The Washington times., 1904-03-20

"ClairVOyants, mind readers, palmtStS,
everyday fortune tellers, and conjurers
are oftentimes the bane of the detective
and make untold trouble for him" said
a well-known sleuth the other night.
The declaration was drawn out while
many stories about crimes more or less
daring. and the details of the intricate
and sometimes dangerous work or hunt
ing down thieves. burglars. and murder
ers, We're related 10 a party Of inter
ested listeners at Police Headquarters.
"Of course I can give no accurate
figures as TO the number of people who
have faith in these alleged gifted in
dividuals, who go 20 them and give up
their money to have them solve mys-
teries Of the past or future. or both, or
quiet their perturbed minds regarding
some affair of the heart, or supposed
present or impending calamity, or
health, wealth or domestic difficulties.
or whatsoever may appear to them to
be beyond the power of the ordinary
human being TO unraveI." continued the
sleuth.
People Believe Them.
such deluded people in every section
Of the country. sensible as our pOpula-
ton is rated TO be. are too numerous
for me 10 attempt to count. But there
tatingIy admit their confidence in them,
while there are hundreds Of thousands
of others who deny such confidence, yet
have it. and all seek them TO gain pos
session Of what they deem valuable in
formation and advice.
washington, the capital Of the great
est of all nations. has among her resi-
dents famous diplomats and literary
folk from all parts Of the world, the
most brainy statesmen, politicians, law
yers. ministers Of the gospel, and gen
orally intellectual products of America
Yet this is a lucrative field for -he
clairvoyant. mind reader, palmist, for
tune teller. and clever conjurer. for they
have thousands Of adherents and pa
irons here and an Incredibly large num-
Der OF these patrons, queer as II may
seem. are connected with some Of the
most intelligent. wealthy, fashionable,
and influential families Of the com
munity.
Where the Trouble Is.
And here observed the speaker. who
had had many years experience on the
local detective force in ferreting out
criminals. trailing and capturing them
and finally sending them TO a prison cell
or the gallOws. is where comes in our
trouble
Let me give you one instance and
you may guess the rest: A short time
ago a report was made to this office
that woman residing in the most Sc
lect and fashionable quarter Of the
northwest section, had been robbed Of
several valuable diamonds, and my part
ner and l We're detailed 10 catch the
thief. and, II possible, restore the stolen
property. We called on the woman. got
what information We could concerning
/ visitors and servants at tie residence.
+ a description OF the missing jewels, and
such other details We could, all of
| which proved OF little value.
! After month Of fruitless work on
I the case We could find no trace OF either
I the robber or his booty. when one day
I l was told that the woman desired to
see me / called at once and was again
ushered into the ma gnihcently furnished
/ parlors of her home. The woman, hand
some and stately, appeared in superb
attire, and bedecked with sparkling or
naments. She greeted me with great
dignity. yet pleasantly
i have found the culprit,' she SAID
l in confident whisper. shaking a jewel
I ed finger at me. Her words were scarce
/ " audible, and she glanced about neT-
/ vously, apparently fearful Of the pres
! ence of some eaVesdrOppe-.
! " That's goodi Who is the party and
/ how did you find him? i said.
90 No man robbed me; no man got the
diamonds. was the emphatic answer.
Who is she and how did you find
! herr / asked.
&c Hush! Not so loud. I called on &
clairvOyant, she went on. I have the
/ utmost confidence in her as a gifted
/ person. Without me giving her the name
/ OF anyone. or anything concerning what
/ the stolen articles looked like. she de-