The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-17

Tenth street S. Adams was indicted with
John Reid for stealing a diamond pin val |
ued at 500 from John I. Hooper at the
Great Western station, March 1, 1901.
Herman Miller, who assisted In the rob-
berry, escaped.
Reid was convicted of grand larceny in
the first degree and was sent to Still
water penitentiary for ten years. The
case against Adams never went to trial,
a circumstance said to be largely due to
Kings cunning. The detective is re-
ported to have persuaded Adams to return
the pin ON condition that he should be
immune from prosecution. King OBJ
tanned the pin through third party and
then negotiated with Hooper to secure
Adams freedom.
With the understanding that he also
must play part in order to secure his
lost property, Hooper, when taken to the
Jail by King to identify Reid and Adams
as the men who had held him up, swore
positively that Reid was one of the guilty
parties, but, in accordance with an agree
ment with King failed to furnish the
Identification without, which Adams could
not be detained Adams was set at liberty
and King is also said to have ctrcum-
vented further attempts to arrest him.
The pin was never returned to the owner,
and it is broadly limited that King still
knows Its whereabouts.
Norm King is well known character
about town. His connection with the
Minneapolis police department dates back
to his appointment as detective by Mayor
Anes, May T. 1886.
e" In 1888 he was convicted of compromising
a felony, for attempting.to extort 500 from
Gottlieb Beiswinger Of Chanhassen. He
promised to prevent Beiswinger's trial on
the charge Of selling liquor without IL
- Hoo
ing been employed by the county COM
missioners to secure evidence against
county blind pigs the case was APP
pealed to the supreme court, but for some
reason never satisfactorily explained. it
never reached the higher body, and King
was able to pull such political wires as
prevented the execution of punishment.
? He was discharged from the force for
the part which he played in this affair. He
secured another appointment, under Mayor
Babb in 1888 and remained IN the harness
until July IT, 1889, when he was again dis
missed for violation of rules and neglect
of duty" Two dismissals from the de-
partment did not discourage him and he
was again identified with the plain clothes
detail under Mayor Winston. He did not
agree with the chief of police, who accused
him Of, stirring up strife in the depart
ment,, When King engaged in a drunken
braWl in the rear of First street saloon
he was again officially decapitated.. That
was in 1891. After that he was alter
natively private detective and gambler
until he once more entered the public
service as q detective under Mayor Gray
May 1, 1899. He held over until the pres
ent administration took the reins of gov
eminent, and Mayor Ames then showed
his appreciation of his old favorite's serv
ices by making. him chief of detectives,
an Office which had been vacant since the
days of the old police commission. So
many complaints were registered against
King in this capacity, both within and
without the department, that the mayor
finally yielded to pressure and reduced
King to mere captaincy.
Those who know King best say that he
is a good fellow" when sober, but al.
ways looking for trouble" when under the
influence While he has the reputation OF
being able to Slick his weight in wild
exploits in that line have been the result
of drinking bouts. He has mixed matters
with other well-known characters ever
since he first came into notoriety, and 1t
would require a good sized book to tell
OF the knock-down fights in which he has
participated
Incidentally he has enjoyed the repu-
tation OF being handy with his gun
"a fact which has always inspired his bit
terest enemies with wholesome respect
for hiun when trouble was brewing.
It is recorded that he used his gun but
twice when not acting in his official ca
pacity. His most notable play was that
which cost Joe Jepson his right eye about
ten years ago. This ARRAY took place In
Sawyers saloon, now known as the Mer-
chants, on Nicollet avenue. Jepson, who
was perniciously active In municipal poll
tics at that time, encountered King in the
saloon, when both had been drinking.
Jepson made some remark about the chief
of police, to which King objected In the
fracas which resulted, King thrust the
muzzle of. revolver into Jepson's eye
with such force as to gouge the member
from Its socket, and Jepson has worn a
pa tchs ever since. Jepson left Mime
apolis several years ago. King claimed
that Jepson pulled a revolver first and
owner.
The next time King used his revolver
without authority was about six years ago
In Charlie Loomis' saloon, known as the
Zephyr, on Nieollet avenue. This Incl
dent nearly cost Loomis his life. Loomis
was tending bar when King entered late
in the evening. They engaged in. dispute.
King pulled his revolver and fired point
blank at the bartender's head. LOOMS saw
the fash and lodged just in time to escape
the bullet, which shattered the large plate
glass back OF the bar
King made a threatening demonstration
with his revolver last Saturday night in a
down town saloon. With his hand on the
weapon he declared that before his case
was over he would "croak" some one
instrumental in securing his Indictment
and that he might not stop short Of the
court.
King was at the head of a gambling es-
tablishnent at PSI Hennepin avenue for
several years until reappointed in 1885,,
He came originally from Detroit, Mich,
and was of "nusk-rat" French Canadian
origin, his father being captain of lake
vessel King owns the house and lot
where ibis family now resides at 2032
Clinton avenue.