Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1895-05-01
WOMEN DETECTIVES.
IT is SAID THEY SURPASS MEN IN
CATCHING SHOPLIFTERS.

Less Apt to Be Recognized by Those Who
Visit the Big Stores to steal-A System
Much In Favor With the Big Boston
Business Houses.
An admirable female detective sys-
tam is in vogue in number of the lead
ing dry goods houses of this city.
It has been proved beyond doubt
that the female thief catcher is more
effective in the unwilling of shoplifters
than the most sagacious sleuth in the
secret service department Of the city of
Boston. Thief catchers like the veteran
Joe Knox, for instance, cannot ply
their vocation with any degree of sue
cess for any length of time in large
and fourishing dry goods house. This
is because of the fact that their identi-
ties become known to the dry goods
thief after time, and it goes without
saying that the shoplifter will not begin
operations until all danger of discovery
from that quarter has passed away. The
professional shoplifter is as familiar
with the figure of the inspector as she is
with her own likeness. For this reason
unassuming and unsophisticated maid
ems are put on the qui vive to ferret out
willy shoplifters and bring them to
speedy retribution. The girls assigned
to prosecute detective labor are well
adapted for the work mapped out for
them. The superintendent or chief floor
walker is pretty certain to select girl
with accomplishments befitting the de-
tective. If she is lacking in acuteness
and fails to perform her work satisfao-
torily, another is substituted in her stead
and the benighted one is given a posi-
ton in the store.
Nor does the competent detective de-
pend entirely upon her wits in deter
mining who is shoplifter and who is
not. She is generally reader of char
acter and is very apt to ascertain by
study of face whether its owner is
designing person or not. The shoplifter
often excites the suspicion Of the spot
ter the moment she enters the store.
There are certain airs Of uneasiness in
her department. that catch the prac-
ticed eye of the young sleuth at once.
Women who invade dry goods houses
for the purpose of larceny have not the
fullest confidence in their dexterity to
purloin an article from the counter
without exciting suspicion. The ''pro-
fessional' never attempts theft with
out first feeling certain that she is not |
yet it frequently happens that |
when she is convinced that there is no
danger of detection the eyes Of the fe-
male spotter are upon her, and she is
trapped in the act
Miss Fannie Leahey and Miss Kittie
McNamee are the young detectives who
are employed to keep vigilant lookout
'or eyildoers at big concern in Penn
Derton square, and very watchful and
detectives they are. as their
efficient services distinctly show. Miss
McNamee is modest little girl Of II
Years, with jet black hair and cheeks
ike blush rose, and is considered the
most prepossessing girl in the business.
Her partner. Miss Leahey, is an attract
We blond, with natty figure. Each has
Ter own district to patrol daily, but
sometimes both can be seen in deep con-
7ersation in the little office on the Penn
oerton square side The most cautious
hoplifter would fail to detect in the
lemeanor Of the twain the nature OF
heir calling, and thus it is they are
lble to expose more wrongdoing in the
tore than any of the inspectors at pc.
ice headquarters
When a shoplifter is caught dead to
lights, she is asked if she will not "pay
or the articles" stolen. This interroga-
DRY is merely made in order to elicit
n admission OF guilt from the thief.
The is then taken to the Office to await
he arrival of an inspector from police
If she has the appeaTance
f woman of means, she can easily
rocure bail and thus escape the pain
nd detection of night in prison.
In speaking of her experience, Miss
IcNamee says that large percentage !,
{ shoplifters. are. women Of good fam