The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-10
WAS KING OF CROOKS
Harry the Valet" Whose
Prey Was Nobility.
BRITISH NAVAL GUN-FIRING
Huge Drunk in the Land O.
CakeS--BritiSh Gossip.
BRITISH NAVAL GUN-FIRING

London, Jan. 7-"Harry, the Valet,
who on Wednesday pleaded guilty Il
stealing the Duchess Of Sutherland
jewels, which were stolen while the
duchess was on her way from Paris tt
London in October last, proves to be
an extraordinary character. The judge
has postponed sentence in order to en-
able him TO inform the police as TO whai
became of the bulk of the jewels, OF
which only $500 $4,000 worth out Of &25,-
600 ($l25,00O contained in the stolen
satchel were recovired, the idea being
that the prisoner will get a lighter SEN
tence for the information. The prisoner,
however, replied to the judge that hi
| ow-uld not split on his pals" even If he
| got a life sentence. He appears to be one
/ 0 fthe most notorious criminals of the
| geniration, is Of genteel appearance and
! has d grand air and a frank, engaging
! look. The prisoner boasts he has made
twenty bigger "hauls'' than in the case
of the Sutherland jewels and claims he
reduced robbery TO a science, making il
his businiss TO know everybody Of wealth
and consequence in Europe. He further
says that he rarely made a mistake,
owing to his cautious preliminarieS, and
declared that the only serious mistake
of his career was when he robbed the
Duchess of Devonshire some time ago Of
a Jewel case and found to his disgust
that he had taken paste. Harry the
Valet" appears to have made a great
deal Of money, for he lost several thous-
and pounds in one week at Soho
gambling club. He had the lordliest taste
and lived at a West End hotel, where
his bills were over $50 $3.50. Finally he
was betrayed in the Sutherland affair
by his mistress, a former actress, who
informed the police Of the share he had
taken N that robbery. Otherwise, there
is every reason to believe that he would
never have been caught as there was no
clue to him. He was apparently devoted
to this woman, as, While awaiting trial,
he begged her to come to his prison and
give him one more kiss.
The splendid practice of the American
gunners has galvanized the British into
a critical interest in the gun-frinE Of
luelr own navy dIlu LllC LCSoAAlS u b4iC III
cuiries made are not very reassuring.
The performances OF the Mediterranean
feet, supposed to be the crack British
feet, are far from satisfactory. The
results of heavy and light gun prize fir
ing Of 1898, just published, shows that
with heavy guns 259 rounds We're fired
at eight knots and that the percentage
of hits was 90. With the 6-inch quick
firers, steaming at twelve knots, the
average was also 80 per cent, and with
the Maxim guns the average was 46 per
cent. The 6-inch, oIick-fire is the most
used gun in the British service and the
papers point out that 1t is evident that
even the crack squadron has much TO
learn regarding its use. In the case of
the smaller weapons the results were still
more disadvantageous and this without
the disappearing effects of hostile fire.
The papers now ask if it Is not time that
measures be taken to make gun prac-
tice something more than a perfunctory
exercise, as is the case in many Of the
British shiOs.
The Duke of Marlborough, by his ap-
pointment as paymaster general, in sue
cession to the Earl Of Hopetoun, who
was recently made lord chamberlain, be-
comes a member of the government. The
office, however, is only a stepping stone.
There is no work and no pay but the
duke may occasionally have to answer a
question in the house of lords. The ap-
pOintmeDt is a reward for the dukes
Iabors for the conservative cause. He
is an indefatigable worker in the Prim-
rose League. Hardly a week passes with
out his having presided at a meeting OF
thi league somewhere. Mr.. William
Astor's Pail Mall Gazette says: The
duke is young man who has the good
sense to take himself and his position
seriously and not resi- satisfied, like
nobleman. with having
taken the trouble 10 be born. In tae |
age we live in it is eminently desira ole |
that men of rank and wealth should |
throw the influence of their position and |
personality into the scale Of politics"
There is an outcry among the jewellers |
among the famous Peabody's buildings,
which were established by the American |
George Peabody. who died |
in 1859. against the proposal of the trus- |
tees 10 raise the rents. Some Of the ten |
ants have written 10 papers complaining /
that the buildings are now let 10 Well /
TODD artisans. instead of the poorest 1
classes. for which they wee originally
intended. In behalf Of ;he trustees It l. /
pointed out that the buildings a.e man /
aged at a very small profit. AMY hsff +ha /
profit produced by Lord Rowroa ; LODGING
houses. and that an increase Of 81 IS 1
cents weekly per room is necessary /. /
order 20 enable me scheme 10 he carri,d /
- successfully.
People here seem TO nave settled in Their /
own mind that an American SQUADRON
Will visit Portsmouth in June and il =
unhesstatinEly announced that ;he as- /
Tn.ral,y authorities have arranged It. hav,,
the British channel faet. with the Luke /
Of Norok at its head. assemble in tha /
Solent TO meet the American Sims. One
paper preSUmeS that the American s11,a5-
ron VIII consist of ALT b4s- +,nes ~ |
modern warshiRs. The Portsmouth, r,,,-
niclpalty Is evidently trying 20 boom The /
event Tor al 1t L worth and a 5isnsto, /
from Portsmouth today saws official m /
torrla'io on the suh5ecz Is eagerly /
awaited there in order 70 prepare arrange
ments to give fitting welcome TO officers
and men
Although few outlying theaters have
ground for complaint. the general tone