The Washington herald., 1910-01-23
SHADE OF ]. JOHNSON
Police Trap Catches Double
of Negro Prize Fighter.
SAM MOORE'S STOCK GOES UP
Face "Ilusts Open with Smiles"
When He Is Accused OF Being FR-
nous, After Arrest on Charge of
Not Keeping His Hands on Brass
Fixtures ina Vacant Houses
60 JOHNSON has a doubIe.

Jack Johnson has a double.
Like the prize fighter, the double Is
fond Of being arrested. This weakness |
for sojourning behind Jail bars was In |
sTumental IN his rapid ascendency from |
dark oblivion TO the white glare OF the |
limelight. in which the famous mitt- |
handler basks.
The double was arrested last night |
For time his physical resemblance 10 |
Johnson bafied the police Only me !
knowledge that Jack Johnson was not In
Washington convinced the police that
they had not arrested the famous ebon- |
hued knight % the roped arena.
1t happened MS way. About two weeks
ago complaint was made at police head !
quarters by property owners that lead. !
brass and iron fixtures IN vacant houses |
ia various sections of the city were be-
ing stolen. Report followed report in
rapid succession.
Inspector Boardman detailed Detectives
Mulhn, Warren, and KIeindienst Of the
Central Office, 10 investigate the thefts
and bring the culprit to justice, The de-
tectives learned that a negro OF giant
physique was making daily trips 70 the
establishment of a junk dealer IN the
southwest and disposing OF fixtures taken
from houses.
Set a Darky Trap.
A description was obtained. and the de-
tectives lay in wait About o'clock last
night negro clad in light rain coat,
black derby, and blue sweater, swung
along Seventh street with the easy gait
and air Of nonchalance born OF the knowl-
edge that all is well with him.
Muliiu, Warren, and Kleindienst step
ped from doorway and surrounded the
negro before he could escape. Where
are you gotng?" was asked.
Use goin' tub see a frien. boss" an
swered he Of the minstrel features.
Wei, there Is a friend al police head
quarters who wants 10 see you" said the
spokesman Of the detectives. The prisoner
was bundled on car. and the glare from
the electric lights overhead fell on his
face, Mullin glanced al the negro and
opened his mouth in establishment
Then Warren and Kleindienst saw the
prisoners face and noted the Johnson
physiognomy.
Say. what's your nams?'' queried
Mullin.
sam Moore" answered the negro.
ANY relation to Jack Johnson"
The negro's face busted open with q
smile II was several minutes before.l
he could restrain his mirth sufficiently
to answer the question. The detectives
grew uneasy. When the negro laughed
he was a facsimile OF the prze fighter
The black face, broad nose. thick lips.
and double row OF large white teeth
seemed TO be those OF jovlal Johnson.
No. boss; I amt no kin 10 Jawnson,
but dey calls me his shade"
''Why?' asked Mullin. "You look
enough Ike shade to be his twin
brother"
Little Deeper Hue.
I knows, boss but Use shade
blacker." And the negro gave vent TO
another fit Of mirth. They were three
uneasy detectives who walked into police
headquarters with sam Moore. They felt
certain they had the man for whom they
had been searching but his close re-
semblauce to the negro prize fighter wor-
ried them. It seemed incredible that two
negroes could look so much alike Long
experience in noting slight differences in
the facial characteristics OF negroes had
never revealed two faces and figures
more alike
The detectives decided there was only
one way to establish the identity Of the
prisoner-to give him the third degree.
He was taken into a private Office and
for several hours the detectives delved
into his past Moore said he lived at DIS
Eleventh street northwest. He said he is
Iaborer. but had not worked for sew
eral weeks. He denied knowledge Of the
thefts Of lead, &C, and declared he had
no idea who had been Tiiing vacant
houses Of fixtures.
Two Things to Account For.
After the ordeal the detectives were
convinced the negro was not Johnson, but
they were not convinced that he was tell
ing all he knew about the thefts. 1t was
decided to hold him prisoner until his
story can be investigated. A patrol wagon
was summoned from the First precinct
station. When Desk Sergeant Simpson
reached headquarters TO remove the negro
to the station he exclaimed, Jack ar
rested again, huh! How did you get down
here?"
At the station the advent of the negro
created CONSERVATION among the police
reserves. Every one in the station hailed
the prisoner as Jack Johnson"
| Moore seemed TO enjoy the fun. He was
placed in a cell while the charge, Held
for investigation" was entered on the
blotter opposite his name.