The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-06-17

per, Jf., says the Pn1ladelpHla Ill
auirer.
This man earned his title by pur-
chasing from every source where they
could by any amount of effort be OBJ
tanned the suits of criminals-the
trousers, the coat, the shoes, the hat
which the murderer wore when he COM
mitted the deed. These suits are in de-
mand by the collectors of odd things,
and often Mr.. Denver has had to pay
heavily for suit, but in the end he
has outdistanced his competitors, ex-
cept in one or two famous instances.
A suit worn by the original Jack
The Ripper when he murdered girl
In Whitechapel without disiguring her
features was hidden over his head by
another enthusiastic London collector.
This greatly worried Mr. Denver, but
he rallied and outbid his rival when
The next chance occurred.
Sales of murderers' clothing are not
lector can obtain them. TO get pos
session he must work harder than most
collectors, for his prize is not offered
for sale in any public way. He must
watch for it, see it, grab it and pos
session becomes ten points of law.
Once when the case was on trial of
German butcher who murdered his
wife Mr.. Denver haunted the court
room night and day. When the cloth
ing was produced in evidence it was
horribly stained.
The evidence was so convincing that
all knew the verdict would be "guilty"
Mr.. Denver realized that as soon as
the prisoner was found guilty he would
be removed and the clothing thrown
away, as having done it's work. To be
on hand, therefore, at the right mo-
ment was an absolute necessity.
Sure enough the verdict went for the
crown and the prison warden ordered
the old clothes thrown away. They
were consigned to an ash heap for
transportation to the city dumping
place. This was a rare chance for the
collector Of criminal wardrobes. Steal
ing into the area where the ash-cans
were kept, he deftly fshed out the
clothing, getting the suit entire, even
to the undershirt-and all for nothing.
That is the only suit in his collection
that did not cost him a penny The
keepers of the prison were not clever
enough to realize their chance to make
an honest bit of fortune.
A fad is of but little use if you can
not put it to some practical test oc-
casionally. Mr.. Denver enjoys his to
the utmost, for it is a source of never
ending amusement to him in a certain
way. Being a gentleman of leisure
time hangs heavily on his hands, or
i would hang heavily were it not for this
fad and his delightful way of putting
it to good account.
In ledger which he keeps in his
bachelor apartments there is a page
giving the date of the murders that
were committed. Opposite the date is
a description of the suit of clothes The
murderer wore. Below follow san &C.
count Of the murder and the steps the
guilty man took that day.
AS the anniversaries come around
Mr.. Denver dresses himself in the sui
indicated in the book and marches ou
to repeat the murder" He first goe!
to the clubs, for he belongs to ever,
club of prominence in London, an<
greets his friends.
They look him over antf applaud G.
turn away in horror, according as tn,
fad strikes them. A bottle of win,
follows. Then, stimulated by his re
freshment, the Ripper, Jr.,' goes on
to Whitechapel or any other spo
where the murder was committed, an,
walks over the haunted path. Hi
routes lie mostly in the poorer parts O
London, but sometimes they take hin
down Piccadilly or along the Strand
He is unabashed, however, no matte
what his guise and plods merrily alone
often followed by a crowd of curiou
hoodlums, if the clothing is very dis
reputable. If only slightly blood
stained and not torn it passes in III
crowd unnoticed. No one meeting thi
quiet, well-conducted though badl
~ dressed man would realize that he wa
faddist of the most pronounced tyne
Mr.. Denver's companion upon all hi
rambles is collie of intelligent coun
tenance. This dog is at once a com
panion and a protector. Often in tn
midnight excursions of his master-fo
the hour of the murder is closely oh
served-the collie has had all he coul
do to protect his master. Through tn
lower parts of London he has gon
with him at hours when no well-mean
ing man can afford to be abroad, an
in quarters where each new face
viewed with suspicion.
Mr.. Denver is no longer young maj
He has reached an age when a fad be
comes a grand passion; and the desir
for collecting the paraphernalia I
strong upon him. He owns ninet
suits, and ninety times year goes on
dressed in his old rags. More mul
ders were committed in winter than i
SUNNI to one-and on Gel