Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-09-29
SMOOTH JEWEL
Thief IS TAKEN
BYLOCAL POLICE
Colored Man, Held for I'm
porting Girls Into City,
Proves Rare Bird"
DRAWS HEAVY SENTENCE
Search Reveals Pawn Tickets Repre-.
sentine Hundreds Of Dollars
Worth Of Gems.


tcoloredj this morning, the local po-
lice believe they have landed one of
the smoothest Jewei thieves in the
country. McGuinn was taken into
custody this morning for importing
here two young colored girls for i'm
moral purposes. He was given a six
months sentence on a vagrancy
charge, and at the expiration of his
sentence it is likely that charges will
be preferred against him, alleging
violation Of the Mann act. Meanwhile,
the police expect TO mug" McGuian,
and send his photograph to various
police chiefs throughout the country,
in an effort 10 get a line on his past
history. Pawn tickets, found on his
clothing. represented hundreds of dol
lars worth of diamonds and jewels.
STRATEGY EMPLOYED.
The mans capture was effected by a
shrewd piece OF work on the part of
the local authorities. Saturday night
two colored girls, Hazel Fox and
Lizzie Brown, were arrested by De-
teCtive Cox in the black belt" They
had been walking the streets all even
ing and their actions aroused suspi
cion. They were locked up and this
morning arraigned on a charge CT dis
orderly conduct, being represented by
Attorney G. w. McCaskrin. Their
fines were fixed at $25 and costs each.
Excusing himself for a few minutes.
McCaskrin stepped outside of the Jail,
returning a short time later with the
full amount of the fines.
The police Immediately suspicioned
that there was some man backing the
coiored girls. and Detective Cox of
tn, plain clothes squad. was detailed
10 follow the damsels after they had
been liberated.
LOCATE MAN.
One block from the station they met
McGuinn. who was Immediately ar
rested by the detective and taken to
the station. There il was learned
that he had brought the girls to Rock
Island from Omaha, arriving here last
Thursday. A search Of his clothing
disclosed pawn tickets from Fargo,
y. D., Sioux City, Iowa. Detroit and
Rock Island. These were for dia-
monds. gold watches, pearls and other
jewelry.
SMOOTH CROOK.
Upon placing the negro on the grill,
the police learned that he was a
chauffeur and had been employed by
rich families throughout the country
il is believed that McGuinn used his
position as chauffeur TO systematical
iy rob his rich employers. At one
place the negro paid 500 for the re
pairing of a diamond earring, giving
evidence of ready supply Of money
Saturday he pawned valuable cara
and quarter diamond ear ring at
local three ball shop" receiving FOL
same $33. Yesterday he pawned It's
mate for a like amount and at III,
same place.
The negro is about 80 years of age
and dressed in the height of fashion
He could give the police no satlsfaC
tory explanation as TO the source o
his riches. and was given a six months
sentence on "A vagranCy charge
Meanwhile, Chief Brinn expects L
look up his past record The negr
women, imported here, were ordere,
TO leave town.
Following the arrest of McGuinn an
the two colored girls, the police visite
their rooming house in the "blac
belt" this afternoon to make a scare
" the premises. Whether or not NOR
jewelry was found, the authorize
would not state. but they did find
complete hop" outfit, including pip,
opium, alcohol burners and a larg
quantity Of the raw essence of III
poppy leaf. The paraphernalia wa
Conhscated. The police state that nc
only McGuinn, but the Two colore
girls as well are addicted to the pc
nicious habit