Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-06-08
Old AGE
N0HdndiCdp 10
Crooks

York City a 97-year-old man was recently paraded
~ before 200 startled detectives They voted this
pect sophisticated experience
for he admitted having been born when John Tyler
President the United States He claimed that he had
been the messenger who brought Abraham Lincoln the
of Meades victory Gettysburg He confessed
with due regard to the statute of limitations that he had
tried TO swinde the frugal Hety Green out of 100000 at
the Of the century. Nevertheless he empatcally
denied that threeon paper cutting machine
in 1941 Maybe so, but he held without bail.
If detectives thought that this young fellow set the
record for criminal longevity they The title
of Underworld Methuselah apparently goes to IN
North Carolina who last year at 10l dragged INTO
court by neghbor who complained that he had waved
gun at him to collect debt this side of Eternity He was
convicted but it his first offense the Governor
pardoned him apparently in the belief that ccnturys
record for good behavior deserves consideration.
A Newark burglar admitted that he had spent Al Of
his sc years in prison that he still practcing his
trade but did not consider his age any handicap
When Joe Covington elected sheriff Mont
gomery County Missouri his first prisoner Nat Nose
ley After being of office for 20 years, Joe
elected last year his astonishment found that Nat
again his first prisoner Nat had around pretty
often most Of the intervening sheriffs might have
testified.
Sir William Oser wasn't thinking of criminals when
he said his famous Johns Hopkins valedctory address
that "a large proportion OF the evils Of the world
traced sexagenerians" words apply aptly
enough The most fragrant example a appropn-
atey named Vilyn. who at the age OF 60 hauled
before prewar magistrate of Dunsrque France 1t was
his fiftieh day in which the magistrate said
enough for any Therefore he appeared beyond
redemption he sentenced to 500 years in Jail
a
go went around New York saying that he was the Sur
geon General Of the United States and he had
for AS Exhibit A he would show his torso
which bore 81 impressive which he said the
operations. He cured could
others but through clumsy he for
the moment without funds His tale convincing
that many quick TO supply his needs.
Among them a who liked to read news
papers at the PUBLIC library To his Indignation he
upon photograph of his supposed friend in 5yearod
paney with fun account Of his swindes to date The
hasened the police station 70 posscnpr
That venerable felon Diamond Dick Fisher made his
bar Of justice at So He gothis nick
back when diamond pins were the vogue Dick
expert at Tipping pins from cravat with folded
newspaper but he really preferred bite them
elevated swung around and straphanger
naturally rubbed with another As masculinessyles
changed and rheumatism slowed his fingers Dick
down the world. His last arrest gnoble He
rolling" drunk which as any crook will tell you is
pretty low.
More than one old crook still clings to the rough stuff
In Altman York. took State troopers hours
gas to capture 80year old for assault
ing neighbor In Patchogue, New York another sOyear
up three cops who TO investigate the
well-founded charges that he making bombs in his
little shack.
Lewis The Punger" ex-jocley won his descriptive
epthet in 1901 by winning 100000 the tracks
spending it all eight weeks. Failing to win any
more turned criminal and got by until he old and
lost his sight.
Then he really got a racket Driven by a hVered
chauffeur expensive automobile and led about by
young secretary he would pose investor who
wanted put hundred thousand dollars prec
Gus stones as safeguard against initiation None
dupes distrusted blind particularly one with such
would take the jeelry ito have 1t appraised"
But shortly after his sXysecond birthday the
caught up with him.
Have you anything to say for yourself" the Judge
asked before passing sentence
How many spectators in the courtroom = the blind
man whispered his lawyer He wanted TO preach
sermon the younger generation
They've all gone" the answer You're the last
man to be sentenced"
mo audience no speech said the disappointed
munger Let's the sentence, Judge
to is 10 toe hat hp
won't be doing business usual at the old four