The morning times., 1896-02-14

James McKitterick, alias Oyster joe"
a crook, whose crimes have been many
and whose criminal career covers more
than half a century, was captured last
night by Detective WeeIOn and turned over
10 the Philadelphia police
McKitterick is wanted at Philadelphia for
having turned up" as the detectives call
it. the Hotel Royal. The Tobber secured
$500. The Philadelphia police cried out
TO their brethren of other cities, and Nc
Kftterick was arrested by Detective Weedon
and turned over to Detective Ham of Phila-
delphia, who carried the prisoner East
last night. The capture Of this man is
considered a quick. clean piece OF work
and Weldon received a compliment from
Inspector HollInberger.
Mckitterick denied the charge put against
him. and claimed that ne had long ago re-
formed. and for many months had been
endeayoriug 10 lead a righteous life. The
Philadelphia detective thought though
that there was no question but that the
hotel job mentioned had been done by
oyster joe"
WELL-KNOWN CROOK.
McKitterick is one OF the best-known
hotel and sleeping car thieves IN the country
and is an accomplished bunco man. He
was born at Hudson. Y. Y, no one knows
how many years ago. IN Pinkerton'S book
OF notorious criminals McKttterick is de-
sCribed as great fancicr of fine dogs and
fighting COCKS.
He is a man OF large. strong, rugged build,
face full of Intelligence, and an eloquent
tongue, being what the police term a first
class ''stringer." He makes a good public
speech, and several years ago, he was ar
rested at Chicago while making a political
speech in behalf Of the Presidential candi-
dacy of Ben. Butler.
Soon after the war 4 woman on a Mis-
sissippi steamboat was robbed of 81 200.
McKitterick had been her constant compan-
ion. She demanded that everybody on the
boat be searched with the exception Of Nc
kitterick. He had been so devoted to the
woman that he was not suspected. The
cash was not recovered.
McKitterick was stakeholder at the Arm
strong walking match, held at Manhattan
Field. New York, in 1850. He had S4S0
and skipped ana the contestants never saw
| the color of the money. Once at a dog
fight he held $500 in stakes and left with
the funds. He was the principal factor in
the great Ball robbery al Holyoke and stole
several thousand OF dollars worth OF govern
ment bonds in 1858.
He was partner at various times with
| James Campbell, alias ''Shaug'' Campbell,
Thomas Hammill- Funeral Wells, Peck
| alias ''Peck's Bad Boy" aud other noted
| to Chauucey Johnson, the Old man who
| was arrested in this city a few DAYS ago by
Detective Sutton and Private Detective Nc
| Dewitt.
VERY SLICK GENTLEMAN.
Once at Bridgeport Conn, as an excur-
! sion steamer was landing, n man fen over
board and was rescued by a policeman. As
| the half-drowned man was brought up
| gurgliug. McKftteriek cried: "Oh, my
/ sonI' and throwing his arms around the
| dreuched man relieved him OF a gold
! watch, chain and pOcketb0ok.
Private Detective McDevitt met McKit-
! terick Wednesday on Pennsylvania avenue
aud recognized him as the Old crook whom
| he had arrested on various occasions. The
| Washington detective thought it strange
| that McKitterick should be this far 10 the
| south OF his usual stamping grounds, and,
| knowing that his home is at Boston, tele-
| graphed Inspector Andy Houghton at that
| city il MCKitterick was wanted for any
/ thing
| The people at Boston had heard of the
| Hotel Royal matter, and tipped off the
! Philadelphia detectives that their man was
| in Washington. Philadelphia sang out to
! the people here and sent Detective II am over.
| Inspector HOughton also wired McDevitt
| thatMcKitterick was wanted by theP hiladel-
| phia authorities. and asked the Washing
| ton man to Turn him up
Meantime the detectives had started on
the search for McKitteriCk. McDevitt and
| Sutton took the scent at about the same
| moment that Weldon and Horne sailed
! forth, bat by stroke of skill and fortune,
the prize fell to the Iast-named detectives.
| There is general rejoicing over the capture
| of this noted crook.