davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08

sure Of one more took at il. And this
time he would manage TO find out who
IL was who was such a marvellous
counterfeit of his old departed friend
Shinburn.
Next afternoon Billiard took UP his
position at the same spot, but this
time he had brought with him a guide
who knew all the distinguished resi-
dents of Brussels. At last the equipage
ne was looking for came in sight.
Stepping out almost under the wheels
Of the landau, Billiard peered into the
carriage with earnest and fascinated
gaze. The distinguished gentleman
on the back seat turned his eyes upon
the stranger-and, to Billiards. amaze
nent, smiled q gentle fash Of reeoa-
nitionl
''NNho is that man7" Billiard asked
his guide as the carriage swept on.
That, sir, is the Count de Merode,
sir, a very worthy and a very wealthy
man. sir" replied the guide.
"And where does he liver" pursued
the astonished burglar as he made
note Of the address with the intention
Of calling at once on his old eompan-
ion. now masausrsding as a Belgian
count.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08

The way he eluded the vigilance OF de-
tectives and prison guards makes the
career of Mark Shinburn as remarkable as
his long series OF crimes He used to say
that there was no safe he couldn't get into
and for a long time It seemed as II there
was no Jail he couldn't get out OF.
One of his most daring escapes was
made after his arrest for the robbery of
the coal company's office in Whitehaven.
He was caught In New York and two ex-
perienced detectives we're assigned to take
him back to Pennsylvania for trial.
The Jail at Whitehaven was In a rather
dilapidated condition and so the detectives
took their prisoner to a hotel while the
authorities were preparing a cell strong
enough to hold such a slippery prisoner.
Your Jobs depend on Shinburn's not
getting away" had been the instructions
given the detectives when they left New
York and they watched him like hawks.
Each night they made him sleep hand
cuffed to one of the detectives. AS an
added precaution they took his clothes
and the clothes OF the detective who slept
with him and locked them 10 the adjoin-
Ing room, which was occupied by the other
detective.
Under this strict surveillance Shlnburn
remained for two nights a docile captive.
After supper the third night he managed
to conceal a steel pen in his mouth until
It came time to go to bed.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08

suburb of Amsterdam and moved on
to Brussels, the gay capital Of Bel
GUM.
StroIIing about the city few hours
after his arrival, Billiard leaned up
AGAINST a lamp post on the fashion
able avenue where title and nobility
drive every afternoon, and gave him
self over to the enjoyment Of the NOV
ing panorama of wealth, fashion and
royalty. Suddenly Billiard gave a
stsrt-he bent his neck forward. ~ln
the name Of Heaven, Mark shinburn!"
escaped from his lips.
But the carriage had passed. u was
TOO Incredible. OF course II could not
have been Shinburn, reasoned Bull
lard to himself as he strolled on.
But that face in the open landau
rad fixed itself in Billiards. brain. He
remembered the fine pair Of praneing
horses, the jingle Of the silver-mount-
ed harness, the Inverted coaehman
and footmsn-no, il could not be Shin
ourn. And the crest and monogram
on the carriage-no. Shinburn would
not fit into such > setting. And the
beautiful woman beside hin1-no' Shin
burn was no society swell.
But that face! 5uIlar5 would make
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08

dispeasure at his approach. Soon Mr.. Smell got
into the habit Of telling Katrina" every evening"
on the laundress' way home from her work, to take
the dog over to the bank
When the dog had become accustomed TO "kat-
rna's" presence under any and all conditions Shin.
burn fixed the night for the robbery and sent for
Cummings and Bliss. That night Shinburn waited
until the bank cashiers household asleep, them
with Cummings and Bliss, they climbed the fence
into the back yard and erept into the house through
the laundry window
Shinburn handed them some pieces Of clothes
line and pointed the way to the upper rooms where
the family was asleep Cummings entered the
room where Smell and his wife lay in bed, fright
ened them into silence with his revolver, gagged
them with knotted handkerchefs and bound them
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08
A Clever Escape

When the detective slipped the handcuff
on his wrist Shinburn slyly pushed the pen
down into the ratchet so that the cuff only
closed part way together and really did
not lock at all. As soon as his bedfellow
was asleep he easily slipped the handcun
Of and escaped in bis night clothes
This is where his expert knowledge OF
locks once more stood him in good stead.
It would hardly do to walk out Of the hotel
In his night clothes and he did not dare
to attempt to enter the room where the
other detective was asleep. So he picked
the lock Of a guests room. appropriated
a suit Of clothes which fitted him fairly
well and took the train for New York. He
vas never again arrested for the White
haven robbery.
Shlnburn's distinguished appearance and
refined manners made him a great fayorfte
with the ladies' On more than one coca
sion this fact proved Of the greatest ser
vice
Once when he was in Jail at Albany.
n. Y, awaiting trial for the robbery OF a
bank al Middleburgh. he won the heart OF
young woman stenographer, whose desk
In the county clerks office was directly
opposite his cell window.
So ardent was the Irritation which Shin
burn carried on across the street which
separated the two that the girl became
infatuated. There followed long period Of
correspondence. notes being exchanged bv
means OF long cord which the prisoner
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08

Gus shake. The trembling burglars inside
the bank held their breath thinking that
now he was sure to discover the absence
OF the key plate.
But the gendarme was evidently reas-
sured at finding the door locked. He save
il another shake and, getting no response
from the inside slowly retraced his steps
toward the gate.
shinburn and Billiard we're just con-
graduating themselves on their narrow
escape when they saw the gendarme sud
denly stop, raise his lantern and gaze long
and hard at something on the ground be-
side the gate. Presently ne stopped over
and picked up the two pairs of shoes!
Discovered
He carefully inspected the shoes inside
and out. He was only an ignorant soldier
but 1t did not take him long to appreciate
that these we're foreign made shoes-quite
different from the clumsy affairs the gov
eminent furnished for his own feet.
The strange shoes-the unlocked gate
slowly but surely his Imagination created
from these clues a whole army of desper-
ate robbers. With one frightened glance,
at the dark windows of the bank behind
him he tucked the shoes under his arm
and started down the street as fast as he
could run.
Come" said Mark Shinburn, Selling his
companion by the arm; we've not min
ute to lose"
Bullard was for not attempting to re-
place the key plate. But Shinburn in
sisted It must be done-if they put the
plate back and then succeeded in getting
away they might yet be able to rob the
bank. And Shinburn was desperately N
need of money to repay what be had Dor
rowed from the London fence"
Seven screws Shinburn's trembling fin
gers replaced in the key plate, but the
eighth and last he could not find. He was
tuning his pockets inside out for the third
time and Billiard was looking everywhere
for the missing screw when mems shouts
and the tread Of hurTylng feet reached
their ears.
They rushed to the gate. To the right
their escape was cut of by a squad OF
gendarmes who we're approaching on the
double quick. To the left the road was
paved with rough granite chips which cut
deep gashes IN their stockinged feet at
every step.
They made a brave run Of II for half
mile and Bullard emptied two chambers
of his revolver at their pursuers but all
to no avail. The gendarmes caught them
and locked them up.
On the way to the jail Shinburn had the
presence of mind to throw away the wax
Impressions he had taken Of the vault
lock But a small piece of the wax had
become detached and stuck in a corner
OF his pocket When the officers searched
him they found this bit Of wax and in it
they found imbedded the little screw
which they later identified as the one miss
ing from the key plate OF the bank door.
This screw proved the connecting link
in the chain Of circumstantial evidence
which sent Shinburn and Billiard 10
prison for FIVE years each. Billiard died
in prison-Shinburn lived 10 return 10
America to become again the terror OF the
police and she banks
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08

hand and foot to the bedposts. Bliss did this same
thing with the little boy and girl who slept in an
adjoining room, While this was in progress Shin
burn busy putting his skirt and waist and
wig which he had brought along in a bundle, and
which he knew were familiar to the watch deg in
the bank.
Going downstairs, they joined shinburn and the
three OF them crossed the yard TO the bank. As
Shinburn turned the key in the outer door the dog
began to grow savagey, but the sight OF the ia
miliar form Of the servant girl treasured him. The
astonished brute shifted the skirt OF the kindly
laundress he had learned to trust and made no
further remembrance.
He offered no resistance when shlnhurr seized
him by the collar led him to the cellar and chained
him to post.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08
An Old Friend Finds Him Out

Next afternoon Billiard took up his posi-
ton at the same spot, but this time he had
brought with him a guide who knew all
the distinguished residents OF Brussels.
At last the equipage he was looking for
came in sight. Stepping out almost under
the wheels OF the landau, Billiard peered
into the carriage with earnest and fasci-
mated gaze. The distinguished gentleman
on the back seat turned his eyes upon the
strauger-and, to Billiards amazement.
smiled a gentle fash Of recognition
who is that man% Billiard asked MS
guide as the carriage swept on.
That. sir, is the Count de Merode, sir
q very worthy and a very wealthy man.
sir" replied the guide.
And where does he live?" pursued the
astonished burglar as be made note OF the
address, with the intention OF calling at
once on his old companion, now masquer-
aiding as a Belgian count
Shinburn did not deny his Identity. He
gave Billiard q warm welcome and the
two men spent several days together talk
Ing over old times.
Billiard could not believe that Shin
burns reform was genuine He had In
mind several bank robberies-all he need
ed to make any one Of them 9 success and
clean up a fortune was Shinburn's assist
ance Wouldn't his friend help him out
just for old times sake?
Although for the time being Shinburn
was deaf to these pleas. there is no doubt
that this chance meeting with Billiard In
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08

fuenced him greatly and fastened his final
downfall.
Soon after he sent Bullard away to rob
bis banks alone, Shinburn became a fire.
Quent visitor at Monte Carlo. Within less
than Ave years his heavy losses there and
In the Paris stock market had swept away
all his property and left him penniless and
heavily In debt
In a previous chapter | have told you
how Shinburn went to London and Sc
cured a loan from fence" who finally
induced him to undertake the robbery Of
bank In Belgium. Strangely enough the
man whom the fence" assigned to assist
him In his return to crime was none other
than Charles Billiard
The bank they were going to rob was in
the small Belgian city OF Where's. They
planned to enter 1t one night to look the
ground over and devise some means Of
breaking into the vault.
After quite a bit Of difficulty Shinburn
managed to secure a duplicate of the key
which unlocked the gate opening into the
yard at the rear of the bank. The men
removed their shoes and hid them as they
entered the yard so that their footsteps on
the stone floor of the bank would attract
no attention.
The door leading from the yard to the
bank was a heavy affair Of oak and iron,
protected on the inside by a large. old
fashioned lock
His Return to Crime
To pick this lock was an easy matter
for Shinburn, but irst he had to remove
the keyhole plate on the outside Of the
door. AS he unscrewed the small screws
which held the plate he put them away in
his pocket for use in putting the plate on
again when their visit was over.
The vault, they were delighted to find.
offered no serious difficulties. shinburn
quickly took wax Impressions of its lock
and they prepared to leave.
But just as they were about 20 step out
they heard the clatter OF footsteps In the
deserted street. 1t was a gendarme-one
OF the towns regular force of night police
and he was coming directly toward the
bank.
They drew quickly back-closed the
door again softly and locked It, Through a
crack in window curtain they watched
the gendaIme az he came slowly down the
street. swinging his lantern and pausing
now and then to try a door or gate.
In their hurry to get into the protecting
shadows of the banks yard, Shinburn and
Billiard had closed the gate behind them
but had neglected to lock It. II the vigil
liant gendarme tried 1t he would know at
once that something was wrong
What ne would have done under other
circumstances the anxious robbers never
knew. for just as he got directly opposite
the bank, they were dismayed TO see a
gust OF wind swing the gate wide open.
The creak OF the hinges and the noise
II made as II swung against the adjoining
wall, made the gendarme stop short. He
raised his lantern and gazed in astonish-
ment at the open gate.
With cautious steps, as II be feared
some one would jump al him out Of the
darkness. he entered the yard and walked
up to the door.
He turned the knob and gave it a yigor.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08

NEXT SUNDAY LYONS FoReRES
WHO HAVE STOLEN FoRTuNES-The of
eidSes,
Men Out
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08

shinburn. the brains Of the band, had located
promising bank in an Ohio city. The one obstacle
was ferocious ST. Bernard dog owned by Mr..
Smell, the cashier, which turned loose inside
the bank every night. The cashier lived next door,
and could hear any disturbances made by his pow
ertu watch dog. shinburn, who was an excellent
actor, dressed himself up with wig and skirts and
obtained work Iaundress at the cashiers house
and devoted himself to winning the confidence and
affection of the dog
To this brute twice day Shinburn, the "aun.
Dress" carried the choicest bits of meat he could
find. He petted him in every way he knew until
at last the dog began to regard him as one of the
family, and would not growl show any sign Of
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08
Caught After Thirty Years

The love-sick maiden was waiting out
side as Shinburn had told her but she
fed In dismay when she heard the revolt
yer shot and the cries Of pain that fol-
lowed. Her friends prevented her attempt
ing to communicate with the prisoner
again.
The only long prison sentence Shinburn
ever receiyed-ten years In the New Hamp-
shire State prison-was given him for the
robbery Of a bank at Walpole. ~ H. This
crime was committed in the early part OF
his career-long before his robbery of the
Ocean Bank and long before he became q
Belgian nobleman.
Yet, so crafty was Shinburn in escaping
from prison and eluding capture that more
than thirty years after his conviction for
the Walpole robbery be had served only q
month OF his sentence. During all that
time there was a standing reward OF sl0,-
900 for his capture and hundreds Of detec-
tiyes we're constantly on the watch for
him.
Mark shinburn came out Of prison only
a few years ago. He was then over seven
ty-five years old. l am told that he was
greatly broken In health and 90 pennlless
lAAdk nc ud0 " uhpCuu OA the CudLltg Oh
friends for the barest necessities OF life.
II crime could ever pay any man It
would have paid Mark Shinburn. He was
the King OF the Burglars"-the great mas
ter mind OF crime, whose wits proved more
than a match for law abiding society.
He was a man Of wonderful ability, who
could have won fame and fortune in any
honorable pursuit he chose to undertake.
But what did crime bring him? Only I'M
happiness. poverty, sickness and disgrace!
! am glad to have this opportunity Of
telling you about his ill-spent career, for
! believe the present generation could
have no more powerful example Of the fact
that. no matter how skilfully conducted,
CRIME DOES NOT PAY!
SOPHIE LYONS.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08

let fall to bis waiting sweetheart in the
street below.
shinburn finally got the girls promise
to wait for him outside the door leading
from the Jail yard at O'Clock on a GER
tain afternoon. she was to bring with her
a loaded revolver and some money
Just before the hour set Shinburn got
the door of his cell open by saving of the
lock He cautiously made his way along
the corridor. armed himself with a hevay
broom handle and waited in a dark corner
for the keeper who carried the key to the
outer door.
AS the keeper approached Shinburn
gripped his club tightly in both hands and
swung II high above his head to strike a
blow that would have been murder
But as Shinburn raised his weapon the
keeper saw the shadow Of It on the floor.
He was a quick man with his revolver, and
before the prisoner could strike he turned
abruptly and fred. Shinburn fell. with
ing in pain from an ugly wound in his leg.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08

burglar disappeared from the horizon that
not even one of his old friends and fellow
cracksmen had the slightest clue to his
whereabouts, If, indeed he was alive at all.
But one day strange thing happened.
Charley Billiard, all-around burglar and
old partner OF Shinburn, had found things
too hot for him in America, and he decided
to transfer his field OF endeavor to some
of the banks in Europe. Billiard did a
little work in London, cracked a safe In a
suburb of Amsterdam and moved on to
Brussels, the gay capital of Belgium.
Strolling about the city few hours
after his arrival. Billiard leaned up against
a lamp post on the fashionable avenue
where title and nobility drive every after
noon and gave himself over to the enjoy
ment of the moving panorama OF wealth,
fashion and royalty. Suddenly Billiard
gave a start-he bent his neck forward.
I'm the name of Heaven, Mark Shinburn!"
escaped from his lips.
But the carriage had passed. 1t was too
incredible. OF course 1t could not have
been Shinburn. reasoned Billiard to him
self as he strolled on.
But that face In the open landau had
fixed itself in Billiards. brain. He remem-
bered the fine pair of prancing horses, the
Jingle OF the silver-mounted harness. the
liveried coachman and footman-no. II
could not be Shlnburn. And the crest and
monogram on the carriage-no, Shinburn
would not NJ into such a setting. And the
beautiful woman beside him-no. Shin
burn was no society swell
But that face! Billiard would make sure
OF one more look at It, And this time he
would manage to find out who II was who
was such marvellous counterfeit of bis
old departed friend Shinburn.
The Taney County republican., 1913-03-27
WORLD OWES DEBT TO WOMAN
Fostering Of Agriculture Has Been
From the Beginning Of Tlme In
Female Hands.

Agriculture today depends chiefly
upon the work of the primeval woman.
We are indebted to the nomad's wife
for the greatest Of all economic serv-
ices. She tanned the young of the
more tamabla animals, gave them to
her savage husband, and made Of him
the more civil herdsman who for
ages followed his nocRs after the man.
ner Of Jacob and Lot and Job. This
fertile wife Of the nomad became the
wife Of farmers, and she made a farmer
Of her son by placing in his hand the
precious seed Of the grains, the pres
ent basis Of agriculture, the bread OF
man, and the concentrated food of all
our domestic animals,
Where did this ancient mother get
these precious seeds? In many cases
we do not know, and cannot even
guess. She found some plant with
one or two rich seeds, planted them
and then generation after generation
her descendants picked over their lit
tie grain patches, selecting seeds tc
be previously preserved from the har
vest festival to the next spring
planting festival, which we now cal
Easter. BY this process running OF
through unknown generations Of men
the plants became 80 changed by tn
artificial application Of Darwin's Law
of selection that now no botanist dare
suggest what plant or plants were th'
wild forebears of some Of the presen
grains from which the world today oh
talns its bread.
We are indebted to this cave o
tent dwelling woman. But shall W
accept her work as final? Can scienc
do no better than follow along tn
path she laid out? Tho fact that ag
ricultural science is today doing III
tie more than this Is one Of the pa
thetic illustrations Of the smallness G
our view.--Prof. ], Russell Smith, l
Harper's Magazine.
The Taney County republican., 1913-03-27
IN HOUSES or C0RNSTALK
Primitive Dwelling Places That Are
Occupied by the Poorest Glass OF
Egyptian Peasants.

On the outskirts Of Alexandra we
passed numerous groups of Bedouins
camping by the side of the Mahmou-
dieh canal. Out in the fields men and
women. dressed alike in the loose cot
ton gown Of the country, were husily
at work. The fields were dotted with
curious doorless structures made OF
cornstalks. They are used as tempo
rary homes at certain seasons Of the
year, as, for instance, when the crops
are being gathered.
Later on entered one, and found
It to be not more than five feet
square; one could not stand upright
inside. The place contained nothing
but a few jars and cooking utensils
In the winter the occupants wrap
themselves up in their clothes at
night. covering the heads also, but
leaving the feet bare. The hut ] saw
was occupied by a man and his son
These people, of course, are the fel
laheen--the peasants-the pure Egyp
tian of the poorest class.-Christiar
Hereald.
The Taney County republican., 1913-03-27

prfnult having been made In the payment
Of the principal and interest of certain
note secured by deed uf trust mudu the
lith day Of MnrrI, lgUi, 10y Elhrrt t.. smith,
n single man, the suid deed OF trunl being
recorded In Book ~ at Page -|2, IN the R"-
cordoT's office In fancy county, Missouri
ana the trustee named in ,uld decd Of trust
having refused to net rs such trustee,
whereby the hcuudcr~ignCd, the acting sheriff
OF Tuncy county, Missouri, became netting
trustee, notice is hereby given that ], the
UNDERSIGNED. acting sheriff OF Tnucy
county, Missouri, and netting trustee
under the deed OF trust aforesaid, WILL ON
saturday, TIA" 5th day Of April, 1918, at the
court house door in the county OF fancy.
state Of Missouri proceed to soil nt public
yruduc to the highest bidder for cash for
the purpose, of said trust the property de-
-cribvd IN the said deed Of trust u> the west
uu"-hu!f Ot Lots Seven "a and Eight ~ uf
the Northeast Quarter, and the cUst one
half Of Lots SEVEN 'iI and Eight ,Nl uf the
! Nurth.Wo,t quarter ut Section Five ,N
Township Tw,uty-four ~ north Of EHuEu
( Twenty go, west. containing one hundred
/ Fifty-two and Filty-tyr and Onc-half Hun
/ drcdth, ,l52N5 l-2l acres In THnvy county
/ Missouri
/ n, u. ROLES,
/ Acting sheriff uf Tunoy county, Missouri.
uud acting Trustee.
First publication Mar. l3, 1913, lS-l7.
The Taney County republican., 1913-03-27
Festival of Old Maids.

St GATHERINGS Day, the festival Of
old maids, was celebrated gaily in the
Rue de la Paix, Paris.
1t is the custom in Paris dressmak-
ing establishments for the workgirls
on November 25 to crown with white
caps those comrades who, during the
year, have reached the age Of %. The
other girls put on caps Of various
kinds, and carry sprigs of orange bios
som. During the afternoon, If the head
of the business is generous. they drink
the health Of the old maids In cham.
pagnA