The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-11-30
TRUE--777E
by Vance "S @ public Ledger
The Modern Jekyll and
Hyde Mystery

SatiOnai In single ROBBERY In one
section of city but when dozen oc-
cur In as many nights and they all
show evidence Of having been COM
mitted by the same person, 1t Is time
to sit up and take notice.
That was the feeling Of the Brook
Ign police not long ago when indig-
nant householders came, one after an
other, to enter complaints about
strange man who was terrorizing the
peaceful City Of Churches.
Detective Krummel was detailed to
make an investigation, and he did 1t
with the thoroughness with which the
modern detective Is compelled to work
when he matches his wits against the
expert criminal.
One of the victims was the minister
of a prominent Methodist Episcopal
church. Krummel first obtained de-
scrlption Of all the stolen goods, and
then with the assistance Of the police
bureau, he made inquiry In all the
pawnbroking establishments Of the
city.
One of the articles that had been
purloined was a handsome watch,
which happened to have certain marks
upon it by which it could readily be
identified.
After the lapse of some days this
watch was found in Brooklyn pawn
shop. ..s
The proprietor said the bit Of jew
elry had been pawned by a young
woman.
1t required time and ingenuity to
trace this person but she was found
eventually, and when questioned said
that the watch had been given to her
by another woman.
This second woman was located and
she said that it had been given to her
by one James Hafey.
1t was not difficult 20 find the resi-
dence of this man, but when the de-
tective went there he was confronted
by an unusual state Of affairs.
The wife of James Hafey was at
home, and she proved to be woman
Of culture and refinement. The home
also gave every evidence of being that
of persons In good, If not affluent cir
cumstances.
When she learned of the charge that
was made against her husband she
was amazed and indignant.
Mrs. Hafey said that she had been
married for some years and that her
husband was employed by the United
States government at salary OF
something like 500 week.
His working hours, she said, were
from four In the afternoon until short
ly after midnight.
He was a model husband in every
way, and was extremely generous to
her.
She was unable to state the exact
nature of his employment, but said
that he spent all excepting his work
ing hours with her.
Together they visited the art gal
leries and places of amusement and
altogether had an ideal and happy ex-
istence.
1t was a perplexing situation, be-
cause If the suspicious of the police
were true, this man must be regular
Raffles, K not modern counterpart
of the celebrated Jekyll and Hyde.
One Of the victims of the robberies
was a merchant who complained Of
the loss of quantity of jewelry be-
longing to his wife.
A watch was set upon the odd Mr..
Hafey, and this particular victim was
stationed In a place where he could
see the suspect without being seen.
After the test had been made he
said:
81 have no doubt about It. This man
Is the same person whom I saw COM
ing down the driveway of my home
on the evening that the robbery took
place"
This was important, but 1t was not
quite sufficient for legal evidence.
The detective managed to get into
the house Of Hafey at time when he
was not at home, and he made thor
ough search of the premises.
In room that was kept locked he
found quantity of goods that scarce
ly belonged to the couple.
The find included seven suitcases
filed with jewelry, furs, silver, cut
glass and numerous articles Of wom-
ems wear.
One OF the detectives said at the
time: Judging from the number of
things that have been identified by the
owners Hafey must have committed
something like thirty burglaries be-
tween the first Of January and the
middle of April"
He was taken into custody amid the
tears and protestations of his wife.
Personally he was silent but the mag
istrate before whom he was taken
held him in $4,000 bail to await the
action of the grand jury.
vvNyIT Saryiea