New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-19
DARING CRIMINAL TYPE
Characteristics of the ''Yeggman .
or Tramp Bank BURGLAR

Or the recklessness, the daring and tn. ,,s.-
personal characteristics OF the "Yeggman a. .s
tramp bank burglar is called by his associates r,
lam G. Pinkerton recently gave some striking nha.
tratlons in an address on this type OF the cr,-t-
element of the community. delivered before ~
International Association Of Chiefs Of Polite "
It's annual convention in St Louis Altar
senting statistics to prove that the "Yegv-,s.,
was rapidly increasing his ranks and his oDa-.
tons. Mr. Pnkerton told some stories. drawn -
his own personal experience. and indicating tss
recklessness and daring Of John Yegg"
OF the careiessness of the ''Yeggman" IN ux,,-
soup" as he names the dynamite used in blowirs
open safes, Mr.. Ptnkerton told the following:
On one occasion a ''Yeggman'' IN one NJ -
large cities. who intended going on a burglsryg
conditions, decided late at night to abandon M
WORK dropped Into u We'll known tramp saloo5
btrtender a bottle filed with white liquid whicS
me 1eSg explained was medicine and Requested
that the bartender put il away for him until h.
returned The bartender careessly placed it In tS
rear Of his cash drawer. The '-YeCg' was arressaI
ON suspicion he left the saloon ~
The following morning when the proprietor A.
IIVeq anu was checking up receipts, he noticed the
bottle in the cash drawer, and earning Win
LETT II. suspected what IT Calling a tram
of chap the proprietor handed him the bottle ST.
told him 20 take il 10 the lake and throw il in II
was particularly cold morning. and the tram N
being thinly clad. did not relish the walk 10 t5s
lake. which was about mile distant; when he sor
about block from the saloon. he threw the bottle
against the side wall Of building In the course h
construction The explosion was terrific, and tore
a very large hole in the new walI-in fact. almost
wrecked the building. When the tramp returned to
the saloon and the proprietor asked him II he threw
the bottle into the lake he replied that he had not
because there was an earthquake in one Of the
streets he passed through.
That the 'Yeggman' subscribes to the doctrine
Of honor among thieves" Mr.. Pinkerton illus
trated by the following incidents:
There have been some exceptional instance,
wherein the "YeSg'' displayed grit and nerve. In
one escapade a fight ensued between a town watch
and band who were about to rob bank
when a number OF shots were exchanged resulting
in the death Of the night Waterman and escape
entering the back of and the hand of another
They al hid in barn. two miles from the scene %
The shooting, and one OF the band removed bullet
from the back of another with a penknte- THIS
"Iegg'' after arrest was suspected OF having a
bullet in the shoulder. and told a police official
he thought he could find il there TO have surgeon
a partly healed wound. which the surgeon
amined and before using the knife spoke Of ad-
minIsteriUs drug or using the H-ray-
This the " egg would not listen TO, but told the
surgeon TO go with his operation. without the
drug light. which ha did. without OF course,
discovering Tho bullet but during the entire opera
WINGED When the bullet not found the ~Yegg'
asked the police II they were satisfied. and re-
marked they would some day md out now ana
where the bullet was removed. winch Would heip
to convict him. all az which did occur
Another time. after an exchange or SHOTS be-
tween a band of "Yeggrnen' and posse. "YesE'
Jail To induce him 10 give Up his associates
coat TiddIed with bullets and covered with
one OF his pals was badly wounded and dying IN the
hospital, that he had confessed, and was now IN
conscious Members of the posse told the leader
they had decided 20 give him a chance. He looked
You'd better give the dying man the chance; te
needs il. confession for mine"