, he is quick to detect every
point that may prove a clue, and may
have that part of it repeated. II part
of the truth has been kept back, some
thing In the face, eyes, voice or manner
of the visitor will betray the fact to this
man who has s5udisd the human face as
scholars study books. When something
has been concealed the inspector will say
quietly, but in manner that admits of
no further evasion:
"rell me all you know about this mat
ter"
Then the whole truth will come out,
reluctantly, perhaps, but it will come.
No lawyer knows better how to obtain all
the information IN the possession of a
witness. And he can obtain 1t with a few
questions because every question Is directly
to the point.
When he appears on the street or In pub
lie, Inspector Byrnes is one of the best
dressed men in New York. His clothes are
always Of the best material. made in the
prevailing fashion. and fit him perfectly.
He wears no jewelry except
plain gold band around his modest coll
ored silk tie, and never carries a caue. On
duty he sometimes wears a blue uniform
coat with gold stripes on the sleeves to de-
note his rank, but oftener he is in citizens
dress He is at his office at o'clock in the
morning and remains until O'Clock in the
evening unless sooner called away on busi-
ness. When there are important cases on
hand be frequently comes down at night
and sometimes rem aims on duty until late
hour.
The inspectors mail is large one, and it
is the fret thing disposed of in the morning
after he receives the reports Of his subordl-
mates, and gives them their instructions for
the day. His letters come from all quarters
of the globe, and contain a varied nssort-
ment OF requests. The phot graph and
autograph fiends do not neglect him, and
sea cely day passes that he does Eot re-
ceve threatening letters from cranks and
criminals. People in all parts OF the world
write and ask him 10 aid them in finding
missing friends aud relatives, and country
coustables and sheriifs from Maine to Alaska
want him to capture escaped criminals aud
divide rewards with them. A majority Of
his letters o never answered.
The officers who work under the inspector
are known as central office deteoti YES, TO
distinguish them from the ward detectives
attached 10 each police station, who are
under the orders Of the police captains Of
their precinct, but policemen and reporters
usually cali them simply "Byrnes men. -
These men have been promoted from the
ranks OF the patrolmen, usually after years
OF faithful and efficient service. Ihey are
all men OF intelligence, well read aud well
tnforrued on all ourrenl tDuies A ma forffv