The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-01
Flying a Flag DraDs Burglars
nON'T fly flags. They attract burglars.
- What is the number Of your housed Burglars will
not enter 444, III, SO o. No. % is also burglar
proof.

These tips given to the police by a South
Chicago housebreaker who caught in an effort to
enter house that had been robbed successfully four
times within the last six months. The thief explained
that he first attracted to the house by the stars
and stripes floating from the first floor window, and
according to robber superstition that invita-.
ton to 'work the fat'' He also admitted having
robbed the house several times previously relying on
the superstition that he perfectly safe in visiting
a house he had successfully plundered.
Mr. Burglar, who in talkative mood, went
on to supplement- the many items of information on
burglar superstition already in the hands of detectives
He said no housebreaker pickpocket would dream
OF working" unless he had in his pocket, some
where about his person, either small piece of coal,
chalk or lucky stone, to guard against misfortune.
For instance, should thief be riding and
he happens to see horse fall down he regards it
warning that he must do no t'work' that day.
Should pickpocket steal purse containing for
egn money he thinks he is certain before the year is
OUT to travel quickly to foreign lands in order to
escape punishment. To find gold in purse stolen at
wedding regarded good luck while it is equally
bad to 'Ework' at funeral
''We all consider funerals bad luck,' said the
superstitious housebreaker. eff we meet one while
we are on the way to rob house it means death
imprisonment. LII bet houses cemetery
not invaded There is old fellow at Joliet named
Cooper who teaches us all these things He says he
can never be sentenced again because he is serving
his twenty eighth sentence and twenty-eght is his
lucky number. j. X,
;. "If we meet sleeping dog on our way to work
nat we know we are going to be lucky: And that
know they good, trusting people and looking for
good time We always make for houses where flags
are lying. 1t is one of our. rules. -
All criminals firm believers in Dreams said an
official at the county Jail. A who was on trial
in Chicago on a charge of murder. told guard the
day before his case went to the jury that he dreamed
he saw rainbow: From this he deduced he would be
acquitted. 10 every one S surprise he was.
The peculiar superstitions attached to Friday and
l3, curlousy enough, scarcely considered by the
thief. Houses with the numbers mentioned above,
however, avoided r ,@2<5 5.z -. ,. 49,
Members Of the housebreaking fraternity accord
ing to the statements Of experienced detectives will
never again visit house in which their work has been
disturbed On the other hand they will resort again
and again to houses they have successfully pundered
The police are well aware Of this fact and they fire.
quently catch men by waiting for the next visit.
No thieves like buying absolutely new boots In
no can they be persuaded to part with
footgear they while their depredations
cessful. N
For thief to break bloodvessel and recover his
good health is regarded the uckest thing possible
in more senses than one It is supposed that such
will be fortunate in escaping jail for the re-
mainder of his days.
All habitual criminals regard the Bible with awe
They will do anything to evade looking at it or touch
ing it.-Chicago News. 81, 80. ... .s...