The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-04-30
(Chamber's ,JournaD

Gaping OF doing injury were In vogue
in ancient Egypt, where hieroglyphic
pictures on walls of ruins show men
and women manacled with chain or
lengths of flexible iron rods loosely
fastened by the ends so that the bond
could be adjusted in circle and thus
grip the arm or leg
Various kinds of inventions for re-
straining criminals have been thought
of by the inventor since the days of
the Pharaohs; but the modern man.
acle is far different from the heavy
metal clasps which pressed into the
flesh and inflicted continual torture
until death ensued from the pain, if
the victim remained fettered long
enough. Today the police handcuff,
the leg-iron, and other appliances for
restraining prisoner are SO design
ed that they cause no pain, unless, in
the effort to free himself, the man
wrenches and pulls at his hands and
legs in the struggle to break them.
There are ways, however, by which
what seems to be perfectly protect
ing handcuff may be removed and the
wearer gain his liberty. These meth
DDS have been discovered by detectives
in the larger cities of America as we'll
as Europe, where prisoners have es-
capped although so fettered that it
seemed impossible for them to loosen
their shackles. Among the criminal
fraternity in the United States some
of those who apparently can remove
the most clever device to hold them
helpless are termed "Neverstays,"
meaning they always escape from con-
fnement.
Some of these experts in throwing
off their fetters have given up the
criminal life to give entertainments in
theatres. where they can show their
skill. A description of some of their
''acts" will convey an idea of their
wonderful dexterity in releasing them
selves from bondage. Among the most
interesting feats are those of the
man who manages to escape in some
manner from all sorts of regulation
handouts, manacles, leg-irons, etc.
Several of these are placed on him;
and then the performer retires into his
small cabinet, and emerges in few
minutes entirely free from all re-
straint. The handcuffs are in every
case genuine, and no confederates are
employed. II is very clever illu-
sion.
There are several trick-handcuffs
made for such exhibitions, and if the
performer be allowed to use his own
cuffs they may be of this kind. There
are trick-cuffs Of various SORTS. Some
of these simply pull open and are new
er properly locked. In other makes
the links of the connecting chain are
weakened. Again, the lock itself has
been tampered with, so that a blow
on the hinge serves to release it. Many
of them may he opened with a loop
of catgut or shoestring inserted into
the keyhole. This catches the lock
and jerks it back. The style of cuff
known as the German transport
chain" is never really unlocked; the
hands merely slip the chain after GER
tain manipulations of the hands and
arms. Most padlocks are picked with
one of the numerous skeleton keys
with which the performer is sure tC
provide himself French letter locks
are opened by finding the proper com
bination. This is largely a matter o
touch, facilitated by placing wire
spring between the arms of the catcl
to keep them pressed we'll back.
If the performer is not to be search
ed his task is comparatively easy
Keys may be concealed in his clothing
In various special pockets or in the
draperies of his cabinet. II, however
he is to be searched he must take pre-
cautions. Special keys are then con
cealed in a false boot heel, In the
mouth, in the hair or in an artificia
finger which is hollow. In any o.
these the article may be hidden. i
the key is hidden in the hair this
should be long and bushy. and the per
former, after having had his hands ex
amined, may say to the Examining
Committee: Would you like to exam
inc my hair also and Sc that 1t con
ceals nothing?" AS he says this ht
passes one OF his hands through his
hair with careless motion and thereby
extracts the key, which he promptl.
conceals in one of his hands or else
where. AS they have already seen thu
hand, they do not look at 1t again. ant
II is safe for him to hide the key in 1t
A key may also be concealed thu
corner of handkerchief, and In this
case an opposite corner can be reach
ed with the teeth. The key beint