The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-07-18
THREE Fingered JAKE
The New Police Detective at
Work,
The Wonderful Acumen Displayed by
a Spotter, Who is Alleged TO be
Employed TO Dog Reporters
Of the Local Newspapers.
Description Of the Man.

most remarkable yot attempted. Yes.
torday morning about = O'Clock two
we'll known newspaper mon aud IL well
known attorney wore walking down
Avon street towards tho police station,
when they were informed that they
were being followed and had been for
half All hour.
Tho shndower was pointed out to
them and was then III conversation
with policeman relative to the trio.
Part of the conversation between the
slouth and the officer wns overheard
aud the former WAS heard to say that
lie would give 50 to learn where them
reporters went"
knowing 10 reason for such espion.
nge over them the gentlemen thought
IL we'll TO investigate the mans actions,
which were very suspicious.
With tuis end IN view, they retraced
their steps to the corner of Wolf and
Avon streets and there halted, the mnn
who was following them keeping them
in sight. They then again walked
slowly toward the station, the shadower
keeping close behind, but on tue other
side Of the street.
When the corner of Cove and Avon
streets was reached the spotter quickly
forged ansnd and passing hiB qunrry
lie walked pnst tho PoiIco Station ana
stopped In the shadow OF Wrights
stables waiting until the men he WAS
watching should come up.
Instead OF following him, however.
the reporters and their friends stopped
at the Police Station and inquired as
to whether their pursuer was u regulnr
detective, and ELECTED the information
from on officer that he wasI m ap.
f,r "A.
force,
Not satisfied as 80 his right to follow
them, one Of the scribes entered the
statlon and Informed Sergeant Kirch.
mire, who was on duty, OF his susp!c
ious actions and stated TINT it wonld
he well to have him arrested. The
Sergeant, however. laughed mud said
that the man WAS probably crazy.
He seemed TO hive no inclination to
investigate the man's mysterious con
duet, and one OF the reporters en-
denvorod to find out the shadower's
object for himseli. With this end in
view he walked up To the pseudo de.
tective. who WAS still Mt his post, and
the following conversation eusued:
"What do you mean hy following
me and NY iriends in the way you have
been doing to night?"
81 have not been following you."
Your statement is fnlse. | have
been watching you for half all hour,
and want to toll yon that nnless You
stop such conduct / am going to cause
you trouble.
81 toll you | nm not follow ing you"
said the shadowcr.
An inspection OF tho fellow showed
him to be mnn Of medium height,
with light mustache, rough features.
projecting chm aud light hair. He
wore hight coat and dark trousers
and dark derby hnt. The foro finger
of his right hand is missing from the
first joint. He speaks like partially
educated Canadian.
The reporter noticed that the man
kept his hnnd on pistol in his right
hand coat pocket.
Further questioning of tho man
brought the reply II refuse to answer
your questions"
WHO gave you permission to carry
that pistol" asked the reporter.
I'll gncss you can fud out at head
quarters"
The reporter went after Sergeant
Kirchmlre, aud when that officer came
up he took tho man aside, and when
ho had talked with him few minutes.
the Sergeant said: "He is oil right
and If he has pistol be has the right
10 have It,
WHO gave him that right, Ser.
goant?"
81 don't know"
well, ! want TO say in your pres
snce that | am tired OF his espionage.
aud If he persists ir it he will regret
IT.
Hero the reporters companions and
several other persons came up, aud Oh
the fellows being threatened with mr.
rest lie stated TIA at his name was Nor.
ton, and that he had been employed
by Police Commissioner Verdier to fol-
low one OF the party, n woll known
newspaper man. He admitted, after
many erasions, TINT he had been fol.
loving the young man for several days,
but would not divulge his object.
The incident caused great excitement
and Indignation yesterday. ns it is the
hrst time that such a thing has oc.
Cured IN tins city.
The newspaper man told the would
be sleuth that he would not submit TO
any. further DIGGING and warned him
to deslSt. Though the reporters and
their friend walked abont the neigh.
borbood for some time afterwards the
sfotier did not continue trailing them,
liI, tn :