The morning times., 1897-01-06

John Curran. probably the best known
and most desperate criminal that Wash
ington ever produced, was buried yester
day in Mount Olivet Cemetery. The man
died on Saturday night last at the home Of
Billy Williams, No. 100 street SOUTH
east, where he had come To spend the last
few days Of his life.
Curran's death, like his life, was a
violent one. AS described by man who
stood at his bedside, ii was horrible. As
the end approached, the dying, mans sur-
ferings were Intense. In his agony he
tore the plasterlng from the wall with
his naked hands, ripped the bedclothing
| into slIreds and struggled with the fnends
WHO stood about him.
The disease from which Curran died
was consumption. Tie direct cause was
hemorrhage When at last death came
| the bed on which the man lay was soaked
in blood, The walls of the room were
spattered with red blotches and those
with whom he had struggled were smeared
Curran's career was long and varied.
1t began in this city twenty-odd years ago
and extended over the entire country.
| There is not city of any size in the
United States that has not his picture
| in its rogues' gallery.
In the cabinet at police headquarters
his picture appears dozen times or more
He was the most desperate character with
whom the pohce Of this city ever had t.
deal, and the crimes i'll which he was in-
plicated. either directly or indirectly. EN-
brace nearly every offense in the criminal
| decaIogue, including murder.
The secrecy which surrounded the man
1 IA Ia Il hal ra AL Tho
records OF the health office show that
John C. King died at No 12O n street
southeast, and that he was buried in Mount
ohvet by Undertaken r. S. Cain. nr. o
Charles Roscoe Luce, OF No. 2l5 Second
| street southeast, signed the certificate
OF death.
| King and Curran wer. one and the same
person. The name was changed in order
that the police might not have the salts
faction OF knowing that their old enemy
was dead. The move, however, proved an
availing, as tie man was under surveil-
lance at the Iime of hls death, and
detectives were waiting for him to recover,
that trey might arrest him on an old
charge, which is still on the books.
Career in the West.
Currau left the District several years
ago, after being indicted by the grand jury
for committing highway robbery. Until
lately he had lived in the West, pursuing
his profession of thief, but managing tC
escape arrest. year ago the police
heard OF him in Chicago. and last j ugust
he paid this city brief visit to dispose
OF some stolen property. From here he
went to Cincinnati, where he became i'll
with the disease which finally developed
into consumption.
| In the early part of December last ht
returned to Washington to die, going tc
the home of Billy williams, He and
Williams had been pals and had
lodged the police together, and CurraT
knew he could trust him.
Within few days OF his arrival wore
reached the police that the man for whom
they had waited so long was i'll the city
Tile old indictmenJfor highway robbery WA
recalled, and Inspector Hollinberger de
tailed man to find Curran. He was finally
located and steps were taken to arrest him
When Williams heard of these proceed
ings he came to headquarters and pleade
hard for his old friend. He said he was
dying and begged that the police return
good for evil and allow him to spend hi
last few days in peace.
Williams was taken before Major Moore
and again told his story. Curran's condi
tion was investigated and the physician
said he could not possibly live. Then tn
police We're called off and the man wa
allowed to die unmoested
/ Family of Criminals.
Johnny Curran, as he was familiarl,
called, was one of four brothers. Three O
them have police regulations, but Johnn,
outshone the others. OF the family, JOIN
and Frank are dead, Thomas has diSaI
| peared, and William, the only one of tin
four who bears a clean reputation. still
lives in this city.
Frank Curran died in Providence Hospita
under the name of Frank Jones two year
ago He was the youngest and had repU
e tion as q pickpocket hcheXtended through
| out the larger cities of the East.
= John Curran began his career in Washing
= ton when he was hardlyy more than a boy
E He first became prominent in police circle
= through the robbery of a house occupied b
a minister, at Fifth and F streets north
n west A large quantity of silverware wa
c taken, and it was afterward discovered hiC
den behind the plastering of room i
+ | Curran's house.
d The crime was fastened on CUrran in
most peculiar ma nner. Among Othe
i articles taken was a costly gold watch
Detectives were working on the cas-
II when, one night, they 81 W the watch i
e the possession of a well-kno wn man abou
town.
Il One Of the officers recognized the tim,
L piece from a description and on the clc'
: thus gained case was finally built II
d which resulted inCuTan's conviction. Upo
q being released at the expiration of his teri
c from that burglary, Curran, in compan
e with ''BilIy'' Connell, went to Baltimor
Is and robbed a butcher of ST 900.
They were traced to this City and Curra
was captured after an exciting chase an
a desperate fight, near the corner
l. Eleventh and c streets When taken ipt
: police headquarters Curran pulled gu
:. and attempted to shoot the detective wi
l. had captured him.
5 CUrran received long sentence for tn;
5 robbery and when he was released
swore that he would never be taken ali