The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-24
Sophie Lyons

GREAT many men and women who
: N would scorn taking penny not
their own in any other way think
there is nothing wrong in defrauding the
Government by bringing valuable goods
into the country without paying duty.
| used 10 have that feeling myself, but
now ! see that the smuggler is not one
whit less a thief than the man who robs a
bank OF picks your pocket. In some ways,
indeed, the smuggler is far more culpable,
for he is usually we'll enough able TO pay
the Governments tax, while the burglar
and pickpocket are often forced to steal
in order to keep themselves and their fam
lilies from staving
Smuggling was, of course, a necessity
TO criminal like myself, who operated in
both Europe and America. When l re-
turned to this country with satchel full
of stolen diamonds it was out of the ques
ton to mink OF declaring them, even had
my conscience inclined me to pay Uncle
Sam his duty. To have done that would
have been to invite arrest, for in many
cases detectives on the trail Of the missing
gems arrived on the same steamer
with me.
! couldn't begin to estimate the total
value of all the stolen goods have snug
gled into this country, but it must have
been several hundred thousands of dollars.
Smuggling with me was for a long time
only incidental to my other crimes. 1t
was only natural, however, that the repu-
tation l had in the underworld for clever
ness in eluding the customs officials
should spread TO other circles and lead to
my services being sought by men who
make business OF smuggling.
When l first went to live in Detroit
,.,.~ MI .1..-
about the place went into an antique store
TO see the curiosities.
While there a man came In who knew
me, and he introduced me TO the pro-
prietor OF the place, who was a chinaman.
My friend i'll introducing me said l lived
in Montreal and this seemed TO interest
the Chinaman very much. My friend
made small purchase and went out of
the store, leaving me there alone.
The Chinaman talked to me about his
antiques, and suggested that call 10 see
him the following day. He said he had
friends in Montreal and would like to send
them some little presents through me-
This Chinaman's store was on South
Clark street. and was stopping at the
Grand Pacific Hotel.
After leaving the store ! called on the
man who had introduced me and inquired
about the Chinaman. My friend assured
NE he was Il. very. wealthy man and had
q great deaf or Influence with his country
men.
at my hotel ] found a ticket for the
opera awaiting me, and when went there
that evening | found my Chinaman and
two Of his countrymen sitting in the box
where had seat. He greeted me, and
after lot OF here and there chatter in
vited me to dine with him after the per-
romance at Chinese restaurant, which
agreed 10 do.
any !, toid
would like to get me to bring over several
OF MS friends from Canada to Detroit |
asked him TO explain how ! could get his
friends oyer. He said
You can get him over to Detroit in a
boat, and then take train to Chicago"
But suppose | get caught" ! replied,
Il wo Id be fined and probably have TO
20 TO Jail"
If you are caught" he replied. 81 will
pay the fne--there is no prison penalty
Tor smuggling Il Chinaman.'
Then began 10 dicker with him on the
price ! was to be paid ! asked thou
sand dollars but he demurred and we
nnaily compromised at $500. He wanted
70 mold the money until / had safely de.
lyered the Chinaman, but l would not
consider this, and refused to undertake
the job until the 500 was handed over TO
me- he came to my terms, and handed
me the money along with some articles
o! c!othlhg TO be used by the Chinaman
was 10 pick up in Canada
] went home TO Detroit and began 6eur.
ing out how could get this Chinaman
safely into Chicago. | was always on the
alert to make money, but this particular
JOB was one | had never before meddled
with, and did not see my way clear with
II. hated the idea OF being arrested with
a Chinaman. 1t took me a week 10 make
up my mind but finally decided to go
after the Chinaman and do my best.
went over to Windsor Canada. and
met the Chinaman who was TO come with
me. had letter of introduction to an
Anericanized Chinaman and he turned
over the fellow was to handle. Thar
night brought my man over in rowboat
and placed him in one OF the houses had
built on my rear lot. day or two later
took him safely to- Chicago, and the
Americanized Chinaman was so grateful
for my work that he gave me number Of
valuable presents.