The sun., 1903-01-27
tS.YEAR.OLD CHECK OPERATOR
WITH .3O-YEAR-OLD MANNERS
AND 4 STOCK or BAD PAPER.
Hes an lnfan Phenomenon Editor ana
Has Figured In q Political scandal
Hides IN Pullman Cars and Live ~
Good HOtels-Nabbcd In Washin Ston.

Hides In Pullman Cars and Lives ~
Good HOtels-Nabbcd In washington.
WARRINGTON, Jan OR chard Z. Muir
phy. a twentieth century youth OF Is years
but with the assurance, the mannerisns
and the vocabulary of man Of the world.
was arrested here last night on request
from New York for passing a worthless
check on n Sixth avenue dry goods store.
The detective assigned to find Murphy
learned that on Saturday night young
man answering the description telegraphed
from New York had arrived in Washington
and had driven to several OF the Leading
hotels in an endeavor to secure suite OF
rooms with private bath. He was finally
accommodated at the Raleigh. and on dis
missing the cab gave the driver four times
the usual fare. Last night the detective
came upon the youngster seated in the
lobby OF the Shoreham Hotel smoking
cigarette and glancing over paper with
bored air.
Murphy, when arrested, asked not to be
taken past the Raleigh. where he was stay
ing, explaining to the detective: "Twould
make me feel rather cheap, don't you
know His captor called a cab and took
tho boy to Police Headquarters. where for
three hours he talked Of his travels and his
experiences One Of the detectives re-
marked last night that Murphy was "the
most unique card that ever struck Wash
ington
The twentieth century boys attire greatly
Interested the detectives. He wore black
sack suit of expensive material, white
waistcoat, silk underwear. patent leather
a. in, IL httft tnf1
hole. The boy admitted that he had passed
a worthless check for $50 on the New York
store.
He said he had first made a deposit OF IS
in the Excelsior Savings Bank Of New York.
and obtained a pass book OF the bank In
which he had made false entries of deposits
Of $50 and so. He then called upon the head
OF the dry goods firm, whom he had never
seen before. and by his assurance and ap-
parent frankness had induced that gentle-
man to certify his check for $50.
He really was the easiest mark l ever
saw" said Murphy to the detectives last
night. -'Pon my soul a man who has been
in business as long al he has and doesn I
know that a savings bank check is worth
less ought to be taught lesson.
The boy also admitted passing worthless
check on a Chicago dry goods house. A
search Of his dress suit case and valise re-
vealed a check book and stubs showing
amounts of several hundred dollars, two
decks Of cards, set OF poker chips, many
receipted bills OF leading hotels all over the
including bills from the Waldorf
Astoria, the Auditorium in Chicago and
Albemarle in Philadelphia. and a number
Of Pullman car checks.
-Do you always ride in Pullman cars?"
he was asked.
The boy glanced at his questioner in sur
prise and responded scornfully, -Why, GER
tanly. Do you expect a gentleman TO ride
in day coach?"
His home is in st. Joseph, Mo, where his |
father is connected with the Combe Print !
ing Company. The boy was 13 years old |
last August and up to year ago lived in |
Jefferson City, the State capital. where his |
father was foreman Of the Tribune Print |
ing Company. While in Jefferson county |
he youth edited a weekly paper called the |
Spectator. and in the interests OF this pub |
lication first began travelling around the |
rcuntry alone.
H, SAYS he went to New York as the young
pat editor of legitimate publication, and
many Of the leading men. later |
publishing interviews with Russell Sage,
John w. Gates and others Of financial ard |
political prominence. His extreme youth, |
frank manner and precocious vocabulary |
almost always gained him an interview. |
last night st the close Of his examination |
Be remarked:
: well. If have to go home. I'll ask my |
friend Senator Dcpew TO get me pass
This is not the first cscapade in which |
he youngSter has figured. During the |
hc says he was arrested, charged with |
Icing the agent who transferred sum |
IF money from the p csldent Of one Of the |
.treet railway SYSTEMS Of that city to a men, !
Dor OF the City Council, as the latter's price |
'or support ing the franchise about to Ire |
10 kAx nt I.,
,roved, however, and he was released. |
ye remarked last night. in speaking Of
he matter;
Il tod Chief OF Detectives Desmond |
hat 1t was really of no use to sweat me, |
IA the Youngest newspaper man was quite |
~ wise as the oldest de,ective-and 40
he found out.
The boy was sent to the House Of De-
iention for the night As he was leaving |
he picked up his suit case and remarked |
pl.asaIity
ct believe you have all you wish out Of |
this I'll take II because II contains my
and some Indispensable toilet |
articles l really. can't get along without
hem. YOU know
The New York police we're notified of |
hat Detective NJ b irn would start for |
on at oEc ~ got him.
The police here have met Richard E. |
Murphy. and 30 have other persons whom |
h.. didn't men ion in WashinGt on The |
youthful phenomenon appeared al the |
police trials not long ago and startled |
Greene by producing what |
seemed to be large roll Of bills and Offering |
10 pav he fre of delinquent cop. Several |
prominent men have inirusted to- him |
for The PAPER he Processes |
TO edit, On his first appearance here |
Fat her Ducey took him in hand and sent |
him home. He may not have an oppor- |
unity TO 60 this time.