The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-05
Biggest Bank Sneak In tho
World Is In Custody.
HIS ESCAPE FROM LUDLOW.
Eight Years Ago Was a Sensational One.
Since Then Ne Has Successfully
Operated In Europe.

New York. May 5.-"Joe" Killoran, who
n described by Inspector McClusky as
''the biggest bank sneak In the world to-
day, a man who has stolen and spent five
fortunes" was caught Yesterday, to-
gether with his brother, John, and Ed
ward Watson. in Morningside Park IN a
roundup OF international bank sneaks.
Killoran returned TO Nav York from
France about three weeks ago. He. with
Charles Allen and Henry Russell. es-
capped from the Ludlow Street jail on
July 4. 1896 where they we're confined
TO await trial for big post Office rob-
berry.
The Jail delivery was the best-planred
and executed OF any jail delivery in the
history OF the city. and the three men.
well supplied with money. made good
their escape. Killoran ana Allen have
since been operating on large scale
abroad. reward OF $500 was offered
for Killoran after his escape, and Inspec-
tor McClusky will turn him over 10 the
Federal authorities. He does not know
whether or not the reward still holds
good.
Joseph Howard" was the name given
by Killoran at headquarters. He is 60
years old. and described himself as
broker. He would not give his address.
John Killoran gave the name OF John
Lake" He is as years old. ais broker
and refused to give his address. Edward
Watson, who has several aliases, was
the third. He said that he was book
Icanvasser, 50 years old, and also refused
his address.
Inspector McClusky says that Edward
Mclean, who was arrested Saturday In
Brooklyn, at the Red Star line pier, Is
the fourth member of the gang which
came TO this country together. They
have been under surveillance by Central
Office men since their arrival. and have
not been able to do any work
This is the first time Joe" Kiloran has
been arrested since his escape from the
Ludlow Street jail, but he has not been
idle during his absence in Europe, and
about four years ago stole $4,000 from a
bank in Brussels. Since then he has been
living in Paris, posing as a wealthy Am
erican gentleman. a part he could well
play. as he is highly educated and is a
man OF unusual polish.
s. He spent all his money. however, and
his arrest yesterday will probably end the
career of the greatest thief of modern
times, as he Is broken in health and would
/. probably not live out a sentence.
a, On the 18th OF last month, John killo-
ran, a tall man of distinguished manner
and appearance was arrested at the Wal
-dorf- Astoria on the charge of stealing an
overcoat. He was taken to headquarters
and photographed and questioned. lie
said that he was John Lake, an English
man. and a travelling man, and that he
had made mistake In taking the coat In
stead OF his own, and was on his way TO
return II when arrested
McClusky knew his identity all the time,
hut Killoran magined that he was not
recognized. The case failed against him,
because the witnesses, persons from out
Vof town. left the city. Killoran was dis
charged from custody.
~ There are no charges against John Kill
q ioran or Watson. They were arrested as
suspicious persons. If they are not want
ed they will be discharged, but Joe"
. cKilloran will be turned over to the Fed
eral authorities today.
Killoran, Allen and Russell made a bold
/. escape from Ludlow Street jail. They
simply walked downstairs at the time
they generally came down for exercise,
presented a revolver at the head OF Keep
or Schneer, took his keys and let them
selves out.
After the men escaped from the Jail. as
Inspector McClusky tells 1t, joe Kill
1oran took n fishing smack and sailed for
England. He was plentlfully supplied with
money. Later he was Joined by Allen. XII
loran speaks several languages fluently.
"I regard him as the greatest thief in
the world today" says Inspector Nc
C1usky.