The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-11-03

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ZC%A Of similar events must always
kXN4NY9 have missing cog, which with
W * WI diligent search will be discovered.
WETW 1t Is beyond human ingenuity to
WW construct false story of a series
- ~ a. Of events and not make a mis-
~ = take. Prosecuting attorneys are
8N always on the watch for these lit
tie openings that explode the
false testimony Nor are there lacking numerous
examples OF this situation in the daily court grind
and in general police work.
few days ago q merchant reported to the po-
lice dat large shipping case had been opened
nearly $500 In merchandise distracted and the
case nailed shut again. police detective was
detailed to make an investigation Of the theft.
He went over the ground with department head
and at the conclusion of his investigation had
learned absolutely nothing. At a loss as to the
next move he engaged the head shipping clerk In
conversation the talk being relative to the mans
trade
The clerk, an affable mechanic took pride in
demonstrating the efficiency of his department.
He explained everything about the business and
at last demonstrated the method Of making boxes.
This was a new thing to the officer. The boards
were placed in position about a form Of the d.
mension the finished box would be and with one
movement nearly 100 nails were automatically
driven home The box was thus made as quickly
hs man could assemble the boards, there being
time lost in the mailing process. The detective
drove all the nails and-got bunch. ~r~
Strolling back to the packing case that had been
rifed Of its contents he made careful examine
ton of the surface. Then for the first time in his
experience as detective he took stock Of the fic
tion detective and brought into play a magnifying
glass.
The surface Of the box Indicated that instead of
the mechanical nail-driving process the nails had
been driven with a hammer. The magnifying
glass disclosed that the hammer marks were made
by badly Clipped hammer. Continuing his
search the officer eventually found a hammer in
the tool chest of delivery boys equipment that
made exactly the kind Of marks found the
packing case. .s
1t only required few hours investigation to
ascertain that the youth was the thief and that
he had been disposing of the goods in foreign
settlement. The discovery Of the hammer marks
unfolded the crime in few hours while had the
usual process been followed the detectives would
have had to investigate the entire force Of en-
ployees who had access to the basement. The
theft and sale had been entirely covered up and it
was only the one cog In the wheel that had been
missing.
Arson Plots Revealed. r>.
It Is In of arson that this theory is often
est demonstrated and the prosecuting attorney
must ever be the alert to detect the point
where there is a divergence Of the fabricated
story. Within recent years there have occurred
in a limited district more than 100 fires Of more
tnan q SUSPICIOUS nature many OF lneSe nave
been exposed in court and others by some flaw In
the construction of the crime.
An arsonist planned fire and was highly sue
cessful. He had also concocted an alibi and
proved by excellent witnesses that he had left
home "a hours prior to the fire. The district at
torney's office, while feeling that the man was
lying, could hardly refute the testimony of the
witnesses produced. It was not until the last
day Of the trial that member Of the district at
torneys Office discovered that the day the
man declared he left home by train, owing to
wreck the train had not been sent out over the
regular route and it was therefore impossible
for the man to have taken that train The pris-
oner was convicted on this one circumstance.
woman conducted an Improbable apartment
house venture and planned for more than five
months to destroy the property by fire. She placed
more than 100 gallons Of distillate and gasoline
In various vacant rooms In the house. The place
was a vertical bomb and had 1t been fired 1t would
have been blown to pieces with great loss Of life.
On the night the fire was to have been started
the woman opened a stopcock in the furnace
room, permitting 40 gallons of distiate to escape
into the room. Then she went to the top floor Of
the building for the purpose Of overturning the
many cans of infammabe liquids.
In the first room she entered, long vacant, the
fumes Of the gasoline overcame her and she
SwOoned falling against table and overturning
q telephone The light on the switchboard
alarmed the operator who knowing the room to be
;unOccupied made an Investigation and discovered
the plot.
The ring and gang Of arsonists fired the home
Of q wealthy fellow-countryman, but in arranging
their plans spilled some Of the liquid on their
clothing. When they struck a match to light the
slow fuse that was to have exploded the bomb
sitter their departure they were both horribly
burned. The men were given long prison terms
tut were released on technieality after serving
two years OF the sentence.
s- A jeweler desired to get quick return on his
Insurance and planned IRE. He placed gaso
fine bomb In closet, foated lighted candle In
the mixture and fed to neighboring city, thereby
hoping to establish an alibi. When he opened the
front door OF his home to leave draught was ere
Ated and the closet door blew shut Lack of mir
extinguished the fame policeman witnessed
the flight Of the jeweler and made an investiga-
don. The fire trap was discovered and an officer
went In pursuit Of the jeweler. When apprehended
the. police searched the man and found on him his
fire insurance policy. On the envelopes were fig-'