Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-03-03
A MURlLLo FOR $4,000.
Pat sheedy Sells II to a Chicago Race
Track Owner,

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Pat sheedy Sells II to a Chicago Race
Track Owner.
Pat Sheedy's famous Murillo ("The
Magdalen") given to him by Sam
Worth, whom BILLY" Pinkerton pro-
nounced the most expert thief and
fence" in the world, has been pur-
chased by John Condor, ex-gambler
and now proprietor Of the Harlem race
track in Chicago. The price paid for
this celebrated painting was $4,000.
Aside from its intrinsic worth as a
possible art treasure Condor desired to
possess it for reasons Of sentiment.
Long before John Condor became
blind Pat Sheedy and Adam Worth
Clark street, Chicago, and from that
meeting begins the story Of two re-
markable paintings - the famous
Gainsborough, the Duchess Of Devon
shire, stolen twenty-seven years ago,
and returned by Sheedy to its owners,
| and the Murillo that has been recently
sold.
Patrick F. Sheedy, sporting man and
citizen of the world, told this story to
the writer, In his own characteristic
way. For several years Sheedy has
lived in New York. Since District At
torney Jerome has begun his active
crusade against the gamblers, compel
ling them to appear before him and tell
him what they know about gambling
in this city,, Pat" Sheedy has thought
1t best to visit old friends in the coun-
try, for, although he has not been con-
nected with gambling house for many
years, he probably knows more about
the inside affairs Of gamblers in all
parts Of the world than any other man.
Sheedy would be the last one on earth
to peach" and, therefore, he finds the
air of the country good for his health
just at present.
Soon after the Murillo was received
by Sheedy the customs officials Of New
York seized 1t for non-payment of
duty. After considerable discussion
concerning the matter the painting was
released. Since then there has been a
great deal Of debate as to the genuine
ness of the picture, which is said to
be three hundred years old, and is
supposed to have been stolen forty
years ago from a Mexican convent,
having been cut from a large painting,
possibly a group. The other day, af-
ter the painting had been sold to
Condor, a well-known Chicago artist
Mr.. Moulton-said: "You could not
deceive Pat Sheedy on a painting.
The fact that he and Adam Worth,
who was also an art connoisseur, pro-
nounced it genuine should be a guar
antee."
In relating the events that led up to
his ownership of the Murillo, pat
Sheedy said:
II was in John Condon's gambling
house, 1875 Clark street, Chicago, one
night in the early eighties. lost all
the money had in the world-$S,O00'
There were several persons playing at
the table, among them a stranger who
mad been winning steadily. I did not
know who he was, but he seemed to
know me. AS lost my last ship said,
That breaks me- The stranger took
two $1,000 bills from his pocket and
tossing them across the table, he SAID
'Sheedy, there, play that
81 can't take It, I replied. don't
know you. 1 don't know when can
pay 1t back to YOU
LETS be partners, then he insist
ed. You play it for both and II you
win-divide. II you lose you will owe
me $1,000
| 81 consented to this arrangement.
lost the money and was in debt $1,000
| to the stranger. Soon after that we
all went down to breakfast in Billy
Boyles chop house, in Calhoun place
1 asked my unknown friends name.
Never mind he said. know
you. You'll see me around here and
you can give the money to me when
it's handy
| 1--WE parted and l went to bed. Two
days afterward in conversation with
Billy Pinkerton, spoke to him about
these peculiar circumstances. Pinker-
ton laughed and said:
"I think know who the man was.
"He wouldn't tell me anything more
about him, though, but after while
he said:
"'You travel around the world a
great deal, and If you ever run across
a man named Adam Worth and get
we'll acquainted with him you might
be able to do me a favor. I believe he
is the man who stole the Duchess of
Devonshire painting from Agnew's art
gallery in London. would give great
deal to be placed in a position to get
that picture
II said to him:
| "If I am ever to take any part In
transaction of that kind it would be
on one condition only, and that Is no
one should be injured or prosecuted In
that connection
"'Billy' Pinkerton gave his word to
| me that 1t should De as Wlsneu'
and Billy Pinkerton's word Is as good
as a bond Of the Bank Of England.
That ended our conversation at the
time. Years rolled on and I drifted all
over the world. One day in 1898 was
standing in front of the Pera Palace
Hotel, in Constantinople, when Greek
sporting man whom I knew came to
me with a message stating that there
was an American or an Englishman-
he did not know which-who was in
trouble. The messenger said the man
had escaped from Turkish prison and
wanted to see me.
"'What is his name?" 1 asked.
Taking a card from my pocket.
said; Here, take this. Tell him to put
his name on this, and If 1 know him