The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-15
ART OF BURGLARY.
w. e. Travis Tells How He Es-
capped the Officers For Years.

New York, Oct. 15.-William E. Travis
the uncommon burglar, won new laurels
yesterday at police headquarters by the
charming frankness with which he told all
about his gentlemanly manner of mid
night robbery for the last ten years. 1.-The
only thing about his frankness, though"
said Captain McCIusky, laughing at the
joke on himself, was that, after telling
me all the details of his operations in an
open and engaging manner, find that he
hasn't told me thing didn't know be-
FORE
The police are already looking upon the
uncommon burglar with the respect a,
master in his art arouses. Captain Nc
Clusky believes he is the smartest crimi-
nal ever brought under his notice, and the
other officers at headquarters share in this
belief.
Travis was unmoved at hearing new evil
dence had been found yesterday. but in
his quiet way told NcClusky exactly what
that evidence was. When there was mem
ton of new plumber. he said the stuff was
plated. And so it was. Then he became
himself for ten Years: how he kent an
honest wife and family in Brooklyn who
thought he was commercial traveller;
how he he kept a mother and sisters on
/ the East side uptown, and how proud his
Well as a clerk: how neither family Knew
of the other, and how all the time he was
fhie eVggiar VINO never associated with
The talk of Travis. like that of Cyrano
sounds better in the dark His voice is
low and musical, but his face is sinister
He is well educated, trained in criticism
and knowledge of the arts, and knows
diamond from paste in the dark and solid
jeWelry and table service from plated the
moment he puts his hand on it. He has
taken fancy to the captain, and this is
the way he took the detective into his con-
7 made 3li {! study Of burglary as an art
ten years, and this is the first time de-
der I never associated with common
planned and worked alone. As a result
1 was always cool and sure, with no one
to interfere with my plans.
This work was science to me. made
a study of lights and shadows, and always
would enter a room in such a way that a
light no matter how dim, was never be-
hind me to reveal my presence. The light
1 kept in such way that it would always
be beyond the other fellow.
voIvers I always carried, but did not in
tend to use. No burglar need fear dis
frances and exits and the Character Of the
inmates, and no burglar ever really needs
For Instance. if I am in a room and
the occupant enters, coming in between
And, besides, 1 am expecting to see him;
he isn't expecting to see me. When I
he stops, if he is a sensible man. Then
1 go my way by an exit chosen for just
in view and the most convenient means of
escape near by; I can work all over a
house and easily get away, no matter
where the occupants may happen to STUN
Bile onto me.
Now, of those fifteen purses you have
in there with your collection all of them
contained money. These came from a
dozen different houses and I was not dis
turbed.
TT was always a source of regret to me
that could not take paintings, but had
resolved never to be tempted I love art
and understand paintings, and in the last
ten years could have had as my own few
Of the finest masterpieces ever put on can
vas"
The burglary he committed in Hartford
occurred early Friday morning. He rob-
bed the home of Miss Sumner. On the
lawn, directly in front of the house, he sat
down to sort his plumber. He did not
make a mistake in a single piece of his
extra ordin mary collection, but took away all
the solid gold and silver, then thought
fully piled up the rest the porch to
show the neighbors how much plated ware
the Sumner household used
Persons who had been robbed call along
the line" as McClusky said. came in from
the suburbs to look over the captured
goods. OF an array of goods worth s., Coz,
few were identified.
There will be a hearing in Center Street
court, then the uncommon burglar will
leave this city for an extended stay.