The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-01-12

recognized names, headed by known
chiefs, always old hands at law-break
ing, and often ex-convicts.
The bands themselves consist of {
motley crew of hardened sinners, some
barely over fourteen years of age
none over thirty, of all professions oil
ayoWedly yagabonds, and known ia.
mlliarly by such nicknames as Skinny
Neck or the Jabberer, Kiki or Coco
The band Is called after its chief, or its
locality, or from some peculiar trait in
the characters or habiliments of tn;
members. The most noted bands are
those of Milo and Verbecque, that OF
the Rue des Bellies Feullles, the Black
Masks, the Blue Belts and the Apachee
of Belleville. Once in a while, after
some surprisingly audacious exploit
the police lays hold upon one or more OF
the reprobates and the determination
of the band Is proclaimed is a triumph
of justice. And next morning mutt
lated corpse is found in side street,
bearing a paper pinned to his flesh by a
knife or dagger. On the paper is
scrawled in pencil the name of the band
which has been not destroyed, but
merely shorn of one of it's limbs, more
numerous than the tentacles of an octo-
pus. The methods by which the bands
proceed are primitive in their simpllci-
| ty. There Is no attempt at decoy or de-
ception. Any thoroughfare deserted for
the moment will do as q scene, any be-
laaed Wayfarer will serve as a victim.
OF a sudden some six or eight forms
glide silently out from the shadow II
ba CT the Sfyppt
be in a frequented district there is no
parleyipg. A force from behind pins
his arms to his Sides while his head Is
given a few sharp taps with mutton
bone. Although this generally produces
silence, 1t may be as well to carve up
his face while his pockets are being
searched He Is finally left with an in
discreet knife penetrating into his vi
tails, far beyond the possibility of i'm
mediate denunciation or recognition of
his aggressors.
Where the scene is a haunt of the
vagabonds, primitivenees enters into
the savagery as well as the simplicity
of the proceedings. There Is no bind
ing of arms here; brief, vain struggle
causes only the mild excitement and
genial dissatisfaction felt by the cat
which has brought a rat to bay. Under
these circumstances the bandits may
become facetious and display an i'm
pressive courtliness worthy of their
chivalrous forerunners of the middle
aga
The chosen victim may not be a we'll
to do citizen, but a common day labor
er. He will be accosted somewhat in
this way:
"Old chap, I'm sorry to disturb you,
but I'll trouble you to hand me over
your purse. I'd rather fleece bour-
geois, and not one of my own class.
But he's not here, and you are, and |
like taking better than running. !
don't suppose you have much money
about you, but anyhow your days work
will buy me and the fellows some beer.
SO out with it, now"
Twenty chances to one the workman
thus civilly addressed will put up re-
sistance, if only In the way of a gentle
protect. Then the bandit, using his
head as battering ram, aims at the
stomach Of his prey, who in another
moment is stretched out full length,
while three shrlll whistles bring up, as
by magic, a whole corps Of marauders,
who form round in a circle. If a we'll
lined purse is found the victim may be
quit with a few kicks in the head for
having resisted, and a body tightly
bound with rope to prevent premature
escape. But woe betide him whose
pockets disappoint exaggerated expec-
Even II he has docilety offered
his little all he receives considerable III I
usage. Where his valor has overhaul |
anced his discretion the condition in |
which he is found would not excite the |
envy of man who has ridden thrice !
through a saw-mill, receiving on each /
occasion the treatment intended for |
ogs
The most notorious Of these bands
and the one which has carried barbar-
ty to the most refined point OF cruelty
s that of the Apaches de Belleville.
Even the excuse Of lust Of gold cannot
oe pleaded to extenuate their crimes,
or robbery plays in their exploits
part less important than unmitigated
'avagery. They wear a white cap of
distinctive make and a short blouse
astened at the waist by broad black
,elt. Although always to be recognized
~ the uniform, they are nevertheless
areful to announce to their victim:
You have heard of US; we are the
Apaches of Belleville." And before
niger has been laid upon him the poor
wretch knows his fate and Is too terror
zed to utter cry or make a movement.
n any event, when force and appeals to
lelp are resorted to, assistance arrives
90 late to succor the original victim
nd disaster befalls the would-be res
uers. For the Apaches ask no better
lien opponents are lacking they organ 1
ze in rival forces and hack away at |
ach other with knives and daggers Just {
o keep themselves in practice. The up I
oar attracts brigade of gendarmes, {
1ho are dispatched in short order. If a {
econd brigade follows close on the ]
eels of the first the city Of Paris f1nds {
self with one Apache safely under lock ,
nd key. But this one capture has 6
cen bought with the blood of half 6
core of policemen. c
After nightfall the Apaches prowl the !
Lreets in the neighborhood Of their dis 9
'ict, looking for victims. These are l
pund readily on the terraces of cafes. c
he Apache selects his man, preferably $
bourgeois, and takes table near by. =
Ie orders whatever he sees the bour- l
eois drinking and seizes the first OPP /
for engaging in conversation 4
he bourgeois is Enthusiastically SIM |
lie, kind hearted and companionable; {