The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-30
One wav TO Ca.oh pickpockets.

A remarkable story came to light yesterday
regarding an experience on Monday night Of
Charles sborne, the mining man OF Shasta
county with pickpO, ket. IN which he came
on UNNECESSARILY best, says the san Fran
cisco Chronicle. Osborne has just sailed for
south Africa. The story is so unusg al as to
seem hardly credible, but is YOuched for in a
way to carry belief
Oslo-ne arrived here several weeks ago.
He Is one Of the lest known mining men OF
California, having mined for years in the
north. he was the dlsOoverer Of the Glad
stone gold mine. French Gulch, which he sold
for 10000. AS he was on his way to Johannes-
burg to take charge Of some mines and did
not know when he would get back, he spent
sometime here seeing the sights and taking
his ease preparatory starting. While here
he sent to hedding for II OBJ, which he re-
celVed by express. Much Of this money he
carried on his person, for Osborne is big,
stalwart man, who has been about the world
and is not afraid.
One night over a week ago when he and
his friend, Petty. were out seeing the sights.
ltght-hngered man touched him for two i20
gold pieces which he had in one Of his
trousers pockets. his was surprise to OS-
borne. and set him to thinking. He had never
had anything like that happen before and he
was much annoyed. He said nothing about 1t
at the time, however, but set TO work devils
Ing plan for thwarting any similar accident
in future.
In a dim way he recolIected that he thought
some one had put hand in his pocket on the
night he lost the coin. Osborne, as is custom
airy among many mining men. wears subStan-
tia corduroy clothes, and these are equipped
with unusually strong pockets. In the right
pocket Of his trousers. therefore. he skillfully
arranged half dozen pig hsh-hooks. each
carefully fastened to its place, and in such a
way that they would offer no resistance to a
hand while ing inserted. but the hand
would be grasped by the barbs while being
withdrawn. ANY one Of the hooks would hold
a 10 pound salmon.
Thus equipped Osborne again started forth.
At the corner of California and Kearny
streets fakir was blith~ somely expatiating
about his wares, and the mining man stopped
to hear what he had to say. DeSlrouS OF test
ing his invention. he jingled two or three $40
pieces carelessly in sight, and then dropped a
couple of hem in sight Of the yawning NAV
below the fish hooks. Then he leaned back
and became absorbed in the street corner
oratory. In a few moments sure enough, he
felt hand going down his pocket. 1t moved
slowly and carefLliy, but every time the fakir
said anything to make the crowd laugh 1t
went down with more confidence, Pretty
soon Mr.. Osborne felt that he had a maa at
his elbow who was doing some deep thinking.
He knew this by the commotlon that had
taken place in his pocket, He said nothing,
but he knew something was going to happen.
1t did, when a voice said;
say, mister! I've got my hand in your
pocket"
What in - have you got your hand in
my pocket for?" said Osborne, cheerfully.
Why don't you take 1t OUT
Il can't; 1t 5 caught said the man, look
ing up and tuning pale. ... -......
We'll, come right down here to police
man. He will help you take it out replied
the mining man and he moved of as he
spoke, the thief being forced to trot along by
the side Of his captor ...--.
"Oh, 1 didn get any money. For heaven s
sake let NE gol' cried the thief.
Osborne did not care anything about i'm.
prisoning the fellow and Furnishing him
further. He declared he would not have
minded it bit if he had lost the additional
gold pieces. All he wanted was to see If his
trap would work. So he released the fellow
and let him go. He Immediately ran away,
and Osborne returned to his hotel, followed
by several people. H. K. Bemis and others
examined the tishhook guarded pocket. it had
considerable ulood in it from the hand of the
would-De thief.