The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-11-23
81 YEARS A THIEF
Then Finger" Morrison
Tried Reform for a
Week.
BUT He GOT HUNGRY
So He Tried to Enter Laird's
Drug Store and Was
Caught
BUT HE GOT HUNGRY

vs. 0u0L y CS40 w Cb0
Caught.
Frank Morrison, forty-two years old
who has been thief since he was ten
years old, is now at Police Headquarters
awaiting removal to the County jail
where he viii remain until he is put on
He was caught yesterday morning in the
yard In the rear of James R. Laird
pharmacy, at No. $50 Washington street
by Patrolman Butten of the First precinct
police station. Morrison was prying open
a door leading into the store at the time
of his arrest
Mr.. Laird was on his way home shortly
before midnight when he decided to stop
at the store. He was met at the door by
neighbor and told that some one was
trying to break in through the rear door.
Going to the rear of the store Mr.. Laird
heard the unmistakable sound of jimmy
on the door. He went into the street and
informed Patrolman Butten, and the Off
Ger went into the yard and caught Morri-
son at work. He had cut a hole in the
door about two inches in diameter, and
was about to spring the lock when inter-
rupted Morrison made no resistance but
expressed the wish that he had a s'gun. .
I'D blow your head off if 1 could" was
his cheerful salutation to Butten. The
latter made sure the prisoner was unarm-
ed and then took him to the station house.
Morrison had a companion who was
frightened in time to make good his
escape.
When arraigned before Police Justice
Hoos Morrison made no defense. He was
held to await the action of the Grand
Jury.
Frank Morrison was born in this city
Nils rather was hard working man. poor
put honest and his son was compelled to
go to work at an early age. He worked
IN factories and machine shops One day
Two OF his fingers were cut off and he has
peen since known as Finger Morrison
Honest work did not bring in large
enough returns to suit Finger and he
early showed his criminal tendencies
From petty thefts he ascended the ladder
OF crime until he became known generally
to criminals of all classes and the police
authorities of several cities.
Fifteen years of his forty-two have been
passed behind prison bars. Only sixteen
days ago he left the State Prison at Tfen-
ton, where he spent a term of two years.
He then determined, he said, to lead an
honest life. The story Morrison tells Of
his own effort at reform follows:-
He turned for shelter to Mrs. Ballington
Booths Hope Hall in Flushing, L. l..
This establishment is conducted as a
home for criminals who desire to re-
FORM
Major Yard who was in charge of the
Hall accepted Morrison Employment
with farmer was secured. Morrison's
work was picking beets and he was a
good workman as his hands show. Sixty
cents day was his compensation
Morrison decided, last Wednesday, to
tell his sister in Hoboken of his change in
life. He left the home and visited his
sister. She was happy ana prayed that
he might succeed. The joy of the meet
ing was SO great that Morrison stayed at
his sisters home until late in the even
ing. When he returned to the Hall the
doors were closed and he could not get
in. The next day he was refused admis-
sion because he had violated one of the
rules in remaining away over night. He
made several efforts to get back, but was
unsuccessful
Then began another search for work
but again he was unsuccessful and for
three days and nights he walked the
streets without food or place to Sleep
At midnight Wednesday Morrison was
weak from lack of food and sleep and he
was desperate. Then he decided to rob
Lairo's drug store and his arrest followed,
He does not account for his pal.
Morrisons speciality is burglary. He
has been chiefly engaged in this line in
this State and most of his prison life has
been spent in Trenton
Shortly after his admission to Hope
Hall Morrison came to this city and met
some of his old friends who looked pros
porous. He told of his beet picking job
and the small pay he received and was
asked how long he would work He re-
Piled
Sixty cents day is not much money
for me to handle, but I'll stick it out
Twenty years ago Morrison was a youth
who figured in some of the most daring
burglaries committed in New Jersey. He
was at that time associated with Ash
Smith and Emily Mcclure. Smith is now
serving the eighth year of ten year term
at Trenton. Emily Mcclure has been lost
to sight. All were about the same age
and as audacious as they were dashing.
The proceeds of their robberies were large
and they were fashionably dressed and
good conversationalists. These details
aided them greatly in their work. They
were resourcefu1, too, and equal to any
emergency.
One night the three succeeded in forcing
an entrance into a cigar store on Mont
gomery street and had the ''swag," about
twenty-five boxes of valuable cigars in
a hallway ready to carry off. Emily Nc
Clure wore a great cloak. under which
she had often carried off booty. She
placed several boxes of cigars under her
cloak this night and the two men were
ready to start off to the fence, which was
in this city. A look out in the street
showed that a policeman was only few
feet away from the store door. The Ques-
ton was how to elude the officer
The guardian of the peace was one of
those men who would plant in one spot
and remain there for hours unless a row
attracted his attention and then he would
hurry away from the scene for safety.
The Mcclure woman was sent out to
s'con" the officer away. Awaiting her
opportunity Emily got on the street and
approached the policeman from the rear.
She was in tears, but held tightly onto
sprang the con" game.
She teld of leaving her boarding hoi1sa