Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-16
CLAIMS HE HAS REFORMED
John Jackson, Ghost Robber" of Other Days
Returns Home.
Has just Completed n Term in Al
bany Penitentiary-His Career
Criminal.

John Jackson. colored, who was known
here as the ghost robber" during the sew
eral months that he burglarized houses and
mystified the police, has returned home af-
ter an absence of twelve years, his term of
service in the penitentiary at Albany, n.
Y. When he arrived in the city yesterday,
after delay of a month in a Maryland re-
formatory, he reported to the officers at
the second police station.
I'm reformed" he said to the officers,
land you won't get me any more"
Prison life did not hurt him very much.
He did lose several of his teeth while in
prison. but his loss he says was the result
of his high living before he was sent away
During several months of the year of
1887 many residents were annoyed by jack
sons visits to their houses between the
hours of midnight and daybreak. The
strongest locks and every known precau-
ton did not keep him out. Although he
had no difficulty in effecting entrances to
houses, and had opportunities to carry of
thousands of dollars worth of goods. he
seldom took anything of value. He seemed
to think more of the needs of his stomach
than he did of accommodating wealth, and
after entering a dwelling the most of his
time was spent in kitchens and dining
rooms. 1t is estimated by the police that
during his short career he ate fully 500
pies and at least as many cakes. Jars of
canned fruits and preserves were also car
ried away by him, and sometimes before
leaving a house he would take some small
article as a souvenir Unlike Jack the
Slasher.' who became so notorious later,
he did not take valuable goods, nor did he
despoil the furniture or draperies. But 80
troublesome did the ghost robber become
that it was necessary to put members of
the police in citizens clothes to effect his
ca pture.
shoots Policeman.
One night near 10th and R streets Po-
liceman Daniel Shehan was shot by the
colored man and painfully wounded. Short
Iy after this occurrence, when the danger
Gus character of the robber was known,
an extra effort was made to capture him.
One cold night four policemen were de-
tailed to watch one square in the north
west section of the city, where 1t was be-
lieved he would next appear, and they
remained on duty all night without get
ting a glimpse of the ghost. In the
morning they were surprised to learn that
" lille they were out in the cold the ghost
was in one of the houses seated in front
of a fire enjoying the sweets he found in
the pantry. When he entered the house
or wher he left it the guardians had not
the slightest idea.
Later on, Detective George Boyd, who
was then in the second precinct, and Po-
hcen1an Brice of the same precinct met
the much-waEted man near New Jersey
avenue and NJ street. Pistol shots were
eHCndnSeu, DuI none OIL lntIH LOOK SI1SCl
The robber was captured and given twenty
ye2rs in prison, which was reduced by
good behavior. Before that he had serv-
ed a long time in prison.
Despite Jacksons declaration concern
ing his reformation, the police Will keep
close watch upon his movements.
This morning Jackson called at police
headquarters and saw Detective Boyd. He
had a long talk with the officer, and as
sured him that he would not renew his dis
honest work Jackson said he would call
on the police at frequent intervals and re-
life