Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-04
SNEAK THIEF DEAD.
Notorious Negro Thief Ends His
Career in Norfolk.
Joe Spadcn, While Attempting to Escape
From II Norfolk Policeman, Falls Over
board and Is Drowned How Labor Day
Was Observed Personal Notes.

Joe Spaden. the negro who was
drowned while attempting to escape
from u Norfolk policeman early sun
thief who has been committing so
many robbcries in this town of late.
Spaden was a very shreWd negro and
was considered n very bad man by
most every one who knew him He
claimed to be a lawyer. Il government
pension detective and colorcd frater-
nifty policy writer tor II concern in
Richmond. and 1T WAS under these pre-
fences that he conducted his profess
sion as robhcr SO successfully.
Mr.. DaliS Williams remembers seeing
him at his home for the purpose, he
claimed, OF insuring the life of his cook
on the day that his house was entered
and he has been seen at various times
at different places. When his room
was searched by officer Iiumphries
plumber WAS found connecting him with
several robberics recently committed
in Berkeley and South Norfolk in the
way of jewelry, clothing. grips. etc.
Among them is a breach with the
initials OF Mr.. c. Jirand's daughter en-
graved on it, whose house was robbed
about month ago. The most con
spicuous of his effects WAS. Il burglars
Kit containing large number of tools,
among them an assortment OF keys, in
which could be found Il key to unlock
most any ordinary lock. Another was
burglars pocket lamp. the most COM
plete thing ever seen by the officers Of
the town.
1t is about the size and looks very
much like Il watch when closed. 1t is
arranged with a battery. and upon
opening, it ignites and closing 1T ex-
tinguishes the light. BY means of this
he could size up IL lock and soon fit IL
key.
No money was found in his room
One negotiable paper was found in ia
vor of b. Zachs for SI1Dr-i%t1o lives on
-is+tbcTTy Street.
A Iady's pocket book containing be-
tween 81 and ST and brass watch and
II pearl handle pocket knife We're
found on his person when searched at
at the morguc. What he did with his
plumber cannot be accounted for. as he
had no pawn ticket and ii is evident
that he has captured n great deal more
than what was found At Mir. JirandS
bicycle and lot of jeWelry WAS stolen,
and only the brooch was found. The
stolen goods will be exhibited this
morning at 10 o'clock at the station
house. when everybody can claim their
own.
The Bcri,ley citizens are highly
clatcd to be rid of this noted thief
and speak praisingly OF the Norfolk
ana Berkeley officers in their good work.
49, ep'-HsAN iNub't bs ~ III tNtANt'i
plans.
spadeys remains arc at the city
morgue in Norfolk. TWO other rob
bers were captured early yesterday
morning by Officer Sykes. Elijah Hall,
colored. Who claims TO be deaf and
dumb. was caught about / O'Clock yes
tcrday morning on the shed OF r.. Eel
tons cook shop, on Liberty street, try
ing TO effect an entrance through a
window, and George Mann. coorcd.
was arrested charged With entering
David Roaenbaum's liquor store, on
Liberty street. early yesterday morn
ing and stealing cigars and liquor
amounting to $40.
The three captured yesterday are not
all of the night workers. rs DR.. Wal
lace's bedroom was entered Saturday
night and he was relieved of $50, and
an attempt was made to enter the res
idcnce of Mr.. H. p. Eley, in South Nor
folk.
HOW LABOR DAY WAS SPENT
Labor Day was pretty generally Oh
served yesterday by Berkeley people.
Many flags We're raised. and most OF