Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-21
CROOK GUEST OF
HIGH-CLASS HOTEL
'SECoND-SToRY JOE SPOTTED
BY DETECTIVE
Accomplished Man Lives In style and
and Takes Long Auto Rides to
Bewllderment Of Local
Sleuth

"second-story joe" one Of the best
known crooks that ever operated in
the country, was a guest at one of tho
local hotels last week, according to in
formation given out yesterday by a
member Of a private detective agency,
and the members of that force express
surprise that the local department did
not have some big burglary mystery to
unravel before he left. Joe was good,
however, and during the entire time
he passed in Los Angeles behaved him
self in becoming manner.
Joseph r. Tolman is the name of this
burglar, but to the police of two con-
tinents he Is better known under the
name of "Second-Story joe" while to
the wardens in Joliet he Is known as
."Old No 21,311," while in Sing Sing he
is talked about with title somewhat
similar.
Joe has served two terms in the
former place and one in the latter, but
has each time succeeded in getting par
doned several years before his SEN
tence expired. He Is known as a man
with a great intellect, accomplished
manners, and one able to pass in the
best society.
Tolman Cool-Headed
ct knew Tolman we'll in the old days
in New York" said a we'll known pri-
vate detective now connected with a
local agency yesterday when speaking
of the visit the burglar had paid to
Los Angeles
He was one of the coolest men l
have ever had to go up against. IF we
only knew all the crimes of which he
is guilty the next time we got our
hands on him he would be booked for
life term. He is one of the hardest
men to convict there Is in the coun-
try, and when he is arrested we arc
always sure it is going to cost a lot
to get him sentenced.
Three weeks ago l heard he was on
his way to the coast and that he was
travelling in style. / at once notified
our offices in Spokane, Seattle, Port
land and San Francisco to watch for
him, and at the same time instructed
the members of our Los Angeles staff
to keep sharp lookout for the man.
about ten days ago 1 received word
that Joe had arrived in Los Angeles
and was staying under an assumed
name at one of the most prominent
hotels. l did not go near him, but
placed a spotter on his track, so I
would know what he was doing.
Lived Like a Prince
my first report showed that Joe was
living like prince. He seemed to have
plenty of money and was spending 1t
freely. He lived at the best places,
attended the performances at the best
theaters and took many long auto
mobile rides. 1 was sure he was con-
templating some big job and placed
my best men on his track. His auto
rides were what puzzled me most. l
knew he took them through the most
exclusive residence section, and l
feared he was hooking up some deal
whereby he could make a big haul
and was passing time getting ac-
uuainted. That did not seem to be his
idea, though, as a few days ago he
packed his grips and left for the north.
ut is possible he laid his plans SO
he could return and rob some residence
here in the future, but he seldom works
that way and [ am inclined to doubt
that I am correct.
"Joe's past history-that is before he
became a burglar is secret to me.
l know he was educated in England
and l suppose at one of the best col
leges there At any rate, he got into
some scrape there in 1887, and since
that time has been living the life of
gentleman burglar.
HE operated in France for time.
He made it a rule to work for d1a-
monds then, and many women are still
mourning the loss of valuable jewels
which went to pay Joe's expenses AT
last the police in Paris became so hot
on his trail that he left that place and
went to Italy. Soon word of the rob-
berries of art galleries where priceless
treasures were stolen were received and
It was not long before we learned that
Joe had visited those places short
time previous.
Pardoned by Governor
"The next we knew of him was when
word was received from Germany that
he had been seen in Berlin, and soon
afterward he arrived in New York. He
was picked up by one of Inspector
Byrnes men and convicted of pulling
off a big job in Brooklyn. He was given
five years, but after serving two was
pardoned by the governor. He then
went west and soon afterward pulled
off a big hotel robbery in Chicago. He
secured several thousand dollars worth
of ieWelry and about twice as much in
cash. We always felt sure he was the
one that pulled off the job, but al
though we arrested him. could not con-
vict him. He was sentenced from
Chicago afterward to two flve-year
terms, but each time succeeded in get
ting pardoned.
II have not heard of any jobs he
has pulled off during the last three
years, but have been told that he had
made a haul some place and had
plenty of money. He will have to have
n big sum to keep him going long at
the pace he went here and l would not
be surprised to hear that he soon pulls
off some big job"