The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-29
A REMARKABLE DETECTIVE.
A DisagreeabIe Public Service Well
Done by Woman.

New York Letter in Philadelphia Press.
The society of which Anthony Comstock
is the conspicuous agent was created Tor
prosecuting certain crimes against the
community which are usually spoken OF
with bated breath. Whether Mr. Com
stocks society was not energetic enough,
whether other reasons Influenced is not
known, but a new association backed Dy
agent b. G.. Jayne has been organized. and
has just delivered the results of a most
sensational and extensive raid over to the
courts. Jayne seems to have been as ef-
special agent of the Treasury Department
twenty years ago he investigated the frauds
practiced upon the custom house.
A score or more Of alleged malefactors.
some of them persons of much wealth.
were arrested by his agents. me were
persons who were engaged under the Pre-.
tense of pracJlcng niedIcIne all tne most
odious of crimes against society. The de-
tective work which was done in these cases
was remarkable. Most of these scoundrels
are persons of exceeding cunnino and eau
ton, and il was necessary to do detective
work that would have done honor to
culiar qualifications were necessary. In
France such a one might have been found
easily; here it seemed at one time as though
II would be impossible to secure such a
female detective as was necessary. They
found plenty of women who were bright
than that of a life above suspicion. 1t
needed young woman, prepossessing
person, a modest woman, yet brave one
and a bright one as we'll 1t required a
woman who neither by speech nor manner
could suggest a life that was even in
thought impure
At last young woman was found who
was told very plainly what she had TO do.
1t was necessary for her TO go with one OF
the agents Of the society TO all these places
to ask questions, to make and receive
propositions upon which the evidence of
criminal purpose on the part of the sus-
pected persons was to be obtained. She
was q widow, q. woman whose family con-
nectionS were excellent, a woman OF re-
fnement, a person who a few years ago
would have recoiled with horror at the
idea Of detective work Of any sort. But
own means were very limited, and for the
sake Of that child and the handsome pc
cuniary reward she was to receive IL the
work were successfully done. she under
took a task which was repugnant and
which caused her to lead life of horror
for nearly two months
There could have been no finer acting
upon the stage than that which was done
by this woman in her capacity as one of
the detective agents for this society. The
wealthy and influential men who have
furnished the means for this extensive
raid are delighted with this woman's
work, and have looked with amazement
that was distasteful and shocking and I'M
dreamt of she had to experience as she
did this service for them. In the prose
cution of these cases this woman will nee
essarily go upon the stand TO testify, and
that is an ordeal which she breads more
than anything else. AS a result of this
raid every person who has been engaged
in this nefarious business, although not
arrested because evidence could not be
obtained has fled the city.