The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-09-19

OF his tnievish crew is now about 4S
years old. But he di no. look to be
nearly so old when picked up and
turned out the other day. His term
on Blackwell's Island was for atempt-
ed larceny in the vicinity of 34th
street and Sth avenune. Immedi-
ately on being released he went to
Boston, where he fell again for an at
tempted pocket-picking. He served
another sentence of about year and
then went abroad.
The Black Prince has been known
in New York altogether for a period
of about Is years, but he is equal
ly abhorred in most American cities.
His most cautious and successful
work has been to hustle around in a
hotel porter's suit, frequentlng rail-
road stations and steamship land
ings, riding in street cars early IN
the morning and late in the after
noon. when persons are going to
work or going home.
The costume was for a long time
his best disguise against police sus-
picion. The pickpockets of the white
race invariably try to assume neat
and business-like address. Who
would imagine that good-natured
negro in a porter's jumper could
alone turn trick that generally re-
uuires at least three expert profess
sional crooks.
But the Black Prince needed no
''stall," or pusher. He was and is
still is an adept. A "stall" is useful
for his nerve and ability as a scrap
per. When the "gun," or principal
in the pocket-picking job makes a
mistake through nervousness or anx-
iety and is discovered almost in the
act, it is the duty of the "stall' to in
terfere until the gun" or 'wire," as
he is also called can make good his
escape.
The "stall' begins to cover the re-
treat by blocking the pursuit of the
passenger who has set up howl.
Here, look where you're going!'
roars the "stall." Whose foot do
you think you're stepping on?"
By the time the reason of the COM
motion is explained the principal has
dropped off the car. Then the "'stall'
! or "stalls' apologize to the passenger
and one by one they ring the bell and
alight in good order.
But the Black Prince never cared
to employ Resistance" In the first
place his long, tapering fingers and
deftness of touch have enabled him
! to get away with many a poke
(pocket-picking) or "rock" (diamond
used as shirt stud) with the great
est ease and unconcern. And then, OF
course he has found it more profit
able to work alone, for in that case
ne does not have to cut the proceeds
among other thieves.
The Black Prince has been regard
ed by police authorities all over the
United States as the ablest single
handed gun" this country has ever
produced.
On rare occasions the sociability
of the Black Prince led him to I'LL
in,' hustle, with one or several OF
the white comrades in crime. To "fill
in" means, in the parlance of thieves,
to help constitute a "mob," or gang
engaged on a business errand. Some
of the white friends in this rascally
element in New York have been:
Paddy Rags, Eddie Maloney, Lester
Johnnie Roche, Jack Regan, Sheldon
AL Blair, Tom Malone, Al Anderson
alias Little AL; Kid Duffy and few
others with whom he exchanged ex'
periences and compared notes, or lent
a hand at odd times when they ap'
pealed to his professional pride.
The Black Prince has enjoyed the
reputation of never deserting mem
Der of his mob" when such member
would fall into the grip of the police
He has always sent for lawyer &c
look after the defence, and has sup
piled his unfortunate associates with
every possible help in an endeavor tc
beat the "rap," which is a crooks
term for an official complaint. II
case of conviction and sentence he
'has always remitted necessity mon
ey'' at regular intervals during thf
term of Imprisonment.
At one time the Black Prince AL
fred was reputed to be worth $50,
600, and he was regarded as such al
animated "sport' that the proprie
tors of rival gambling houses in th'
Tenderloin sent carriages for him II
order to obtain his play. This al
,-,re oro,,coc him tO the keeneS