The San Francisco call., 1913-07-20

bsoters Of the period--"Shang"D Drap-
er's coterie-the Forty Thieves. His
forays yielded him rich harvests. and
at that time. possibly because OF the
dark and vicious bond between thieves
and society's thief-takers, the detec-
tives, he ever escaped the laws talons.
Handsome and suave and charming.
then in his early twenties, Dutch"
Alonzo was a favorite wherever b..
vent. and opportunities for enrich
ment were offered his flexible fingers in
hundred quarters where his kind
could never penetrate. Among h.s
smart associates of the White Light
Set" undoubtedly he picked up much
Of the manner and knowledge that
characterized him. And he had mag
nificent prodigality. One hand took and
one spent. Much more was to be had
for the effort; why save? In the under
world there still linger traditions OF 4
dinner Dutch" Alonzo gave a group
OF his pals and their lady friends at
which the favors were diamonds and
lubies and pearls. And the menu it.
self still remains as Z precious mem
ory, for it is said that Larry Jerome.
the famous epicure, knew no mors
about food and wines than this debon-
air thief.
On such spirit even New York wore
after while. 1t was too easy. The
opportunities remained. but the sensa.
t.ons became exhausted. He demanded
fresh fields Dutch" Alonzo and
others of the Forty Thieves went
abroad and discovered there were even
richer gleanings In the crowded cities
at the Old World than New York itself
yielded. Versed in the higher arts Of
crime ard bringing to their exploits a
daring resoureefulness undreamed of
IL the underworld of Europe. they
pulled of robbery after robbery and
tung the proceeds at the feet of the
demi-monde Of Paris.
Withal there was a difference. On
tie Continent the law could not be as
suaged BY divisions If booty. Society's
guardians had a LOYALTY unknown in
America. Certain OF the Forty nieyes
spped and were ,aught, but Dutch"
Alcnzo's turn had not yet come. In
company with Billy Burke and Charles
Allen, notorious thieves OF this period
Allen was one Of the trio who made
the famias der ehail Is ovid" escape
from Ludlow Street Jail in Sheriff
1amsen's time-he made his way to
Geneva, Switzerland. They studied the
benking methods of the town, and then.
one day, they managed to sneak $i6.-
600 from bank messenger. Perhaps
the affair was not arranged with their
accustomed skill, for there were wit
nesses to the crime, and soon after the
accomplices were arrested. Burke
and Allen served two years in a Swiss
Jail, from which there was no outlet,
but Alonzo. who had carefully dis
guised himself for the commission OF
the deed, could not be identified and
escaped conviction. Worst of all this
Ill luck, another Swiss found the
money where it had been concealed
and returned 1t to the authorities.
For the next three years Alonzo led
the nomadic life of his kind and Paris
was his headquarters. From there he
disappeared at intervals, returning
anon with richly laden pockets that
leaked golden stream along the boule-
wards. One heard of bold bank rob-
teries here and there, and mysterious
whispers connected his absences with
these depredations. But there was no
evidence. Not even In Paris. where the
spendthrift is a familiar figure, was
ever seen more generous spender.
There soon came twist of luck. He
had wandered back across the Atlantic
and sought field for his talents iu
Canada. One day a rumor reached
"Shang" Diapers place that Dutch"
Alonzo had been arrested with Walter