The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-12
GREATEST THIEF
MODERN TINES
Has Stolen and Spent Five
Good Sized Fortunes
ON A VERY LARGE SCALE
Really the GreaStest Thief in
the World To-Day
ON A VERY LARGE SCALE

New York May 11.-"Joe" Killoran. who
Is described by Inspector McClusky as
''the biggest bank sneak in the world
today, a man who has stolen and spent
five fortunes" has been caught, together
with his brother, John, and Edward Wat
son, in Morningside park in a roundup
Of international bank sneaks. Killoran
returned to New York from France about
three weeks ago. He, with Charles Allen
and Henry Russell, escaped from the
Ludlow street jail on July 4, 1885, where
they were confined TO await trial for a
big postoffice robbery. The jail delivery
was the best planned and executed of
any jail delivery in the history of the
city, and the three men, we'll supplied
with money, made good their escape. XII
loran and Allen have since been operating
on a large scale abroad. a reward of
$500 was offered for Killoran after his
escape and Inspector McCIusky will turn
him over TO the federal authorities. He
does not know whether or not the reward
still holds good.
Joseph Howard was the name given
years old and described himself as a
broker. He would not give his address.
John Killoran gave the name of John
Lake" He is 46 years old, also a broker,
and refused to give his address Edward
Watson, who has several aliases, was the
third. He said that ne was a book can
vasser, 55 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" Killoran
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
wealthy American gentleman, a part he
could well play. as he is highly educated
and is man OF unusual polish. 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.
On the 18th of last month John Killo-
ran, a tail man of distinguished man
ner and appearance, was arrested at the
waldorf-Astoria on the charge of stealing
an overcoat. He was taken to headquar-
tiers and photographed and questioned.
he said that he was John Lake, an Eng
ishman and a travelling man, and that
he had made a mistake in taking the
coat instead of his own, and was on his
way to return it when arrested.
McClusky knew his identity all the
time. but Killoran imagined that he was
not recognized. The case failed against
him. because the witnesses, persons from
cut of town. left the city. hilloran was
discharged from custody.
There are no charges against John Kill
loran or Watson. They were arrested as
suspicious persons. If they are not
wanted. they will be discharged, but Joe"
Killoran will be turned over TO the fed
era1 authorities today.
Kflforan. 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 revolver at the head of Keep
er Schneer, took his keys and let them
selves out.
After the men escaped from the jail,
as Inspector McClusky tells it, Joe
Killoran took fishing smack and sailed
for England. He was plentifully sup
piled with money. Later he was joined
by Allen. Killoran speaks several Ian
guages fuently-
'I regard him as the greatest thief in
TIE world today" says Inspector Nc
Ciusky.