The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-03
A CROP OF RoY DETECTIVES.
YauuE Victims OF the Dino Novel Habit with
Big Badges and Certificates.

Big Badges and Certificates
There is a concern out West calling itself the
American Detective Association. which seems
to be accommodating considerable capital at the
expense of youths Of the East. The association
advertises exclusively in boys publications
that on receipt of So it will clothe any boy with
the full authority OF a detective and make him
one Of its agents. Tho So is to pay for a white
metal badge and an engraved certificate. which
states that the holder Ia a member OF the Ameri-
can Detective Association and empowered by it
to do detective VOL anywhere in this country.
In this city the boys who belong to the Ameri-
can Detective Association have an exaggerated
idea of their importance. and on a recent occa-
sion one OF Capt. McClusky's men had to spank
two OF them before they would stop interfering
with the work OF the police.
There was 4 swarm OF visitors at the Morguo
for three DAYS after the recent finding OF "a
mutilated corpse in the East River. This is the
usual experience when there has been a lnys-
FERROUS murder. and, as nan the people come
friend or relative missing OF seem to know
something that may shed light on the mystery.
are allowed TO view the remains. Among the
callers at the Morgue during the excitement
over the discovery OF the body was a youth OF
ABOUT asS Ut r. H., p Date bs w Mfs9 OF the central omeo
"im a detective" he said, land I want to
SEQ this body At once. I'm late now, 80 please
You're a detective. are youi Where from T.
Here's my authority" and the BOY threw
back his coat ana ulbplhyeuh nNe-po,nteu btar
of the country Sheriff style, It was as big as the
head Of u tomato can and elaborately engraved.
Gee! who nailed that there = asked Webb.
IT you don't stop talking and let me get to
work on this case III report you to the head.
quarters of the A. D.A.
"Please don't" said Webb.
The boy was Indignant, but he wasn't allowed
to see the remains. He finally gave up and took
an elaborate description Of the Ths BODY ~ turn shed
to q bench, sat down. and began making copious
notes In a book. He finally disappeared.
The next half dozen callers complained when
already been questioned by an officer. This Of
icer had warned them not TO say anything to
the short, fat man with the Alpine hat, as no
was a common police detective. An investiga:
the American Detective Association was around
the corner holding up callers and making them
toll all they know before the police officials had
defiant when ordered away from tho place, and
didn't go until Detective. Webb bent him over
his knees and administered Q little old fashion
paternal discipline.
tective Association called tho next morning and
two came together that afternoon. Their con.
duct was about the Same as that of :he first
youth, and they had to b be ~ sg9 Ssnsra N 6 SsIat m 5ao
awe had experiences with these boy de!ectives.
and they say that while they're generally anus
Ing, they're frequently nuisances and refuse to
them. too. They have an idea that their badges
give them the right to enter theatres free.
There 10 TO money In the business for the
agents Of the American DeteStivS AsSoeiat,oni
habit and hope to get fame and glory oy SOLVING
whore they've solved anything yet, but they're
And patience, and even II they don't accomplish
anything. it's something to the average boy te
be q detective.