The times., 1898-12-27

There is possibly nothing about which
there is more mystery than crime, and
this fact. if nothing else, points at once
TO the necessity OF n well-organized and
disciplined police force for Its prevention
and detection. 1t is true that in mos,
instances 1t is as simple a thing to de-
tect crime as II is to read an open book,
but there are exceptions where the most
thorough investigation by the clever
est sleuths fails to disclose the slightest
clew on which they can work.
Criminals, as a rule, are Il clever set
and possessed of genius that, We're it
applied in a proper direction, would bear
fruit. II is no wonder then that people
of this class are able to cover their
tracks and bring worry to the threshold
of the police department. There are, of
course. criminals who are bunglers and
who furnish little more than pastime for
the police in effecting captures, though
at times these same bunglers by their
very awkwardness throw the detectives
entirely off their tracks.
In looking back over the annals of
the Preparations of wrongdoing and
some of them atrocious ones. too. that
have never been solved. The mystery
surrounding them is complete and So
luton will probably never be reached. al
though the detectives adhere TO the trite
saying, murder will out
Never Cleared Up.
Washington has had its share of mys-
terious burglaries, thefts, murders. dis
appearances, etc, and to attempt to re-
count them all would require unlimited
space Some of them stand out so
prominently though and have attracted
so much attention nj different times that
they are worthy of note.
On the night of March 90 1851, burglars
effected an entrance into the drug store
of Stott & Cromwell, in Pennsylvania Ave-
nue., and after blowing open the safe Sc
cured 81, 500 in casn. They were evidently
disturbed in their work by watch dog
left in the store as the faithful brute was
found dead the next morning. The police
went to work on the case Immediately,
but without success. and nothing was ever
learned of tine identity of the thieves.
Possibly no case of nocturnal depreda-
tion ever so much engrossed the atten-
ton of the local police department and at
the same time caused such CONSERVATION
among the residents of the District as the
operations of what are termed second
story men about three years ago. The
work was the most clever ever done In
this city and kept the police quaking in
their boots. Theory after theory was ad-
vanced and several crooks were kept un-
der strict surveillance, but to no purpose.
The operators went merrily along at their
work and plundered at will.
Their depredations were not confined to
any particular portion of the city al
though the Weather class of people were
invariably chosen as victims. People re-
tired at night with fear and trembling,
not knowing what the morning would
disclose. Doors and windows were closed
securely at night and found open in the
morning. the house plundered and no clew
to the intruders. In almost every in
stance the housebreakers succeeded in
a residence without disturbing
the household. Thousands of dollars
worth of jewelry and siiyerware was OBJ
tained by the thieves from the most prom
inent people of the city.
After all efforts at rounding UP the
thieves had failed, the detectives began
looking for the stolen goods in last
hope of getting clew. Fences through
out this city We're closely watched, as
were those of other cities where 1t was
thought possible the booty might turn up.
but even this failed. Nothing was ever
located. This was not unusual though. as
the proprietors of fences where booty
is generally disposed of are q sshrewd set
and take no chances. AS soon as metal
comes into their possession. no matter in