Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-08-09
A CLEVER ScoUNDREL.
he Is Slick Oue-Works the Trains
and ;steainrrs-Triea Once Too
Much ana Is Caught AZ n

H.
boats between Saratoga and Essex
junction, was, after hot chase BY
Chief of Police Dumas and his depu.
ties, arrested at Burlington, Saturday,
FOR nearly three months, scarcely a
day has passed that some woman has
not complained TO the police that her
pocket had been picked, and sums of
money lost varying from a few dollars
to as high as 5000. All efforts to To-
cate the thief failed until two weeks
age, when States Attorney Cushman.
while en- route 10 Rutland, noticed a
well-dressed stranger of progressing
appearance moving snspiciously near
"A German woman, who was bound for
New York, intending to sail for Eu-
rope.
The stranger left the train at near
by station, and before reaching Rut-
land the woman complained to the
conductor that she had been relieved
of her purse, containing quite sum
of money. The next day, Mr.. Cush-
man saw his man on the street and
followed him to his lodgings at No. %
Murray street, where he was known as
DR.. Hickok, wealthy physician from
Montreal.
1t was hard work for Chief Dumas
to resist arresting Hickok, as reports
Of his thefts daily increased. Con-
slant watch was kept on Ilickok's
movements and Saturday morning as
the rs train was about leaving the
station, Mr.. Cushman saw him insert
his hand in the pocket of Mrs. NJ. c.
Shepardson of Fairfax, an elderly
woman. who had been AT the Mary
Fletcher hospital for treatment.
A moment later Hickok boarded the
train, passed through the car and out,
calmly seated himself in an electric
car bound up town. Mr.. Cushman
had time to learn that Mrs. Shepard
son had lost her pocketbooll and also TO
induce her to return TO the city.
Hickok went at once 10 his lodgings,
where he changed mis- clothing and a
few moments after Ills arrival, officers
were put on watch at the front and
rear doors Of his domicile, while the
chief entered and searched the house.
The .bird had escaped through an
open window and proceeded to VIM
ooski. where his luxuriant growth of
whiskers, nearly ten inches long, was
sacrificed. y black shirt was then
purchased aud put on over his white
one, light coat took the place of his |
neat sack, and in less than an hour
Hickok was returning in another car, |
but in seat close by was Deputy 1
Sheriff Wheeler of Winooski,who had /
been Oh the lookout for him.
Arriving at Burlington, uickok was
arrested and placed in Jail. In the af-
ternoon, Mrs. Shepardson gave her
testimony before Judge Russell, who /
held Hickok in the sum of $4,000 for |
Monday. Chief of Police
Dumas searched llickok's rooms and 4
foundI fine collection of handsome
and expensive suits suitable for all oc-
casions. the noticeable feature of ALL
the coats being the absence of the left
hand pocket, there being instead an
opening through which Hickok could
pass his hand, and thus unobserved,
relieve his victims of their purses.
A large number of letters and pa
pers were found in Hickok's trunk
but the States attorney declines to di-
yul0e their contents. In court. Hick-
ok became very nervous. He is about
fifty wears Of age, with brown hair
tinged with gray, sharp features with
forehead sloping slightly to the top of
head, restless eye, and handsome,
hands.
Despite the proof against him, he
stoutlv asserts his innocence. Mon
day. his photograph was taken and
copies sent to police throughout the
for Identification.
Recent developments show that
.Dr. Hickok" isnone other than John
Larnev. alias "Molly Matches" lie
i fifty-tive years old. He is one of
The most notorious crooks in the
country. 1t is thought that he has
by his crimes of various
,inds over half million dollars. most ,
If which he has paid TO LAWYERS for q
defending him. He is an all-around
being a bounty Jumper a
.neak thief, burglar, pickpocket and |
Utmost everything. He has made
many daring escapes from prison and
: under sentence now in several places. I
Il was good take" when he was Z
and showed clever detective
work on the part of Mr.. Cushman, who !
: well known in this section, and Is a
native of Braintree.
Two attachments were placed on the q
money he has deposited in the savings a
,ank. ID. ]. Foster,for the Shepard {
s Morse Lumber company, sued him I
or some Sl35. which it i alleged he /
tole from the company's retail office,
nd trusteed the bank One OF the b
men says that Lafliey I
ame to the Office that forenoon under /
he otIise of seeking employment Tor b
-, Inv. and hung around the office I
!. some time. J. f. Cushman, for Y
~. s,,anldiuo Of st. Adams, brought p