The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-02-10
aAoRDINAF7Y CASES IN ANNALS OF CRIME
BY H. NJ. EoBERT

tingham, where he took up picture
framing, becoming known at the same
time as an enthusiastic angler. who
preferred to sit upon the wharyes ply
ing his rod and line rather than to
work at his trade. When his solitary
figure had become sufficiently wen
known, he'began a system Of success
full silk robberies from riverside ware
houses, which produced sGflicient
plumber to enable him to inaugurate
the role he played so successfully in
London.
1t was while residing in the EVelIna
road at Paekham that Peace brought
his system to perfection. Here he
resided for two years with nothing to
disturb his domestic happiness except
his neutrality-suspicious.. Thompson
occasional lapses into inebriety. His
days were spent in the leisured calm
Of a gentleman Of means who had re.
tired from the activities of business
life. Music was his constant solace.
Whatever treasures he might discard
in hurried fight during any of his
nocturnal expeditions, he never left
a violin behind, and so vast became
his stolen collection that he rented an
empty room in order TO house bis
store. As his business continued to
prosper he filed his house to over
flowing with pilfered goods, and, when
space was wanting, he rented other
houses in different quarters Of the
city, which he filled. with Yaluables
and placed in charge Of housekeepers
through whose assistance-giveR IN
suspectingly-he was enabled to dis
pose of the proceeds of his enterprise.
He loved TO frequent the courts, es'
pccially Bow street, and there he
would sit for hours studying the pro.
ceedings while huge posters outside
offered the reward for his apprehen'
sion.
The house in EYellna road had been
most admirably selected. The garden
opened upon railroad embankment,
and along this Peace would creep at
night without being under Che necessl.
ty Of opening his front door. Once
safe under the cover OF this embark.
ment he could visit any part of the
neighborhood,r or go further afield,
without his egress becoming known,
He left no place for accident in bis
designs. He worked without accom-.
pliees and was wholly ignorant Of
the professional thief and his haunts.
Stcalthy as a cat, Peace would visit
the place Of his intended robbery and
watch it for hours together, never al
lowing his anxiety to overcome his
prudence until he was thoroughly fa'
miliar with the ground plan and the
inhabitants. When at last he obtain,
ed entrance, his first act was to pre-
vent surprise by screwing up the
doors. Then he would thoroughly
rifle the room in which he worked,
afterward, If no alarm was given, NOV
ing into another room and screw;ng
up the doors of this apartment also,
leaving safe retreat in case of ne
cessity. When his job was completed
lie would creep through the window TO-
the street with his booty, deposit 1t I'M
the pony-trap, which YVES always left
waiting in convenient place, and
drive off quietly in the direction Of
the Evelina road.
His peculiar power over watcn-dogs
has already been commented upon
Peace never failed by some mysterious
means TO silence even the most Zero
cious animal, Another curious feat
which he could accomplish. like Jack
Sheppard, was to squeeze his body
through the smallest CT spaces.
Once, when living in Nottingham,
Peace was surprised by pertinacious
detective, who insisted upon learning
his name and occupation.
I'm hawker of srectacles," re-
sponded Peace. "and my license is up
stairs. Wait here . moment and III
snow II TO you
He darted from the room, entered
the second story of his house, and
squeezed like a cat through space
six inches between two window bars,
dropping to the ground. That de-
tective never saw him again
Added to the reckless indifference
OF the man was q sardonic humor. in
stanced in conversation which he
held with detective some time after
his arrest.
"What is the use OF telling the
truth?" he complained, when the false
ness of his pretended conversion was
made the subject Of comment. NO
body will believe you. Let me give
you an example.
"When was passing as Mr.. Robin
son of Peckham walked into a
chemists shop one morning, smoking
an excellent cigar.
1.-THE chemist observed: That is
very good tobacco you are smoking,
Mr.. Robinson. Where do you get your
cigarsT
az steal them I replied, perfectly
frankly and truthfuiiy. It was tho
absolute fact. had stolen those
cigars. But my friend, the chemist
thought it an excellent joke. He roar.
ed with laughter, and Of course did
not believe me in the least,