The Nevada County picayune., 1909-06-03

one of which would have killed him. The untOrtu- nate man had been stripped of all money Je"ei ry and other Yaluables.
 Les Apaches" said the police stolidly "fe should have known better than to go proving about alone at night" And in the police records another murder was put on the score ol tue thugs of the gay capital
 Paris is not proud of her Apaches, and the rest of the world has known little of these criminal bands though theatergoers in many American cities during the last season were given glimpse of one phase of their life in the skillful but re voltiHg Apache dance" imported from the French music halls Yet the story of the origin, de- velo9ment and deeds of these outlaw gangs IS fascinating, if not edfyng.
 Nearly ten years ago there appeared suddenly in the underworld of Paris a young woman so beautiful and animated that she at once attract ed general attention and admiration among US other denlzens Her head was crowned with great mass of lovely reddishgold hair, on ac- count of which she was promptly nicknamed "Casoue dor" or Golden Helmet" Suitors quickly Hooked about the girl and in time she selected from among them as her protector one Lecat known among his comrades as clever thief and bold fighter whom the police would be glad to have behind the bars
 All went well for time, until there came on the scene a more attractive scoundrel, named Manda Pretty, tickle Golden Helmet promptly transferred her affections to the newcomer, ana then the trouble began. Lecat, the forsaken, vowed vengeance his successful rival and summoned his followers to his aid. Manda also had no lack of friends, and all the thugs In the district of the Halles or markets had ranged themselves on one side the other. Many a bloody battle was fought in the streets between the two bands cheered on by their female friends, and not a few men slain in these conflicts. Finally in one of the fercest of the encounters Iecat himself killed, and Golden Helmet shouted aloud in joy. But her triumph was short.lived Another leader for Lecat's band known as "Le Manchot," sprang up and the feud was continued with increased fury. One night Le Manchot caught Manda of his guard and plunged knife deep into his back. and for weeks the stricken leader lay in hospital near i to death He recovered at last and was being taken in an ambulance to a cell when the blood l thirsty Le Manchot seeing his victim escaping from his vengeance, broke through the police guard eaped into the vehicle and stabbed Man da to death For this murder Le Manchot is now serving life sentence.
 1 Golden Helmet made notorious by the success sion of battles and crimes which her attractions | had instgated now sought other conquests, and i decided that the drama was her forte. Only the | intervention of the police prevented her explota l tion by an interruptions variety hall manager.
 Golden Helmet then speedily sank out of sight, but the rivalry for her favor had lasting results. Always the Apaches have one queen" whose rule over them is absolute if temporary. One of the most notorious of these "Chifonnette," who reigned last year. She was 23 years old, tall and graceful. and would have been beauty