Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-10-28
By CAPTAIN PATRICK D. TrRRELL


gan street Methodist church in ST
Louis and az its close extended an
earnest invitation for sinners 10 come
90 tie "mourners' bench" seek Divine
forgiveness and forsake the errors Of
their past lives. In the good old-fash-
toned Methodist way Rev. Mr.. Thomas
left the pulpit at the close Of the ser
mon and, in a fine barytone voice. took
the lead In the ringing song OF invita-
ton 70 the unrepentant. The lines OF
tie hymn as he sang them were fire.
quenty punctuated with short i'm
passioned appeals TO those who were
not known as church members Then
10 render his appeals more direct and
personal the minister started down
the aisle, shaking hands with tie "un-
professed. speaking an earnest word
70 this one and that one as he went
Rev Mr.. Thomas was the t-pe OF
minister Familiarity known as the re-
vivalist He was about As years old.
almost six feet tall, OF robust physique
His hair and beard were brown. and
his eye open and fearless. He was
vigorous and magnetic = not polished
speaker, a fine singer. a good mixer"
among all classes and apparently i'm
bued with sincere desire 10 bring
sinners 20 repentance. He had not
been IN St Louis long at the time OF
which ! am writing. IS years ago. but
during his residence there. by his de-
votion 10 bis ministerial labors. had
endeared himself 20 the little flock OF
Christian men and women worsliping
IN the church at Morgan and Twenty
fourth streets.
WINE ne was passing among tho
sinners in his congregation the night
on which ] Introduce Rev. Mr.. TEom-
as TO my readers he stopped at a pew
well toward the rear OF the church.
The visitor was a plainly dressed man
OF middle age, evidently workingman.
The minister spoke a few words 70
him, still grasping his hand. and there
was some response by TIE visitor. The
singing was In progress and the con
versation held in undertones. so that
the words passed between the two
were not distinguishable by those near.
The incident was no different TO an
appearance. from a score OF Others
in the church that night when the
minister impOrtuned the Maynard TO
repent
The church services ended. Rev. Mr..
Thomas left the building with several
members OF the congregation. chat.
ting or religious matters, until their
bomeward paths diverged.
No attention had been paid the Wis
itor at the church after the minister
apparently had failed in inducing him
20 come TO the "mourners' bench" but
he lad left before the services closed
and had taken a rapid westerly course.
AS soon as the pastor separated from
the mem bers Of his flock he walked
well out Of their sight and hearing in
n leisurely way and then suddenly
adopted a quick, business-like gait.
Walking rapidly west TO Grand avenue.
he turned north His home was in
Ftnney avenue. west Of Grand avenue.
and near the intersection OF these
thoroughfares the Rock" church. an
imposing Catholic edifce, doomed black
~ a. the night, casting deep shadows
over the sidewalk on the east side OF
Grand avenue. AS he approached this
point Rev. Mr.. Thomas slackened his
pace and became alert, peering ahead
into the shadows as though looking for
some one. He was not disappointed.
From the opposite direction. timing his
pace so that ke would meet the min
lister in the deepest shadows OF the
church, emerged the man who had oc-
eupied the rear pew at the evening
church service. There were no other
pedestrians In sight
Hello. Harry" said the minister
in low tone. hating.
Hello, Andy" responded the other.
swinging about and falling into the
preachers stride.
CHANGING furtively around him, Rev.
Mr.. Thomas thrust his hand under the
skirt OF his ministerial coat and. draw
ing forth a small heavy package.
passed ii quickly to his companion.
Harry" pocketed il as quickly as il
had been passed to him.
"When'l ! see you again." asked
the receiver OF the package.
Il can't say now; be at the church
IN few nights replied the minister.
All this had transpired in less time
than 1t took TO cross Grand avenue
On the other side there was a low
spoken good night. the minister turned
into Finney avenue and his companion
continued In the main tkoroughfare
An hour later he was in his small room
IN North Sixth street. The minister
went direct to his home and let him
self in with a latch key.
No band OF dealers in "coney" or
counterfeit money ever gave TIE United
States secret service more trouble than
did the -Biebush gang" that operated
IN and from St. Louis for more than
25 years. In fact. long before there
was such a government institution as
the secret service division OF the treas
ury department the name of Biebush
was a proud one in criminal circles.
1t had been carried TO distinction in
tie annals OF crime by Frederick Bic
bush. who was born in Prussia in 1923
and emigrated to this country when he
was 21 years old. Prior to his arrival
In America nothing is known of him.