Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 20, 1874, Page 10

10 THE CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE: SUNDAY. DECEMBER 20, 1S74-SIXTEEN PAGES. CROSSMEN. Interview with an 0ld English Profes- sional. How aXid Is Trained Upin the Way He Should " Gov The Fashion in Which a Wire Works Up a ‘Bus or Car pression, and know what filiog was nocessnry to open tho lock. Sometimes be would hic it -tho first night: bat again it would take weoks, when ‘1o would have to uso black wax, which is harder and bolds an impression better than soap. Reporter—Did hs -open only safo or vault Tocks ? Prisoner—No. Quite often ho would get an impression of an outside door lock. That was a8y work, since ho could makoa key to any door in two or three hours. * Reporter—Suppogo he did not succeed in get- ting into the vault the first night, what would hedo? Priconor—If the shop_was a largo wholssalo establishment we would take only a certain quantity cf goods,—such as would not be missed. And we would come back afterwards and work until the vault was opened. I bave baen into.a store eix times with » mob inside of two weeks, 20d taken. goods without the owner making & squeal, ~That ia what is catled ‘' WEEDING " A STORE. When the loss became kuown afthe time of taking stock, eoms clork _would probsbly be charged sith the theft ; and1 bave knownelarks to bo railroaded (imprisoned) throush tho exer- tions of a detective who stood in with the mob and got bis whack (sherc of the plunder). Often, wheu there were from fifty to 100 cletks in the shop, it would never be found out whora tho goods went, Sometimes it is more protitable to tako only goods, becauso tho merchants do Significance of Right Out- Jarve and Right : Pitman. Hfow the Pal Paiters Flash fo the . Worker---Ingenious Hethod of Filehing Props and Supers. R A Mob Engéged in Weeding a Store---The Fitters’ Work. Difficulty of Disposing of the Sugar---Large Profits of Fences. System Parsaed by the Holl Tooler—Rela- ¢ tions Between Hohsmen and Fly-Cops. What It Costs to Get Out of the Stone Jug. Bivine Hlission of Pickpockets. Among a beteh of prisoners who recently went from this city to Joliet was an old Luglish thief whosa sentenco will prevont him from practicing Lis profession for ten years. IIe wasa man of tho world, and, thoagh ho bad received no educa- tion in youth, travel and observation, nided by natural abilities, sharpened by esperience, had atforded oppertunities for acquiring information ; and, while not deeply learncd in eny subject, ho had n superficisl knowledgo . of nearly all the isms and olegies, and thoroughly understood buman nature. Ordmerily he would say noth- ing to those who stopped at bis cell door in tho County Jail; but sometimes, when 1n good spirits, he would chatter lite a woman, and en- tertain a vieizor for an bour with his adventures. A reporter of Tue Trmuve, who had been eearching a long time for a thief who would tell some of the sccrets of his craft, heard of this mav, and, thinking he would be likely to + squeal,” called upon him tie day before be left for the Penitentiary. Ho was, fortunately, ina jovial mood, notwithstanding tho dismal rprospect before him, and after considerable per- suasion was prevailed upon to give an idea of lifo in tho thieves’ community. He used a great many slang terms, but, gince they would be aain- tellizible to the avernge: reader without & Rlossary, they ore translsted into English, and put into parontheses. The following .was -the Zconversation: EABLY TBAINING. . Reporter—What Lias been sour special line of business ? { Prisoner—I am liko nearly all other profes- wionals; I have bad an ingight into almost all branches of thieving excopt the modern racket (occupation) of jag (bauk) working. -Reportor—How did you commance, and when ? « Priscuer—I begau when I was 10 years old, and for five years wus the kid (boy) of a mob (gang) of store-breakera. . Yzeporter—What could yon do? .Prisoner—Oh, 1 could listen and find eut things,—where valuables were kept,—and watch, and seo where something worth taking was put, without being suspected; and besides I could conceal myself in a store in the day-time, and - cpen & window for the mob when I heard the signal. . Reporter—If you etarted so young, you must Dbave bad considerable experience ? Prisoner—Yes. I am nearlr 50 now, and baven't done (been in prison) over twelve gtretebes (years). Reporter—Were you working all the - time you wero at liberty 2 3 Prisoner—Yes, whenever anything eonld be @one. Reporter—TITow did you manage to oscape ar- rest? Prisoner—That was easy as long as I lmd monoy, I:;punex—l’on ‘were boru in England were you nof * Prisoner—TYes, in London. I nover know who my parents were, and, baving no one to take care of mo, I wes left to muyeelf, and turued out (adopted thieving) because I didn’t know of any- thing eleo to do. There Wwas no ons who had suflicient interest in my welfare to put me toa trade, snd I was allowed to run the streets, and L was picked wp (stopped and tallied to) by the man who educated me in the ways that ero dark &od mysterions, Reporter—Who was he ? Prisoner—Ho was A “FrrTER" - Reporter—What is that ? i ?fisoner—A member of 2 mob whoss business tis to fit keys tolocks, Reporter—Was that all he did ? B Prisoner—That was enough, 28 it would take two or three weeke and even much longer to it au intricate lock, TReporter—Did ho dovote all his time to it 2 Prisoncr—ie wo v 2 oo uld when the mob weroina TReparter—How won!d impreesion S iateclock for merapaey £ 12 impression of Prisoner—It would take him s 3 erhaps weeks to D 2oit. Themob would gat 1003 shofi, 2and whilo e b ithv.n wera selecting goods which they could Reporter—Ex; Prisoner—No burglay doess saluable goods, for if he took thiy. thas other thing—whatever he nx:;“e”.f,’,;h:;}?-‘: e would lumber the mob up with lot of steg ey was almost valueless. I have known . $10 00 worth of goods to sell for only anont g1, The foces axo bard | men to deal with, wid must have the lon's e for the k Dy supposed risk Eeporter—Go on with tho fitter story. . Prisoner—Well, while the mob were' overhaul- ing tho stock looking for silks and laces, etc., he would be at tho vaull door, or safe, esamining 1ho lock. He had a blank koy (one that had never been fitted to a look) and would cover the part that goes into the lock with common brown soap, Tho key would then be inserted, very gently, aod by movine ft nkillfully ba would set &n fme not always Lave any large sum of monoy in their safos or vaults, and it is ot worth while devot- ing a week or two to opening them. Wo gener~ ally find out when sugar (nioney) is stacked up, Reporter—How ? Priconer—By sending amanin occasionally to Jook around and get information. The largest bauls are geverally made on EATCRDAY NIGHT OR DURING SUNDAY. Teporter—I thought merchants generally kopt their money in the banks. Prisoner—A great many do: but some witl not. ‘And even those who do often keep Isrge amounta over night. “That is not done to -such an extent here ag it used to be in Evgland. When I worked there in the old days, nearly all the sugar was in gold and silver, sud could be uscd. This system of bonds is a fraud; if o follow gets 500,000 or $400,000 they are almost valucless, becsuse they csn only be gotten rid of with dif- ficulty, and tho men who buy them pay little or nothing for them, as the chances are that the bonds will be traced to them. Reporter—What do thoso men do with them? Prisoner—5end thom to Europe genernily, whero they aro sold in the small towns by men who put thewm out in smnll quantities, so 13 to avert suspicion and shield their principals. Therois & regular system for getting rid of them, and it 38 80 perfect that not $100 £100.000 of stolen bonds are racovered. Reporter—_he “mob” sometimes -rake in & small fortune, do they not? Prisoner—Yes. Rost of the Englishcrossmen (thieves) were_oxtraordinarily clever; they had Dad s grest desl of experienco; and were so guarded in every way that it was next to impos- £iblo to convict thom. Alany of thom, when they bad recnmulated considerable monoy, would go iuto a legitimato busincss, and their anteco- donts would never bo discovered. Others would only work for sugar, taking no gocds, Lowever valuable, and thereby lessening iu & groatdegreo the chauces of detection. Reporter—How mauy make up *ar0n 2" 1 Prisoner—Four or five in those daya. 9. ¥ Reporter—Did each one huve a department, or wore all equelly skilliul ? Prisoner—Each one bad his pert to do. Ono would fit th locks, another would carry the stuil (booty) away, another had a honso to conceal 1t in. and auother made the arrangements for dis- osing of it. _The work wss systemstized, snd it was very difficult to detect them. Thia class of men, twenty-five and iwenty vears ago, were considered the best workers ; but iucourse of time the fiy-cops (detectives) wot onto (discoverad) their mapner of doing business, and_ followed them'so closely. that they found their method of work so disadvantageous that many of them eungrated to this country, aud s large nambor wero collared (arrested) and sen: to Australia. They escaped from time to time, and I Imow soveral of tho old English crossmen who have made their homes in Awmerica. Tteporter—Were you ever transported ? Prisoner—Yes; I got tho -boas for twenty years, but escaped in Her Majests’s ship Thun- derbolt. I weai to France, and remained sev- eral months in Paris. not dariug to risk the in- terior on account of the dificultios of practiciag my vocation. Reporter—Wero the class of thicves you men- tion the only clever ones in England at tho time you spea’ of 2 Prisoner—No. THE SWELL OB of pickpocksts were very clever. Neporter—How did they work ? Prisouer—They worked on men only. Most of them commenced in a lower grade—stealingonly women's pocket-books, or in the lowest grade— stealing geutlemen’s wipes (bandkerchiefs). Rleporier—Is robbing women considered infe- rior work ? Prigoner—It i coneidered so much easier that it is Jower on that account, and beeides less amounts of money aro obtainable from women. Teporter—Stealing hendkerchiefs is casicr stiil 2 Prisoner—In England nearly all the pickpock- ets commenco in that grade, taking only silk bandkerchiefs from fino old English gentlemen. The racket is a very profitable oue for a kid. Reporter—Tow mach do they get apieco ? Prisoner—A shilling—25 conts of yoar money ; and during a day when enything unusual is going on, sud a crowd is attracted, they pick up £2, or $10 worth. Reporter—Iiow long an epprenticeship do they serve ag that ? * Prisoner—They work that way until they be- come clever, aud then touch (rob) women. They are then called 5 “ prsmrns,” 2and half s dozen would go together to the Crys- tal Palace when it wasopen, or to the bridges where thero was always a crowd, or the Museum, or the Polytechnic Gardens, or the Free and Easy houecs. When they became expertina crowd, dips _(pickpockets) n the bigher grade would take hold of tho cloverest, and they would work tho stageain tho streols. These men usually traveled in two and threes. Reporter—How did they work ? Trisoner—One who was posted on the mugs (faces) of the detectives of the districe whero they were at work would watch, another would get thie moll (woman) into the proper position by Jjostling ber in such a way that she would not bo suspicious, and the third would take her leather (pocket-book). Repotter—Waa the money obtained divided equally ? Prisoner—Yes, at night. eporter—\Would the pocket-books be kept until then ? Prisuner—No ; they wers thrown away as quickly as possible, 28 it wis dangerous to carry them, no matter how valuable. 'The risk woutd Do taken by spme men when they got the leather of ons of tho ladics of the gentility, it being usually of gold-or silver, and sometimes had settngs of diamounds, rubies, or other precious stones. Leporter—What was THE NEXT STEP UPWARD —T mean in the profession # Prisoner—When they helieyed ~ themselves capable, for safety, they adopted another etyle of work—going to the most fashionablo portions of Londou accompanied by a woman. Reportor—What part did eho plag ? Prisoner—Both of them wers well dressed, and they would stop a fashionable lady, and ask to be directed to & certain street; and while sho was answering their questions, the man would dip Ler leather. This was a very successful lino of work ; the detectives could onlyin rare instances set them dead to rights (have positive proof of the crime). i Reporter—Why was it so difficult ? Piriconar—Becanse thoy knew all the de- tectives, and they worked in out-of-the-may bt cez—whem their presenco wonld not be sus- pecied. WORKING A STAGE. Reporter—How was a 'bua or stage worked ? Prisoner—Two of them could got a leather vory easily if thoy were in a districf_where they wero unknown. One would sit on the nght side of the victim, and the other on the left. The wire (worker) would havoa ehawl on his arm, exposing one haud, and would work with the other, resting his arm on his knee. When he gou the leather he would pass it to tho otber under cover of the shawl, and he would slip it up his sloeve, or else the wire_would put 1t in 1us pal's pockes, and, after riding o short dis- tance, the pal would et out. 'he other would £0 on & square or two further, and also leave. Reporter—Suppose the person robbed dis- covered the fact just after the pocker-book wau taken? Prisoner—What good wonld itdo her? Tho leather is gone, and. if she accusad the * wire of takiog it, she couldn’t prove that ho did. *¢Search him " would bo the cry; and if they did i, nothing would be found on him. The wwork ie dono so quickly, that it is not one chanco in athousand thut the wire will be caught. If, bowever, a squeal (that word is too suzgestive o need a definition)was made on the instant, tho wiro would drop the leather under the woman's feot, and would stoop down and pick it up and politely hand it to hor. Reporter—If they left the bus successfully, how would they meet again ? Prironer—They had regular rendozvous along thaline. &7 "+ \ald zo to the nearest, and whan together would start ont again. Thoy alwaya carried different caps, made of light mutorial, with thom, and often’ coats and necktics, and would change froquently in eomo carner or yard. Reporter—In case they wers arrested, was punishment & certainty ? i i Prisoner—At that time—twonty years ago— {for the first offonse they would probably got five doysin the Work-House; for, the sccond, the ponalty was gonerally six montha in the Castlo. Teportor—What was the Onstle ? Prisoner—A prison in London whera socond offenders were sent. If convicted tho third timo, they would be transported. Reporter—Was it possible to fix the police suthorities, and secure immunity ? . Prisoner—Thoro was very little of that done— Dardly any in fact. The doteotives thore are " NEARLY ALL HONEST MEN, = and if they saw a dip in their district who was not working they would tell bim to leave. The dotectives. bad certain districts to look after, and wero responsiblo for all the thioving done within the boundaries of their territory ; aud, if stuff was taken too often, and the thioves not pinched (arrested) they would loss their heads (b discharged). “If thoy got aman dead to rights they would collar him without auy chin- music (talk). In the courso of time thero wore 80 many experts that a NEWER AND A 'SAFER WAY was devised Reporter—An improvement ? Prisoner—Yes—an excellent one, but it was nover patonted. It was a *flior” (smartor) way, and lessencd the chances of discovery. Teportor—What was it ? Prisoner—They would sit alongaide of a lady, the pal as closo a8 possible, 80 as to ehove the dress out a8 far o8 possible on tho other side. The wire would then put his hana into hor pock~ et, open her leather, take out the money, and shut it, leaving the book where it was. If the owner became suspicious, sha would feel ber pocket, and know thas the book was all right, and presumably the sugar, But when she looked for it, and found it was gone, some servant would be blamed, and probably arreatod and sent to hoe (jail). t Reporter—Couldn’t the peopls oppositp tho lady eeo the wire, as you call Lim, at work ? Prisoner—No ; his™ hand would be covered by 8 shawl or a coat. | . Reporter—Tell me something Abous 2 THE MIGHEST GRADE of pickpockets—the swell mob, Prigoner—Thoy work only at certain times in difforent countries, having three or four harvesta ayoar; that is, thoy work in Germany at ono time, in France. 2t another, and in England at another. Reporter—Do they always travel in mobs? Prisoner—Generally. Tteporter—How many in & party. Prisoner—Usually five; sometumes, howaver, tlera is only one, and then, again, but two. Reporter—How do five divide the work? Prisoner—1'hreo stand in front of the victim and one behind, the wire being at the side. Reporter—What were their *‘geasous” 10 En- gland? . Prigoner—During the most prominent races,— the Derby and Epsom, and 210 in {air times, Reporter—When would thoy go to Germany? Prisoner—During tho festivals. TReporter—And to France ? Priconer—After the wize had been sold and slipped. The large and small dealors go to Paris to get their money. . Roporter—The moba have theso thinga all fig- ured out? Prisoner—They are well posted in almost ev- ervthing, One of them would go to a bauk where the wine merchants were drawiug money, and pick out 3 man who had a large sum, and sbadow him, and find out what pars of the coun- try he was going to.—what boat or train of cars he would tske. The man who goes to the bank must Lavo some legitimata business there, for tho detective systom 1n France is 8o perfect that bo would be dropped on (found out) in & mitute, Reporter—Would 8 mob follow a msn very far if they knew he carnied a large smount of ‘money ? Prisoner—Yes ; follow him until they ob the sugar—all day if it was necessary. Reporter—Do thoy generally suceeed in such oases ? Drisoner—They do not miss it once in twenty times; and if they were unsuccessful, they would TRY POT LUCK. Reporter—What is that? Prisoner—Pick out aman whoss appearance indicated that he oughs to have money with him, and take his leather. Reporter—How do they work tho fairs? Prisoner—Well, in Germauy, at ccriain sea- song, and in other countrics on the Continent, festiyals aro beld. They are attended by mer- chants from all parts of Europe, and from Egypt, and the most coutly articles aro for - sale at tho booths. There isalways anold man with the mob—s vecerable looking fellow, wao wonid ba taken for o respectable tradesman, and victims are eelected and aperated upon, aud the swag (plauder) given to him to take care of. XNo one would suspeet him of being a kouck (tiuef). These old men usually have letters of introduc- tion to some oo living in the place, and do some lepitimate business while there. Reporter—The *‘swell mob” seem to have things down to a fine point. . Prisoner—Indecd they have; otherwise they wonld get the collar, for it is hard to get ahead of a French detective. They baye so many se- cret-servico men that it is impousible to get ao- quainted with their mugs, and_they may get onto 2 mob before thoy kuow it. Hence they are obliged to_be circumspect, and take very few chances.. But some of tho sweil dips are 80 ex- pert that they aro never apprehended. Reporter—\Which scems to bo the best, the English or . THOE FRENCII PICKPOCKETS ? Prigoner—The Frenck. Tho best never get caught, and bave no occasion for leaving their country, as they can work along day after day without fear of detection. Teporter—How.do they work ? Prisoner—They work, as tue English call it, ton tho dead quiet.” s Reporter—How many of them are there in a party? Prisoner—Rarely more than two, as_ they aro almost cartain to bo captured if there is more in & mob. Reporter—Whero do thoy work 2 Prisoner—At tho theatres, and other places where men would be liable to show their mouey; asd thoy step alongside of the ono eleoted, and, from pure cloverness, extract his pocket-book without his baving the faintest ides of what they sre doing. Reporter—No matter where it was ? Prisoner—In France the .people carry their money in their kicks (pants™pockets). I knew of lntinnmum ‘where & mau got $350,000 in £1,000 notes. . I(gpotter—flmv long have yon been in Amer- ca 2 “Prisoner—TFifteen or twenty years. AMERICAN OPERATORS. Reporter—IWhat do you think of the pickpock- ets liero ? Prisoner—~They are the cleverost in the world. Teporter—lu what respect ? Prisoner—In all respects, & Reporter—Are thoy divided as the English pickpockets ro ? Prisoner—Not exactly ; thereis no class hers liko the wipe thieves of London. Some of them work only banks. Reporter—\Whbat do you mean by that ? Prisoner—They will hang around o baok until they &ce 8 man draw o large aum of money, from €300 to 81,000 say, and theu watch for an oppor- tunity to rob bim. Reporter—While in the bank ? Prisoner—When a man draws a large sum it is generally given him in packages of £100 and up- wards, If heis a stranger, or not used to hand- ling funds, he will go to somo part of the bauk to count the money over ; and ho will bresk open a package, and lay the others to onc side. One of the thioves will step upon his right, and the other on his left. _The one ou his left will drop adollar ora tive-dollar bill near his fect, and call his attention toit. Iewill think he has dropped it, and thanking the man for the infor- mation, will etoop to pick it up. -As he does so, the othor thief, who i only a fow feet away, will give one light step forward, seize ono of the packsges, and band it to his pad as he pasues him onlkis way ont of the bank, The whole thing is done 80 quickly, that the owner of the money has no suspicions, and does not discover bis loss until the men bave made their esczpe. This clags of men bave beeu ramarkably success- ful; and they worked tha racket s long whilo before any one dropped on it. "It is old now, but i3 worked every day. o Reporter—They are not strictly spealing pick- pockets? - - e Prisoner—Well, they do not pick the money {from the man’s pocket; batif they did not get it in the bank they would on tho strect. Reporter—What other classes aro thers ? Prisoner—There ia another grade of men who work - . RATLROAD CARS. They aro the migrating members of the pro- fession, and travel all over the country, oper- ating st tho junctions and principsl stations. ‘They touch a man a8 he steps on to the cars. Reporter—How do they know whera his money i8 ? Prisoner—They surround him, and while thy jostle bim gently one of them runs his han lightly all over bim in froot, and locates the Jeather ; tho finding is told by a slang word, and tho others bustle him so that the wire can get &t the pocket, and then the book comen out, - Reporter—How long does it tako to locate and get loather ? . Prisonér—Not over a minuto. lerstand their busineas—practico makea fect, you know—and it doos’t matter where the leathoris, thay will got it. They bava thoir har- voats during the fair limes, and during excito- ments. Distanco, does not dotor them. They goto New Orloas durivg Mardi Gras, and to ong Branch of Saratogs during tha races, or any place whore a crowd is likely to be atiracted. —Aro they nover broke 2 oxpenscs to their objective poiat’; thoy need no more, and in an honr or ‘two after getting there, or ‘on tho way, thoy can Jork & dozen leathera and got 1000y in that manier. i . Reportor—Do thoy aver follow prominont men in their journeys? Drisoner—Yes, from thg starting-point until tho tour is ended, and worx every place the traia stops. 1 was with tho railroad miob in 1865, and followed R A Y PRESIDENT LINCOLXN’S BODY from Washingion to Springtield. = . Beporter—How.much did you.make on the Prisoner—There wero fivo of us, and my share 'was in the neighborhaod of 4,000, Reporter—Wero you never interfored with? - Prisoner—Not one accident happened. . Roporter—Say I was in a railrosd-car, and yon d1d not know I bad any monay, sssuming 1 had somo, Lhow would you find out ? . Prisoner—I would know bofore you got.inta tho car, if yon took your bank-roll out in buying a tickat. One ar two of tho mob loiter around tha ticket-ofiice, and ‘watch every ono who buys a tickot, Alost men who bLavo moncy are.anx- ious to let the bystandecs.know it. Those are tho fetlows wo look for, - And when the .watch se0s & man with #. hundred dollars. or moro, he points him out to the tool (worier). Roporter—Suppose you didn't 800 any one dis- play his money ? . Prisonor—1hat seldom oecurs: thera is.al- ways one or two in a crowd who will aight (show) their sugar, The watch waits until.somo oud pulls out hia roll, and then pipes bim. .. . Roparter—\What is done when the ticket-office is watched by policeraon # R Prisoner—Take pot luck (chances)—get in- sido the cars or on tho platform, and” surround and shove the firat man that comes aiong. Reporter—\When g loather is socured does the mob leavo? " Prisoner—Not unless there is = squcal. Thoy firat find out whether there i3 suy money in .the wallet. If thore is nor, one will drop it in_tho seat beside tho man oron the floor near him, and direct bis attention to it. That allays® sus- picion and gives free scope, and thoy would work until they secured a good sum. . 5 Reportor—How long aro they banged to- gether? & Trisonor—~Sometimes for a month or two, and thien again for only a trip. They generally sep- arate after they have accumulated $500 or up- wards apieco. Ttoportor—Do they spond all they make ? Prisoner—A mob usaally keops £500 on. hand to be used in case of an accident. That is called i .THE *‘FALL MONEY,” and is usod if ono or moro of thom meets mth an accident. « Reporter—Do they take care of one another swhen thoy got hurt ? Prisonor—Yon are not aa fly (aliarp) a8 somo roporters. I mean by an accident, goiting into troublo. : Tteportar—Horw do they use the monoy ? Prisonor—It i3 given {0 tho beilors and used to work the lawyers. Sometimes they bave as munch as $5,000 fall money, and uso it all in that way. £ Taportef—Do they pay THE POLICE AUTKORITIES soything? . Prisonor—Nearly all tho police in the United States ara in the pay of mobs. Reperter—What percentage of their stealings do thoy give up ? Prisoner—From 10 to 20 per cent. They rarely give more than 10 unless they havo good protec- tion ; that is, whero they are lizblo 4o bo picked up often. - Reporter—In case & member of 5 mob who woro paying the police was arrested ** dead to rights,” how would his associstes got him out of the serapo ? B Prisoner—The mob is known to all tho polics thoy givo's percentago to, and thoy are protect- od whilo they are at work ; thatis, they are not interfered with. S J Reporter—But if oncis arrested ? Prisoner—In that caso they work out under ‘bonds. s ¥ Reportor—That only releases him temporarity 2 T'risoner—Tho dotectives as s gencral thing find & man to go bail for bim, and Lo pays that man so much, and , if he cannot settle with tho man ho has robbed, he jumps his bail. A gun Cexpert) thief will givo up all bo bas rather than stir fivo stratches (tir his sonp with a spoon five years in the Penitontiary ). Rep?nm'—\‘v'hinh do they do oftenest, settlo or Jomp ? Pnsoner—Settle; very few men will prosecate il thoy can get more money than was taken from them. 3 Reporter—WWho is the go-betweon in the nego- tiations ? Prisoner—Somo friend of a detective. Reporter—Aro there any men in this country who - BOD WOMEN EXCLUSIVELY? Prisoner—Yes, quits o nuwber. They work short (street) cars and stages. ~Tho ‘street-car dips have the work down 50 fine that they caunot be caught ; only the bunglera aro nipped. Some- times they aro dressed very etylisuly, and at others seadily, like workingmen. * They used’ to work with a coat or a shaw) on their left arm, crossing tho right under it. * Thoe peoplo of this country, howerer, tumbled to (found out) the coat, and the men now work with a nmews- paper, boldlng it in front of them with the right or left, coucealing the other, and ono side of theman they intend robbing. While they are apparently readling thoy sre sesrching tho victim's pockets. Reporter—Do all work that way now? Prisoner—No. Some have s coat with a cape, baving a bole in it through which they slip their bands. The men who carry coats now are gon- erally prop (pin) takers. Reporter—If the wiro failed to discover whers tho leather was, and ore of tho others did, how would he be notitied of the fzct? Prisoner— BY A SLANG TERIL Reporter—Suppose tho mob was working me, and my pocket-book (if I had oue) was in my right inside vest pockat 2 Prisonor—It would La in the right jarve. TReport—Say in my oulside vest-pociet 7 Prisoner—itight-out-jarve. Reporter—And the insido coat-pocket ? Prisoner—Itight pitmau, or rigbt pit. Reportor—And in the overcoat ? Prisoner—Richt benjamin, or right ben. Reporter—If on the lefs side, the notice would bo left jarve, etc. ? Prisonor—Yes. Reportor—Suppose 1 had the book in my right pants-pockot ? Prigoner—It would be in the right kick, or kick right. + Roporter—Are their communications in an nn- dertone ? Prisoner—No; out loud, in n joking way, in- terspersed with intelligibleremarks. They bave a language of their own—a word for everything ~—and when talking no - one except themselves Can understand what is said. Reporter—Are thore many WOMEN PICKPOCKETS in the conntry? Prigoner—Yes ; lots of them. Reporier—Are - they usually as expert as the men? ) Prisoner—They ore in their line. They work principally on the streets and in stores. . They 2ro always well dressed, and cousequently can approach another woman without attracting specinl attention. In tho stores they work sit- ting down whilo exsmining goods, or standing alongeide of the ladies at the couuter; in any position they may bein. A well-dressed woman can always approsch another to ask s question. _ Roportor—That is rather a mild way of putting i it. Prisoner—If the moll-dip were illy-clad, the well-dressod ‘women would be cautions; when attired liko thomselves they have no auspicions, and she will getninoin ten leathers she tries for, and she only selects tho fat ones whick she bas seen in the hands of purchasors of goods. Reportor—Ara they usually alone? : Prisonor—Some work alone, bt they often g0 in'pairs. Thoy will not gpesk to s Indy if thay can got an opportunity to sccure Ler purse, for by doing 50 they would be spt to give awey their mugs, and they try toavoid that. They carry differeut colored veils, and nubias, and hats, and a light shawl or two in a kick (pocket) ingide of their dress, fastcnod to their waists with a string, and change often 8o a8 not to at- tract the attention of tuo storo clerks. Reporter—Women do not work men do they ? Prisoner—Very seldom. There are women who do that class of work, but it is the most difiicult, and when they do it they work among a crowd. Reporter—Havon's they the requisite dex- terity ? Prisoner—Yes ; but & well-drossed women, es- pecially if sho bo fair to look upon, cannot ap- proach a man without being noticed ; and if she ot lus leathor he Would remember her face, and t would lead to her arrest. Roporter—Do not pickpockets take anyihing These men per- or—They gaterally have foney, but, if out of'funds, can always borrow cuough o pay thoy camr got; you havo spoken thus far only of money—casn. Prisorer—There ars somy who tako nothing but watches, and othors only wmoney; a few will take both. Only a few [FOLLOW ALL DRANCHES OF TIE PROFESSION, like- a lxwyer: who practices in the Civil, Crim- insl, and Admiralty Courts. Ittakes a vory clover manto bo up-in all lines ; -but.when they are ablo to pick & supor as well a8 fan & pocket or snap s prop they are in clover;aud can alwaya make mone; 5 B Reporter—Can & pockot be »a edsily picked wlien 8 ‘man’ is sitting down as when standing up? pl’xisonur—l\‘m -Somo ‘mon who can take a leather sitting cannot take ons whon the victim is on his feet, and vice versa. Reporter—which is the aasiest? _ Prigoner—Standing up.’ .- .., ., * PRACTICAL TFST. 2 The roporter,-who had been :standing at tho coll-door for over half an hour, with Lis noto- Dook against the bara.. waa horo handed his pocket-book, which had been in the inside pocket of his vest. Upon looking at- that articlo of clothing hio found it had becn unbuttoned with- out bis knowing it, and the book abstracted. Reporter—When did you get that ? Prisoner—After I had veen talking to you ten minutes. 1 wanted to show youm how it was done. 1 worked under this (3 Dewapaper) while you were looking at me. Reporter—It is strango I did not notico you or feel your hand. X i N Prisoner—No, it is not. . Yon woro not antici- pating anything of ‘the'sort. Your mind was on your book. It is 8o with almost evorybody. They aro thinking of somethiug else than losing {leir money, and are thercforo casily robbed. Weo can tell when a man'is fly oris on to (has discovered) a mob, and we would a3 goon think ?f touching-him a8- of denying » detectivo a oan. Reporter—I thank vou for the book, and also for the illustration of the doxterity of the craft. Luf cannot the'men who pick & pocket ‘sitting gather ono in while standing up ? Prisoner—Some of them can, bat they are not export at 5 kegnmr—which packets do they usnally at- cf Prisoner—Tho kicks; but some can empty & Jarve as'well. g it =y j Roporter—How do they prevent the. pooplo opposito from observing them? Prisoner—They seldom work excopt when the car or 'hus is crowaed ; and oven then thoy hide tho pocket behind o hewspaper or a coat. * Reporter—Do “they alwaya unbuttons man's vest when his money is in tho inside pocket? - Prisoner—Not always; some men's clothes fit them better than others: and when & man hag s tight fitting vest it is unbuttoned. It aifogether depends upon * : THE WAY IN WHICH KE S(Ts. Some sit upright, and that draws the front of the vest tight around thoir bodios ; others mt lean- ing forwards or sidoways, and that leaves suf- ficient space between the shirt aud the vest for the digits. 3 . : Reporter—Docs the wire pt his whole hand inlo 'tho pocket sod getafirm hold of the leatber? hy Prisoner—No; ho catches the top of it, and an. spparently accidental. shove, or. & sudden_ jar, souds the man in the right direction, and out comes tho book. 'The work is ‘donbe 80 rapidly that no does not feet the leather leaving, orno- tice the vacuum. I have known of cases where firat-class dips took money out of ono endof o Jong leather while the owner had hold of the other, and Le didn't know it. Leathera are often taken out, the money removed, and tho books returned. That is done now more than ever bo- fore, ns the people in the large cities are getting very fly. Reparter—Liow aro n WATCEES secured? | 5 i z I'risoncr—Somo men untwist the rings which “Yasten them to the chain ; athera cut the chans, and stili others will unbutton tho -vest and tako both watch and chain, particularly if ic looks ko a valusble one. i Reporter—How can they tell whethaer it is more than an ordinary watch ? Prisoner—By gecing tho man take it ont. There are somo men when they gei s new and valuable watch will pull it out every few minutes to seo tho time, or rsther to show it to the peo- ple in the car. ' By doing that thoy givo it away, and if & dip sces it, ibe owner might as well nand it to him, and savelhim the trouble and auxioty attending the tatuig of it from his fob. d DISCOVERY. ¥ Reporter—If tho wire was caught by a victim what would be done ? " Prisoner—When ‘o wire i3 very bold in his ‘operations, his pals are ready in case of trouble {discovery) to split Litn out. S Roporter—How is that done? . . Prisoner—Ono_ will etep in front of the men up the door, and whilo they give the tool a chanco to get away they wilt do- tain tho victim. It often happens, when tho mob aro hard up, in caso of a discovery, they will got tlio money anyhow, whether tlio man will or uot. Lut a clevor wirs will not take » wallot or a ‘watch or & diamond pin if thero isthe leastpozsible chance of the owner missing it. They know their man the moment thoy look at hum, and very seldom miss. eportor—How do they take A DIAMOND PIN from «c shirt bosom ? Yrisoner—The wiro works with a coat on his arm, lookinfi over the mén'a shoulder, and firat uneatchea the pin; he then jostles tho mana little, throwing bim backward in sacl s way that Do thinks it au accident ; and the pin drops into tha tool's haad. While begging his pardon for the shove, he passcs tho pin to one of the party near the door, and quietly works his way oat of the car. ; Reporter—What is done with tho pins se- ocured? | Prisoner—They sell them to one another or to gamblers. "~ E | . Reporter—Are they good judges of diamonds? Prisoner—The best i tho country; and they They sel- and another Blog do not get an off-color ono 1n fifty. dom muke a mistake, even at night. unl(u;unar—no they take them out of tho sct- TH Prisoner—Of courre, - 23 soon as possible. They nevar soll auything they get in the city or town where they got it. E Teporter—Do uot pawnbrokers gt & good many of them? Prisoner—Yes ;* perhaps a larger portion. Teporter—Only Jarge stones are taken ? Prisoner—Yes, aud small ones too, if they look liko gems. A stone Worth $25,000 was got by a man in Philadelphia, and stones worth $5,000 and upwards are often picked. TReporter—Are th pius as easily taken now zs formerly? Tue loss of so many hus resulted in securing them firmly, has it uot ? Prieoner—It makes no differouce how thoy aro fastened on, they cen be taken. The prop- takers always keep thomscives posted aa to the catches. . Reporter—How ? ]I’risoni:r—!\‘mm tho diamond-gottors and jew- elera. Reporter—Do they furnish information fora percentage? Prisoner—No; but the dips are constantly got- ting their owa diamonds Toset, and o that way get tho latest catches, aud by practico can unloosen them, and take & prop as easily as ever. “Reporter—According to your account, pick- pocketa must mako A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY? Prisoner—They do ; but tuey are, almost with- out exception, inveterate gamblers, and poor ones at that. Reportor—Do_they always mske doposits in tho gamblors’ banks? ‘Prisoner—Nearly always. Tho gamblers flaeco them; and thero is great Tejoicing among the mob when they can operato on a gambler, con- sidering it an houor to Tob him. Reporter—Are they respectors of porsons— that 15, do they take from rich and poor slike ? Prisoner—I know somo men who will not rob apoor man; sud I have seen monoy given back directly or indirectly when it was learned that the person from whom it ‘was tuken could not stand tho logs. Reporter—Do thoy judge by appearances 2 Prisoner—No; & poorly-dresged mnn often has more moncy with him than a well-clothed one. Ninetymenina hundred who have mora thau tho ‘amount they usualiy carry in their pockcts will botray the fact by pattiug theirhsads on it overy onco in a whilo, and in'that mauner give thom- selvps awsy (let tho fact bo known) to the dipe. Reporter—Ia it not diflicalt to get money from ‘Buch an ono? 4 - " Prisoner—Nos ho is shadowod (followed) un- til ba is off his guard, and then it changes handa. Teporter—Do not the mobs often miss a leather? Priconer—Yes; but if unsuccessful in one place they try another, and always muke some- thing, & largs or a small amount, whilo on & tramp. ; Reporter—How many pickpocksts are thers " IN THE UNITED STATES? Prisoner—I myzelf know in the neizhborhood of 350. There mrst be altogether 1,500. Reporter—Are they all wires ? Prisoner—, There are pot over twenty first-class wires in the country. The graster uumber are stalls. Roporter—Who are they ? _Prisoner—Asgistants,—the men who get the victim into position, sud help tho wire to escape in case of an accidont. Thore are lots of them springing up 2ll over, like mushrooms. Reporter—Whero do they grow? Prisoner—In the large cities. Roportar—Are they EDUCATED TO THE BUSINESS? Prisonor—They edacste themselves. an, or child, can work without being by a pickpocket. Reporter—Aro practico, and become oxpert? Prisoner—None that I know of. the ofticers, going to different parts of the country. . Reporter—Are the women pickpockets mar- ied ? Prisoner—Nearly always to a thief of some kind. ‘Many are merely mistresses, but they are true to thoir men. Thoy cannot run long with- out being discovered by thiuves, and soon marry And they all live in a pickpocket or & crossman. about the same neighborhood ia a city, Toporter—Do thoy travel much ? Prisoner—No; thoy live in tho places where their husbands hide, and, when thoy have worked a town pratty well, or they do not shake enongh, 2Most of thom, how- ever, aro pormanont residents of New York, Chi- they o to soma other city. cago, Philadelhia, aud'the other ci Reporter—What do you mean by ** hide ” ? Prisoner—Every mob has a city which they call home,.and they pay.the police thors to pro- tect them not ouly when they are :aught work- who may fol- ing thero, but from foreign office low them from a city they have visited. = = Reporter—What docs o *shakes” Prisoner—He gives up & porcantaga of his earnings. N Reporter—Do you know anything of " "THE DCRGLARS of this conntry ? Prisonor—Considerable. them. . Reporter—How are thay protected ? Prisonar—I{ an officor follows them, he in- variably goes to the police-headquarters for in- There aro dotactives there who aro -in the pay of tho mob, and thay tell tha thicvas of tho arrival of tho .oflicer, snd formation and assistznce, by that means they escapa arrest. frorter—But outsida detoctives ofton como here and mako arrests? Prigoner—That s truo; but themen they col- lar aro clothes-lino men (fellows who steal small amounts). Itis veryseldom & gun (the beat 10 tho business) is given.up ; and, when ho is, it i8 only after o fard fight. Yon must know of in- stances bero in Chicago,—the Eli Brown caso was one ; there wero two sets of dotectives fighting for him-; but the city's employes got the best of it and kept him. Did you ever hear of a gun be- ing taken out of New York witbout a reiular Lnock-down ? The detectives willnot turn them up if the mob plant their atnff there, and give toom a shake. - Roporter—Is it truo that LANE MEN will work months bofore they roba’ vanlt or a safe ? g Prigoner—Yes; sometimes it .takes.a long while to perfect arrangements. Reporter—Are all clavses of thieves protected by the police ? Prisoner—No ; only those thet are liable to have big money—tho shoplifters, pickpook burglara—first-class men who go for large staicea —gopher (eafe) blowers, and a few confidonce- men. -A fellow who stezls becsuso he is hungry is punished to the full extent of the law; and thoy are gobbled up and not_accorded .any priv- ileges ; byt 2 man who ranks high in the pro- fession can do abount a3 he pleases so long as he shakes. B Roporter—Do sll the mobs shake with the polica ? Prisonor—Well, some do mot give up as mach as others} but thers are very fow who keep all thoy mako. - Such men are hunted down and collared as often ns they show up (make thomsclvea visiblo), and are run outof town. Aman can'vdo much in'a city If Lo refuses to T have hoard it said that 50 much hes to bo given upin Chicago that whack with the detectives. somo of the mobs will not work here. Reporter—Lhat is a good thing for Chicago? Prisoner—There is plonty of ‘work dono here notwithstanding. This townis ALMOST AS GOOD AS NEW YORK; in fack, it is botter now, becauso no une is ar- rested. Reporter—How camo you fo be appre- hended ? Prisoner—I have lost my grip, and do not co- capy the position I did ouce. Iam in the sit- uation of a man who has been deserted by his friends. 3 ol Teporter—Do all-the commandine officars of the.different police forces of the conntry receive money {rom thieves ? Pritonor—No; thera are some who cannot bo corrapted. But there is o little cliquo in all largo cities who run the force and maio all they can. A man's position i8 not s surety, and whilo ho is in he trya to accamulate enongh to koep Lim when ko goes out. Reporter—Docs the Chief stand in? Prisoner—Genoraliv: but he doesn’t know what is going on except a3 ho roceives informa~ tion from the dotectives; and, if any one of thom has s particular friend whom he desires to shield, be- doesn’t tell any inore than he can help. - : Rteporter—Do the detectives eyer put up jobs ? Prisoner—Yes, very ofton; and get a percent- age for the information. Reporter—What other means have bank-burg- lara for® . . .~ GETTING INFOBMATION? Prisoner—Tiioy usually rent au office mext to tho bauk or overhead ; and they Lknow the seasons wheao the most money is on hand. They work into the bank from their office, in which they carry on an apparentlylegitimate business. They ascertain all about the Liabits of tne watchman, learn the maker of the safes o as to know what tools will bo reqnired, the location of the vaults, snd all about the bank. It takes timo. of course, but thoy can afford to wait, for tho ksul is al- weys big. Reporter—Do outsiders farnish them infor- ‘mation ? Prigoner—Yes. Thore aro mon all over the country always on the lookont for jobs; and all classes of men notify them of chances. Reporter—For & porcentage ? Prisoner—Yes. Reporter—Ara such people what are called ro- spectable? - Prisoner—Yes : and they are often oficers of the banks. 1 B TRevorter—What s your opinion of Eaing to the Casbier’s house and demanding the koys ? Prieoner—That has been done, but it is only a¢ atime when they become desperate, and will take chances. The banks of this couniry ara genorally #o woll guarded now, that, befora long, you will find an organized gang makiog & raid on them in the day time while the clerks are at work. A burglar will nover commit a murder, But d\fi!l intimidate a man by shkaotiog over his ea Reporter—Who are thege fellows that do shoot when they get into o houso? Prisoner—They aro . GARROTERS— a common class of thloves. who will knock a 'man down and rob him; or men who have been thrown out by & mobof eracksmen, bocause they wero useless. Teporter—Hadn's skill 2 Prisoner—Too timid, and would give an alarm when there was no ' danger, and thus pravent a robbory. Such men, when out of sugar, will do anything to obtain it. 2 BEFORMATION. . Reporter—Did you ever know a thiel to re- fprm ? :Prisoner—There nover was in France, En- gland, or Awerica o profeasionsl thief who ro- formed, and continued good. They sometimes act square for a long time, but they bave some- tuing in view—s schemo to rob by a different racket. -1 naevor knew 'one who kept square more than six months. Reporter—Is it impossiblo ? . * Prisoner—Thoy are of a Ginsy disposition, and obtain money 8o fast that no legitimate busi- nesa wonld be attractive enough. Reporter—Yon said- that in England, -when men. got a certain amount togetuer thoy went into other business ? 3 Prisoner—So they did, but that didn’t last long. They cheat their customors or creditors, and gradually drift back into the old line. Reporter—Do thioves ever accumulate large amounta of money ? Prisoner—They cannot keep o large sum sny length of time. - Some have made fortunes, but such instauces are rare. - TReporter—Do they all gamble ? Prisoner—Yes; and they aro considared to be the easiest robbed by gamblers; and often they sre not allowed to leave a- farg-bank uatil they have played in evory farthing. There ars gam- Dblers in-America . who have sccamuisted balfs million by running thieves' games. When they got o hittle knowled;ze the older profesaion- als take thom in hand, bocause no man, or-wom- d’JlCGVBIBLl thore mo schools whera they There used to bo in England, whers men had & dozen kids— ‘boys..and girls .under. tutolage. . The teachars would proteos them as_well as thoy conld—post them as to the dotectives, and keep them woll clothed, and give them money tospeod. "If they kept auything they atole they were turned up to ad, a8 a peneral thing, were very faithful, being constantly reminded by older ones swhat thoy might expect it they didn't do righ, or squoaied when caught. When they reached & certain ago, thoy branched ont for themselves, thief do_ when' ho - They mostly Leep together, and kavo a home in 8 certain city where they do not usually work themselves. ‘They go to eomo othér placo and work, and bring. what they get to their home, wherethey stand in (share) with the police, and aro protected by porter—Do the diffe; fession ussociato with ome gty .-hsn_fmner—l'ha men of different rye Iwags bave ono placo of resor: icts most pickpockets hate a separate piuse it I the burglars, ote. o ofher thioveg fapyigl e DACKE ON 3 when they ar broke, - FIOREGeRRTS Reporter—Tyy ? risoner—Becauss they alwa, Teportor—Do thoy. workail " s poney, r—Whe et Erisonor—\hencvor they got acine poe ©, they alwags’ watching 1o, Y pnswd?ner—Ynu § they havo menwho keep they Reporter—¥What pay do the; 2 Prisonor—A rogular whach “35.;., tha thi comes off. 12 a follow whom {hey papiio i fidenco in gives them n stitt (fols G, 2000 uatally gots huet, ® lig) by aporier—Whero d i h?m oitas o the thieve stop yhey ing Prisoner—Generally at the i Reporter—iTas ho secommeis oy Pkt Prisoner—Yas : and that is mausty oy 0007 ing place when jobs are planed. L oT Rett Reporter—Which do you consider the gr;dg of pw_lslg'shockatu ? worey risoner—Thoso men who go i car. and ask o man whero he 4 gorag. " el bim by gy 1o montiona tho place, thoy will tell e WIong car—to po forward. waiting for him on' tho pmrgm.Tf:ag:"""” opens tha door they surround. Lim, o L 2 foater by foree i€ mocosaary, 2 Sk 1y Reporter—What do think ic 5’,’1,?,‘.‘“’ * Jou Of pickpockaty isoner—They aro tho sharpest me . m;;ld; ;whhji{x,' can escape t‘h?:r m?'é_" ot toporter—Are you satisfied wi i hu}’.fiiled 50 u;“n)'l!urs ? od with 1a Iy T soner—If I could begin azain at9 yay should probably-exert my nbil?l::su}n :’:3.,.;1.,,,,,’ oL:‘hn?‘nul, and try "i do something. batter, et lestiny secmad to lead mao o Twouldorzot, 1 o ot dobid whitgy SUPERSTITIOTS, Renorter—Are thieves superstitions 2 - Prisoner—Yes, moro than tho - gap| some of tho smartest of thom are . the py cowards living, though hey hsvo lots g S5 ‘Ylilw thero a5 d“l‘xg"' -2y eporter—I have Meard it 8aid that g 4 never did anything but he told = et mi)u?»;; i o amother. Ia fag risoner—Yes, among the emali fry ; ‘ accounts for the success of tha dztgfi'w;.“ iy Reporter—In ti'lhn{nspsct.’ Ato thsy not ig genions men, Who ferret ‘out crime b gyie theizintollocts? coime by taing risoner—There are outside men w of ability, but tho inside men (':,h:nff,l',"f dopond almiost solely on tha thisves goracies) edgo of & robbery. In ninéty-nine robbaries o of & hundred they recover Droperty tirongh dead give-away,—thatis, somo. thisf eqneals oy another, aod tolls who. took. it, lnd:%mlhzy hsve gone. Five out of six corporation do. tectivea could not_get_cmployment in & prisaiy agency, because they do ot know enongh; nd, if they are not members of the hesdqusrieraring they do only dircy woik. ' Some. of :them trv ty do right, but they are 8o hampered- and clogged by their brethren, who do not Lesitste to lis 13 themif it ismecessary to throw them off thg scent, that they seldom accomplish an worth talking about, except by accident. . - - o Reporter—If tho detectives desired to do s, could they arrest the men who committsd erery burglery ? e A e Prigoner—No ; because if thers wag' a' b erack (robbery) biere, for-instaics; it wonld by done by men who liva in another city, and, whea they got there, tho _police-ring would protect thein, and tho officers of Chicago might as wall try to’swim the ocean r8 attempt to securs them, Beporter—Suppose a professional we: - SENT.TO THE PENITENTIARY,. - would his ‘friends endeavor ;to securs bis loasa 2. Prisoner—Yes. e Reporter—How do they bring it about ? - Prisoner—By nsing money. + -+ -+ - Reporter—Eribe high ofticials 2 Prisoner—Not necessarily. - Thera arealmys men of pogition and standing who will sell theig inflacoce. " ; e Reporter—How much' does it usually taksto procura a pardon ? s s ey - Prizonar—I know of one man who.wasgse doned after £1,500 had been spent. It often ret vuires more. " Money will de. sagthing a i world. 2 g Reporter—It- soems to me I hsve' hexrd tha) before. . Prisoner—Aly czporionce teaches me thatft e true, If Ihad had £500 I could haye bought up the man I was nceusod of robbing,. aad been st liberty to-day. " o B > Reporter—You will have an opportunily ta thnk over your lifo in Joliat, aud perbsps you may como oat & reformed man. P Prisoner—TI have had many such opportunities, but that effect was not produced, andIdon'd wonder at it. i Reporter—Why 2. 53 ¥ . Prisoner—Becauso a man is turoed loose from all the %cpi(eufimes with just money enough 0 ret to tho nearest city, and with what he has oa is back. When he gets thero whas canhado but steal ? 2 Reporter—Can . ke .zot work abthe trado bt Das learned while in jail? . Prisoner—The majonty, perhavs, would i tlioy wero ablo' to obtain work; bub the labol market i8 8o overstocked, that thousands of honest men who nover did time (served th State) are ont of employmont. - If & dischargsd convict applied for work, the chances ae ba would b asked whero b learned his trade, ax¢ if he was Lonest and told the truth, whas would bothe result? Ho would be told Lewam'h wanted. B Reporter—Supposo he told a falzohood ? Priconsr—ITa couldu't run loug bafore bs would bo found ont. His companions wonldbs acquainted whero-he raid ho worked; snd, if B was unable to answer their questions or did o knowthe men who woried in the shop, by would be susricious, and set him down as 3y vict, and perhaps strike on him. That bss b done, where a kind-licarted cmployer waated 1 seo him live s he should, A grest men will not hava such a_person around them; they do not Lelievo they iniend to Lo boasst; sod discharge them in order to provont iheif roperty, aa they believe, from being stolen, s esides, very fes men who have bad all themon= oy they wanted can bring themsoives dowd munual Jabor. . cim g Reporter—But they do in the Pu}uemll,z Prisouer—They cannot help thems ere. Tho work growa monotouous, and' wheo & man is free he will go back to his old- business, be cause itis = ; MORE CONGENTAL, - . and ho can go and comae sheu it 58its him. Lieporter—You ovideutly beliove that prisgns as reformatory institutions are not 3 eicce:s Prisoucr—Not 80 far as boys over 17 and med are concerned. ltmay do kids good, bflfl‘;’: thoy Lave not boen nsed to tuxary: batl i knew & wan to be befilefi;cg DE Leing sent 10 nitentiars, except he died ihore. e o P eporior_-Do vou thii death beuefi.edm% Prisoacr (laugbing)—+< While tho lamp ho! ont to burn, tho vilest sinner may roturd, vou know one of the two thiaves on the cros# was forgiven. . e Bnnug‘nx—“’hem id yon receive your religiost education? Priscner—In church. Reporter—Wero you in the ing ? Prisonor—Yos ; whenover there wass fashiot> able wedding or & prominent man Wad baried. : =L e Reporter—It was a matter of business W then ? ‘Prisoner—Parcly; one goes fo_chureh, & pecially wien collactions aro to bo taken ‘:P Roporter—L bavo asked you & g7o! msnf qucsI:ions, but the subject (seems exhaustlesly and T must szop somestere. 3 Prteoner—T could talk fo yon until ;fiu;m' morping and then not bave told you you wouid ike to know. + Tioporter—Thero is one thing more—. HOW ARE THIEVES J(ADE ? sy Prisoner—By associations. A youog ms? et accidentally get acquainted with a crossm3n v billiard-hall ‘or galoon, and think it is some fine to bo acquainted with Lim. . He ewlthse‘ e know othery, and meeting rhem often B¢T como bis companions, and he mnfl‘-“h.‘ e drifts along with them, and in the end j&’ mob.- The novelty of the thing ploazed st of mnmny ynungfi;ufi. ‘and reading flash P helps them into the businesa. .- . 1y dlzopomr—‘\go tho. smartest thieves educsted men'?, Prisoner—In’ some branches they nfi]fl:‘m":’, or they couid not succeed: _bot gen! are an ignorant lot, aud hundreds of tbem &, write thoir own names. That isnos Lrue il g er, of tho experts—tho guna: many & Fy, bave, had a collegiato education Ter oo sons” of rick men, who gambled all HF T from tho governor (father). and rob 0 ESL50 I heard a celobrated English pmkpoi.fl give Lis roagons for being s dip. . TReporter—What were t! ey 2 1o this world Prisoner—Thero are somo peoplein BTy .\e who love their monoy more than mu;;i 2D s wives and children; if one of e oim- die or their wife is taken, the losa i pression_upon. them; but if thoy {128 p0 money. they are soraly grieved b. God ‘frantic. This Englishman 8aid bo :li!"‘” T suck mado pickpockets - that they MIBht |0 ggiy men, and thus, through this 8REDOY, % punish them. < habit of attend® f /