The Washington times., 1902-04-27
JOHNNY CURTIN, BANK
SNEAK And BURGLAR
Well Known to the Police of
Both Continents.
BEGAN FIRST AS SHOPLIFTER
Gained Reputation as a Jail-Breaker,
Escaping No Less Than Six Times.
Gave Guards Slip at Sing Sing Prison.
Is Now in British Prison.

Is NOW IN br1tlSn frlS0n.
The career of Johnny Curtin. known b,
tine authorities of two continents as 8
bank sneak and burglar, is a remarkable
story. Curtin has been arrested a dozcr
times. and when last heard from he was
languishing in a British prison, while
the police of Manchester. England, inves-
tigated an attempted theft OF $50, 900 from
a bank OF that city. The authorities also
know Curtin by the name OF Prescott. His
pals years ago were BILLY" Porter, the
famous bank burglar, and Frank Buck
also n police character of some note.
In days long since past Curtin was a
terror to the authorities of Western cit
les. He was given the title of'"Diamond
swailower." because to avoid detection
he once swallowed several valuable gems
on the occasion of a big robbery. Ar
rested fifteen years ago in st. Louis, No..
on suspicion. and subsequently released
for want of evidence against him. Curtin
Travelled about the country. visiting Chi
gago. New York. and other cities.
He then took passage fo- England. and
Subbtquculit went 10 fdTlS. NneTf IOr a
time he was associated with former AL
dermar Jaehne. of New York city. 1t
was alleged at the time that Curtin and
Jaehne conducted a fence" and such
operations finally led to the flight Of Cur
tin to England.
Broke From Six Different Jails.
Curtin began his career in youth. first
becoming shoplifter Of some note; then
budding into a diamond thief, and finally
gaining reputation as a burglar and
tail-breaker. He escaped from TO less
than six different jails. in as many States.
and was known years ago to almos: every
police chief in America
Al one time Curtin was associated with
Eddie McGep, desperate and success
fui bank burglar. and a member of a no.
torious gang of criminals With one of
this gang, on September IL. 1879. Curtin
entered jewe.ry establishment, en-
Broadway, New York city, and in broad
daylight stole diamond rings valued at
$1,000.
Before the police of New York learned
OF the robbery Curtin had fed, and was
aboard of westbound train A month
passed before Curtin was arrested In Chi
cago. charged with the larceny of a dia-
mond ring. He gave the name Of Cum
ninsham, and represented himself as a
jcweler.
Escaped From Sing Sing Prison.
Smooth and suave of manner, Curtin
would have secured his release. had il not
been for the fact that nineteen loose dia-
monds were found in his possession. These
gems were subsequently identified as
those stolen from the New York jewelrv
establishment. and Curtin was held for
trial Ten days later he broke jail. and
returned boldly to New York.
He was arrested under the name of
Roberts. and on being tried was convict
ed OF robbery, and sentenced TO four wears
at Sing Sing prison. This was in Noyem-
Der, 1881. Some months later Curtin
managed TO give the guards the slip. and
he escaped from prison; but he was recan-
tured almost Immediately. and returned
TO prison to finish his sentence.
Shortly after Curtin was released from
Sing Sing. having completed his term. he
was again arrested. together with Eddie"
McGee. charged with shoplifting. He was
sent to the Eastern Penitentia-y of Penn
sylvania for eighteen months He had
not been free many weeks before the DO
lice again arrested him for a robbery at
Starr's jewelry establishment New York
city. where $1,000 In jewelry had been
stolen. In some manner Curtin escaped
in the last case, and he went
to Paris.
Reappeared in New York State.
Some time in April, 1856, Curtin again
in Troy. y! Y. to the surprise
'f the authorities. BILLY" Porter was
hen in jail at Troy, and Curtin went
o see him. While at Troy. Curtin had
roubie with a policeman, whom he beat. |
md for this offence he was arrested A |
,eavy fine was imposed in the case. which |
,urtin paid and again left America for |
europe.
Nothing was heard of Curtin for two |
months. when, on June {, 1856. he walked |
nio the diamond store at Grand Hotel /
'uilding. chariDE Cross, London, and |
lsked TO be shown 81 ne diamonds. A par
'el containing $4,000 worth OF loose gems
vas opened. Curtin managed TO divert |
he attention of the clerk for a moment.
md cleyerly slipped scme of the diamonds
nto his pocket. boy saw the move
tent and gave the alarm.
Curtin was arrested under the name of
ohm Cotton. On the way to tie police
tation the prisoner swallowed some tell
ale papers. but enough evidence was
,und in his possession to establish his
ie1tity. For this crime Curtin was SEN
shced 10 eighteen months in prison
ardly had he been freed when he was
rrcsted second time by the British au-
lcrities for alleged swindling.
Curtin was never In Washington, yet his
ecord has gone down In annals OF police
y reputation he was known TO the local
electives. several OF whom came In con-
let with him.