Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-01-06
TAKE ROBBER
WITH RECORD
NOTORIOUS YEeeMAN ARRESTED
FOR VAoRANcY
HAS SERVED FOUR TERMS !
PENITENTIARY
Well Known HoIdup Man Poses as a
Victim of Lor omotor Ataxia.
Police Believe Catch
a Good One

Thomas Fletcher, known to the po-
lice from San Diego to Portland, Or,
as one of the most desperate criminals
in the West, is languishing in the Los
Angeles city jail on charge of vag-
rancy.
Fletcher affords one Of the most in
terestingF studies in criminology to be
found in police or prison annals. AS
a type of professional 'yeggman" he
could pose asa model; but Fletcher
realizes that his looks are against
him, in the eyes of the detectives, st
least and possesses enough criminal
cunning to conceal his facial handicap
with clever simulations Of pain, sor-
row and senile debility.
With the aid of crutches, head bowed,
eyes half closed and mouth somewhat
gaping, as IL weak and feeble, Fletcher
hc- endeavored repeatedly to deceive
the police and public in his sundry
alms-seeking poses on Main street;
but the police have always had an
eye upon him, and he has been pre-
vented from successfully plying his
trickery for any length of time.
With four terms in the penitentiary
marking a portion of his past career.
ne IOunu Ine IoS AnSeleS Objects SOme-
what incredulous as to his physical
ailments" and hence his present in
generation.
Back of the vagrancy charge on
which Fletcher is now held may lie
other and more serious accusations,
depending on further developments
from the detective department.
Admits His Identity
thatcher 0roupdad
day night by Detective Zeigler. When
it was learned that the prisoner was
an old-time convict and notorious Grim
inal, a reporter of The Herald requested
and was granted permission to inter.
view him.
Fletcher crept out of his cell with
a slow and well-feigned rheumatic tot
ter. While admitting his fear of some
more serious charge than vagrancy he
declared he HAD come to Los Angeles
to lead an honest life" When asked
IL he was a "hold-up man" he replied
bluntly that he was, and added that the
police wouldn't let him beg so he was
forced to stick up people.
Sure. I've served four terms in the
penitentiary, but when 1t comes 10
safe-crackin', 'aint that kind of a
man. I never done nothin' wrong ex-
cept hold up people for their money
when I was broke and had to have it,"
What crimes were you convicted of
when you were sent to prison?" he
was asked.
ooh. jest robbery" he replied.
He seemed to regard any hint at his
aee-cracking proclivities as an insult
although the police say he has a bad
record for this method of getting rich
quick
ION all four times" Fletcher said
II was sent up for assault with intent
to murder. that was all. You see, I'm
not able to work, SO there was no other
chance for me except to beg.
Refuses to "StooP'
when I got out o. the pen the last
time and came to Los Angeles to live
decent. the police refused to let me
beg unless I would act as stooI-pigeon
l knows nearly ali the long termers
and the ex-eons, but I refuses to suueal
on 'em, so I'm victim of persecu-
ton"
IN his conversation Fletcher seemed
to be rather proud of his penitentiary
record. He derived his principal dis
satisfaction from the fact that the DO
lice wouldn't let him beg" and en-
deavored to impress the fact that he
would not act as a "stooler" as he
called it, or, in other words that he
would not do anything to convict any
of his past or present 'pals'' in crime
Fletcher is one of the species which
Los Angeles never has coveted. He
has every earmark and lineament of a
desperate criminal who, under the pre-
tense of locomotor ataxia and general
feebleness might frequently ingrat iate
himself into the confidence of super
fetal observers; but it is said that
when not intoxicated he throws his
crutches aside and is anything but lame
halt or near-sighted. He has a cold
gray eve and a sallow complexion. Oc-
casionally for moment forgetting him
self, he straightens up his shoulders
and gives evidence OF considerable
brute strength and ferocity.
Fletcher's capture even If he is only
hustled out of the city, is conceded by
the police to be a beneficial coup in the
interest of law and order.