The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-12-10
OLD PROBLEM ISA
PUZZLE TO POLICE
Operations of Negroes Result
in Few Arrests and No
Convictions.
MAY BE ORGANIZED GANG
KANSAS CITY BLAMED FOR FUR
NIsHlNG TROUBLES.

Reports Of robberies by Hght-fngered
negresses which have been coming into
police Headquarters almost at the rate
of two or three every night has con-
WINGED the salt Lake detective depart
ment that squad of negro
macquereaux, masters of well-trained
women Of their own color. have begun
a systematic operation in the streets
and Railways of the city of Kidding
strangers and sightseers Of money and
jewelry.
The operations have been cOnfessedly
active. and though members of the de-
tective department have descriptions
and clues leading to those who are at
the head of the colored pickpOcket
movement. few arrests have been made.
1t is the opinion of the police that they
have imposed upon the better class OF
negroes of Salt Lake, representing
themselves as tourists and men Of iels-
ure.
Recently, when negro women have
been arrested under suspicion their
masters have walked haughtily up TO
the desk sergeant in police headquar-
ters and procured the release OF their
slaves by putting up cash bonds. in
every instance they have been well sup
piled with money, producing rolls OF
bank notes and gold coin Investiga-
ton mas revealed that they are not ne
ErOeS of cOugenial employment, or that
they are favored with legitimate in
comes They are attired in clothes that
are faultless in fashion, and they are
keeping their damsels dressed in latest
style.
A few nights ago one Of the cOlOred
street walkers viciOusly assaulted a
man in an alley near Victoria avenue
attempting to stab him with a dirk
when he refused to give attention to hei
beck. On the same night man, whose
name is withheld by the police, was
cOaXed into d hallway on Commercial
street by a negress and robbed of a
wallet said to have contained a cOnsid-
cradle sum of money.
FaVors Activity.
Chief of Police s. NJ. Barlow was at
first inclined to drive them of the
streets and out of town, but their az
rests have been accompanied by imme-
date production of cash bond, which
the police court has seen mt 10 take as
a forfeiture upon their failure TO APP
pear and answer to the respective
charges brought against them.
The unfdlllng production O. cash bail
bond for release, which during the last
week has run up a total into hundreds,
contributes to the belief Of the police
that the negro women street walkers
are agents Of a powerful organization
of negro crooks. Detective Howell has
been at work on the case in conjunction
with other members Of the detective de
partment. Learning that several ne
gTOes. accompanied by women. came to
salt Lake from Kansas City about two
weeks ago, he thinks that he is in pos
session of a substantial clue which he
hopes viii lead TO early arrests.
When the negro women arrived in
Salt Take they Immediately scattered
into rooms where it was seen fit to ac-
cept them, and since them, gaudny at
tired, they have been at work on the
streets. and have apparently found salt
Lake a mecca for their art.
The police OF Kansas City. as has
been learned by the detective depart
ment, have been driven to their wits
end in attempts TO run down the agile
negro macquereaUX. Recently an order
was given by the chief Of police of Kan
sas City 70 run coiored women from
the streets. resulting in immediate emil
grafton To other points. And the police
believe salt Lake has fallen a victim
of a large portion Of the Kansas City
pest.