The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-04

portance. and on a recent occasion onS
OF CAPTAIN McClusky's men had 70 spank
two OF them before they would stop ~
terforing with the work OF the police
There was a swarm OF visitors az the
Norgue for three days after the recent
finding Of a mulilated corpse In the kasl
river This Is the usual experience when
there has been mysterious murder,
and. as half tbs people come out or
mere curiosity. only those VINO nave
friend or relative missing or seem 70
know something that may shed hght on
the mystery. are allowed TO view the re-
mains Among the callers az the Morguc
during the excitement over the discov-
cry OF the body was a youth OK ABOUT
seventeen. Detective Webb Of the Central
Once asked him what he wanted
.sruo a detective" he said, and / want
20 see this body at once. I'm late now.
so please hustle II up a Bit"
You're a detective. are you? Where
Heres my authority" and the boy
threw back his coat and displayed a nve-
pointed star OF the country sheriff style.
IL was as big az tho head or a tomato
can and deliberately engraved
"Geel who nailed that thcreY' asked
Webb.
III you don't stop talking and Lex me
get 10 work on this case I'll report you 20
the headquarters OF the \. ID. a..
please don't" said Webb.
The boy was indignant. but he WASH
allowed % see the remains. lie hndly
gave up and took an elaborate descrip-
ton of the body. furnished by a good
natured reporter. Then he went oF.f 20
a bench. sat down. and began making
copious notes in "a book. no hnai'y u's-
appeared. ,.,.,
The next half dozen callers complained
when Detective webb held them up that
they had already been questioned by GA
officer. This officer had warned them not
TO saw anything 90 the short ial man
with the Alpine hat as me was a common
police detective. An Investigation showed
that the youthful representative OF tne
American Detective Association was
around the corner holding up callers ana
making them tell al they knew before
the police officials had chance 10 beI
az them al ALL Th youth was oenant
when ordered away from the place. ana
didn't 90 until Detective webb pen' MN
over his knees and administered d hllie
old fashion pdtcrual discipline
Another representative of tho Ameu-
can Detective Association called inc neA-
morning and two came together tha- ai-
terloon. Their conduct was about the
same as that of the FIRST YOUTH ana lh-s
lad 10 be subdued IN about me Same
fashion A number of Central once
men have had experiences with these boy
detectives. and they say that while th.y pc
generally amusing. they're frequently
nuisancos and refuse Co be suppressed.
Theatrical people complain OF them, 700
They have am idea that their badges 6iFc
them the right Co enter theatres Iee.
There is no money in the business iof
the agents of the American Detective
Association. Most of them are victims or
The dlme-novel habit and hope TO get
fame and glory by solving mysteries.
There is no case on record here where
they've solved anything yet but tley -
am indefatigable lot, with q largo stocA
of nerve and patience. and even il tney
don't accomplish anything. IT'S som lhln5
to the average boy to DE detective
New York sun.