THE
WORLD
« ■•*
C.R.WOOLDHiDGE
YEARS A
FXTIVE ON
I HE CHICAGO
FOLICF FORCE
OO ARRESTS
125 PENITENTIARY
CONVICTIONS
7B :JNG GiRLS
lESCLED FROM LIVES
;"IE
LIBRARY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
IN MEMORY OF
STEWART S. HOWE
JOURNALISM CLASS OF 1928
STEWART S. HOWE FOUNDATION
364
W882h
1906
HANDS UP!
IN THE WORLD OF CRIMB
OR
J2 YEARS A DETECTIVE)
CLIFTON R. WOOLDREDGE,
Chicago's famous detective
THRILLING DESCRIPTIONS GIVING CAPTURE OF BANIt ROBBERS,
PANEL HOUSE WORKERS, CONFIDENCE MEN AND HUNRDEDS
OTHER CRIMINALS OF ALL KINDS.
TELLS IN GRAPHIC MANNER HOW CRIMINALS OF ALL CLASSES
OPERATE- ILLUSTRATIONS SHOWING ARRESTS OF MURDERERS.
SAFE BLOWERS, DIAMOND THIEVES, PROCURESSES OF YOUNG
GIRLS, ETC., ETC.
1700 Arrests — 125 Criminals Sent to Penitentiary —
$75,000 Worth of Lost and Stolen Property Re-
covered— 75 Young Girls Rescued
from L<ives of Shame.
CHICAGO
THOMPSON & THOMAS
Copyright, 1901
BY
C1.IFTON R. WOOLDRIDGE
Copyright, 1906
BY
Clifton R. Wooldridob
(ICG
J-
Preface.
In presenting this work to the public the author has nts
apologies to make nor favors to ask. It is a simple his-
tory of his connection with the Police Department of
Chicago, compiled from his own memoranda, the news-
papers, and the official records. The matter herein con-
tained differs from those records only in details, as many
facts are given in the book which have never been made
public. The author has no disposition to malign any
one, and names are used only in cases in which the facts
are supported by the archives of the Police Department
and of the criminal court. In the conscientious discharge
of his duties as an officer of the law, the author has in
all cases studied the mode of legal procedure. His aim
has been solely to protect society and the taxpayer, and
to punish the guilty. The evidences of his sincerity ac-
company the book in the form of letters from the highest
officers in the city government, from the mayor down to
the precinct captain, and furnish overwhelming testi-
mony as to his endeavors to serve the public faithfully
and honestly. No effort has been made to bestow self-
praise, and where this occurs, it is only a reproduction,
perhaps in different language, of the comments indulged
in by the newspapers of Chicago and other cities, whose
reporters are among the brightest and most talented
young men in all the walks and professions of life. To
them the officer acknowledges his obligations in many in-
stances. Often he has worked hand-in-hand with them.
4 PREFACE
They have traveled with him in the dead hours of the
night, in his efforts to suppress crime or track a criminal,
and have often given him assistance in the way of sug-
gestions.
He now submits his work and his record to the public,
hoping it will give him a kindly reception.
General Superintendents of Police
from 1855 to 190) Inclusive.
Oirraa Puker Bradley, Af
polnU
td Jana,
1856
Austin J Doyle, • Appointed No*. 18, 1881
•*
1803
Frederick Eberaold. "
Cot. 98,1886
nnUaiD TntUe, ■
••
ipril.
1864
George W Hubbard. . "
April 17, 1888
WW Kennadr.
-
AprU,
1871
Frederick H Manb, ••
Jan. 1, 1890
Elmer Wuhbotn. .
"
April,
18TJ
Robert W MoClaoghry, "
May 18. 1891
Jacob R«hm, - . .
•*
Dm„
1873
Michael Brensan. - **
Sept. U. 1893
Hichsel a Hiokay,
"
Oct.
7. 1876
John J. Badenoch, *•
AprU, 1896
Valerius A. Saavey, •
• •
July
». 1878
Joseph Eipley, . ••
April U, 1897
SimoD O'Donnell.
a
Deo.
16.1879
Jowipb Kiplay, R»«ppoiiit«d April, 189S
William J. MoOsrigla,
Dm.
13,1880
Franoia O'Neill, - Appointed April W, 1901
MAYOR'S
OFFICE
CARTER n. HARRISON,
MA YOK.
Chicago. III., June 7. i90i.
t
To Whom It May Concern;
Officer Clifton R. Wooldridge, of the
Chicago Police Department, has compiled a
book touching upon his experience as an
officer. I desire to state that I have
known Officer Wooldridge for a number of
years, and consider him an able and effi-
cient officer. I feel confident that officer
Wooldridge 's experience as an officer
is sufficiently interesting to be published,
and will prove good reading.
Respectfully,
(j)c^^0-<^c.
Mayor.
TESTIMONIALS.
"THE author feels that he is entirely justified in pointing to
' the endorsements whioh follow here. They are from his
superior officers and others in the legal and department of
justice, both in the city and state. He submits them together
with his life work, and feels they will add interest to the contents
of this book.
STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
Chicago, Ilu, March 5, 1901.
To Whom It Mav Conxern
Detective Clifton R. Wooldridge and his
work have been known to me ever since I
liave been state's attorney. He has been
instrumental in producing evidence in a large
number of cases against keepers of disreputable
houses and proprietors of gambling resorts, to
which work he has been giving his exclusive
attention under the direction of the police chief. It is with pleasure that
I am able to say that Detective Wooldridge has conducted all his cases with
zeal and intelligence, and I know that he is one of the most energetic officers
on the Chicago police force.
Very respectfully.
S. DENEEK.
State Attorney for Cook County. Illinois.
OFFICE OF
J. M. LONGENECKER.
Attorney at Law.
Chicago, February 26. 1901.
Clifton R. Wooldridge. Chicago. 111.
Dear Sir : — I take great pleasure in say-
ing that I have known you well, and duriug
my term as state's attorney of Cook county,
there has never come to the courts a better
equipped police officer than you. I know
. .. . „.,^...,^^^c,, that no man on the police force did his work
I. M. LONObNllCKHK. , .^ ,
with as much zeal and efficiency as you, and
that you are a worthy man and officer in every respect and deserve the
commendation of all good citizens.
Very respectfully,
\Q(£ri^jf.^^^^uC^^/(^
OFFICES OF
KERN & BOTTUM.
Attornevs.
Chicago. December 28, 1897.
To Whom It Mav Concern:
This is to certify that 1 have known
Clifton R. Wooldridge for seven years past.
He has been a police officer in the Chicago
department for a number of years, and during
my terra as state's attorney of Cook county I
have found him to be one of the most effi-
cient o£Scers in the department. He has
thorough knowledge of evidence and is an expert in preparing a criminal
case for trial.
I have the honor to remain,
Very respectfully
JACOB J. KERN.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
Office of Genekal Si;rERiNr£NDENT.
Chicago. 111., May 9. 1901.
To Whom It May Co.ncern:
Having known Detective Officer Clifton
R. Wooldridge ofi&cially since 1893. I take
pleasure in testifying to his fidelity and effi-_
ciency in the performance of his duty.
Such qualities has he displayed that he is
usually detailed on police work requiring intel-
ligence, persistence, and integrity. He is
working out of my office.
' Officer Wooldridge is the special aversion of the criminal element, and
when he is assigned to any particular line of police work, I am satisfied that
the very best possible results will be accomplished.
FRANCIS o'nEILU
General Superintendent of Police
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
Office op General Superintendent
Chicago, III., October 5, 1900.
To Whom It May Concern:
• This is to certify that I have known Clif-
ton R. Wooldridge, detective officer of this
department, for many years. I have always
found that Officer Wooldridge could be abso-
lutely relied upon to perform any duty
assigned to him in an intelligent and fearless
manner. He has an exceedingly good record
10 this department, and I feel that I am making no mistake in commending
him to the public Bespeaking for him your kind consideration and assuring
you all my appreciation for any courtesy extended, I am.
Most respectfully.
JOSEPH KIPLEV.
Chief of Police.
ROBERT W. MCLaUCHREY.
OFFICE OF WARDEN
ILLINOIS STATE PENITENTIARY.
JoLiET. February j, 1898
Mr. Clifton R. Wooldridce. Chicago. III.
Dear Sir : — Replying to your inquiry as to
my recollection of your record as a police
officer in Chicago during the period that I
served as general superintendent of the Chi-
cago Police Department, I beg to say that it
was first-class in every respect. I recollect
the fact that you were detailed specially to
work in the levee district where street walk-
ing, panel houses, and the worst character of critne prevailed, and where you
were not only subject to bribes, but also frequently targets of perjurers and
scoundrels of every degree. You came out from every ordeal unscathed, and
maintained a character for integrity and fearlessness in the discharge of your
duties that warranted the highest commendation. If my endorsement of
your services and character is worth anything to you. it gives me pleasure to
make this statement
Respectfully yours.
Ex-Warden. Illinois State Penitentiary, Ex General Superintendent of
Chicago Police, and present Warden of United States Prison at Leaven-
worth, Kansas.
CITY OP CHICAGO.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
December 30, 1897.
Mr. Clifton R. VVooldbidi.e. Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir : — I lake much pleasure in add-
ing my name to the very many others who are
justly commending you for your vigilance and
marked success in the apprehension and con-
viction of criminals, during your connection
with the Police Department While at the
head of the department, I found that you were
efficient and energetic, and so far as I have
learned from observation and reports, you have always dischargtd your
duties in a manner highly praiseworthy.
Yours very respectfully.
MICHAEL BRENNA
//^y^S^Jt^t-T"^*^^
Relired Superlatendent"f Polica '
iOHN J. BADENOCH.
CITY OF CHICAGO.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
Office of General Supekintendent.
Apnl 10. l8g7
Mr. Clifton R. Wooldridoe, Chicago. 111.
Dear Sir . — Before I retire from the com-
mand of the Police Department, I desire to
thank you for your bravery and loyal service
as a police officer during ray administration.
The work assigned to you while I have been
at the head of the department, which was
that o{ exterminating the panel houses which
infested the leVee district and of suppressing street walking and gambling,
has been well done. The character of this work being such that bribes
were frequently offered by the criminal classes, it became necessary to
select men of perfect integrity for the service, and I feel it due to you
to say that I am entirely pleased -with the way in which you have carried out
the instructions of this department, and I now know that I made no mistake
in selecting you for this trying duty. Recent investigations satisfy me thai
you have succeeded well, and therefore it affords me great pleasure to com-
mend you for your bravery and fidelity to your duties.
Yours respectfully,
Ex-General Superintendent of Police
CITY OF CHICAGO.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
October 29, 1897.
Mr. Clifton R. Wooldriuce, Chicago.
Dear Sir : — It affords me great pleasure
to testify to your splendid qualities as a police
officer. I knew you at the time I was Super-
intendent of Police, but I knew you better at
the time I was Inspector, and then learned
your real worth. I can truthfully state that
you were a brave and efficient officer, devoted
to your duties, knew no fear, never faltered in
your work, at all times and under all circumstances, honest and temperate,
and a gentleman in all that the word conveys. I am.
Very truly yours,
fKEDRlCK H. MARSH.
General Superintendent of Police. '
CITY OF CHICAGO.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
January 26, 1898.
Mr. Clifton R. Wooldridge, City.
Dear Sir.— It affords me great pleasure
to add my testimony to that of many other
commanding officers of this department as to
the valuable service you have rendered the
City of Chicago as a police officer in ferreting
out crime and arresting and successfully prose-
cuting cFiminals. Such services as you have
.endered this city, should and will be recognized in the fature.
Very respectfully yours,
FREDERICK EBERSOLD-
-.a^^jTZ^y
Retired Superintendent of Police.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
February 16. igot.
Clifton R. Wooldridge, City.
Dear Sir: — I take pleasure in saying that
during your long service in the Police Depart-
ment I have had ample opportunity to observe
your work in the various positions I have held
in this department, namely: Lieutenant, Cap-
tain. Inspector, and Assistant General Super-
intendent of Police. I have been intimately
associated with you and know that in the
performance of your dulics you have no peer. The particular class of police
work which has fallen to your share is the most odious and difficult required
of an officer, and the fact that you have met with such phenomenal success,
bears testimony of your ability and worth. It gives me pleasure to speak of
you in this way. You have a record in the Chicago Police Department which
stands unequaled.
Very respectfully.
LYMAN LEWIS.
SC.
Assistant General Superintendent of Polic»
METROPOLITAN DETECTIVE AGENCY.
Chicago, April 4, iSq3.
Greetlno:
It affords me great pleasure to say to
whomever may be concerned, that I have
known Officer Clifton R. Wooldridge for the
post six years, a large part of which time he
was undef my supervision while I was Inspec-
tor and Assistant Chief of Police of the Chicago
Police Department, and bis very thorough
manner of performing police work is com-
meiKlable to all lovers of proper and rigid
enforcement of the city ordinances and the laws of the State of Illinois.
For several years past OfiBcer Wooldridge has been detailed on the most
repulsive of all work connected with the Police Department, that of breaking
up the female houses of robbery and of keeping the iiiraates of such places
ofT the streets. His success on this detail is -well known and will ever be
appreciated by his commanding officers.
Determined persistency and never-ending effort on the part ot OfiBcer
Wooldridge, together with the ability he invariably displays in landing per-
petrators of any and all sorts of crimes, has placed terror in. the 'bosoms of all
wrong-doers with whom he has come in contact, and bis labors as a police
officer deserve the praise of all upright citizens. Very sincerely.
AI.EX. S. ROSS.
o<^<^.ti^
Ex-Assistant General Superintendent of Police.
CITV OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
December q. 1897.
To Whom It May Concer.v:
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that 1
have known Detective Clifton R. Wooldridge
personally for the past ten years, and know
him to be an efficient, trustworthy and pains-
taking officer, and one in whom the utmost
confidence can be safely placed. His public
record in this department is convincing proof
of the truth of my assertions. I can and do
cheerfully recommend hira for favorable consideration.
Very respectfully yours.
joiiv n. siir.\.
^^^^mf<^'^c^
Inspector of PoUca.
GBOkCB W. HUBBABD.
CITY OP CHICAGO.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
December 25, 1897.
Mr. Clifton R. Wooldridge. City.
Dear Sir .—It is with the greatest satis-
faction that I notice from time to time the
many arrests credited to you, and the success
(ul prosecution of noted and dangerous crimi-
nals. I know welj the many evil and unscrup-
ulous influences that confront an honest -^cer
in the discharge of his duty. In maintaining
your integrity you have displayed intelligence,
impartiality, and incorruptibility. The lime is now close at hand when such
men as you cannot be kept down. You must and will come to the front. I
feel it an honor to b« able to say that I was General Superintendent of Police
when yon first became a member of the Police Department. Your keen,
honest face, prompt, intelligent speech, quick and independent manner of
action were enough to convince any one that you were qualified for any
duty to which you might be assigned. I have often wished that I had a
dozen more men upon whom I could rely as implicitly as upon you. I write
this letter not to flatter you, but to encourage you, and hope that some day
you may be rewarded according to your merits.
Yours respectfully.
Retired Assistant General Superintendent of Police.
CITY Ol' CHICAGO.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
January 28, tgoi.
I have known Detective Officer Clifton R
Wooldridge for about ten years and during part
o( the lime he worked under ray command. He
is temperate in his habits and fearless in the
discharge of his duties, and may be relied upon
to perform any work assigned to him with
good judgment and ability. As an officer of
this department he bears a reputation second
to none, for he has more than once distin-
guished himself in arresting desperate and notorious crimmals at the risk of
bis life. It gives me great pleasure to commend him to the public
Very respectfully,
J. E. PTACEK.
Assistant Superintendent of Police.
CITY OP CHICAGO.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
December 33, 169?.
To Whom It May CoNrxRN:
Clifton R. Wooldridge was under my com-
mand for .two years while I was Captain of
Police at the Harrison Street Station, and I
have always found him to be an efficient offi-
cer, absolutely honest, sober, fearless and
trustworthy. He has never been known to
shirk any duty assigned to him and is always
willing and ready. He is the hardest working
police officer I ever knew, and I cheerfully recommend him to the favorable
consideration of the public. -
Very respectfully yours.
JOHK J. HARTNETT.
J^-
M^a4:t;:vstt
Inspector First Division.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
/
April 4, i8v8.
To Whom It May Concern:
I have known Detective Clifton R. Wool-
dridge for a number of years, the greater part
of which time he served und^r me while I was
Chief Inspector of the Chicago Pc^ice Depart-
ment, and take great pleasure in stating thaC
he is undolibtedly one of the hardest working
and most painstaking men I have ever seen in
the police station. I have always found him
willing and eager to take tip any phase of criminal prosecution, and his invari-
able success at running to earth evil-doers of all classes has brought to him a
most enviable reputation. In criminal cases with which he was connected, he
succeeded and tabulated his evidence so concisely that the different police
justices strongly commend his manner of handling criminals. I am confident
that if all police officers would follow his example in this particular, there
would be a notable decrease of crime.
Very respectfully years.
• E. FITZPATRICK.
^^zsr^
Ex-Inspector of Polio*,
CITV OF CHICAGO
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
January at, i^t.
To Whom It May Concern:
This is to certify that I have known'
Detective Clifton R. Wooldridge for a number
of years. During his long service in the Police
Department he has had many difficult assign-
jnents. and through all of them has performed
his duties in a remarkably efficient manner.
Mr. Wooldridge is an officer on whom can be
placed any responsibility with the knowledge
beforehand that he can be relied upon to do his full duty. It gives me pleas-
ure to express myself as to the worthiness of Mr. Wooldridge, and I bespeak
for bim every consideration and courtesy.
Very respectfully yours.
LUSE kalas.
CI>^^ "^^^^^^^
Inspector Commanding Fourth Division.
CITY OF CHICAGO.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
January 17, 1901.
To Whom It May Concern:
I have known Clifton R. Wooldridge for
toe last ten years. As a police officer Mr.
Wooldridge is par-excellence, absolutely with-
out fear, courteous in his treatment to both
superiors and inferiors, prompt to obey, and
with a detective ability so strongly developed,
it almost appealed to me as an extra "sense."
In fact, he has what is known in police circles
as "intuition," and that in a very marked degree. If I wanted to secure the
arrest of a desperate man, I would put Mr. Wooldridge in charge of the case
in preference to any one I know, as with his bravery he has discretion. Mr.
Wooldridge is a man of education, refinement and consummate ability. He
is a natural bom org^anizer and a leader of men. All the qualities that go to
make up and constitute a successful and efficient commanding officer are
possessed by Mr. Wooldridge.
Very respectfully yours.
NICHOLAS HUNT.
Inspector Commanding^ Second Division.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
Chicago, May i, 1892.
Mr. Clifton R. Wooldridge, City.
Dear Sir: — During my term of office at the Harrison Street
Police Station, I desire to say that in the performance of your
duties you displayed ability, honesty and integrity in all cases
to which you were assigned. I have always found you prompt,
fearless and incorruptible, the qualities requisite of a police officer
at the most important station of a metropolis like Chicago. Your
heart is in the right place, and while I have always found you
stern and persistent in the pursuit and prosecution of criminals,
you were ever kind and considerate, and I can truthfully say that
more than one evildoer was helped to reform and was given
material assistance by you.
Very respectfully,
GEORGE M. SHIPPY,
Captain of Police.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
January 5, 1895.
Mr. Clifton R. Wooldridge, City.
Dear Sir: — Having personally known you for the past six
years, I had special opportunity in my capacity as Captain of
Police to observe your work and intimately know your conduct
as a police officer and a guardian of life and property. I take
pleasure in stating that I have always found you to be an honest,
sober, industrious and efficient officer, who meritoriously dis-
charges his duties, together with exceptionally good judgment
in emergency, and accounts of heroism are on record in the
Police Department to which I respectfully refer, and state thai
you are one of the best and cleverest officers in the department.
Respectfully yours,
WALTER M. JENKINS,
Captain of Police.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
I February 13, 1901.
Dear Sir: — It gives me pleasure to say that in the years I
have served in this department I have never seen a more fearless
officer than you have been. Your name has been absolutely free
from scandal, and your work in time of danger has made you
nothing short of a hero. As a successful detective you possess
all the requisites, which include sobriety, a clear head, good judg-
ment and integrity of the most pronounced type.
Very truly,
A. F. CAMPBELL,
Captain Fifteenth Precinct.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
January 5, 1895.
Mr. Clifton R. Wooldridge, City.
Few words are required of me to express my appreciation of
your excellent qualities as a police officer. While I was in com-
mand of the Stanton Avenue Station, you rendered good and
valuable service to the department and the public of Chicago.
You possess those qualities which go to make up an efficient
officer, and those qualities are intelligence, honesty, sobriety, re-
liability and trustworthiness. I have never known you to shirk
any duty to which you were assigned, and have always found
you willing and ready for any kind of work.
' Very respectfully,
THOMAS C. KANE,
Captain of Police.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
May 17, 1901.
To Whom It May Concern :
This is to certify that I have known Clifton R. Wooldridge
as a police officer for over ten years, and during the year 1896
he was under my command.
I always found him to be absolutely fearless in the discharge
of duty, irreproachably honest, and at all times he displayed a
thoroughly comprehensive knowledge of the duties of an officer.
He is possessed of great detective ability and may be relied
jjpon to discharge in an efficient manner any task assigned to
nim.
MARTIN HAYES,
Captain, Commanding Third District.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
May I, 1897.
This is to testify that I have Igiown Clifton R. Wooldridge
for the past five years, he having been a member of my com-
mand during the greater part of that time. I have always found
him to be a trustworthy and efficient officer, and I cheerfully
recommend him as a man upon whom reliance can be placed in
all cases. Very respectfully,
CHAS. G. KOCH,
Captain, Commanding Second District
SI
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
January 20, 1898.
Mr. Clifton R. Wcx)ldridge, City.
Dear Sir: — During the six years in which I was intimately
associated with you in the Police Department, I found you to be
without exception the best and most efficient officer in the service
of Chicago. Your police record will prove that my assertions as
£0 your efficiency are entirely true. This record cannot be ex-
celled by any member of any police force in the country. I am
glad to be able to vouch for your ability and integrity as an
officer.
MATHEW HOMER,
Captain Third Precinct.
FROM LIEUTENANTS OF POLICE.
The following letters from the lieutenants of police, in
the City of Chicago, under whom and with whom De-
tective Clifton R. Wooldridge worked, show the esteem
in which he is held by them :
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
Chicago, January 21, 1898.
It affords me great pleasure to testify to the honesty, integ-
rity and efficiency of Officer Clifton R. Wooldridge. My acquain-
tance with him covers a period of thirteen years. During a por-
tion of that time he was in my command, and I have always
found him thoroughly reliable, competent and alert in everything
pertaining to his duty.
Very respectfully,
CHAS. C. HEALY,
Lieutenant of Police, Eighteenth Precinct.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
Chicago, December 21, 1897.
Mr. Clifton R. Wooldridge was under my command as^ de-
tective and patrolman for two years, and it gives me pleasure to
testify to his ability and good character. He at all times shows
the citizens of Chicago and his superior officers that he realizes
what are the proper duties of a police officer. He is worthy of
any confidence that may be placed in him.
Very respectfully,
WILLIAM W. CUDMORE,
Lieutenant, Commanding Third Precinct
2^
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
February 20, 1893.
I have known Police Officer Clifton R. Wooldridge since
1889, and he was under my command for two years. I regard
him as one of the most faithful, trustworthy and efficient men
who ever traveled under me.
Respectfully,
AUGUST C. ARCH,
Lieutenant of Police, Second Precinct.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
October 31, 1898.
I have known Clifton R. Wooldridge, detective, for ten
years, and take pleasure in saying that he is an honest, sober and
clever officer. I have frequently had occa'sion during my com-
mand at the Second Precinct Station to congratulate him for
his excellent police work. He is certainly a valuable acquisition
to the police force. Respectfully,
JOHN M. COLLINS,
Lieutenant of Police.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
November i, 1897.
It is with pleasure that I add a word of praise for Detective
Clifton R. Wooldridge. I have known him for the past eight
years; have traveled by his side, did detective work with him,
and was fortunate to have him in my command at the Harrison
Street Police Station. I never knew him to shirk his duty; I
never heard a word against his character.
Respectfully,
J. A. SMITH,
Lieutenant, Thirty-eighth Precinct.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
August 28, 1898.
It affords me pleasure to testify to the many good qualities
possessed by Clifton R. Wooldridge as a police officer. I have
known him personally for the past seven years, and I have always
found him to be an honest, sober and efficient officer, who dis-
charged his duties unflinchingly. He is known as a fearless
gHardian of the peace, as well as a careful protector of the
people's lives and the people's property.
Very respectfully,
" TIMOTHY BARRETT,
Lieutenant of Second Precinct.
83
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
April 15, 1897.
Mr. Clifton R. Woolmudge, City.
Dear Sir: — While I was police magistrate at the Harrison
Street Police Station I had favorable opportunity and frequent
occasion to view your work as a police officer in this department.
I feel it a privilege to say that I have always found you fear-
less, active and efficient and one of the cleverest men on the
force. Knowing the many hardships and obstacles a police officer
has to contend with, I wish to give special commendation to your
comprehension of your duties, and the manly and disinterested
manner in which you execute them.
Very truly yours,
GEORGE W. UNDERWOOD,
Police Magistrate.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
December 13, 1897.
To Whom It May Concern:
It has been my pleasure to know Clifton R. Wooldridge for
the last ten years. During two years of this time I served as
police magistrate at the Armory. In that time scarcely a day
passed during which he would not appear as a witness before me
in a criminal case, and I had advantageous opportunity to ob-
serve his conduct as an officer. In my experience for five years
as a police justice I never met a more efficient officer than he.
In all his prosecutions he was trustworthy, fearless and honest,
and my recollection now is that the records at the Armory Sta-
tion show that he made more arrests of criminals than any of
those on the roll. He seemed to have but one object in view,
and that was to do his duty all the time.
Very respectfully,
EDWARD T. GLENNON,
Justice of the Peace.
city of chicago,
jjepartment of 'police.
December 4, 1897.
I have known Clifton R. Wooldridge personally for the last
ten years, and can say without hesitation that no more efficient
officer in his line has ever been on the force in this city, and
his secret-service work is unequaled. His record in this depart-
ment is an enduring testimonial to his ability, energy, industry
and faithfulness. Very respectfully,
M. R. M. WALLACE,
Justice of the Peace.
M
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
Chicago, June 2, 1897.
Mr. Clifton R. Wooldridge, City.
My Dear Sir: — Having recently severed my connection with
the Armory Police Station, I feel called upon to let you know
in this manner the regard I have for you as an officer and at-
tache of my court. The efficient work done by one officer in
the first district, and yourself especially, calls for unlimited
praise. Of all the officers who came before me with their pris-
oners for trial, and taking in consideration the large number of
cases in which you were interested, you always appeared to
more thoroughly understand your case and to have better evi-
dence to sustain your complaint than any other officer reporting
to that station. The dignity and reputation of police courts are
largely in the hands and control of the officers working there-
from, and I can say that if all of them would enter into the de-
tails of their work with the interest and businesslike manner
you have always displayed, there would be less crime and more
praise for the police force of Chicago.
Very truly,
JOHN RICHARDSON,
Justice of the Peace.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
February 30, 1898.
Officer Clifton R. Wooldridge worked under my command
at the Harrison Street Station as detective during the period of
about two years, and I can safely say that his record during
that time has rarely been equaled and never excelled by anyone
in this department. Very respectfully,
LOUIS GOLDEN,
Lieutenant, Second Precinct.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
Chicago, December 13, 1897.
Clifton R. Wooldridge was under my command for about
one year as a police officer. During that time I found him a
thoroughly reliable man in every respect. He was always
straightforward in all his dealings and at all times reliable. I
consider him one of the best officers in the department.
Very truly yours.
GEORGE A. BENGLEY, ^
Ex-Lieutenant of Police.
86
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
December 13, 1897.
To THE Public:
I have known Clifton R. Wooldridge for the past ten years.
When I was magistrate at the Armory I had special opportunity
to become well acquainted with him, and have watched him and
his actions and work for years. There are some men on the
police force for whom too much good cannot be said, and he is
one of them. He has no superiors and few equals. As an officer
he is absolutely honest, sober, fearless and trustworthy. He has
made a record for himself through his acts of kindness, deeds of
heroism and good police work. He has served this state and city
faithfully, and it gives me pleasure to add my testimony to his
worth and merits. Very respectfully,
THOS. BRADWELL,
Justice of the Peace.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE.
Chicago, December 28, 1897.
Clifton R. Wooldridge served under me as a patrolman for
a period of three years at the Harrison Street Police Station,
and was always an able and efficient officer, and thoroughly fear-
less in the discharge of his duties.
Very respectfully,
JOHN R. BONFIELD,
Lieutenant of Second Precinct
Table of Contents.
Page.
Preface.. 5
Testimonials 20
Biography of the Author. . 31
Saved Five Lives Z7
Panel Houses 40
Emma Ford, the Levee
Terror 47
Desperate Encounter with
Robbers 56
Rescued a Young Girl.... 59
Arrests a Safe Blower 60
All Were Moved to Tears. 62
Take Them for Jays 66
Makes Dive-Keepers Re-
spect Him 69
Five Hundred Caught in a
Raid 74
Women Smoked Out 79
Traces a Murderer 80
Captures Gang of Boy
Thieves 83
Found Him in a Trunk... 85
Detective an Aeronaut 89
Confidence Games 91
Was a Victim of the Graft-
ers 112
Had a Winter Roof Gar-
den 113
Robbers Show No Sym-
pathy 115
Rides a Thief to Jail 120
Paid for His Own Extras 129
Devils in Sheep's Clothing 131
A Brave and Heroic Act. . 134
He Yielded to Temptation 134
Mystery of Rose Wallace. 137
Lost Morals and Money. . 150
Too Much Jones 152
Mary Hastings* Career. . . 153
Page.
Pumped Lead at Him.... 172
Chain Saves His Life.... 175
Saved Family from Starva-
tion 180
Found Their Match 185
Hid the Money in Her Hair 187
Detective Plays the Dude 188
Shoots a Gambling King. . 191
Closes School for Crime.. 195
Veteran is Robbed and
Beaten 199
Ostrich Feather Gives a
Clue 201
Use a Tunnel to Escape.. 203
Too Much Revenge....... 206
Spider and the Fly 208
Opium and Its Evils 210
Interested Whole World. 223
Whiskey Made Him Steal 248
Girl Enticed from Home. 249
Crook in a Farmer's Garb 250
Thieves Slug a Farmer..., 252
Terror of Clark Street. . 253
Fled Across the Continent 256
A Desperate Encounter. . 262
Long Term for Bicycle
Thief 26s
Breaks Up a Cock Fight. 266
Resort to Fire Escape... 269
Ruffian Assaults a Child.. 272
Purse Snatcher is Pun-
ished 275
Footprints in the Snow . . lyd
Catches Three Burglars.. 278
Shot by a Maniac 280
Joke on a Police Justice. . 283
Prevents a Safe Robbery 285
Jealousy Causes a Murder 287
Used a Horse and Tackle 289
CONTENTS
Page.
Highway Robber is Caught 292
Cleans Out a Poolroom. . 294
Preacher Goes to Prison. . 299
Lands a Thief in Prison. . 300
Fought for His Life 303
Noted Female Bandit.... 305
Cleans Out "Coon Hollow" 312
Wore a Gainsborough Hat 319
Gives Detective a Black
Eye 322
Cat Unearths a Murder. . 323
Thieves Give Clews 329
Clever Counterfeiters Are
Caught 334
Ran a Fake Poolroom... 2i2i7
Lake Front Park Raided. . 344
Recovers Stolen Passes... 346
Woman Robs a Soldier. . . 349
Rescues a Stranger 352
Makes a High Dive 353
Harrison Street Station. . 355
Lottery Companies Raided 365
Mob Follows a Prisoner. 370
Woman Murders Compan-
ion y7'2
Clever Tool Thief Caught 376
Birds Give Alarm 377
The Negro and His Razor 379
Prevents a Burglary 380
Mob Clamors for a Thief 383
Four Well-known Officers 383
History of the State Street
Terror 385
He Saved His Star 388
Could Not Stop a Wedding 389
Murder Will Out 393
Burglar in Woman's Cloth-
ing 395
Tries to Hide Her Shame 396
Women Gamble in Stocks 399
Page.
Girls in Bondage 401
Not So Green As He
Looks 403
Robbed of $5,000 404
He Used Bogus Checks. . 405
All Thieves Are Desperate 408
Officer is Roughly Handled 410
Tries to Rob the Detective 413
Tried to Dodge the Camera 415
Smoked in the Street.... 416
Ambitious "Pony" Moore. 418
Pake Investment Compa-
nies 426
Detective as a Ragpicker. 431
Leads in Strike Duty.... 440
Was Not a Marine 446
Villain at Last Convicted 450
Detective Turns the Tables 454
Justice Overtakes an Un-
grateful Man 458
Clever Capture of a Clerk 459
Shoplifters Are Caught... 464
"Stalled" for Two Robbers 466
Colored Robbers Caught. . 468
Thirty-Seven Thugs Are
Caught 470
Robbers Wear Out Wit-
ness 471
Tried to Corner Chewing
Gum 476
New Way to Rob 479
Rifled the Letters 481
He Painted the Windows 482
Troublesome Box Car
Thieves 485
Two Policemen Sentenced 487
Passion for Robbery 491
Raid on a Steamboat 494
Took Desperate Chances. 496
Ticker in the Ice Box 498
Index to Illustrations.
\ Page.
The Rescue 30
Interior View of Panel House 41
Making the Arrest 60
Detectives Dressed as Cattlemen 67
Raiding a Bucket Shop 76
Was Hid in a Trunk 87
Hoisted in a Barrel 90
Seven Different Confidence Games 97
Shivering on the Roof ; 114
On the Prisoner's Shoulders 121
Putting on the Extras 130
Incidents at the Police Station 140
Escaping from Den of Vice I55
"Drop that Gun, or You are a Dead Man!" 168
The Battle with the Robbers 174
The Shooting in the Hallway 177
Scene of the Shooting 193
Tunnel Under Panel House 204
Party of Smokers in a Chinese Opium Joint 212
The Chinaman's Recreation 217
The Attempt to Escape in Toronto 234
Climbing the Fire Escape 270
Girl Making Her Escape 273
Night Scenes on the Levee 314
Whitening Her Face 320
" Pony " Moore. 419
BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR.
CLIFTON R. WOOLDRIDGE was bom February
25, 1854, in Franklin county, Kentucky. He re-
ceived a common school education, and then start-
ed out in the world to shift for himself. From 1868 to
1871, he held the position of shipping clerk and collector
for the Washington Foundry in St. Louis, Missouri.
Severing his connection with that company, he went to
Washington, D. C, and was attached to the United
States Signal Bureau from March i, 1871, to December
5, 1872. He then took up the business of railroading,
and for the following nine years occupied positions as
fireman, brakeman, switchman, conductor and general
yard master.
When the gold fever broke out in the Black Hills
in 1879, Mr. Wooldridge along with many others went
to that region to better his fortune. Six months later
he joined the engineering corps of the Denver & Rio
Grande railroad and assisted in locating the line from
Canon City to Leadville, as well as several of the
branches. The work was not only very difficult, but
very dangerous, and at times, when he was assisting in
locating the line through the Royal Gorge in the Grand
Canon of the Arkansas, he was suspended from a rope,
which ran from the peak of one cliff to the other, with
his surveying instruments strapped to his back. This
gorge is fifty feet wide at the bottom and seventy feet
31
32 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
wide at the top, the walls of solid rock rising three thou-
sand feet above the level of the river below. The work
was slow and required a great deal of skill, but it was
accomplished successfully.
Mr. Wooldridge went to Denver in 1880 and engaged
in contracting and mining the following eighteen months.
He then took a position as engineer and foreman of the
Denver Daily Republican, where he remained until May
29, 1883. The following August he came to Chicago
and took a position with the Chicago, Milwaukee &
St. Paul railway. In 1886, he severed his connection
with the railroad and founded the "Switchman's Jour-
nal," He conducted and edited the paper until May 26th,
when he was burned out, together with the firm of Dono-
hue & Henneberry, at the corner of Congress street and
Wabash avenue, as well as many other business houses
in that locality, entailing a loss of nearly $1,000,000.
Thus the savings of many years were swept away, leav-
ing him penniless and in debt. He again turned his at-
tention to railroading and secured a position with the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad and had accu-
mulated enough money to pay the indebtedness which
resulted from the fire, when the great strike was inaug-
urated on that road in February, 1888. The strike in-
cluded engineers, firemen and switchmen, and continued
nearly a year. On October 5th of that year Mr. Wool-
dridge made application for a position on the Chicago
police force, and having the highest endorsements, he was
appointed and al'^g^ned to the Desplaines Street Station.
It was soon discovered that Wooldridge as a police
officer had no superiors and few equals. Neither poli-
tics, religion, creed, color, or nationality obstructed him
in the performance of his police duties, and the fact
BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR 3S
was demonstrated and conceded times without number
that he could not be bought, bribed, or intimidated.
He selected for his motto, "Right wrongs no man; equal
justice to all." His superior oihcers soon recognized the
fact that no braver, more honest or efficient police officer
ever wore a star or carried a club.
The mass of records on file in the police headquarters
and in the office of the clerk of the criminal court demon-
strate conclusively that he has made one of the most
remarkable records of any police officer in the depart-
ment. Up to, and including, July i, 1901, Mr. Wool-
dridge saw over twelve years of experience and train-
ing in active police work. Ten years of this time he
was located in what is commonly known as the Levee
district, a territory where criminals congregate and
where crimes of all degrees are committed. The fol-
lowing brief synopsis shows the work performed by
him:
During his service on the police force he made 17,000
arrests, the name, date, charge, and disposition of each
case being accurately kept by him. Of these arrests,
1,175 wt^re made on criminal charges, and 125 of these
were -convicted and sent to the state penitentiary. From
1,000 to 2,000 were sent to the House of Correction,
while from 3,000 to 5,000 paid fines, and the others re-
ceived jail sentences. During this time he recovered lost
and stolen property to the value of $75,000, which was
returned to the owners through him and the department.
Seventy-five girls under age were rescued by him from
houses of ill-fame and a life of shame, and returned to
their parents or guardians, or sent to the Juvenile School
or the House of the Good Shepherd. He closed and
broke up fifty opium joints, and in the year 1896 closed
84 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
fifty-two panel houses that were then in operation on
the levee. During the months of October and Decem-
ber, 1898, he closed twenty houses of prostitution on
Michigan avenue, and in the same months closed and
broke up forty-five panel houses. In October, 1899,
twenty-eight panel house keepers were, through the ef-
forts of Mr. Wooldridge, indicted and convicted. Fol-
lowing this, he secured ihe indictment of the landlords
who rented the houses. This last stroke broke up en-
tirely the panel house business in Chicago.
Mr. Wooldridge's criminal knowledge of this class
of people, which came through his contact with them
daily, made him one of the most valuable officers in
the department. It is well known in police circles that
he has refused at different times bribes of from $500 to
$4,000. He has in his library a scrap-book containing
the clippings of city papers and police bulletins giving
him credit for criminal arrests and convictions, recovery
of stolen property and meritorious conduct, which will
cover a space of 130 square feet.
As a further testimonial to his worth and efficiency
as a^ police officer, Mr. Wooldridge has complimentary
letters from eight general superintendents of police,
three assistant general superintendents of police, six in-
spectors, six captains, nine lieutenants, six police jus-
tices, and three state's attorneys. He also has letters
from the superintendent of the National Bureau of Iden-
tification and the superintendent of the local Bureau of
Identification, besides a letter from the mayor of Chi-
cago, Carter H. Harrison, and from the Chief of
Detectives, Luke P. Colleran.
Mr. Wooldridge has during the past few years been
working out of the office of the General Superintendeui"
BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR 35
of Police. He has had charge of a detail of officers in
many important cases, among which may be mentioned
the great building trades strike of 1900, in which 60,000
men were thrown out of employment. He also had
charge of a detail of men in the Railway Men's Union
strike of 1894, in which he performed valiant services
and prevented the destruction of much property. Many
other similar cases might be mentioned, such as being at
the head of a force to suppress gambling, pool selling
and serious infractions of the law, in all of which cases
he secured results which were so satisfactory to the city
administration and the' police department that he has
been continued on duty from the office of the Chief of
Police ever since.
At one time while he was serving the city as patrolman
he was recommended by his superior officers for the
Carter H. Harrison medal for meritorious services on
■account of saving the lives of five persons from a fire,
which occurred at a Clark street hotel. He has been
under fire from criminals, whom he has attempted to
arrest, innumerable times and bears the scars and marks
of many conflicts with desperate men. His life has
been threatened hundreds of times and many conspiracies
have been made to kill him, but in all cases he has
escaped serious injuries and it is sometimes said in the
police department that he bears a charmed life. In pre-
senting this work to the public, he makes no claims
beyond his merits and those merits are supported by the
state and city records, which are at all times open to
the inspection of everyone. It is a simple history of
his twelve years' connection with the Chicago police force
and reveals many things which have not heretofore been
36 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
brought to light in the execution of the duties of police^
men and detectives.
It may be of great interest to some, and he hopes
it may be of sufficient interest to engage the attention
of a great many who are not familiar with the duties
and perils attending the lives of officers of the peace.
Hands Up! In the World of Crime.
SAVED FIVE LIVES.
DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE RESCUES THREE WOMEN AND TWO
CHILDREN FROM A BURNING BUILDING.
Deeds of heroism are often performed by officers
while- in the discharge of their duties, many of which
are soon forgotten, but those who witnessed the daring
rescue of three women and two children from a burning
building, January 4, 1894, at two o'clock in the morning,
by Detective Wooldridge, will never forget that act.
This incident occurred at the \yaverly Hotel, 262 and
264 Clark street. The house was on fire, and great
clouds of smoke were bursting from every window and
doorway. Detective Wooldridge rushed to the scene
"as quickly as possible. Nearly all the seventy-five
guests of the hotel had been aroused and had escaped.
There was the wildest confusion among them and the
crowd which gathered.
Then came from the top floor of the building a feeble
cry of "Help !" It was learned that three women and
two children were imprisoned by the smoke and flames.
Their only chance of escape was by means of a set of
narrow stairs which wound around the elevator shaft,
and to attempt to leave by this means would be certain
death by suffocation.
87
38 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Firemen and friends of the imprisoned and helpless
women and children had made repeated efforts to reach
them, but each time they were driven back by the smoke
and flames.
Wooldridge took in the situation at a glance. That
feeble cry for help was too strong an appeal to his man-
hood to be unheeded, even if he went to the rescue at
the imminent peril of his life. He quickly tied a silk
handkerchief over his mouth, and, dashing through the
blinding clouds of smoke, he stumbled and groped his
way to the rooms of two of the helpless women. He
took them out, and in a short time, which seemed like a
century to him and the anxious watchers below, landed
them, more dead than alive, in the street, where they
were quickly given medical attention and revived.
Though nearly exhausted from the efforts and half
suffocated with the smoke, the heroic officer had not fin-
ished his mission of mercy, and he rushed again into
the burning building to save three other lives. He fought
his way inch by inch up the dark, winding stairway on
his hands and knees, until he reached the rooms occu-
pied by Mrs. E. C. Dwyer and her two children. One
of the children was five years old and the other was a
baby only three months of age.
The serious problem of getting these three people- out
of the burning structure presented itself to the detective,
but ther^ was no time to lose. He solved it quickly.
The two children were placed in a quilt, the four corners
of which were diagonally crossed and tied together.
The detective lifted this precious bundle and slipped his
head beneath one of the knots, thus fastening the chil-
di'en on his back. Two wet towels were placed over
Mrs. Dwyer's mouth. Then he took her hand and led
40 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
her down through the bHnding, suffocating smoke, grop-
ing his way, step by step, until he reached the street,
where he fell from utter exhaustion. Wooldridge was
laid up several days from the effects of his heroic efforts,
but he did not suffer seriously and was soon on duty
again.
Officer Wooldridge was rewarded for his actions on
this occasion by a recommendation from his superior
officers for the Carter H. Harrison medal of "Merito-
rious Services." While Carter H. Harrison, the elder,
was mayor of Chicago, he gave each year to the bravest
officer on the force a medal. The recipient of the medal
was selected according to his record by the chief of
police, inspectors, and captains, and it was usually pre-
sented at the annual review. On account of the death
of the mayor that year the medal was never presented.
PANEL HOUSES.
DESCRIPTION OF THOSE NOTORIOUS RESORTS OF VICE
WHICH WERE BROKEN UP BY DETfeCTIVE
WOOLDRIDGE.
So much has been said in the public press about "panel
houses" that it is deemed expedient to devote a few
.pages in this work to a detailed description of them.
With the accompanying illustration it is believed a very
clear conception can be had of them by the reader.
A panel house is the invention of thieves of both sexes,
and in them hundreds of thousands of dollars have been
stolen from the unsuspecting victims of vicious women.
T't'^y >Vwed a long time in the levee district of Chicago,
INTERIOR VIEW OF PANEL HOUSE.
42 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
which is that portion of the city bounded by the river
on the north, Twenty-second street on the south, Lake
Michigan on the east, and the Chicago river on the west.
The poHce gave these places the name of panel houses,
the proprietors calling them simply houses of ill-repute
or sporting houses. A panel house may contain, two or
more rooms, a whole flat, or an entire building, and is
adapted to the accommodation of a few or a large num-
ber of visitors or victims according to the designs of
the owner.
The rooms for guests are usually small in dimension,
and contain but one bed. If there is only one door, holes
are bored in this, in order that every move of the visitor
may be seen by some one on the outside, to whom a
signal is given at the proper time to enter and secure
the visitor's money.
This signal is usually given by a movement of the
hand or foot of the companion of the intended victim.
The victim is always told to lock the door himself,
which he does and is satisfied that it is safe and securely
fastened against intruders. He is sadly in error, how-
ever, because the bolt of the lock can be worked from
the outside. This is done by the use of a small nail
dr any piece of metal or wood which will fit into the
slot in the woodwork of the door where the . lock is.
This slot is about an inch and a half long and one-
sixteenth of an inch wide. A small hole has been made
in the bolt of the lock, and the tumbler or spring in the
lock, which is operated by turning the key, has been
partly filed away to permit the bolt to be worked back
and forth by the use of the nail without causing the
key to turn or to make any noise.
PANEL HOUSES 43
This slot in the door is so small that it can never be
discovered except by accident or close inspection.
The hinges of the door have been well oiled, and it
is opened without attracting the attention of the victim,
who is occupying the bed at . the opposite side of the
room. If perchance any noise is made by the thief, the
lights are instantly extinguished by a confederate, and
the intended victim is held fast until the thief makes hi.«',
or her escape.
If no noise is made the thief gets all the money and
valuables to be found and goes out quietly, and the
victim upon dressing discovers that he has been robbed.
He finds the door securely locked and knows that his
companion did not go near his clothes, and therefore
could not have taken his money.
Sometimes he is induced to believe that he was robbed
before he entered the place, or that he had lost his
money, and goes away without complaining to the police.
A three-room flat with doors opening into each other
on the side is the best adapted to working the above
described panel game. Although no panels are used in
this case, it is included in what is known as panel house
robberies.
Another method used by panel house keepers is to
have secret closets tuilt in their rooms in which the thief
conceals herself until the proper opportunity presents
itself to rob the victim.
Another method, and the one which gave these houses
their name, is a moving or sliding panel. These are'
placed ingeniously in the walls or doors and are operated
by secret and invisible springs.
These panels are usually concealed by pictures or cur-
tains. In the room containing these panels, there is
44 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
only one chair or sofa, which is placed against the wall
or door beneath the panel. This is done for the purpose
of forcing the victim to place his clothes, when he has
undressed, near the panel, he being compelled to use the
sofa or chair for a clothes rack.
The thief keeps informed of everything that occurs
in the room by peering through the holes in the wall
or door, and at the proper time quietly slides or removes
the panel, reaches in for the victim's clothes, rifles them
of money and jewelry, puts them back in their place,
and when the poor dupe discovers his loss, he is con-
fronted by a mystery which he is unable to solve.
In some cases long poles are used to get the victim's
clothes. If they are by accident or intention laid ofi
beyond reach of the thief's crafty hand, this pole with a
hook frequently accomplishes the designs of the robber.
Of course, in every case the plunder is divided with the
companion of the victim.
The lock used on the doors of these rooms is the en-
terprise and ingenuity of a well-known saloon keeper
who at one time owned several panel houses. He sold
a number of these locks to the keepers of other panel
houses, for which he received several hundred dollars
each.
In cases of robbery keepers of panel houses try in
many ways to prevent their victim from complaining
to the police. One of these plans is to have a man or
boy stationed in front of the houses, who is called a
trailer. When the victim of robbery leaves the house
this trailer is informed by signs made from a window,
how much money has been taken. The trailer then fol-
lows the victim, and if it is ascertained that he is going
to the police station he is intercepted and taken back
PANEL HOUSES 45
to the scene of the robbery, it having been suggested
that he may be able to get some of his money back or
to get some assistance. If it is found that the victim is
a stranger in the city, she will offer to procure his trans-
portation to his home, declaring that he was robbed by
an outsider and protesting that she could not possibly
afford, to allow such a thing to occur in her house.
Sometimes this stops a complaint at the police station,
and the victim leaves the city a poorer but wiser man.
To show the vast extent to which this panel house
thieving is carried, it is only necessary to state that
$1,500,000 were stolen annually in 1892, 1893 and 1894.
Ten thousand dollars have been taken this way in
the levee district in one night, and from fifty to one
hundred cases of larceny have been reported to the
police in twenty-four hours.
Ten thousand dollars have been offered by these panel
house keepers and those who shared their ill-gotten gains
for the removal of Detective Wooldridge from the secret
service work of the city. These thieves often had the
protection of a certain class of politicians, and it is said
of some officials also, who participated in the profits of
their highway robbery.
It is but giving credit to whom it belongs, however,
to say that Mayor Carter H. Harrison, during his sev-
eral terms as the city's chief executive, gave support
and encouragement to all efforts to wipe out these panel
houses. He, like other good citizens, looked upon them
as a burning disgrace and a low form of lawlessness
that should be exterminated.
Detective Wooldridge, in his vigilance and determina-
tion, closed fifty-two of these panel houses in 1896. He
closed and broke up forty-five of these places in the lat-
46 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
ter part of 1898, and in 1899 he secured the indictment
and conviction of twenty-eight panel house keepers at
one time. Following this, he secured the indictment of
the property owners who rented houses to these thieves,
and this last stroke put an end to the panel house busi-
ness in Chicago.
Through the excellent work of Detective Wooldridge,
seven of the toughest strong-arm footpad women in
the world were sent to the penitentiary. Their thefts,
according to the police records, are said to have amount-
ed to $425,000. The names of the women follow : Em-
ma Ford, Pearl Smith, Flossie Moore, Minnie Shouse,
Mary White, Alice Kelly, and Mattie Smith.
The names and addresses of the twenty-eight panel
house keepers who were indicted and convicted through
the efforts of detective Wooldridge are given below :
NAME. NO. STREET.
Maggie Spencer 209 Plymouth Place.
Ed. Speed 147 Plymouth Place.
Mamie Johnson 147 Plymouth Place.
Lucy Smith 374 S Clark Street.
Gypsy Vernon 374 S. Clark Street.
Jessie Woods 362 S. Clark Street.
Delia W^oods 364 S. Clark Street.
Mary Phillips 329 S. State Street.
Laura Mack 329 S. State Street.
Ruby Bennett 404 S. Clark Street.
Emma Dent 419 S. State Street.
Pearl White 396 S. State Street.
Lizzie Hall 480 S. State Street.
Tillie Madison 166 Custom House PI.
Maggie Grady 455 State Street.
Tillie* Louis 455 State Street.
Maggie Grady 49 Hubbard Court.
May Marshall , 49 Hubbard Court.
Lena Shields 49 Hubbard Court.
EMMA .FORD 41
Sadie Cair , 196 Plymouth Place.
Hattie Briggs 390 S. Clark Street.
Hattie Briggs 368 S. Clark Street.
Lillian Eastman 509 State Street.
Mamie Mcrran 377 State Street
Nellie Bly
Mary Summers 420 State Street.
Annie Michael 1233 State Street
Jessie Vernon 18 Harmon Court.
EMMA FORD, THE LEVEE TERROR.
ARRESTED BY DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE AND SENT TO
PRISON FOR TEN YEARS.
There have been in Chicago many criminals and
tough characters, both men and women. All grades of
vice and lawlessness have held sway at different times,
but there never was a thief, footpad, highwayman, rob-
ber, burglar, safeblower who was more desperate and
hardened in the sins of the levee than the notorious
negro woman, Emma Ford.
She was a terror to the police, the courts, and even
to her associates. She was so steeped in crime that
even while in prison at different times she could not
control her desire to fight or steal. It was her occupa-
tion ; her delight. She could not live without being
engaged continually in some dishonest or lawless act.
In this respect she was much like the habitual opium
eater. She craved for crime, and if the opportunity
for it did not come her way she would go out and look
for it. She has been arrested hundreds of times. She
has served terms in prison, until, black as she is, she
almost shows the easily distinguished prison pallor.
48 HANDS UP, IN THE- WORLD OF CRIME
It is estimated that in her career she has stolen $ioo,-
ooo. She has done as much perhaps as any one else to
make the levee district of Chicago famous.
She is a remarkable specimen of physical ., develop-
ment. Six feet tall, straight as an arrow, weighing
two hundred pounds, and black as a starless midnight,
she looks like an African giantess. She has muscles
of steel, and is as fearless as she is ferocious. She
dreaded nothing, and was always ready for the excite-
ment of a highway robbery or the satisfaction of eluding
an officey. She would never submit to an arrest except
at the point of a revolver. No two men on the police
force were strong enough to handle her, and she was
dreaded by all of them.
Emma's criminal career began soon after she was
born. She first saw the light of day at Nashville, Tenn.,
where her mother ran one of the worst dives in that
city. It was called the White Castle. Crime therefore
came easy to her, and she proved such an adept pupil
that, before she was out of her teens, the black giantess
found Nashville too warm for her. She wa's placed on
a train together with her sister, Pearl Smith, and told
not to come back again.
The first stop made by the colored pair was at St.
Louis, Mo., where they both were arrested for robbery
and sent to Jefferson City penitentiary for one year each.
They next turned up in Chicago, and for larceny Emma
Ford was sent to the House of Correction for one year,
and Pearl Smith to the Joliet penitentiary for one year.
They were no sooner out, however, than they again
got into trouble for holding up a stockman, at the
point of the gun, at Custom House place and Taylor
EMMA FORD 49
street, while the man was on his way to a train, re-
lieving him of a large amount of money.
They boarded the first train that left Chicago, and
were next heard of at Denver, where they attempted to
rob a ranchman, who gave fight, and was killed by them.
Both were arrested, found guilty and sentenced to be
hanged, but they succeeded in getting a new trial, and
finally secured their freedom through some flaw in the
law.
The acquittal of these two criminals stirred up such
a storm of indignation that a mob was at once organized
with the intention of lynching them. Then the women
began a mad race for their lives. They jumped into a
carriage, and the driver was told to "burn the street"
to the railroad depot. Off went the team at full
speed. The mob found that the intended victims
had flown, and it started in pursuit. The driver
lashed his horses into a run, and the vehicle turned the
street corners on two wheels. On came the panting
mob, the leaders gaining on the tired horses. The depot
was reached just as a train for the east was pulling out.
The fleeing women jumped from the carriage and caught
the railing of the rear platform of the last car in time
to escape the clutches of the maddened throng which
was in pursuit. The women pulled themselves on the
car just as the would-be lynchers rushed into the depot,
and thus made their escape.
Both returned to Chicago and took up their old work
of robbery on the levee.
Detective Wooldridge has arrested this Colossus of
the levee a number of times, but it always took one, and
sometimes two, revolvers to persuade her to submit. In
1894, Emma Ford and Alice Kelly robbed Perry James,
50 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
a colored porter in the employ of A. G. Spalding &
Co. James was born in the West India islands, ana
he had traveled all over the world. He had been a sailor
and served in the war of the rebellion, where he was
wounded and for a time drew a pension, but with all this
experience he fell into the hands of these two female
footpads. On the. day of the robbery he had drawn his
salary, and together with his pension he intended to
make a payment which was then about due on his home.
On his way home he stepped into a saloon at Harrison
and Dearborn streets, and while there exposed his money,
which was seen by the two women. This incited the
robbery which followed.
James reported his loss to Inspector Lyman Lewis at
the Armory, and gave a minute description of the
women. A descriptive state warrant was procured, and
Detective Wooldridge was sent with James to locate
and arrest the guilty parties.
From the descriptions given the detective suspected
that Emma Ford and Alice Kelly had committed the
robbery. He soon located the Kelly woman and ar-
rested her.
After looking for two hours for the Ford woman he
saw her some four hundred feet away. She also saw
him and made an effort to escape by running into 120
Plymouth place, where she had a room. She was closely
followed by Wooldridge and James, and the building
was searched from ground floor to garret, but without
avail. They were about to give up the search, when,
while passing through the hall which led out to the street,
Wooldridge's eyes caught something that seemed to
move in the wall. Upon investigation it proved to be
EMMA FORD 51
a blind panel door which led into a closet, and in this
closet Emma was found.
When discovered, she stepped forth, her eyes shining
like balls of fire, with head erect and every nerve strung
to its fullest tension. She looked for all the world like
a ferocious lion. She demanded in a loud tone what
was wanted, and when told they had a warrant for her
arrest, she replied, "Go to h 1 with your warrant,
you can't arrest me," and she made a spring to get
away.
Wooldridge, however, caught her by the collar and
sleeve of her dress and everything was stripped from
her body from neck to waist on one side, and in several
bounds she reached her room at the end of the hall,
twenty-five feet away, closely followed by the detective.
Emma, and her sister who came to the rescue, at-
tempted to close and bar the door, but Wooldridge placed
his foot in the doorway, and then the women tried in
vain. The officer's clothing was torn and his arm and
hand badly lacerated, and the thick soles of his shoes
were so mashed up that he never could wear them again.
When they found that they could not close the door,
Emma Ford seized an iron poker three feet long, and
with it she tried to brain the detective, but he thrust a
revolver in her face before she had a chance to use the
poker, and then she weakened and threw, the poker down.
He kept her covered with the gun and finally landed her
in the station.
Pending the trial of this case, she secured bonds and
managed to rob Frank Adams, Charles Smith and C.
Reid, three stockmen, on Custom House place. Detect-
ive Wooldridge again arrested her. She resisted and
pulled from her bosom an ugly-looking dirk with a blade
52 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
nine inches long, and was in the act of striking him
with it ; but the detective discovered her intention in
time to avoid the blow, and shoved two guns into her
face, compelling her to drop the knife. She was again
safely landed behind the bars. Ex-State's Attorney W.
S. Elliott, who prosecuted her, now holds the knife.
The three stockm.en followed her into the station, and
while she was being booked, with the quickness and
agility of a cat, she turned on Frank Adams and filled
his eyes with cayenne pepper and snuff, nearly blinding
him.
For the robbery of James she was arraigned for trial
on April 25, 1892, before Judge Frank Baker, found
guilty of larceny and sentenced to the penitentiary for
five years. She was also arraigned the following day
on an additional charge of larceny, together with her
sister, and again found guilty before the same judge.
She took the entire blame from her sister, and was sen-
tenced for five years additional in the penitentiary.
Alice Kelly was given two years in the penitentiary by
the same judge on March 19.
While confined in the county jail, she amused herself
one day by gathering up a German guard and immers-
mg him in a water trough near by.
Several months later, while the State Senate Commit-
tee was prosecuting an investigation at the penitentiary,
she was seized with one of her mad fits, and sailed into
the laundry women with flat irons. Six or eight guards
rushed upon her and she was overpowered. It was then
discovered that half a dozen of the colored women were
disfigured. For this contretemps she was placed in soli-
tary confinement for weeks.
Only one man, of the large number she has robbed,
EMMA FORD 53
aver got the best of Emma Ford. Once she held up
a cowboy and took from him all his money, amounting
to $150. He rushed to the police station and reported
the robbery. The officers were very busy, and he thought
they were too slow in sending out after Emma.
The cowboy was in a hurry, and said he would go
aftet- her himself, and he went and found her. She was
near the Polk street depot when he saw her.
Walking close up to her, he pointed two big six
shooters at her face.
"You've got $150 of my money! Now shell out, nig-
ger!" he said.
"Go and get a warrant out and have me arrested,
then," replied the big colored woman, who wanted time
to hide the money.
"These are good enough warrants for me," returned
the cowboy, significantly, as he poked the revolvers a
trifle closer to her face. "Now I'm going to count
twenty, and if I don't see my money coming back before
I reach twenty, I'll let go both guns."
When he reached eighteen, Emma weakened. She
drew out a wad and held it out toward him. But the
cowboy was wise and would not touch the roll till she
had walked to the nearest lamplight, under the escort of
his two guns, and counted out the $150.
The cowboy then returned to the station, told the
officers what he had accomplished, and treated the crowd.
Emma had a way of ingratiating herself into the
graces of her jailers by her brute strength and smooth
talk. Even while in jail she plies her trade, merely to
"keep in trim," as she styles it, and she will "touch"
the watches and jewelry of visitors and others. She
boasts of this, too.
54 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
While in the Cook county jail, she once robbed the
jailer's assistant, even after he had taken precautionary
measures. F. H. Burmeister was the assistant jailer
whom she robbed. He was taking Emma and another
woman from the jail to the criminal court for trial. Hav-
ing heard of the reputation his big prisoner had for
picking pockets, he told her that he would button his
coat in order that she might not "touch" him. When
he handed his prisoners over to the deputy sheriff, Emma
Ford called him back.
"Come here, Mr. Burmeister; I have something for
you," she said.
The guard returned, and she presented him with his
own gold watch. In going downstairs she had slipped
her hand under his coat, into his vest pocket, un-
fastened his watch, and placed the chain latch in his
pocket without his knowledge.
Another one of her boasts is the robbery of former
Jailer Morris while he was taking her to the peniten-
tiary to serve a term of ten years. Speaking of this
episode, Emma Ford said :
"Mr. Morris and I rode in the same seat to Joliet.
I thought Fd just open his eyes, so I copped his turnip.
When we got to Joliet I says, 'My goodness, Fd like to
know what time it is.' Mr. Morris searched his pockets.
No watch. He looked at me, but I swore I never saw it.
I told him that perhaps he left it in the jail. He kept
whining about it, so when I got to the big gate at the
penitentiary, I says, 'Here, Mister Jailer, is your watch.
If I didn't think a good deal of you, I never would give
it to you.' "
When arrested in Denver, she assaulted a jailer and
EMMA FORD 55
picked him up by the whiskers. Not content with this,
she jerked them out and threw the hair in his face.
Emma Ford was released from the penitentiary after
serving a large part of her term. She at once returned
to Chicago and to the Ifevee district, but she found
that it had changed very much during the long years she
had been serving the state as laundress at Joliet. She
was not long, however, in finding some of her old associ-
ates, nor in returning to her old tricks of fleecing
strangers.
On March 27, 1899, she robbed W. S. Duncan, a trav-
eling man from Boston, of $42. Mr. Duncan was walk-
ing to the Polk street depot late in the afternoon of the
day and had a satchel in each hand. Emma Ford came
up behind him, threw her arms around his shoulders and
hugged him so tight for -a. moment that he was almost
breathless. During this brief demonstration of her
strength and affection, she separated the traveling man
from his roll of bank notes.
She was arraigned for trial twice in this case. The
first time the case was called her atttorney, W. S. Elliott,
who was state's attorney in 1892, and secured her con-
viction, was engaged in another court, and it was passed.
The second time the case was called, w'nich was in Sep-
tember, 1899, W. S. Duncan, the prosecuting witness,
was brought to Chicago from Boston to testify, but just
as it was taken up, it was found that W. S. Elliott, the
attorney for the defense, had secured an understanding
with Charles S. Deneen, the state's attorney, that the
case should not be called until he returned from the
East, where he was attending the Grand Army encamp-
ment.
Then a postponement was made until September 12,
&6 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
when it was discovered that Mr. Duncan had to go Easi
and could not return for six months. Emma was en-
titled to a trial or her liberty, at this term of court. De-
tective Wooldridge advised the attorney to accept a prop-
osition which her attorney would submit, to the effect
that his client would plead guilty and take a sentence of
one year in the House of Correction.
In thirty minutes she was sentenced by Judge Bren-
tano, and that ended the case.
Emma was released from prison in September, 1900,
and immediately went back to her old life of crime on
the levee. She was arrested again in December for rob-
bing a man near the Polk street depot, for which she
was held to the grand jury and indicted. She was tried
before Judge Smith, and on January 2, 1901, was sen?
ienced to another year in the House of Correction, where
she is at present. During the three months she was «■*■
liberty, she confessed that she had stolen over $400
DESPERATE ENCOUNTER WITH ROBBERS.
TWO MEN CAPTURED BY THE DETECTIVE AFTER A HAEID
FIGHT AND SPEEDY RUN.
When the mercury stands at thirty degrees below zero
and the detective has a long and difficult night assign-
ment, he is put to one of those tests which try men's
nerves and their metal, but the officer who thinks of
nothing but his duty does not permit the weather to
deter him.
Detective Wooldridge was traveling a beat in uniform
during one of the coldest nights in the wmter of 189I;
DESPERATE ENCOUNTER WITH ROBBERS 57
when at two o'clock in the morning he found a drunken
man on the sidewalk at Thirty-third and State streets.
Efforts of the officer to arouse the man were unsuccess-
ful, and he at f^rst could not tell whether the man was
drunk, injured or freezing to death. He knew that if
he left him there he would soon freeze, and he went to
a patrol box across the street and called the patrol
wagon.
Wooldridge had just recrossed the street, when two
men emerged from the alley going north. Both of them
seemed to be carrying something concealed under their
clothes. A street car was approaching the corner, south
bound, at a rapid rate. Wooldridge started towards the
men to find out who they were, where they came from,
and why they came out of the alley at such a late hour,
and also what it was they had concealed about them.
The two men, as can be readily conjectured, had not the
least kind of a desire to meet such an officer as Wool-
dridge, and immediately started on a run to catch the
street car.
- Wooldridge, however, closed in on them just as they
were boarding the car, and tried his best to stop one
of them, who let a bottle of brandy fall just as he was
jumping on the car. The car was crowded at the time,
and they forced their way through, jostling the passen-
gers right and left until they reached the front platform
and found Wooldridge there ready with the "goods."
They immediately whirled about and started back for the
rear platform . The passengers in the car were again
knocked right and left in the eagerness of the men to
escape the officer. But when they reached the rear of the
car, Joseph Keating, one of the two, jumped off almost
into the arms of Officer Wooldridge.
i8 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Keating pulled a bottle from his inside coat pocket
and struck at Wooldridge with such force that the bottle
broke off at the neck and fell to the street. Officer
Wooldridge, however, promptly knocked the man down
with his club, but he was on his feet in a second and
arose with another bottle of liquor which he tried to use
on the officer as before, but the latter proved too quick
for him, and knocked him down again and again, break-
ing his bottle to pieces and raining blow after blow with
his club, which soon subdued him, whereupon he sub-
mitted to arrest.
The wagon rounded the corner at this time on a fast
call for assistance,' and Keating and the drunken man
were both placed in the wagon.
Keating's partner, Edward Williams, had escaped. But
a light fall of snow was on the ground, and Wooldridge,
leaving Keating and the drunken man with the wagon
men, followed the tracks of the other man down the al-
ley to Thirty-third street, when he discovered him a block
away. Wooldridge bounded to the other side of the street,
and having rubbers on, made no noise as he ran.
The first thing the officer did was to drop his heavy
overcoat, belt, and club, for Wooldridge came from old
Kentucky, where they raise the best thoroughbred running
stock in the v/orld, and he went into the chase to test
both the endurance and speed of the man who was mak-
ing his escape.
In relating his experience afterwards, Wooldridge said
he never ran so fast in his life, and in describing it, he
says : "Trees, lamp-posts, and houses were passed so
rapidly, that they looked like teeth in a fine comb." Will-
iams, the escaping prisoner, was overtaken at Cottage
resk^vtev a young girl 5i»
Grove avenue and Thirty-third street, nearly a mile from
where he had met the officer.
He was taken t( ) the Stanton Avenue Police Station,
where he was searched^ and on the two prisoners were
found eight bottles of brandy, two boxes of cigars, one
hundred pennies, and a door key.
Separating and placing them in the sweat-box, one
soon weakened and confessed to entering a saloon at
Thirty-seventh and La Salle streets, owned by McNally,
taking the above mentioned goods, and also exchanging
their clothes with the saloon keeper.
They were held to the grand jury, indicted, and ar-
raigned for trial March ii, 1892, and sentenced to one
year each in the House of Correction.
RESCUED A YOUNG GIRL.
In 1897 Detective Wooldridge discovered that a young
girl was being kept in a den of vice in an alley near Har-
mon Court by Irene Moore. He at once rescued her,
and she was sent to the Erring Woman's Home by Justice
Richardson. It developed that the girl was Bessie Henry,
sixteen years old, from a small town in Indiana. She
was an orphan and had been living with her aunt and
uncle, but the latter was out of employment, and it was
decided that she should come to Chicago and seek em-
ployment. When she arrived here she had but little
money left, and that was soon gone. She then found shel-
ter with a colored woman on Third avenue, and was
taken from there to Irene Moore's house, where the de-
tective found and rescued her.
60
HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
ARRESTS A SAFE BLOWER.
DETECTIVE WHILE HANGING FROM A WINDOW LEDGE COM-
PELS A MAN TO YIELD.
While the police of the whole count'"y were looking for
Matt Kelly, a notorious and expert safe blower. Detective
Wooldridge located and arrested him May 17, 1895, but
it was only after a thrilling experience for the officer.
Cfosi /"firtrif wmtex
Of ttO^OIHIHCi B<J'L D'NC,
Tn»OV<tP< V^HIfH
V^OOLtDlDdl wfMT TO
AfCH Af£lV
(.tuiii or ofricit
MAKING THE ARREST.
Kelly originally came from St. Louis, where, accord-
ing to his own statement, he had killed one man and
seriously wounded two policemen. He served a four
years' sentence in the Missouri state penitentiary, and
ALL MOVED TO TEARS 61
had been released only a short time when he capie to
Chicago.
The Chicago officials wanted Kelly on a charge of as-
sault on a Mrs. Sterling, who lived on State street. He
had been located at 41 1 State street, where he was living
with a woman.
On the night of May 16, 1895, Officer Wooldridge, ac-
companied by Officers Kern, O'Connor, and Cameron,
went to this place, and Officer Wooldridge, having placed
his men downstairs in proper position, went upstairs in
search of the man for whom he was looking. All the
doors were locked, and entering the next building,
Wooldridge went to the second floor, and opening a
window, crept out along the narrow ledge until he
reached the window of Kelly's room. He pushed up
the sash and was faced by Kelly and the woman.
"Go back or I will kill you," said Kelly, as he thrust
a revolver into the face of the officer.
Wooldridge had meanwhile secured a good hold on'
the sill of the window, but was not yet in a position to
defend himself, and the woman was trying her best to
push him off. She succeeded in loosening one of his
hands, and for an instant the nervy officer thought he
would have to fall.
With an almost superhuman effort, the officer raised
himself, and drawing his revolver, thrust it into Kelly's
face, ordering him to throw up his hands. Both Kelly
and the woman yielded without further resistance, and
Wooldridge had the satisfaction of marching his pris-
oners to the station.
Kelly was a blacksmith by profession, made his own
tools, and was a dangerous crook. He served one term
in the Joliet penitentiary for house breaking. When ar-
62 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
raigned for the assault committed in Cliicago he was
given a fine of $25 by Justice Brad well.
ALL WERE MOVED TO TEARS.
PRISONER TELLS STORY WHICH DIMS THE EYES OF THE
JUSTICE AND OFFICERS.
Tears are seldom seen in the eyes of detectives and
magistrates, but when one of Detective -Wooldridge's
prisoners finished his story in the Harrison Street Police
Court, nearly every eye in the room was dimmed. In
1893 a robbery had been committed, and Wooldridge ar-
rested a man who acted suspiciously.
When the man was taken into court for preliminary
trial, it was easy enough to suspect him of having been
guilty of a crime. He seemed to sink under a weight
of guilt. The magistrate, addressing the prisoner, asked
him a few questions, and then turning to the detective
who made the arrest, he inquired :
"What caused you to suspect this man?"
"Well, your honor, he happened here a few days
ago, before the robbery was committed, and being of a
suspicious character, I watched him. I asked him his
name and he said it was Brown, but shortly afterward
I heard it was Smith. I lost sight of him on the night
of the robbery, but early the next morning I saw him
trying to sneak out of the town, so I thought he ought
to be arrested."
"I think," replied the magistrate, "that you acted
rightly in making the arrest. Now," turning to the pris-
ALL MOVED TO TEARS 63
oner, "can you explain your conduct, and why you go
under two names?"
''Judge, first let me explain why I have two names,
and that will explain my conduct. Understand now thai
I do not ask for mercy. That time has passed. I am
now hardened. I will not detain you long, but I ask
you, and this is all I do ask, that you believe me. Two
years ago I was the master mechanic in a large railway
machine shop. I received good wages, and my family,
consisting of a wife and two children, lived as well as
any family in town. I was most happily married, and
.sometimes at evening when my little boy climbed up and
begged me to tell him just one story, I wondered if such
happiness could last.
"One day I was discharged. I was never more as-
tonished in my life. I humbly asked the cause of my
dismissal, and was grufifly told that it was because I was
not wanted any longer. They should have given me no-
tice, still I did not complain, as I recognized their right
to employ whom they pleased. When I went home and
told my wife, she put her arms around my neck and said,
'Never mind, dear, you can soon get another place.'
The very next day I started out in search of work. I had
spent all my life in machine shops, and could do no other
kind of work. I went to a town not a great distance away
from home, and applied for work.
" 'I believe we are needing a man,' said the superin-
tendent. 'What is your name?'
" 'John Smith,' I replied.
"He went into an inner office, and after remaining a
few minutes, he returned and said, 'No, we don't want
you.'
"By this time my money was nearly gone, but I had nol
64 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
the heart to write home for more, for I had left but
enough, all I had, to sustain my family a few weeks. I
went to another town, certain that I should obtain work,
for one of the machine shops had advertised for men.
The head man asked me my name, and then, pointing
to a bench, told me to sit down and wait until he came
back. He was not gone long. When he returned, he said :
" 'Don't.want you.'
" 'My dear sir,' I replied, 'I am a skillful workman,
and only ask you for a trial. Then if my work don't
suit you, I'll leave.'
"'You'll leave anyway,' he replied, as he turned away.-
"By this time my money was exhausted, but I could
not stop ; I must push my way onward. I wrote to my
wife, telling her that I had not succeeded in getting work,
but I thought my prospects were good. I told her to
write to me, giving as my address a distant town. I had
hoped to get over the road, but failed. I knew why.
A prominent railroad official told the engineers not to
let me ride. After walking many miles, I reached the
town and applied for work.
" 'We don't want you,' said the superintendent.
"'Why?' I demanded.
" 'Because you are blacklisted.'
" 'My God, man, what have I done ?'
" 'I don't know, and I don't care a damn ; but you are
blacklisted.'
"I went to the postoffice. I found a letter addressed
in an unfamiliar hand. I was disappointed. I had hoped/
to receive a letter from my wife. Here is the letter.
Read it, judge."
The justice read as follows : "It is my painful duty to
write this. Your wife having greatly exposed herself in
ALL MOVED TO TEARS 65
moving from the house which belonged to a railroad
official, she had to move, and in doing so contracted a se-
vere cold and died of pneumonia. Your little children are
at my house,"
"That is the letter I received, judge. Several weeks
ago I heard my little boy was dangerously ill, and not
expected to live. I dragged myself to this town, where
I learned that my little girl and boy, upon whom I had
centered my hopes, had died of diphtheria. I could do
nothing. I was crushed with grief and broken down
with despair. Then I changed my name so that I might
earn money enough to take me to the graves of my wife
and children. I did not commit the robbery. I want no
lawyer. I leave it with you. As I previously remarked,
I ask for no mercy. I am in your power. Use me as you
will."
The old magistrate, a man who spent his early days
at the anvil, arose, approached the prisoner, pressed
something into his hand, and said :
"God knows that my heart bleeds for you. When you
stand over the graves of your wife and children, remem-
ber an old man who has seen his last loved one buried."
Wooldridge, who had listened as attentively to the
man's story as the judge, asked the court to dismiss the
prisoner.
When the stranger stepped outside, Wooldridge again
arrested him, but this time no charges were made. "Come
with me," he said. The detective took his prisoner to his
own house, where he was told he could remain free of
charge until he found work. The following day Wool-
dridge succeeded in getting the stranger a good position,
which he still holds, although his salary has been in-
creased several times.
66 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
TAKE THEM FOR JAYS.
DETECTIVES PATROL THE LEVEE DISGUISED AS STOCKMEN
AND MAKE MANY ARRESTS.
At an early hour on the morning of December 29, 1895,
a farmer with his money pinned to his hat might have
walked on the levee with perfect safety. Even the
Twelfth street viaduct was as quiet and peaceful as a
graveyard. This desirable state of affairs was brought
about by Detectives Wooldridge and Schubert of the
Armory Police Station,
On the evening before the two detectives disguised
themselves as Texas ranchmen. Dressed in long bear-
skin overcoats and sombreros, they sallied forth on their
crusade. Wooldridge's regulation police force mustache
was also appropriate to the costume, while Schubert
would have passed anywhere as a Rio Grande cattle
king.
The ruse was a perfect one and worked as successfully
as molasses coated paper in fly time. Confidence men,
shell workers, and sand-baggers followed them like
wolves after a lone prairie traveler, while women who
are known as "touchers" decided upon the style of their
new bonnets as soon as the ranchmen hove in sight.
South side clothing "cappers" rubbed their hands to-
gether in glee when the detectives passed them, offering
them every inducement to come in and buy. By midnight
nearly a hundred evil-doers had rushed blindly into the
hands of the law, while the patrol wagon was kept busy,
conveying those who were arrested to the Harrison Street
Station.
TOOK THEM FOR JAYS
67
So well are the women acquainted with the appear-
ance of the Harrison street detectives that they keep out
of their way. In order to catch this class of criminals
the detectives donned their disguise.
After leaving the Armory, the two "cattle drivers"
were not molested until they reached the thick of the
woods in the neighborhood of Clark and Polk streets.
DETECTIVES DRESSED AS CATTLEMEN. '
Here they were accosted by a party of colored women!
who admired, their bearskin coats. One of the numbed
v/as so taken with Detective Wooldridge's costly gar-»
ment that in inspecting it she accidentally slipped her
hand into the officer's pocket. Wooldridge opened his"
coat and displayed his star, to the astonishment of the
woman who had expected "ready money."
68 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
After the wa^on had departed with the prisoners, the
two officers walked down the street. At the viaduct they
were met by a good-natured gentleman who was glad
to see them and was perfectly willing to take them to the
grand display of fireworks over on the lake front.
Wooldridge '' 'lowed he'd like to go," and Schubert
said that "seein' as how their train wasn't a-goin' fur
some time, he would like to go hisself." Upon reaching
the nearest electrical connection, the "Texans" changed
their minds and rang for the patrol. The genial man was
carted to the Armory and the officers went on with tKe
good work.
The next one to walk into trouble without looking for
it was a merry "shell man." He was sure the "ranch-
men" would win any amount of money if they were
willing to risk a small sum. "You know, my friends,"
said he, with a pleasant smile, "nothing ventured, noth-
ing won."
"Yes," ventured Wooldridge, "that's one of those
rules that work both ways. If you had adopted for your-
self the motto, 'Nothing ventured, nothing lost,' you
wouldn't have made a monkey of yourself. You may
consider yourself under arrest."
It was some time before the "shell man" understood
the situation and he declared, as the wagon left with
him, that it was the cleverest case of "con" on the part
of detectives that he had ever seen worked.
On Wabash avenue and Peck court the officers were
singled out as victims by Dollie Hart, who is considered
one of the most skillful panel workers in the city. She
discovered her mistake when it was too late and found
herself the victim.
So rushing was the business that Detectives Wool-
MAKES DIVE-KEEPERS RESPECT HIM 69
dridge and Schubert found it necessary to cail for as-
sistance. They were reinforced by Detectives Donovan,
McNulty, Daly, McMahon, Powers and Moriarty. The
latter named, dressed in citizen's clothes, stayed in the
shade and took care of those arrested. Fifteen girls were
turned over to them at one time and the combination
looked like a box party on their way home from one of
the theaters.
The crusade was kept up until the streets were cleared.
Those who escaped arrest by staying in hiding after
being posted by friends, were too frightened to show
themselves again during the night.
At twelve o'clock not a piano was playing on the levee.
The streets were deserted and peace reigned over all,
The "standing room only" sign was hung up at the
Armory and late arrivals were hung up on pegs. Pro-
fessional bailers stood around in the general office and
chuckled to themselves, while those lawyers who can't
leave the station at nightfall were filled with glee.
The novel method adopted by the two detectives was
a good one and farmers could have walked on the levee
with perfect safety for many a day thereafter.
MAKES DIVE-KEEPERS RESPECT HIM.
DETECTIVE HAS WILLIAM SMITH's SALOON LICENSES RE-
VOKED AND CLOSES A CLARK STREET HOUSE.
In 1892 Detective Wooldridge taught the levee saloon
keepers a lesson they will never forget and caused them
to have more respect for him than they were wont to
show to police officers.
70 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
At that time William Smith, a brown-skinned negro,
twenty-four years of age, a thief and gambler, had won
the affections of Hattie Briggs, who was over six feet
tall, weighed two hundred and twenty pounds, was as
blaok as a stick of licorice, old enough to be his mother
and as ugly as any one could imagine.
Hattie conducted a low dive, thieving joint and house
of ill- fame at 388 Clark street and another at 120 Custom
House place. It was a poor day when five or ten cases
of robbery or larceny did not occur in het houses. She
was raided two and sometimes three times a day, but
she cared nothing for the small fines imposed on her.
Hattie Briggs started William Smith in the saloon
business at 388 Clark street and at 192 Custom House
place. She was making so much money she hardly knew
what to do with it and she intended if the wave of pros-
perity continued, to buy up all the saloons on the levee
and the houses of prostitution, as well as control the
gambling, elect the mayor, control the city council and
police force.
William Smith's head was "swelled" worse than hers.
He was on April 28, 1892, a business man, liquor mer-
chant, sport, politician, and dude. He wore a silk hat,
light lavender pants, white vest, patent leather shoes with
white gaiters over the ankles, a gold watch with massive
chain, diamond studs and finger rings, carried a gold
toothpick behind his ear, four different colored pencils
in his vest pocket, and had a messenger boy, in uniform,
to carry his orders and messages. Smith conducted two
of the most disreputable saloons in Chicago, which were
patronized by the strong-arm women, thieves, panel
workers, grafters, and people of questionable character.
Detective Wooldridge was at this time traveling from
MAKES DIVE-KEEPERS RESPECT HIM 71
the Harrison Street Station. While passing along Cus-
tom House place he discovered Jennie Paine, alias "Gin-
ger Heel," robbing a farmer. Seeing Wooldridge, she
fled into Smith's saloon, where he followed and placed
her under arrest. Smith stepped from behind the bar
and demanded if he had a warrant for her arrest, and
said if he did not, he could not take her or any other
person out of his saloon,
Wooldridge told him to attend to his business, that
it was not his affair whether he had a warrant or not.
There were at least one hundred and fifty of the toughest
characters on the levee in the saloon at the time, drink-
ing and having a good time, and they all came to Smith's
assistance and informed Wooldridge that he could not
take the woman. He realized that to take her meant a
fight and possibly either kill or get killed, so he thought
he would take the safe side and went out. When he
reached the door he informed Smith that for interfering
with him when in the discharge of his duty he would
take out a warrant for his arrest. Smith replied that if
he did he would have his star and have him discharged
from the police force. He said he wanted it distinctly
understood that he had a pull and any one who bothered
him would find it out.
Wooldridge went to the station, found Captain Shippy,
who was then in command there, and told him just what
had occurred at Smith's saloon. He called Lieutenant
Arch and commanded him to take enough men, go to
Smith's saloon, and clean it out, but before the order
could be put into execution, Wooldridge requested him to
countermand it, let him take a warrant for the place the
following day, and proceed according to law, which he
did.
72 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
At 2 p. m., a detail of twenty men, eight in citizen's
clothes and twelve in uniform, was sent with Wool-
dridge to Smith's saloon to serve the warrant. The forces
were divided, part of the men being sent to the rear
and part to the front. Wooldridge, fifty feet in advance,
entered the saloon. He found Smith arrayed in all his
glory behind the bar and informed him that he had a
warrant for his arrest.
Smith reached down, and securing a huge revolver,
placed it in the waistband of his pants, with the handle
sticking out, and stepped out from behind the bar with
one hand on the gun. Advancing on Wooldridge, he de-
manded in a loud tone of voice, "What was that you
said?" The words had hardly left his mouth, when
he received an electric shock from Wooldridge's billy,
which struck him under the ear, and caused him to spin
like a top and land in the corner in a heap. Several of the
toughs started to Smith's assistance, but about this time
in walked six officers through the front door.
This threw the inmates into confusion and they made
a rush for the back door, only to run into the arms of the
four officers in uniform. In all, twenty-three persons
were arrested.
William Smith and D. Dempsy were fined $ioo each,
and the most of the others from $io to $50 each.
Inspector Lyman Lewis and Captain Shippy took quite
an active part in the prosecution. Smith's saloon li-
censes in both places were revoked and the inspector and
captain notified all present that any saloon keeper in the
future who denied admission to any officer or interfered
with him in the discharge of his duty would be served
in the same way.
After this every saloon keeper on the levee was ready
MAKES DIVE-KEEPERS RESPECT HIM 73
to furnish any information or assist Wooldridge when-
ever he called upon them.
Inspector Lewis called Wooldridge to his office and
gave him orders to break up the house of prostitution run
by Hattie Briggs and drive her off of Clark street. He
procured warrants covering each day for two weeks and
then called at her house and told her that she must close
her house of ill-fame and move off the street.
She reached into her bosom and produced a roll of
bills six inches thick, saying in the most abusive lan-
guage that her tongue could utter that she was in the
Harrison street district before he came there and would
be there when he was gone and forgotten and that she
had money to burn.
Wooldridge was joined by two more officers, a war-
rant was served upon her and she was taken to the
Harrison Street' Station. She was released on bail at
6 p. m., was again arrested at 8 p. m., and sent to the
Desplaines Street Station, released at ii p. m., and again
arrested at i a. m., and sent to the Thirty-fifth Street
Station and secured bail and arrived home in time for
breakfast.
Wooldridge took several officers with him to the
Thirty-fifth Street Police Court, where she was tried and
fined and while she was paying her fine he took a car to
Harrison street, where she was again fined. He then
went to the- Desplaines Street Police Station, where she
had another case, and she was again heavily fined.
By the time Hattie paid her fines and arrived home, it
was I p. m. She was again arrested and sent to the
Thirty-fifth Street Station. She returned home at 7
p. m., and then was arrested and locked up in the Harri-
son Streef Station. The thing was kept up for ten days,
74 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
and one morning about sunrise two large furniture vans
backed up at Hattie Briggs' house, 388 Clark street, and
she moved south and the Harrison street district was
free from one of the worst dive keepers on the levee.
FOUR HUNDRED CAUGHT IN A RAID.
DETECTIVES MAKE A PHENOMENAL ARREST IN BUCKET
SHOPS AND FILL THE POLICE STATION.
There have been many exciting scenes on the Board of
Trade and in that vicinity from the time that B. P.
Hutchinson, known as "Old Hutch," ran a corner in
corn, on down to Joe Leiter's wheat deal and later when
young Phillips got all the former cereal in his grasp, but
there has never been such an uproar among traders nor
such wild disorder in the shadow of that great specula-
tive mart as was produced on July 31, 1900, when De-
tective Wooldridge jumped into the pit.
Wooldridge did not try to corner the wheat market
and he had no use for corn. He had no desire for pork,
lard or peanuts, but he ran a corner that day which
made the big deals of "Old Hutch," Leiter and Phillips
look like child's play in comparison. He went after big-
ger game than that of grain or provisions. He made a
corner in speculators and in a few minutes had four hun-
dred of them in his grasp, and it was not a future de-
livery contract either. It was a spot transaction and he
carried his goods away with him — in a patrol wagon.
In other words, he made a raid on the bucket shops and
arrested all the speculators he could find. In the clamor
that followed men almost lost their senses. One of the
FOUR HUNDRED CAUGHT IN A RAID 75
speculators under arrest tried to commit suicide before
he was put into the patrol wagon. Men of prominence
in the speculative world mingled with those who made
dollar deals and they sat side by side in the "Black
Maria," which gave them a free ride to the police sta-
tion. It was the most cleverly arranged and executed
raid ever recorded in police annals. It was ordered by
Chief of Police Kipley and the execution of it was put
in the hands of Detective Wooldridge. He was given
a large force of men to assist him and the force included
detectives and a large detail of officers in uniform from
Central and Harrison Street Stations.
Wooldridge laid his plans so well that practically .every
one of the four hundred taken to the station were under
arrest some time before they knew it. All the officers
compared their timepieces before going to work in order
that there might be no mistake. It was known just how
long it would take the patrol wagons to reach the places
raided and the general movement was made accordingly.
Before the raid was begun, teii patrol wagons were in
readiness for use at a given signal. The horses had been
harnessed and hitched an hour before they were needed
and when the signal came and they dashed through the
streets with the horses under whip, there was an excite-
ment which has not been equaled since the famous Hay-
market riot.
The wagons wheeled into Pacific avenue and Sherman
street simultaneously and the prisoners were packed in
them like figs in a box. Dozens of trips were made be-
fore all the men under arrest could be taken away.
Wooldridge had thoroughly drilled and instructed his
men before the raid began. They were divided into
squads and sent to the different bucket shops in the
76
HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
vicinity of the Board of Trade and were sent in such
perfect order that every squad reached its destination at
exactly the same minute. The doors and all other places
of exit were instantly closed and the crowd notified that
every one was under arrest.
In an instant, it seemed, the blue wagons dashed up
and as fast as one was loaded it was driven away on a
RAIDING A BUCKET SHOP.
run and hurried back to get another load. This was kept
up for more than two hours and when all the prisoners
were landed in the police station, the corridors and cells
were packed almost to suffocation.
At each place the telegraph wires wefe CUt as fast as
electricians, who accompanied the officers, could get at
them and after the work there was such a mass of sev-
ered and tangled wires in the places raided that it took
experts two weeks to get them back in place and make
proper connections.
FOUR HUNDRED CAUGHT IN A RAID VI
In one place the proprietor telephoned for his attorney
ivhile his customers were being loaded into the wagon.
Wooldridge ordered the electrician to sever the wires,
when the lawyer demanded that it be stopped.
"You are violating the law," he said, "and you and the
city will be held responsible for this outrage and I give
you notice now to not touch these wires."
"I am an officer of the law," said Wooldridge, "and
know what I am doing. All men are alike to me and if
you interfere I will arrest you and load you Into the
patrol wagon with the other prisoners. This case will
be tried in court and not here. I am here under orders
of court in the discharge of my duty and want no inter-
ference."
With that the detective snatched his knife from his
pocket and with one slash severed the wires from every
instrument.
In some instances the operators at the telegraph in-
struments tried to give a warning to other bucket shops
of the raid and when the occupants of the places so
warned tried to make their escape, they found every
egress barred and were compelled to submit.
Bucket shops located at the following places were
raided and dismantled : lo and 12 Pacific avenue, 25
Sherman street, 14 Pacific avenue, 10 Pacific avenue, 210
Opera House block, 7 Exchange court, 19 Lyric Theater
building, and 37 Dearborn street.
At one place eighty-eight m.en were taken and at an-
other the officers arrested forty-two. Fourteen of the
prisoners were women and one of these fainted as she
was being taken to the patrol wagon.
At the police station there was the greatest con fusion
ever known after a raid. Professional bondsmen reaped
a harvest and it took many hours for all of those arrested
78 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
to get released. A great deal of time was consumed in
getting the bonds filled out. Few of the prisoners would
give their real names unless compelled to do so.
Many threats were made against Detective Wooldridge
by some of the prisoners, but he declared in every case
that he had sufficient evidence to justify him. The men,
he said, were violating the city and state law and he was
only doing his duty in arresting them. He said that he
had proof that each was conducting a bucket shop.
The derks and employes on the regular Board of
Trade indulged in much merriment at the expense of the
victims of the raid, and not only these but every one in
the neighborhood added as much discomfiture as possible
to the prisoners.
In a few minutes after the patrol wagons dashed up
and the report had spread that a raid on the bucket shops
was in progress, the streets in the vicinity of the Board
of Trade were so packed that it waS impossible to pass
through them. It was a surging mass of humanity so
dense that the wagons had much difficulty in getting
through.
The prisoners were arraigned for trial the next and
following days and nearly all were fined.
Only one firm made a strong fight against being ad-
judged guilty of conducting a bucket shop and this fight
was based on the fact that the head of the firm was a
member of the Board of Trade. While it was practically
proven that the firm was doing a bucket-shop business,
no fine was imposed in this case, the court dismissing
the defendants on a technicality. The head of this firm
was finally put on trial by the Board of Trade on the
charge of conducting a bucket shop and was found guilty
and expelled.
WOMEN SMOKED OUT 79
WOMEN SMOKED OUT.
HOW I'HE DETECTIVE SECURED ENTRANCE INTO A THIEVING
PANEL HOUSE FORTRESS.
Lizzie Davenport, a colored woman, kept, in 1892, a
thieying panel house of prostitution at 202 Custom House
place, one of the worst dives in the city, which was pat-
ronized by some of the cleverest strong-arm women and
pickpockets that ever operated in Chicago. Among them
were Flossie Moore, Pearl Smith, Ida Anderson, Marcelia
Logan, Emma Ford, Minnie Shouse, Lena Blake, Lizzie
Walker, Hattie Washington, Mamie Ward, Hattie Fisher,
Mollie Chapman, Jessie and Nettie Allen and several
others. It has been estimated that $500,000 have been
stolen in the various houses kept by the Davenport
woman. A greater part of the victims were strangers
passing through Chicago, who were picked up around
the Polk Street Depot. It was not an unusual thing for
ten or fifteen robberies to occur in this house within
twenty-four hours.
Lookouts and sentinels were always stationed to report
the approach of the police, because every officer and de-
tective in the Harrison Street Station was known to
them.
When a "pull" or raid was made on this place it was
necessary to close every avenue of escape and to move at
a given signal from all quarters, and this took a large
number of men.
This house contained many rooms, closets, and hiding
places in which the inmates took refuge behind closed
windows and barred doors, but even this did not secure
protection against the Chicago police officer armed with
80 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
warrants. The doors were frequently broken, and so
Lizzie had a large closet built with massive oak doors,
which nothing apparently could penetrate, except a can-
non ball from the most powerful gun. She called this
her fort, and made up her mind that she was secure from
further raids from the police.
This worked charmingly for a week or more, when
one day a number of robberies had been reported, and
Detective Wooldridge was given a warrant for Lizzie and
all inmates, with instructions from Captain Shippy that
they must be brought in. He first secured an auger, half
a pound of red pepper, and a detail of ten men to assist
him. Going to the house, he found ten women, eight
of whom succeeded in getting mto the fort, and, barring
the door, defied arrest.
Wooldridge bored several holes in the door, filled cot-
ton full of pepper and ignited and placed it in the holes
which he had bored. He then took a heavy piece of
paper, made a funnel, and blew the smoke into the fort.
The inmates coughed, sneezed, and begged for mercy.
They were all arrested, and you can rest assured they
never took refuge in the "fort" again.
TRACES A MURDERER.
DETECTIVES ARREST A MAN WHO MAKES A CONFESSION
WHICH REVEALS A MYSTERY.
There are some interesting facts in connection with
a murder case in which Detective Wooldridge ran down
and brought to justice the criminal. On June i6, 1893,
Thomas Hennessy shot and killed Michael O'Prien. On
TRACES A MURDERER 81
June 23, Detective Wooldridge arrested Fred Harris on
a charge of being an accessory to the murder. After
Harris was taken to the station, he made a confession to
the officer.
He said that several nights before the shooting of
O'Brien, the latter and Hennessy held up a man on the
West Side and got from him a considerable sum of
money. When they divided the cash, O'Brien kept $500
more than his share, which enraged Hennessy. He swore
then that he would some time get even with O'Brien.
On the afternoon of June 16, Harris, Hennessy, and
another man were standing near the corner of Wabash
avenue and Harrison street, when O'Brien approached
Harris. Hennessy then handed Harris a revolver and
told him to shoot O'Brien. He refused to do so, and
Hennessy then todk the revolver from him and fired two
shots at O'Brien, both taking effect, killing him almost
instantly.
Harris, Hennessy and the other man, whose Viame
was thought to be O'Connel, fled and left the city. They
boarded a freight train and went to Joliet. Later they
boarded another train and finally reached St. Louis. After
reaching that city, Hennessy and the other man left
Harris, and the latter, not knowing that O'Brien was
dead, came back to Chicago.
When this confession was made, Detective Wooldridge
went to work on the case, and after several weeks suc-
ceeded in finding some witnesses, and thus, link by link,
made a strong case of murder against Hennessy.
The facts were laid before Joseph Kipley, who was
then inspector of the Harrison Street Police Station, and
through the efforts of Wooldridge, a large number of
82 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
photographs and descriptive circulars were made and
sent out to all the important cities in the country.
Wooldridge finally, through persistent and untiring
work, located Hennessy in St. Louis, where he was ar-
rested. An officer from the Central Station was sent
there, and Hennessy was brought back to Chicago. The
officer who brought Hennessy back claimed all the credit
for locating and arresting him, and spurned the offer
of Wooldridge to assist him in hunting up the wit-
nesses and preparing the case.
The result was that when the prisoner was arraigned
there were no witnesses, and the case was not ready for
trial. The officer who had charge of the case even failed
to appear, and this so enraged the assistant state's attor-
ney, that he sent for Inspector Kipley, who called the
officer who had charge of the case and Detective Wool-
dridge into one of the vacant jury rooms at the court-
house and delivered to them a severe lecture for not
having on hand the witnesses and evidence on which to
proceed with the case against Hennessy.
He even threatened to prefer charges against them for
the neglect of duty and bring them before the trial board.
He declared that he had given the officers two weeks and
nothing else to do but to prepare for this case and find
the witnesses.
Wooldridge did not care to have this undeserved lec-
ture laid against him, and told Inspector Kipley that he
had offered to assist the other officers, and that they had
spurned the offer and refused his aid.
Wooldridge was then told to go out and find all the
witnesses in the case. Wooldridge traveled all night
through alleys, highways and byways during one of the
worst rainstorms of the season, and the next morning
CAPTURES GANG OF BOY THIEVES 83'
when Ihe court opened he had five witnesses on hand.
Hennessy was found guilty on December 2, 1893, and
given twenty-five years in the penitentiary at hard labor.
The case was tried before Judge Philip Stein.
CAPTURES GANG OF BOY THIEVES.
SIXTEEN YOUNGSTERS ARRESTED WHO HAD A WAGON LOAD
OF PLUNDER.
One cold night in December, as Detective Wooldridge
was going home on a Wabash avenue car, the conductor
called out to the passengers :
"Look out for valuables. There are pickpockets
aboard."
This attracted the attention of Detective Wooldridge,
who knew that many complaints had been filed at the
Harrison Street Station of a well-organized gang which
was operating along Wabash avenue, and that they were
lifting everything they could lay their hands on. Four or
five officers had been detailed to locate and break them
up, but without success.
After the conductor called attention to the nightly
depredations, Wooldridge kept his eye open. In front
of him sat a gentleman who resided on Thirty-sixth
street. He wore more or less jewelry and was very
portly. At Twelfth street five or six young men jumped
on the grip car, on which they were riding. One crowded
into a seat beside the gentleman. Another pushed him.
from behind, and before he realized what it meant they
were searching his pockets.
Wooldridge drew his revolver, and the thieves jumped
84 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
off the car and disappeared. He thought they lived in the
neighborhood, and he followed them some distance to
see if he could locate them. They ran east on Four-
teenth street, then through the alley, and came out on
Thirteenth street. Then they went to State street and
into a doorway at 1301.
This was a large rooming house kept by Mrs. Smith.
Wooldridge hid on the opposite corner of the street, and
watched the house for two hours. He saw several boys
enter the same building with bundles, who would remain
only a short time, when they would be out again, and
very soon return with another bundle. They would go
to the third story, front room, and could be seen through
an uncovered window.
Wooldridge went to 1301 State street the following
night about dark in company with several other officers,
and they succeeded in getting in and reaching the third
story without being discovered. Two boys were found
in the room with enough plunder to load a patrol wagon,
consisting of clothing, laundry, robes, whiskey, cigars,
butter, groceries, poultry, and, in fact, almost everything
that could be thought of.
The two boys were placed under arrest, and Wool-
dridge sat down to await the coming of the other boys,
first placing an officer downstairs behind the door, with
instructions not to allow any one to go out, but not to
interfere if they came upstairs. They walked into the
trap, one after another, until seven had been caught.
One named Pearson had a fresh wound in his hand,
which, it was afterwards learned, he had received while
in the act of committing a burglary. He was also recog-
nized as the youth who a year previously tried to kill a
shoemaker at 2518 State street.
FOUND HIM IN A TRUNK 85
One of the boys confessed and told Wooldridge that he
would find the rest of the gang at 1536 Wabash avenue,
where the officer surprised them before they had gotten
up, and arrested nine, making in all, sixteen.
Upon investigation, it turned out that Dan Dean, one
of the gang, was the captain, and each day had the work
laid out as follows : In the early morning they would
go out and steal papers from the doorsteps, and make
money for their breakfast; during the day they loafed
around the big stores on State street, picking pockets ;
at dark they worked the laundry and grocery wagons,
halls for overcoats, and when there was a rush on the
street cars they would work them. Later on they laid
for robes, horse blankets, etc.
It took the police many days to find the owners of the
goods recovered. Half a load was recovered at 1536
Wabash avenue.
They were arraigned before Justice Bradwell, Decem-
ber 12, and fined from $10 to $75 each. One of the
worst gangs of thieves that ever infested Chicago was
broken up. It is estimated over $2,000 worth of prop-
erty was stolen by them before they were caught.
FOUND HIM IN A TRUNK.
DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE PLAYS A BAGGAGE SMASHER AND
GETS A THIEF.
The trained eyes and keen senses of a detective never
overlook as unimportant a piece of furniture as a trunk
when he is trying to find a thief, and here is a case in
86 ' HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
which Detective Wooldridge handled a piece of baggage
in such a way as to cause the contents to call for help.
In October, 189S, Wooldridge was detailed to locate
and arrest Ben Brennan, who was wanted for larceny
and for jumping his bonds. He found that the man he
'wanted was stopping at 1232 Wabash avenue, and early
on the morning of October 28, he took several officers
with him and surrounded the house.
It was some twenty minutes before they could gain ad-
mission, and when they did, Brennan was not to be found.
Before the door was opened Wooldridge heard a whis-
pered conversation, also a noise like the sliding of doors,
which convinced him that Brennan was in the house, and
he went to work to make a thorough search of the prem-
ises.
Every closet and hole that a man could hide in was
examined, and they were about to give it up, when Wool-
dridge's eye caught sight of a large trunk which looked
like a drummer's sample case.
He asked Rosie Brennan, who was lying in bed, what
was in the trunk, and in a very excited manner she re-
plied that it contained her own clothes and for him not
to touch it. Wooldridge started for the trunk, when
she sprang out of bed, with a sheet thrown around her,
and again demanded that he should not lay his hands
on the trunk, and that if any one dared to break the
lock she would have him arrested.
Wooldridge told her that no one should break the
lock or do anything contrary to the law. This seemed
to pacify her, and she returned to her bed. Wooldridge
caught hold of the trunk by the handle, and from its
great weight was convinced there was some one m it.
FOUND HIM IN A TRUNK
87
He set it on end, and Rosie gave a scream. He then
turned it down and reversed the ends. This proved his
suspicions were correct. ' There was a man in the trunk,
with head down and feet up, so Wooldridge, apparently
unconcerned, sat down on the trunk, Hghted a cigar, and
awaited developments. Scream after scream came from
the trunk.
"Rosie ! Rosie ! help ! murder ! I am dying ; for God's
sake let me out."
Four or five officers were in the room, and Wooldridge
WAS HID IN A TRUNK.
told them some one seemed to be in trouble on the other
side of the street, and one of them had better run over
and see what it was.
Rosie Brennan sprang from the bed with a scream,
saying, "No, no, the trouble is not on the other side of
the street. My Bennie is in the trunk, and I have the
key."
Holding it in her hand, she said she would open the
trunk if Wooldridge would please get off.
Wooldridge was in no hurry, and began to express a
88 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
doubt as to Rosie's information as to where Bennie was.
He asked her if she did not only a few miniftes ago tell
him that Bennie was not in the house, and that the trunk
contained nothing but her clothing.
Rosie begged and pleaded with tears in her eyes to let
her open the trunk or her poor Bennie would die. This
was too much for the detective. He was a brave and
, fearless officer, he could face a whole army, even a can-
non's mouth, burglars, highwaymen, footpads, murder-
ers, the fusillade of bullets and fire, but the appeal of
Rosie was too much for him. He pulled a handkerchief
from his pocket, brushed away a tear, sprang from the
trunk, and even offered to assist her to release poor
Bennie.
The tray of the trunk and all of the clothes had been
removed, and Bennie Brennan was found in his night
clothes packed in like a sardine in a can. In the bottom
of the trunk were found several bolts of silk, also silk
dresses and underclothing supposed to have been stolen.
Brennan and Rosie were taken to the Harrison Street
Police Station, but they secured bail and fled to New
York.
Ben and Rosie Brennan came from New York several
years prior to this event, and opened a thieving panel
house of prostitution at 41 Eldridge court. Their place
was also a fence for thieves. Bennie Brennan was an
all-around thief, burglar and highwayman. During the
fall of 1896, he was arrested by Officer Early for burg-
lary while crossing the Twelfth street viaduct a few
minutes after he had entered a house on the west side,
and had on his back two suits of stolen clothes, which
were fully identified. He was bound to the criminal
court, indicted, but got out through influence and money.
DETECTIVE AN AERONAUT 89
He has been arrested a number of times with stolen
property on him.
Many complaints were made against both ot them at
the Harrison Street Station, and Detective Wooldridge
raided them until they were driven from 41 Eldridge
court. They next moved to 561 Wabash avenue, where
they continued their depredations, and Wooldridge again
was ordered to close them up. He went to the house
armed with a warrant, and was attacked by Rosie with
a frying-pan full of hot grease. When this gave out she
tried hot water. The officer was burned with the hot
liquids, but finally arrested her, when Bennie appeared
and attacked him with rocks. He, too, was caught and
locked up.
John King, the great criminal lawyer, defended them,
and Justice Richardson assessed each of them $10 and
costs. They were broken up at their place, 561 Wabash
avenue, and removed to 124 1.
DETECTIVE AN AERONAUT.
INFORMATION OF A DISORDERLY HOUSE OBTAINED BY BEING
SUSPENDED IN A BARREL IN MIDAIR.
Many complaints had been made at the Stanton Ave-
nue Station that a disorderly house of prostitution was
being conducted at 306 Thirty-first street. Owing to the
custom and methods of signals used in reaching the in-
side of the house, it was hard work to make a case on
them. Several officers had been detailed on the matter
for two weeks without making any progress or gaining
any information. .
HOISTED IN A BARREL.
CLi^TFl^ENCE GAMES 91
Finally, Officer Wool«tridge was placed in citizen's
clothes and detail&l on the case. He tried every way
that he could thin.i of .o get inside of the house and
see what they were dohig and what was going on, but
without success. Along the side of the disorderly house
ran an alley, and a beam extended from the roof with
a pulley and rope to take up freight and lower ashes, A
barrel was used to bring the ashes down.
Wooldridge secured a vinegar barrel about the same
size, bored it full of holes, and hid it in a carpenter shop
until after midnight. He then rolled it along the alley
until the house was reached. It was attached to the rope
and pulley, and Wooldridge got into the barrel and was
pulled up to the level of the flat and opposite the window
where he could see all that was going on through the
holes in the barrel.
He saw enough to make a case on the inmates, and
next day procured a warrant and raided the house that
night. Wooldridge was questioned by the attorney for
the inmates as to whether he was ever in the house be-
fore the raid.
Wooldridge replied "No," and the attorney was sur-
prised to learn the novel way he had secured the evidence.
All were fined, and the house was broken up.
CONFIDENCE GAMES.
DETAILS OF THE MANY SCHEMES AND DEVICES EMPLOYED
TO FLEECE STRANGERS.
Of all criminals with which the Police Department of
any great city has to deal, confidence men are the most
troublesome. The smooth, well-dressed bunko steerei
92 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
often escapes the eye of the most vigilant officer and
picks his victim from the depots, pubHc buildings and
streets, where policemen are detailed in large numbers.
The Chicago police have encountered the confidence
man in a hundrd varieties of "con" games. They have
found him in league with politicians and other persons
of influence, and waging a war against him has been a
task which required the most skillful work. Detective
Wooldridge has been the known enemy of the oily-
tongued criminal, and during his service in the Chicago
Police Department he has battled with him unrelentingly.
His efforts have resulted in the breaking tip of some of
the most notorious and best organized gangs of "con"
men, and more than one of this gentry, now in the Joliet
penitentiary, can consider his stripes a souvenir of De-
tective Wooldridge's work in behalf of society and law
and order.
During the first four years of the administration of
Mayor Carter H. Harrison, the younger, the public press
again and again called attention to the robberies com-
mitted by confidence men, Mr. Paul D. Howse, in the
columns of the Chicago Inter-Ocean, repeatedly exposed
their games. Mr. Howse, who was a reporter, famil-
iarized himself with the methods of the swindlers and
wrote of their operations so clearly • that his articles
amounted to an expose. Chief of Police Joseph Kipley
called Wooldridge in and instructed him to wage a re-
lentless warfare on the "con" men.
With the assistance of several officers working from
Chief Kipley's office, Wooldridge invaded the haunts of
the confidence men, and, entirely disregarding their po-
litical influence, he broke up gang after gang. Hun-
dreds were arrested and ordered to leave Chicago or fined,
CONFIDENCE GAMES 93
and others were indicted by ine grand jury upon evidence
gathered and presented by Detective Wooldridge.
Soon the "tip" went to the poHticians who posed as the
protectors or backers of the confidence men, "Have Wool-
dridge called off, or the game is gone."
Wooldridge was not "called off," and as a result, Chi-
cago, for the first time in twenty years, was practically
cleared of confidence men, Charles Gundorf, known as
a "fixer" and also as the "King of Con Men," quit Chi-
cago. Finding that he could not follow his nefarious pur-
suits here, Gundorf went to Niagara Falls, where he
secured certain "privileges." He took with him from
Chicago a score of bunko steerers and "con" men who
found Wooldridge's efforts ruinous to their games. Gun-
dorf and his gang is but one of a number which aban-
doned Chicago before the onslaught of Wooldridge and
his fellow officers from' Chief Kipley's office. The ma-
jority of these "grafters" went to Buffalo or that vicinity
to work during the Pan-American Exposition. Chief of
Police O'Neill kept up the good work, and all of these
men were driven out or abandoned confide9ce work.
Previous to January, 1901, the names of Charles Gun-
dorf, "Farmer" Brown, George Beazley, "Big Sam" Je-
rioux, "Kid" Wilson, "Dirty" Eddie' Hall, George Har-
rass, "Bunk" Allen, Harry Featherstone and Lamon
Moore were as familiar to newspaper readers as the
names of city officials. Since that time, owing to Wool-
dridge's efforts, the names of these men have not ap-
peared in public print except to note the fact that "Dirty"
Eddie Hall and Harry Featherstone have been convicted
and sentenced to the penitentiary, and that the others
have been' frequently arrested or forced to quit their dis-
94 . HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
honest practices. Their political "pulls," however strong,
did not save them.
It was "Eddie" Hall and his associates, "Slim Jim'
Davis and "Curly" Collins, who, on Dec. 2, 1887, came
near killing Captain Luke P. Colleran, who at this writ-
ing is chief of the Chicago City Detective Department.
Captain Colleran was then a plain-clothes man, and was
watching for confidence men in the vicinity of the Ran-
dolph street viaduct. He had an advantageous point
of view, and saw Hall and Davis escort strangers up the
bridge. By a long detour, Colleran eluded those who
were left at the end of the bridge to give signals of the
approach of officers, and appeared suddenly on the scene
and found "Slim Jim" Davis, "Eddie" Hall, "Dick"
Dean, and "Kid" Murphy trying to fleece two farmers.
Colleran was alone, but he was determined and was not
appalled because there were four to fight.
He seized Davis by the coat collar, saying, "Davis,
stand still." Leveling his revolver at Hall, he exclaimed,
"Eddie, if you move, I'll shoot." They knew that he
was in earnest, and submitted, but the other two confi-
dence men escaped. He had two under arrest, but he
was not out of trouble yet.
Starting ofif the viaduct towards the patrol box with
his prisoners, he met "Curly" Collins, who offered to
assist the officer.
"All the assistance I ask of yota, Collins," said Col-
leran, "is for you to mind your own business."
Collins then passed on, but when only a few feet away
he picked up a piece of timber, and, running up behind
Colleran, dealt him a blow which knocked him insensi-
ble. The others then jumped on the officer and beat him
terribly. Not satisfied with this, they picked up thf
CONFIDENCE GAMES * ♦»»
Ump and unconscious detective and threw him over the
raiHng of the viaduct. He struck the top of a freight
car, bounded thence head foremost to a flat car loaded
with iron, and then fell to the railroad tracks. The gang
ran and escaped. Colleran was unconscious many hours
and was in the hospital many months, but he has had
the satisfaction at last of seeing every member of the
gang that assaulted him sent to prison.
Captain Colleran has been in the department sixteen
years, and has been advanced .steadily from the ranks
up to his present responsible position. Since he has
been at the head of the Detective Department he has
shown great skill and good judgment in the execution
of his very arduous duties. He has always been known
as a fearless and conscientious officer.
The "Woolen Mills" gang was the most troublesome
of all to the police, owing to the fact that this variety of
"con" game was easiest worked, and the swindlers had
no trouble shifting their bases of operation quickly.
These gangs, also known as "broad" gangs, were allied
with cvirtpjn politicians, and they wielded no light influ-
ence to handicap the work of the police. But their po-
litical influence carried no weight with Detective Wool-
dridge, and the "Woolen Mills" gang is to-day extinct,
the swindlers scattered over the United States, and the
leadeis and backers disheartened.
From four to ten confidence men skilled in the art of
acting, and skilled in this connection implies the fullest
meaning of that word, formed the combination known
as the "Woolen Mills" gangs. One gang worked under
the direction of "Farmer" Brown, and others were
headed by grafters of equal accomplishments. Three of
the "con" men in these eanifs remained about the fake
t6 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIMF
offices, and the others worked the vicinity of the rail-
road depots, the stock yards, and the pubhc streets and
buildings, on the lookout for victims.
The outside men, known as bunko steerers, approached
unsophisticated strangers. One of the swindlers would
hasten to the victim, grasp his hand and call him by
some fake name. Invariably the stranger stated that
a mistake had been made, and during the explana-
tion by the grafter, the stranger's real name was se-
cured. This was quickly imparted to another bunko
steerer who carried a pocket bank and post-office direct-
ory. The second swindler quickly gleaned the direct-
ories and picked out the name of a banker or the post-
master in the town from which the stranger hailed or
nearest which he resided.
Then, came the fine work. The second "con" man
approached the stranger and called him by his right
name. He introduced himself as a nephew, brother, or
cousin of the banker or postmaster, and stated that he
was in business with the "Great Western Woolen Mills."
He then invited the stranger to accompany him to the
office of the woolen mills company to have a free suit
of clothing made.
"We're making suits for advertising purposes, and all
we ask is for you to show it to the folks out home, and
tell them how the 'Great Western Woolen Mills Com-
pany' made it," the swindler explained.
The stranger was then conducted to the "broad" joint,
usually an office located in the levee district. There he
was told that the manager was out for a minute. Within
a minute two other confidence men, pretending to have
come from the stock yards after selling a carload of
mules or stock, would come in. They began discussing a
Tivcli Came
SEVEN DIFFERENT CONFIDENCE GAMES.
98 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
game played with four cards, three of which have stars
printed on them and one of which bears a picture of a
girl kicking a hat. The stranger is induced to make bets
that he can pick out the fourth card. In this process
the swindler who brought him to the place turns up the
corner of the fourth card and wins. When the victim
places all his money on a bet the other confidence men
change the cards and turn up the corner of another.
If the victim shows an inclination to cause trouble for
the swindlers, the manager of the fake concern is called
in and he upbraids the victim for gambling. If he is not
then inclined to leave the "broad" joint without making
trouble, a bogus policeman is called in. This fake officer
arrests the victim for gambling and conducts him
through a maze of streets and alleys to an out-of-the-
way place, where he is left to shift for himself.
When the stranger leaves the "broad" joint, the gang
picks up the samples of cloth and desks which adorned
the fake office and makes a quick move to another fake
office. In the event of the victim making complaint to
the police the gang is out of the way. Officers may be
led to the rooms where the victim was robbed, but they
find it so changed that the stranger seldom recognizes
it as the same place. Robberies of this kind have netted
as high as $2,500 each.
But the day of the "broad" joint and its smooth oper-
ators has ended. Detective Wooldridge familiarized him-
self with the haunts of the swindlers, with their meth-
ods and their faces, and his warfare drove them from
the city.
It was as a "broad" joint operator that "Farmer"
Brown became famous, although Charles Gundorf is
generally spoken of as the originator of this infamous
CONFIDENCE GAMES 99
swindle. Brown took the part of a Kentucky farmer
who had just sold a load of mules, and his smooth talk
induced hundreds of victims to bet their money on the
card game swindle. A conservative estimate of the
amount of money taken from strangers in Chicago by
this swindle previous to 1901 is $10,000 per month.
Detective Wooldridge is entitled to the credit of break-
ing up a gang of confidence men operating the swindle
known as the "wire tapping" or "race track" game.
This swindle was one that puzzled the entire police force
of Chicago for a time. Its operators were among the
"smoothest" confidence men in the United States, and
they made so much money through their operations that
they were able to fight prosecution by buying off Wit-
nesses and bringing up technicalities on appeals which
sometimes prevented their entrance into the penitentiary.
This swindle found victims through shrewd business
men, and seldom did operators find it necessary to lure
unsophisticated countrymen into their net.
The operators of this swindle included such "smooth"
confidence men as "Eddie" Dunne, O. M. Stone, Andrew
Brown, J. W. Turner and Charles Gates. These five
men were arrested time and again by Wooldridge.
On March 25, 1901, "Eddie" Dunne and Charles
Gates were held in bonds of $2,000 each for swindling
Mrs. Pearl H. Beardsley out of $1,750. They induced
her to back them to open an office and fit it up with wires
and instruments with which they were to get advance
reports on races. They opened an office in the Imperial
building. Before they began to operate, Dunne was
arrested and the instruments seized.
The "wire tappers" usually fit up an office in some
out-of-the-way office building or rooming house with
100 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
telegraph instruments which make a circuit on them-
selves. They, of course, are expert electricians, and one
unfamiliar with their game is more than likely to believe
that they have tapped a wire running to a race track or
pool-room. The victim is told that the operators can
easily hold back the race report until one of their number
can hasten to a nearby pool-room and make a bet on the
race.
The victim is readily led to believe that he is going to
beat the gamblers, and he sees no way of losing. He is
induced to intrust his money to one of the swindlers,
who is supposed to hasten to a pool-room as soon as a
race report comes over the fake wire. The confidence
man disappears with his money, and he is sent out to
meet him, or in some cases he is taken to the pool-room
and lost in the crowd. When he returns to the "wire-
tapper's" office he finds that they have dismantled their
quarters and disappeared.
On January 3, 1900, Detective Wooldridge executed a
coup on O. M. Stone and J. W. Turner which com-
pletely staggered the veteran "wire-tapper" and caused
the greatest satisfaction to the telegraph company. Stone
was arrested by Wooldridge, and in order to avoid a
charge of swindling, he maintained that he was running
a pool-room. However, Wooldridge had Stone indicted,
and on July 22 he was tried before Judge Baker and
paid a heavy fine.
The fake pool-room was conducted in the Imperial
building at 260 Clark street. For some time complaints
had reached the Police Department that "wire-tappers"
vyere blossoming out with increased activity and seeking
to rob the public by pretending to furnish names of race
winners before the inf6rmation was given out by the
regular news agencies.
CONFIDENCE GAMES 101
Stone afterwards opened an office in rooms 23 and 53
of the Commerce building at 16 Pacific avenue, which
he called the Commercial News Bureau. These rooms
were on different floors. Room 23 was used by Stone
as an office in which he met his victims and made his
arrangements for giving them racing results in advance.
Room 53 was the operating department.
Detective Wooldridge was detailed on this case by the
chief of police. He first went to Stone's office but he was
not there. He then went to room 53, where Stone was
found. The room was fitted up like the laboratory of a
scientist. On a long work-bench at one side of the room
were installed a telegraph instrument, a telephone, and
various groups of delicate and complicated electrical de-
vices. A row of tiny incandescent globes flashed the sig-
nals of the Morse code when the telegraph keys were
manipulated by the city's expert telegrapher, who ac-
companied the detective.
The detective sounded the walls and peered out of the
windows to see where the wires used by Stone led. An
expert from the Western Union Telegraph Company
also made a careful examination, and declared that
Stone's telegraph instrument was not then connected
with any live wire and that the circuit was cut in on an
electric wire and grounded on the roof of the Com-
mercial building. While the officer was making his in-
vestigation, Stone maintained an attitude of complete
resignation and calmly smoked ' a cigar. He declared
that he was conducting a strictly legitimate business, and
that the invasion of his office was an outrage.
However, when Detective Wooldridge began to exam-
ine with a curious eye the massive steel door of the vault
in one corner of the room and requested Stone to open it,
102 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
the latter awakened from his apathy, but refused to obey
the command. When the detective declared he would
send for an expert and have it opened, Stone changed
his mind and worked the combination. The interior of
the vault disclosed a pretty little room, the walls of which
were covered with scarlet paper. On a small desk were
a ticker, a telephone, and a telegraph instrument. The
vault was brilliant with electric light, and it was an ideal
place for quietly sending or receiving messages either
by telephone or telegraph and for the operator of the
ticker.
Representatives of the telephone company and of the
Gold and Stock Exchange Telegraph Company were
sent for, and the instruments which had been rented un-
der an assumed name were removed. Stone and Thomas
Carroll were arrested before this at 21 Quincy street for
conducting a fake pool-room. Later he and two other
men were arrested at 177 La Salle street on the same
charge, and were held to the grand jury.
Officials of the Western Union Telegraph Company
say Stone is the greatest electrician in the United States,
or, perhaps, in the world. This company would be will-
ing to pay Stone a handsome salary for his services, if
he could be relied on, and, in fact, authorized Detective
Wooldridge to make him a proposition for them.
A federal injunction was once secured by. the Western
Union restraining Stone from tapping their wires, but
Stone is such an expert in telegraphy and electricity that
it is hard to make a case against him. He has shown
that he can take a message from a wire without tap-
ping it.
This is done by what is called induction. He is the
inventor of numerous delicate and valuable instruments.
In the old days when he was flourishing, a man could
CONFIDENCE GAMES 103
go into his operating room and see a dozen employees
busy receiving and sending messages and not hear a
sound of an instrument.
He once started an independent telephone system in
Chicago and used wires all over the downtown district,
yet he did not have a wire of his own. He simply "bor-
rowed" them without the knowledge or consent of the
owners. He did not have a permit from the city.
Soon after Stone's place in the Commercial building
was broken up, Detective Wooldridge discovered a wire-
tapping or fake pool-room in the Omaha building. From
the agents of the building he learned that the rent had
been paid by Stone.
The detective went after Stone and forced him to cut
all the wires he had in use at the Omaha building. These
wires ran over the tops of several buildings in the vi-
cinity. Wooldridge followed Stone in his route over
the house-tops and saw him cut every wire.
There are so many of these confidence games that it
would require almost a whole volume to describe all of
them. One which is a "sure thing" for the owners of it
is the Tivoli game. It does not differ very materially
from the regular Tivoli game which is frequently seen in
saloons and billiard halls, except that the latter is on the
square, whereas the former is a gambling game and has
connected with it a mechanical device which prevents the
playej from winning. It consists of a small high table
on which is arranged rows of pins and pockets or holes
and looks much like the regulation bagatelle table. At
the end is a short hollow post, surmounted by a negro
head, whose wide mouth is a target at which a small
ball is thrown.
The pockets or holes in the table are all numbered and
104 HANDS UP, IN THE WURLD Ul' CKLME
pay according to the numbers. The pla3er is asked to
throw a ball into the negro's mouth and if the ball goes
into the mouth, down the hollow tube and then rolls into
a certain pocket, he gets a certain amount of money,
which is always declared to be several times the amount
paid for making the venture.
But by a cleverly arranged mechanism the operator
can, by a simple pull on a cord underneath and without
observation, cause a small pin to project and thus prevent
the ball from going into any pocket into which he does
not want it to go.
There is a fascination for strangers about the game,
because it looks simple and seems on the square, but it
is a hard game to beat, even when not operated by crooks.
The bunko steerer finds many victims for this game and
thousands of dollars have been lost in it, of which noth-
mg has been said, because the victim usually realizes
when it is too late that he has been robbed by a cheap
swindle and is ashamed to let any one know it. This
the swindler well knows and he does not hesitate to
get all the money he can.
The same methods are used to get players for this
game as are used in all the other games. "Cappers" are
sent out to bring in the rural visitors. They are told of
the "big sights" to be seen in this wonderful place ; shown
pictures of women in suggestive attitudes and Irear stories
of a reproduction of a harem and this more easily leads
out-of-town sightseers astray than anything else.
Another swindling game which has filled the pockets
of many crooks is what is called the "goose-neck." This
game is similar to that which is frequently seen at county
fairs by which a man tests his hitting strength with a
heavy mallet or maul, by striking a large pin which sends
CONFIDENCE GAMES 105
an automatic marker up on a tube which registers the
striker's strength.
The "goose-neck" is a reproduction of this on a small
scale, except that the victim does not register his strength.
In hitting the pin with a small mallet he is supposed to
produce on the post or cylinder, even or odd numbers.
These numbers are controlled by the operator, who by
the turn of a small screw which is invisible to the victim
can make the register show either one he desires.
The victim is lured on by confidence men or by a steerer
who will make a bet of say $2 that he can get the even
numbers. Of course, when he strikes, the even numbers
show up. He is allowed to win a number of times, when
the operator tells him he is too lucky and that he will
allow him to play no more.
Then he pretends to be greatly angered and turns to
his victim and tells him to play ; that he is liable to win
a thousand dollars ; that the operator is in bad luck, etc.
The victim will start out by betting $2, and he is al-
lowed to win because the operator turns the screw to set
the numbers bet on. Then the victim is told he had made
a conditional bet; that is, he had won two dollars by
getting the even numbers, but by putting up $2 more he
stands to win not $4, but $20. This seems alluring and
he is told again that the conditions are th^t by putting
up $25 more he can win $500. That is the limit of the *
conditional betting he is told, unless the steerers and cap-
pers find the victim has plenty of money and is v/illing
to stand to win a thousand, in which case he is likely to
be asked to put up anywhere from $100 to $500 to win
$1,000. But if the victim seems to be afraid to put up
any more than the $25, the screw is turned to show up
the odd numbers, if the bet is made on the evens, and,
106 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
presto, he is informed that he has lost and the ''steerers,"
"cappers," "coin separators," "outside hooks" and
"come-ons" begin to surge toward the street, carrying
the victim with them, and he soon finds himself standing
on the sidewalk with no one in sight whom he saw on
the inside.
And thus it goes. When on the inside, he is made to
think that every one around him is anxious to play the
game, and when they are stopped on account of their
'^heavy winnings," they encourage him. "Go in, old
man," they will say, "you can't lose," and when he is
permitted to win a few bets, one of them will exclaim,
"I wish I had your luck. I never saw anything like it.
Let me play once." But the operator will tell him it is
not fair to him to play on another man's luck, and winds
up by saying, "This gentleman may win all my money,
but I will be fair and not stop him until he goes the
limit."
Thus encouraged, the stranger lets his money go and
frequently leaves without a cent in his pocket.
An experienced confidence man — such as he with
whom Officer Wooldridge has dealt with such a firm hand
— is always ready to fleece victims, and to this end he
carries dice, a fake lock and other swindling devices in
his pocket. He has them ready to use in a moment.
With three ordinary dice the swindler entices the
victim into the "top-and-bottom" or "Rocky Mountain"
dice game. A booster is necessary in this game. The
booster meets the victim and conducts him to a saloon or
byway and there the operator is found shaking three
dice. The operator offers to bet the booster and his vic-
tim that they cannot tell what number the spots on the
tops and bottoms of the three dice will aggregate. The
CONFIDENCE GAMES 107
booster makes a bet, giving the number as twenty-one,
and wins. The operator then excuses himself for a min-
ute or two,, and during his absence the booster explains
that twenty-one will always be the count on the tops
and bottoms of the dice no matter how they are thrown.
iThe victim quickly sees this.
When the operator returns he offers to make more
bets. The booster apparently wishes to discourage bet-
ting, but the operator is so insistent at wagering his
money on what appears to be a certain loss that the
booster tells the victim to bet with him. It is an easy
matter to lure the stranger into this swindle.
After the money is bet the victim is usually allowed
to win the first wager. The operator then increases the
size of the bet to the amount which he believes the victim
to possess. The bet is made and the dice thrown. Some
operators "switch" dice, putting in a dice with equal
numbers on opposite sides. This breaks the count and
the victim loses. Other operators turn one dice half
round after the top numbers have been counted. This,
too, breaks the count at the victim's expense.
In the lock game the booster with the victim appears to
find a brass lock on the street. He laments the fact that
he found no key. Another confidence man is near at
hand and is introduced to the victim. The second swin-
dler is shown the lock and he produces a bunch of keys,
one of which opens the lock. The victim is given the key
and lock, and finds that it works right, but the original
booster is unable to work the lock. The victim is roped
into betting as in the dice game and by pressing a hidden
spring, the lock is bound so that the victim cannot unlock
it after his money is up.
The confidence man lives strictly by his wits and he
108 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
can truthfully be said to be a witty and a hard customei*
to handle. He is inventive and constantly bringing out
new swindles. ' But with his new ideas he finds old ones
best in some cases and hence newspaper readers learn
through the daily press of swindling by the "steamboat
explosion" and "tunnel cave-in." The surprising thing
is that these ancient swindles find victims after years of
exposure in the daily press.
The "steamboat explosion" and "tunnel cave-in"
dodges are used in many instances as a subterfuge to
get the victim into the clutches of shell men and other
confidence operators. But sometimes they are used to
further downright robbery. Many cases of both descrip-
tion have been encountered by Officer Wooldridge and
many criminals with victims in tow have been put to
flight by the appearance of Wooldridge when the game
was all but sprung.
Some years ago these swindlers became very bold and
to demonstrate that he could catch them -despite their
shrewdness. Officer Wooldridge disguised himself as a
countryman.
He was approached by a booster and was led to the
swindle, where he disclosed his identity and arrested one
of the most troublesome gangs with which the police
ever had to deal.
The unsophisticated stranger in Chicago is approached
by a booster who asks him if he has seen the tunnel cave-
in or steamboat explosion. This usually excites the curi-
osity of the victim and he is easily led to some out-of-
the-way spot to be shorn by the shell game or held up
by a fake policeman. In the latter instance he is accused
of having counterfeit money in his possession The bo-
CONFIDENCE GAMES 10?
gus officer flashes a star and the booster promptly hands
over his money for the scrutiny of the alleged policeman.
This is returned as "sound," and the victim is induced
to allow the examination of his money. This is "found"
to be counterfeit. The fake policeman takes it away
after telling the victim to call at the police station later,
and if it is found that the money is genuine he can se-
cure its return. If the victim is inclined to object to
seeing his money go from him, he is told that he will be
arrested for carrying counterfeit money and that the pun-
ishment is a year's confinement in the penitentiary. This
yarn usually settles the most suspicious victim.
There is another game operated by confidence men,
which is the most illusive of them all.
This is called the envelope game. It seems such an
easy matter to catch the envelope containing a $io bill,
and the odds given on it are so large that even the most
conservative people are often tempted to try their luck.
It consists of an ordinary envelope box containing
about fifty envelopes. In the presence of the man who
wants to try his luck, a $io bill is inserted into the en-
velope, which is thrown into the box with the others and
then a chance is given any one to select any five of the
envelopes which are in the box for $i. Each envelope
has a small slit in the bottom of it and it is through this
that the operator cunningly extracts the $io bill, when to
all appearances it has been left in the envelope. It is a
simple trick which the confidence men can operate so
dexterously that the outsider seldom sees how it is done
and a great deal of money has been lost through the ef-
forts of strangers to get the envelope containing the $io.
It may be a matter of surprise to many persons to
110 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
learn that the ancient shell game continues to bring a
steady and very remunerative income to the confidence
men and swindlers of the largest cities.
Since Illinois was a rolling prairie and the few settlers
were trading tin cups for valuable furs with the Indians,
the shell game has been a sort of well-known institu-
tion. It has thrived in Chicago and even in the small
towns where days of celebration, county fairs, and circus
exhibitions brought visitors from the rural districts. The
cost of attempting to locate the elusive "pea" has long
been met by the curious countrymen and "green" towns-
men and as late as to-day shell men or "nut" men can
be found occasionally about the depots, stock yards or
other places where visitors from the country are likely
to be met.
Three half-shells of the English walnut, an India rub-
ber "pea" and a soap box or small table complete the
swindling outfit of the shell man. At least one "booster"
is essential to the success of the swindle.
The operator rolls the "pea" about under the inverted
shells and bets the victim that he cannot tell which shell
it is under. The "booster" steps up first and the operaor
with seeming carelessness allows the "pea" to slide
slowly under one of the shells. This motion is seen by
the countryman and the "booster." The latter makes a
bet and of course wins. Then the victim is inveigled
into the game.
The operator appears to handle the shells more care-
lessly than before. He allows the "pea" to remain an
instant under the edge of one shell. The victim sees this
and imagines that he has a sure thing. He makes his
bet and picks up the shell, to find it empty. The shell
CONFIDENCE GAMES Hi
operator, necessarily skilled in handling the "pea," causes
it to pass under the shell picked up by the victim and
inside the next shell. This motion is too quickly made
for detection.
There is another confidence game which is worked on
small storekeepers and by which many a clerk and pro-
prietor, men and women, have been victimized. This is
called the "short change" scheme. The man who works
this plan of robbery usually selects one of those small
stores which are located in the vicinity of schools and in
which are sold confections, stationery, etc.
His plan is to enter one of these- stores with a lot of
small change in his hand and tell the clerk or proprietor
he has written his wife a letter and wants to inclose $5
in it and ask for a bill in exchange for silver. He has
the letter in his hand already stamped and addressed.
He counts out the small change and manages to extract
from it fifteen or twenty cents without being detected.
He is given the five-dollar bill and then tells the clerk to
count the silver to see if it is correct. While this is
being done the confidence man places the five-dollar bill
in the letter, but dexterously gets it out and then seals
the letter.
In the meantime the clerk has discovered that the
change is fifteen or twenty cents short. The confidence
man hurriedly counts it again and declares he has made
a mistake. He then gives the clerk the letter supposed
to contain the five-dollar bill and tells him to "just hold
that a few minutes until I run back home and get the
balance of the change."
Thinking the five-dollar bill is in the envelope, the
clerk takes it and lays it aside, while the confidence man
112 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
with the bill in his pocket, picks up the change, and, say-
ing, "I'll be back in a minute," departs and is not seen
again. This game has been played hundreds of times in
Chicago and very few of the rascals have been caught.
WAS A VICTIM OF THE GRAFTERS.
MERRY TAILOR FROM DOWN EAST IS ROBBED IN CHICAGO
BY TWO WOMEN.
Being disappointed with business in the east, Thomas
Farrell, a tailor, started to Topeka, Kansas, and landed
in Chicago en route to the A^estern town on March 15,
1896. But he fell in the hands of the "grafters" before
ne was in the city long.
While passing along Dearborn street in front of 408,
he met Jessie Sadler and Lula Brown, who accosted this
maker of trousers.
"Where are you going, merry tailor ?" said Jessie.
"My name is not Mary Taylor," said Farrell, "I'm a
man."
With a few more pleasant words, Farrell went with
the women to their rooms, and finding that he had money
and would not divide with them, they grabbed him
around the neck, held him fast and robbed him and
threw him out, taking $90, all the money he had.
Farrell reported the matter at the Harrison Street
Station and Detective Wooldridge was detailed on the
case. Farrell gave a good description of the two women
and took the officer to the house.
The following day the two women were arrested. Jes-
sie confessed and said that Lula Brown had taken the
HAD A WINTER ROOF Gx\RDEN 113
monev dim ici-used to di'-ide- Both were held to the
grana jur;y m bunds of $500.
Wooldridge took Farrell to the stock yards and se-
cured nim ernpioyment, but he ventured downtown the
next day and the women found out that he was going
to stay in the city and prosecute.
They tnen ior'ked the money over to him, bought him
a ticket to Kansas, placed him on the train and when the
case came up there was no one to prosecute.
HAD A WINTER ROOF GARDEN.
WOMEN TAKE TO THE HOUSE TOP TO ESCAPE ARREST, BUT
IT IS TOO CHILLY FOR THEM.
The roof may be a pleasant retreat in summer weather,
but it is too chilly for comfort when the mercury is hov-
ering around the zero mark and especially if the occu-
pants of this midwinter roof garden happen to be thinly
clad, as was the case when Detective Wooldridge first
discovered the hiding place of a number of disorderly
characters for whom he had warrants.
In March, 1896, Nellie Miller kept a house of bad re-
pute at 7 Hubbard court. On several occasions officers
had been sent lo raid this house, but when they got in-
side they couid never find any one but the cook.
Detective Wooldridge went there one night and had
warrants for the arrest of Nellie Miller and all the in-
mates. Before he enterea the house he discovered that
there were- a number of persons inside, but after enter-
ing they became .invisible.
After making a carefui search of the place, Wool-
114
HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
dridge found that the women had gone to the roof of
the house by means ojc a ladder in an upper hallway, and
as the ladder was not in sight it was evident that they
had drawn it up after them and then closed the trap
door.
The weather was extremely cold and the officer, know-
ing that the fleeing women were thinly dressed, made 3
weather-bureau calculation, deducing the conclusion tha*"
SHIVERING ON THE ROOF.
they could not remain there longer than twenty minutes.
The professor in charge of the Auditorium tower could
not have figured more correctly. Wooldridge also fig-
ured that he could smoke a cigar in twenty minutes, anc"
proceeded to kill time by lighting a Havana.
In just twenty minutes the trap door was opened
Then the little ladder was slided down with as much dex-
terity as if it had been in the hands of a fireman.
One by one the shivering females came down, their
ROBBERS SHOW NO SYMPATJiY 115
teeth chattering as if they had an ague. After all had
gotten in out of the chilly blasts that were coming from
the lake, Wooldridge drew out his warrant and served it
on Nellie Miller and told her if all were present he
would proceed to call the roll.
After each had made a toilet which was more in keep-
ing with the season and more appropriate for a ride in
the patrol wagon to the police station, they were marched
out and carted away.
Each was given a heavy fine next morning by Justice
Richardson.
ROBBERS SHOW NO SYMPATHY.
WILL STEAL FROM A CHILD OR CRIPPLE AS READILY AS
FROM A BANKER.
The man who makes his living by robbery and confi-
dence games has no conscience or symf»athy. He will
fleece a child or an aged cripple as readily as he will
hold up a banker.
This was demonstrated when, on December i, 1896,
C. H. Cannon, a ranchman from Dakota, was ruthlessly
robbed of every cent he had and left stranded at the
depot while en route to Fullerton, Ontario, with his in-
valid wife and two small children. After the confidence
men had left him, he was compelled to open a toy sav-
ings bank which belonged to one of the little ones, and
take therefrom $1.79 with which to buy the babies and
sick wife something to eat.
Some five years prior Mr. Cannon married in Mon-
treal, Canada, and went to Dakota, rented a piece of land
and went to farming. The two children were born
116 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF jCRIME
there, and on account of Mrs. Cann6n's health (she was
very deHcate and had consumption), they had sold their
crops and household goods, and were returning to her
mother's home at Fullerton, Ontario.
All the money Cannon possessed in the world when
he landed in Chicago was $80. His little girl begged
him to buy her a doll, and as he could get it only a few
steps from the depot, he started out to buy it.
George P. Beazley, a smooth confidence man, had been
watching him, and followed him to State and Polk
streets, where he came forward and inquired if he knew
a good place to buy a suit of clothes, as he was a stran-
ger in the city. Cannon replied that he also was a stran-
ger and wished to purchase a doll, telling him his name
and where he was going. Beazley said he too was going
to Canada, only a few miles from where Cannon was go-
ing. A man named Wallace, another confidence man
and partner of Beazley, stuped up, and volunteered to
show them both where they could get the best bargains in
clothes and a doll.
While purchasing the doll, Cannon exposed a roll of
bills. He then started for the depot to join his wife and
children, when Beazky insisted that he have a cigar
with him before parting. They went to a saloon at 386
State street. Here the dice were produced, and Beazley
and Wallace began a game where the spots are counted
on the top^and bottom of three dice. Any way these dice
are thrown, the number will be twenty-one, but these
smooth confidence men always carry a bogus dice with
them, which would make a different number. Everything
is explained to the victim, and he is shown that it is im-
possible for him to lose, but if he puts up any money
the bogus dice are slipped into the box.
Every inducement was offered Cannon to take part.
■ ROBBERS SHOW NO SYMPATHY 117
and failed. Beazley made bet after bet and won ; finally
he asked Cannon to change a bill, and when he took out
his pocketbook it was snatched and a scuffle began. A
third man, who was a friend of Beazley and Wallace,
walked in and seized Cannon, and representing himself
to be an officer, charged Cannon with gambling. Both
Wallace and Beazley in the meantime ran away with the
money, while the bogus officer held Cannon.
He was left one thousand miles from home or friends,
in a strange city with a sick wife and two children and
penniless, with the exception of $1.79. He made com-
plaint to Captain Charles Koch at the Harrison Street
Police Station and Detective Wooldridge was detailed
on the case. Cannon and his family were taken to the
Harrison Street Annex, and made as comfortable as
possible. Then Cannon was dressed as a tramp and
taken along to point out the men. Two days were spent
in the search, and every day the dives in the levee dis-
trict were visited. About 11 p. m. on the second day
both men were seen on State street and Hubbard court
by Cannon, who pointed them out, and they were ar-
rested and identified by the saloon keeper. They were
arraigned before Justice G. W. Underwood on December
3d, and fined $50 each. They would have been held to
the Criminal court, but Cannon could not stay to prose-
cute them.
Wooldridge took up a collection and secured tickets
and $13, and placed Cannon and his family on the train
for Canada. The two thieves were sent to the House of
Correction. An effort was made by friends and politi-
cians to have them pardoned by Mayor Swift, but when
he heard the facts he refused to do so.
There were fifteen or twenty men engaged in this
118 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
business who did nothing else but operate around the
depots and viaducts, and they reaped a rich harvest for
years.
On one occasion Detectives Wooldridge and Schubert
were sent out to catch some of them. Wooldridge went
to a second-hand store on Clark street and secured a big
fur coat, white hat, cowhide boots, a lantern, a long pole,
used by stockmen to get cattle on their feet which get
down in the cars while en route to the Chicago market,
a targe black paper valise, and started out. Detective
Schubert followed some distance behind to assist him in
making the arrest of these confidence men when located.
The disguise worked all right. They visited the Illi-
nois Central depot, at Twelfth street and Michigan ave-
nue, and then passed over the Twelfth street viaduct,
and went north on Fifth avenue, until they had got within
a short distance of the Wisconsin Central depot, when
Wooldridge was spied by Lyman Moore, Joe Farley and
James Carter, who were driving around in a buggy
looking for just such people as Wooldridge appeared
to be.
Before the buggy reached Wooldridge, Joe Farley
jumped out and, taking the opposite side of the street,
passed Wooldridge and dropped one of the little locks,
which have been fully described, on the sidewalk, and
secreted himself in a doorway near by. Moore and Car-
ter drove up, and, stopping, inquired if he knew where
the City Hotel was.
Wooldridge told them "he be gol darned if he did, as
he was a stranger in this here town, and had just come
in with a car of pigs, which he had sold and that he had
the money right here in his pocket," tapping his big over-
coat, "but if there was anything else he could do for the
gents he would be glad to do it."
ROBBERS SHOW NO SYMPATHY 119
Moore's and Carter's eyes sparkled with the prospect
of getting the wallet which Wooldridge, the old pig
puncher, was supposed to carry with him. Moore turned
to Carter, saying he was dry, and invited him to get out
and have a drink with him. He also invited the stran-
ger (Wooldridge), who accepted. The horse was hitched
and all three started up the street to find a saloon. Com-
ing to the place where the lock was dropped, it was
picked up and examined. They entered the saloon where
the combination and spring of the lock had been found,
and examined by all three of them.
Joe Farley then walked in, and the lock was given him
to examine. He pronounced it no good and offered to
wager any amount of anoney that neither one of the three
could open it. Every inducement was offered Wool-
dridge, the pig puncher, to join Moore and Carter and
skin Farley out of his money. Schubert entered at this
juncture and asked what they were doing with the old
stockman, meaning Wooldridge. All of them tried to
convince the officer that they knew the pig puncher, and
Carter claimed to be a relative of his.
Detective Schubert seized Moore and Carter and placed
them under arrest. They showed fight, and Joe Farley
told Detective Schubert he would have to kill all of them
before he could take a single one.
While they were engaged in this argument Wool-
dridge stepped to one side, and, slipping off his fur coat,
whipped out two revolvers, one in each hand, and, cover-
ing them all, he said that they were going to the Harri-
son Street Station, and if there was any killing to be
done they had better begin on him. Moore and Carter
recognized Officer Wooldridge, and knew that they were
confronted by one of the most determined and fearless
men on the police force in Chicago.
120 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
They submitted to arrest without further trouble, and
were marched to the station and locked up. They were
fined heavily, and notified to leave the city. Lyman
Moore, James Carter, and Joe Farley were the smooth-
est and best known confidence men in the West.
RIDES A THIEF TO JAIL.
DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE CAPTURES AND COMPELS A HIGH-
WAY ROBBER TO CARRY HIM TO THE LOCK-UP.
Philip Schneider lived at 4637 Drexel boulevard, Chi-
cago. On June 5, 1894, he accompanied friends to the
railroad depot at Dearborn and Polk streets, to see them
take the train for their homes.
Bidding his friends good-bye, Mr. Schneider started
for his home. Arriving at State street, he found the
street cars crowded, and he concluded he would walk to
Twelfth street, some three blocks south, and from there
take the elevated train home. He had reached the va-
cant lot south of Taylor street, and opposite the Atchi-
son, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad freight house, which
was about one-half the distance to the elevated station
at Twelfth street.
Just at this point Mr. Schneider was felled to the
ground by a blow from a slung shot in the hands of a
highway robber who had approached him from the rear.
The blow only stunned him, and as he opened his eyes
he looked up into the face of his assailant.
A street gas lamp was only a short distance away and
the glare from it fell on the colored highwayman, who
was busily engaged rifling his victim's pockets.
ON THE prisoner's SHOULDERS.
131
122 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
While this was going on, Mr. Schneider had a good
view of the robber's face, clothing, and figure, which was
indelibly fixed in his mind and memory. Forty dollars
and a gold watch were taken.
Mr. Schneider tried to prevent the taking of the watch
by holding on to it for all he was worth, as it was a
present from his father, long since deceased, but the rob-
ber kicked him in the side, face, and eye; the latter he
came near losing afterwards. The robber secured the
watch and fled, leaving the victim unconscious and nearly
dead.
How long Philip Schneider lay there from the effects
of the brutal beating he had received no one knows, and
he might have succumbed to his injuries had not Detect-
ive Wooldridge had occasion to pass that way, and found
him moaning and bleeding by the side of the plank walk,
the latter being several inches higher there than the
ground.
He was removed to the hospital in the police ambu-
lance, where medical aid and every attention was given
him. Upon the recovery of his reason he gave an intel-
ligent report of what had taken place, together with a
correct and minute description of the colored robber who
had brutally beaten and robbed him.
Mr. Schneider further stated that he would be able
to recognize his assailant among a million men, and that
he could pick him out anywhere on sight.
The day following, June 6th, Philip Schneider and
Detective Wooldridge started out to look for the colored
robber in Chicago, a city, by the way, of nearly two mil-
lion inhabitants. It was a big undertaking, and alto-
gether like the far-famed search for a needle in a hay-
stack; but both men were determined that this highway-
RIDL6 X THIEF TO JAIL 123
man should be huntp4 lown, arrested and brought to
justice.
A start was madii froij the railway depot to the scene
of the robbery; then every colored resort and saloon on
State street was visited, together with those on Dearborn
street, Custom House place, and Clark street. All of
these places were searched thoroughly, and the search
was continued to the side streets. While this search was
in progress, and while Philip Schneider and Detective
Wooldridge were passing along the crowded thorough-
fare of Polk street, between Clark street and Pacific
avenue, which district is inhabited and frequented by
every nationality and color, they saw standing at the
mouth of an alley three colored men, drinking from an
oyster can filled with beer.
Philip Schneider discovered that he was face to face
with Eugene Buchanan, the man v/ho so brutally beat
and robbed him the night before, and in loud tones ex-
claimed to the detective, "There is the man who robbed
me. Arrest him !"
At first Buchanan tried to pass it off as a joke, but
finding that his subterfuge failed, he then said he could
prove that he was in company with the two men present
two miles from the scene of the robbery, and that he had
remained there all night.
This statement Detective Wooldridge knew was not
true, for he had seen Smith, one of the men present, and
Buchanan several times on the evening before.
Schneider insisted on the arrest of Buchanan, and De-"
tective Wooldridge told the negro that he must accom-
pany him to the police station.
Schneider pulled a revolver from his pocket and kept
at bay the other two colored men. The struggle be-
1.24 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
tween Buchanan and the detective was hot and fierce,
and many blows were exchanged. The detective, how-
ever, had Buchanan by the end of his coat sleeve, next
to his right hand. Qi this the detective had a firm grip
with his fingers in the inside of the coat sleeve and the
thumb on the outside. Wooldridge had the use of his
right hand, while Buchanan's right hand was useless, so
long as Wooldridge had this kind of a hold. But Bu-
chanan had the advantage of both strength and weight,
and used both in the struggle, by getting around to the
back of the detective.
Then getting his head between his legs, he attempted
to throw the detective over his head. But Buchanan had
picked the wrong man, for Wooldridge had ridden many
bucking bronchos before, and when Buchanan rose with
the detective on his back, Wooldridge let go his -coat
s'f^eve and threw his arm around Buchanan's neck, and
with his right hand drew his gun, and placing the muzzle
of the same in Buchanan's ear, compelled him to surren-
der.
Detective Wooldridge not only compelled him to sur-
render, but forced him to carry him on his back to the
police station, while he held the revolver to his head.
This is the first record of a police officer, after capturing
a highway robber, riding on his back to the lock-up with
a loaded revolver placed against his head, and will long
be remembered by those who witnessed the affair.
E»;«gene Buchanan was a powerfully built colored man,
and was the captain of as well an organized gang of
crooks and highwaymen as ever infested the levee dis-
trict.
The gang traveled the lonesome streets and lay in
wait for their victims at the mouths of alleys and dark
RIDES A THIEF TO JAIL 125
hallways, and under cover of darkness pounced upon the
unwary and unsuspecting passers without any warning.
They usually throw an arm around his neck under the
chin, and pressing downward on his throat thus prevent
the victim from making an outcry, and at the same time
he is lifted oE the ground. This is called the strong-
armed strangler's hold, and the victim is entirely at the
mercy of the robber, who holds him fast while an ac-
complice relieves him of his valuables.
Sometimes a highwayman will strike down his victim
first, with the aid of a slung shot, billy, or gun, and then,
dragging him into an alley, proceed in the darkness to
rob him at his leisure, and this kind of a robber generally
is not satisfied with what jewelry and money he can se-
cure, but strips his victim of his clothing, hat, shoes, and
stockings, and he is left for dead, and, if still alive, is
left unconscious to freeze.
It was not an uncommon thing to find men almost daily
left in this condition during the years 1891, 1892, 1893,
and 1894.
Sometimes the victim would recover sufficiently to
make his way to the police station and report the occur-
rence. As a rule, the victim could seldom identify any
one, and clothing was usually secured for him by taking
up a subscription, which was given to the unfortunate
man as he passed into the street, and then the case was
lost sight of in a fresh one.
Another method in vogue among these robbers was to
spring out from some dark doorway or alley upon the
victim, and at the point of a revolver compel him to
throw up his hands while he was relieved of his valu-
ables.
The police reports show that Eugene Buchanan did
126 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
more of this work than any other six men in the levee,
district. He was arrested time and again, only to be
turned loose, because nothing could be proven against
him, as he would generally resort to an alibi.
His companions in crime would rally to his assistance
and secure his liberty, but on this occasion he was fooled
for once, and his effort to prove an alibi was a failure.
Buchanan was held to the grand jury, indicted, and
convicted by a jury in Judge Blank's court on July 21,
1894, and his sentence was three years at hard labor in
the penitentiary. He served his time and returned to
Chicago.
Detective Wooldridge was in attendance at court one
morning at the Harrison Street Police Station, shortly
after Eugene Buchanan returned, when he was surprised
to see Buchanan come into court and make straight for
him. Getting within speaking distance, he asked the
detective if he knew him. Wooldridge replied "Yes,"
calling him by name. Buchanan then asked him if he
had any personal feeling against him. Wooldridge re-
plied "No," stating that he (Buchanan) had simply been
punished for what he had done, and with that he ex-
tended to him his hand and told him in the future to try
and lead an honest life, and find work and always do
what was right.
At that Buchanan's eyes filled with tears, and he
asked the detective if lie would not give him a letter to
help him get work, and that was what had brought him to
the station. Wooldridge asked him if he was in earnest.
Buchanan dropped on his knees, and, taking the detect-
ive by the hand, kissed it and cried like a child, and as-
sured him that he was in earnest, and that he would per-
sonally rather have a few lines from Wooldridge than
RIDES A THIEF TO JAIL 127
from either the governor of the state or the mayor of the
city.
Wooldridge told him that he should have the letter the
following day, and he would also assist him in finding
work, and in addition to that gave him two dollars.
The matter was laid before Justice Underwood and
Captain Koch, who joined Wooldridge in a request to
Nelson Morris & Co., the packers, where he secured
work and remained for over a year. After working for
a year he drifted back to the levee, and hunting up his
old companions in crime, it was but a short while before
he was on the road again holding up and robbing people.
On August 9, 1899, R. B. Epperson, of 1418 Wabash
avenue, in company with Mrs. C. G. Kingswell, of 5616
Drexel boulevard, was walking through Washington
park, near Fifty-second street, when they were met by
Eugene Buchanan, who represented himself as an offi-
cer, and placed them under arrest for being out late.
It was then only 9:15. Mr. Epperson was very indig-
nant, and demanded to be taken at once to headquarters.
Buchanan then seized him, took his gold watch, valued
at $50, and knocked him down. Mrs. C. G. Kingswell
came to his rescue, snatching a long steel pin from her
hat, and stuck it into Buchanan's head repeatedly until he
was forced to release Mr, Epperson and defend himself
against the woman, who was waging a hot battle.
Buchanan struck her a stinging blow in the face, and
Mr. Epperson, regaining his feet, came to her rescue)
with an umbrella. Buchanan was forced to retreat. He
met several citizens several hundred feet from the scene
of the robbery. He told them that the man and woman
had attacked him without cause, and that he had a mind
to go back and cut the heart out of the man. These citi-
128 HANDS UP, IN THE WORBD OF CRIME
zens were conversing with him under an electric light,
where they had an opportunity to have a good look at
him, and they had no reason to doubt him until Mr.
Epperson and Mrs. Kingswell came up and informed
them that they had been held up and robbed. Buchanan
fled upon the approach of his victims.
Mr, Epperson was taken to the Rogues' Gallery at
the Harrison Street Police Station, where he pointed
out Eugene Buchanan's picture as being that of the man
who had robbed him at Washington Park August 9th.
Buchanan was arrested August 15th, and identified by
Mr. Epperson and Mrs. Kingswell and two citizens who
were near the scene of robbery on that night.
The watch was recovered at Newman's pawnshop, 1804
South State street, where it was pawned for $6, and Bu-
chanan was identified as the man who pawned it.
When he was arrested Buchanan sent for Detective
Wooldridge, and upon bended knees and with tears flow-
ing down his cheeks, as he stood behind the bars at the
Harrison Street Police Station, Buchanan declared he
was an innocent man, and implored Wooldridge to save
him from his enemies who, he alleged, were trying to
railroad him to the penitentiary.
Wooldridge promised him that he would be on hand
the next morning and hear the evidence, and if he was
satisfied that he was innocent and his accusers wrong,
he would do what he could for him.
But after listening to the evidence, and also to the evi-
dence of the two officers who were stationed at Washing-
ton Park, who had met Buchanan there on the night in
question, and who had driven him from the park on sev-
eral occasions before, and after seeing the wounds made
by the hat pin in the hands of Mrs. Kingswell, which
PAID FOR HIS OWN "EXTRAS" 129
were still unhealed, Wooldridge informed him that he
could not do anything for him.
Eugene Buchanan was arraigned on or about October
5, 1899. He pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to the
penitentiary under the indeterminate act, and will prob-
ably serve twenty years or more ; and it is to be devoutly
hoped it may be more, as he has proven himself a dan-
gerous man.
PAID FOR HIS OWN "EXTRAS."
BARBER GETS INTO TROUBLE FOR CHARGING A FARMER
EXTGRTIGIJATE PRICES.
During the World's Fair it was a common occurrence
for barbers in different parts of the city, and particularly
in the vicinity of Jackson Park, to charge a customer $5
for a shave, hair cut, and for extras, but as late as in
1896, three years after the great White City had become
only a memory, Toney Fera revived the custom, but he
was compelled to pay for his own extras in this case.
To^ey had a shop at 351 Fifth avenue. A German
farmer from the interior of the state stepped into .the
shop and asked for a hair cut. The barber kept at work
on the farmer, putting in extras, notwithstanding the
protests made by his customer, and when he had finished
presented a bill for $5. The farmer protested again, de-
claring the charge was too much. The barber locked the
door, and said he would not open it until he got the
money. Then the customer paid the bill.
Going out, he found Detective Wooldridge, and told
him of his trouble. Wooldridge arrested the barber, and
charged him with thirteen different violations of the crim-
130 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
inal and municipal codes. These included robbery by in-
timidation, false imprisonment, threat to kill, assault, im-
personating an officer, having obscene pictures, carrying
concealed weapons, cruelty to animals, resisting an offi-
cer, using profane language, and disorderly conduct.
Never before had a barber been given a chance to
realize what a heinous criminal he was when he tried to
get in a bill for extras.
Toney presented in court an itemized bill, which sug-
gests that he should be indicted for butchery of the Eng-
lish language also. Here it is, verbatim et literatim:
PUTTING ON THE EXTRAS.
Hare cutting 25
Mustached Died 50
Hare Shinged 25
Egg Shampo 35
Hare die 3.25
Hare Tonic 10
Shave 15
Lylock Perfome 15
$5-00
DEVILS IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING 131
All of this, Fera claimed, had been ordered by the
farmer and received by him.
"Your honor," said Assistant City Prosecutor Thomp-
son, "let the head and face of the complaining witness
be introduced as evidence, and marked 'Exhibit A.' "
This was accordingly done, and two expert witnesses
were sworn by the defense.
As a result the barber was held to the criminal court
in $500 bonds, the justice saying this practice of making
excessive charges was as bad as highway robbery.
The grand jury heard the case, but failed to indict the
barber, and he was discharged, yet the experience proved
a valuable lesson to Fera, and one which he will long re-
member.
DEVILS IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING.
COMPEL WOMEN TO DEPRAVE THEMSELVES TO SUPPORT
THEM IN LUXURY.
Many sad stories of depravity are heard in the slums
of a big city, and the police meet often with criminals and
vicious characters for whom they feel some sympathy.
A case of this character came to the notice of Detective
Wooldridge in 1896, in which a frail woman had to de-
grade herself in many ways to support a man in idleness
and luxury. F. S. Gray, who had a good trade, but
abandoned it for a life of ease at the expense of a woman
who assumed his name, is the man who brought upon
himself the contempt of every one and the wrath of the
police.
He and the woman lived at 412^/2 State street. She
had consumption, was very weak, and was frequently
122 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
attacked with hemorrhages. But the condition of the
scarlet woman made no difference to Gray. He com-
pelled her to go into the street from darkness until the
late hours of the morning to lead a life of shame in order
that he might have money to live a life of ease, dress,
gamble, and visit the race tracks and theaters. If she
returned to their miserable home without her pockets
well filled, she was certain to receive a severe beating
from this brute, who did not deserve the name of man.
Finally, the poor woman could stand the abuse and
beating no longer, and left him.
One day when the woman was out, Gray went to the
room where they had been living, and proceeded to cut
up all her clothing, which was worth over $300. Most
of it had been given her by her sister.
The villain began on her dresses and cut them up, until
one would scarcely know whether they ever were dresses.
He next commenced on her underclothing, cutting them
into small shreds. They made a pile some four feet high.
There was not a rag of her clothing, except what she
was wearing, that escaped his knife. She came home and
found the wreck he had left, and then made complaint to
the Harrison Street Police Station, and procured a war-
rant for his arrest, having found that two of the inmates
of the house had seen him do the cutting.
Detective Wooldridge was detailed to arrest him, and
going to the house, he found Gray locked in a room. He
refused to open the door, which had to be forced. Gray
had succeeded in climbing up on a transom over a door,
which separates two rooms, and when Wooldridge en-
tered he dropped down to the floor into the next room.
This door was also forced, and he again eluded the de-
tective in the same way.
DEVILS IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING 133
Finally, after four doors were forced, he was captured
and locked up at the Harrison Street Station, charged
with malicious mischief, which is a penitentiary offense.
When he saw what a serious difficulty he had got himself
into, he secured a continuance for ten days, paid for the
clothes, and the prosecution was dropped.
Another case in every way similar to the above was
that of a frail woman of the levee district who staggered
into the police station one day, and as soon as she was
able to speak asked for warrants for George Ludwig, a
man with whom she had been living and whom she had
been supporting for years by depraving herself.
He had just beaten her and had taken her watch and
a few cents, all the money she had.
The woman told a long and pitiable story of ill treat-
ment at the hands of Ludwig. Several times a day, she
said, he was in the habit of beating her because she could
not earn enough money to keep him dressed in the latest
fashion.
"Night and day I toiled to earn money for him, and,
although I gave him every cent I made, he beat and
kicked me until I am at present so weak I can hardly
stand on my feet," she said, between sobs.
Detective Wooldridge was given the warrants, and
after some difficulty arrested Ludwig, who is a pow-
erfully built man and has not done any work for years,
compelling this woman to support him. After he was
arrested he succeeded in getting some of his countrymen
and friends to go to the woman and get her not to pros-
ecute him.
134 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
A BRAVE AND HEROIC ACT.
J. Medendorp, the driver for the Bee Hive Laundry,
735 Ogden avenue, was driving his wagon at Twenty-
sixth and Halsted streets when the wagon was struck
by a south-bound electric car, and Medendorp was
thrown over the dashboard upon the shafts, but he man-
aged to grab the horse's tail and hung on. The horse
took fright and ran away, and Officer Wooldridge, at
great risk to his life, sprang into the street and seized
the horse's bit and held on. He was dragged for nearly
a block before the horse was stopped. Medendorp, the
driver, received a scalp wound on the back of the head,
and in addition to this had his shoulder bruised.
A large number of children were playing in the street
only a few feet from where the horse was brought to a
standstill through the bravery and fearlessness of Officer
Wooldridge.
HE YIELDED TO TEMPTATION.
MAN PASSES COUNTERFEIT MONEY, BUT CIRCUMSTANCES
SECURE HIS ACQUITTAL.
No matter how good a man is at heart nor how good
his intentions are, he will sometimes yield to temptation,
ju^ as Wm, Skinner did when he passed some counter-
feit money in Chicago in 1892 and was arrested by De-
tective Wooldridge.
Skinner formerly lived in a Missouri town and failed
in business. The sheriff seized his goods to satisfy a
judgment which had been returned against him, and then
he found himself almost penniless, with a sick wife and
two half-grown girl children to car^ for. The only prop-
erty he had left was a wagon and two horses.
HE YIELDED TO TEMPTATION 135
The doctor advised him to take his wife to a cooler
climate, thinking it would help her. Having no money,
he placed his sick wife in the wagon, making her as com-
fortable as possible, and with the children started tor
Illinois, stopping at various places and working at har-
vesting, which was going on at that time. The girls
managed to procure a little work frequently at the same
places. Mrs. Skinner began to improve, and when the
harvest season was over in Illinois, Mr. Skinner drove
through to Michigan, and during the strawberry season,
with the help of the two girls, they saved a little money.
The old wagon, which had given them shelter and
served them as a home, was again called into use, the
horses hitched to it, Mrs. Skinner and her two children
placed aboard, and a start made for old Missouri, where
they had friends and expected to find help.
On the road from Michigan to Chicago, Mrs. Skinner,
had another bad attack, and when Chicago was reached
death was expected at any moment. Skinner had ex-
pended every penny he had saved during the summer,
and his family was in a distressed condition, and yet he
was three hundred miles from friends.
When Mr. Skinner was in business in Missouri, a
book agent called one day and sold him a publication
which contained information for the detection of counter-
feit money. In the book were a large number of the faces
of genuine and bad bills on thick blotting paper.
Permission had been given a company to manufacture
and sell this book, representing both back and front of
the bills. The government plates had been loaned to the
company, and it was sold through the country to banks
and business men, who were handling money, to teach
them how to detect bad money.
136 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Skinner cut a number of bills from the book, then split
the paper, and placing it on a stone, worked it down until
it was one-half the thickness of a paper bill. When he
had both the back and^ front of the bill ready, he would
stick them together, press it out and let it dry. He had
some ten or fifteen bills prepared ranging from $io to
$ioo bills.
He then selected a pawnbroker to pass one of the bills
on, and going into his place bought a shotgun and several
other little articles, and tendered one of the $ioo bills,
which was detected, and Skinner's arrest followed by
Detective Wooldridge. He was held in bonds to the
grand jury by Commissioner Hoyne.
Skinner's former good character, the condition of his
family, and the fact of the government being a party
to the printing of the notes, which offered the inducement
to him to do wrong, and this being his first offense, to-
gether with other circumstances, induced the authorities
to allow him to go on his own recognizance, with a prom-
ise to show up when he was wanted.
Captain Porter, United States Secret Service officer, in
charge at Chicago, the United States marshal and the
state's attorney even gave him some money to help his
distressed family.
Skinner secured employment, and when the federal
grand jury first met, he reported at the United States
marshal's office, telling them where he could be found if
they wanted him, and several times during the term he
reported to see if he was wanted.
All the facts were presented to the grand jury, and no
bill was returned. Skinner was allowed to go his way
and sin no more.
MYSTERY OF ROSE WALLACE 137
MYSTERY OF ROSE WALLACE.
CASE IN WHICH DETECTIVES AND ALL BRANCHES OF THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE PUZZLED.
One of the most mysterious cases that ever fell to
the lot of the Police Department to investigate and one
which puzzled every one, from the chief down to the pa-
trolman, and which also made the shrewdest newspaper
reporters of Chicago look like amateurs, was one in which
a woman called Rose Wallace figured in the early part of
1899. She duped every one with whom she had any con-
nection, not in such a way as to make her amenable to
the laws or in a manner which would make her liable to
criminal or civil prosecution, but in a spirit of adventure
and in a mad desire for notoriety. In the latter desire
she attained wonderful success, and also added a consid-
erable amount to her bank account.
The stories of her which were printed in the daily pa-
pers at that time would fill a volume, and yet there was
very little truth in any of them until she chose to tell
them the real story of her life, and it is even doubtful if
all or any part of that was true.
The facts as they are best sustained by Detective Wool-
dridge, who worked on the case, are that she came to
Chicago from an Indiana town with a street showman
and museum agent named Franklin, and boarded in the
same house with him on West Madison street; that she
got tired of Chicago and determined to go back to Indi-
ana; that she packed up her baggage and went to the
Dearborn street station ; that she wandered out from
there while waiting for a train and met a Frenchman
who was a cook in a restaurant, who took her to a house
138 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
on Wabash avenue, where she staid for some days, and
then met a man named George Gagne, who gained her
confidence and to whom she told stories about vast
amounts of property she had in Indiana.
Gagne, who was a sport and always looking for the
best of a good thing, believed the girl was telling him
the truth, pretended to be in love with her, proposed
marriage, was accepted, had a bogus ceremony per-
formed, went to Indiana with her to get money, was de-
nied the right to take possession of it without a legal
marriage certificate, returned to Chicago, procured a
marriage license in the city hall, and was married on the
spot by a justice of the peace and returned with his wife
to Evansville, armed, as he thought, with sufficient au-
thority to make a legal claim to his wife's property.
From this time on the plot thickened and changed
so often that every one connected with it was deceived.
When George Gagne and his wife reached Evansville,
they walked up a street toward the hotel. A handsome
carriage came toward them, and it was pointed out as
being the property of his wife. Gagne stopped the driver,
told him he would take charge of the vehicle as the
husband of Rose Wallace, He drove the team into a
livery stable and ordered that it be well taken care of.
Gagne then went to Attorney Home, who was said to
be the custodian of the woman's property, and made ar-
rangements to have it transferred to Chicago. He said
they were going to Montreal, Canada, to live.
It was claimed that Home was to come to Chicago and
deposit $17,000 for the woman in the First National
Bank, and also to send here $14,000 worth of diamonds
she was supposed to possess.
The diamonds were to be brought by a supposed sister
MYSTERY OF ROSE WALLACE 139
of Rose, whose name she said was Gertrude and who was
only sixteen years old.
Gagne secured rooms for his wife near the depot, and
on the day that the Httle sister was to arrive he went to
the postofifice. While he was gone his wife left the room
and went out shopping. What she bought was a wig
with a long braid to hang down the back, a short skirt,
and a few other articles with which to disguise herself
as the little sister. Then she went to the Newport
Hotel on Monroe street, took a room, and "made up"
as a young girl in short frocks.
Then she went to the depot, as it was near the time
for the train from Evansville to arrive. She had in her
hand the little box in which the $14,000 worth of dia-
monds were supposed to be packed. Taking her seat,
she calmly watched the hurrying passengers arriving
and departing, and kept a keen eye on the policeman
who passed up and down the corridor.
In the meantime George returned from the postoffice,
and found his wife gone, but supposed she would return
soon. He waited until it was time for the train to ar-
rive, and then went to the depot, thinking his wife might
be there waiting for her sister. He searched the waiting
rooms, and then watched the passengers who got off the
train. He did not see his wife in the crowd which was
awaiting nor any one leaving the train whom he thought
might be her sister.
He started back to his room to see if his wife had
gone there. While he was gone, the wife, posing as her
little sister, gained the sympathy of Officer Kelley by
crying and sobbing like one in great distress. Passengers
around the depot looked at her with pity written in their
faces, and the big policeman looked out of the window
to restrain ^tear.
INCIDENTS AT THE POLICE STATION.
MYSTERY OF ROSE WALLACE 141
She said she had come from Evansville and expected
to meet her sister and brother-in-law at the depot. Fail-
ing to find either one of them, and being a stranger, she
said she was very much alarmed and didn't know where
to go. She said her name was Gertrude Wallace, of Ev-
ansville, Indiana. The officer then took her to the Har-
rison Street Police Station Annex, where she was turned
over to the matron.
After this Gagne appeared at the police station, and
very excitedly asked assistance in finding his wife. He
said his sister-in-law was expected to arrive here in the
afternoon, and when he had first missed his wife he
supposed she had gone to the depot to meet the young
woman. Gagne did not have a very creditable reputation
in police circles, and his story was looked upon with
some suspicion, especially by Detective Wooldridge, who
was present when he visited the station. Gagne professed
to believe that the disappearance of his wife was the re-
sult of a plot to separate him from her and her estate of
$128,000. His threatening attitude towards Detective
Wooldridge, who knew his history well and reminded
him of it, caused the officer to plainly tell him what his
suspicions were. In a bold and dramatic manner Gagne
declared he was worth $128,000, and would split half
of it for the purpose of getting even with the detective,
who had been brave enough to tell him what he was. In
the meantime the girl, who was no other than Gagne's
wife in disguise, had been told of Gagne's character and
reputation and warned against him.
The police at last became suspicious concerning the
disappearance of Gagne's wife, not having yet been able
to penetrate the disguise she wore. It was known that
Gagne would do almost anything to get possession of as
142 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
large a sum of money as he claimed his wife had. It was
feared that he might have disposed of his wife, or even
caused her death in some way for the purpose of getting
this money, to which he would have been a legal heir.
When after three days the missing wife was not found
and all efforts to locate her had been in vain, Gagne was
arrested and locked up to be held until the mystery was
solved. All this time the girl in short dresses was in
the possession of the matron at the annex, and spend-
ing a large portion of her time crying and sobbing over
the loss of her sister Rose. Finally, Detective Wool-
dridge went to the annex, carrying some fruit which
, he gave to the girl, and began to talk with her. She
brightened up and talked freely with the detective.
She had ceased crying, and had removed the handker-
chief which she had used to dry her tears for two days
from her eyes, which gave the detective an opportunity
to scrutinize her closely. In descriptions given the de-
tective of the missing woman, one fact had been stated
which furnished Wooldridge a clue by which he solved
the mystery. In these descriptions it was said that Mrs.
Gagne had a "cast" in one of her eyes. The detective
remembered this, and observed that the girl who sat be-
fore him also had a "cast" in her eye. He thought it
would be strange should two sisters be marked so per-
fectly alike. He observed the long braid of hair hang-
ing down her back, and after making a careful inspection
he could see that the woman wore a wig. Then, by a
quick jerk, as if by accident, he pulled the braid and wig
from the girl's head and saw before him not sixteen-
year-old Gertrude Wallace, but Mrs. Rose Wallace
Gagne, the missing wife for whom such a diligent
search had been made.
MYSTERY OF ROSE WALLACE 143
The woman then and there acknowledged that she
was Mrs. Rose Gagne, and that she had disguised her-
self to escape from her husband, who, she claimed, had
beaten and ill-treated her. She said she had determined
to leave him, and adopted this plan for the purpose of
making her escape. Then she asked the police to give
her protection, as she was afraid the man would kill
her. When this protection was promised and she was
assured that no harm would come to her as long as she
was in the hands of the police, she told the story of her
life and her property, which not only surprised the Police
Department, but all the newspaper reporters who had
been trying to solve the mystery which surrounded her.
She said Gagne only wanted her money, that he had
locked her in the rooms which they occupied, and she
took advantage of his leaving the door unlocked one
afternoon to make her escape.
Continuing, she said : "My little sister Gertrude was
to have come to Chicago and joined me here. When I
married George Gagne I thought he was a man that real-
ly cared for me and saved me from a Wabash avenue re-
sort, to which I was sent through my ignorance. When
I found out what kind of a man he was, when he had
beaten me and once knocked me senseless and left me
unconscious until I recovered the next morning, I wrote
to Gertrude not to come, and then I began to lay my
plans to get away from the man who married me. As
long as he was at liberty, I was afraid of him, but now
that he is locked up in a cell, I feel at liberty to talk. He
has not concealed the fact that he was after my property
alone. He always kept a revolver at hand when he was
in the room, and had given me to understand that he
would use it to gain his ends, if necessary. I watched
144 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
my opportunity, and when he left the house I ran away.
My first intentions were to get him into the hands of the
police, but I was afraid they would not believe my story,
and so I adopted this course.
"The story of my property is absolutely true. I would
have inherited a farm from my grandmother if I hadn't
married this man. The money in question is represented
by mine stocks deposited in a vault in Chihuahua, Mex-
ico."
The woman then asked the detective to send to the
Newport Hotel for her clothes. In the meantime George
Gagne was told that the "little sister" in the Harrison
Street Annex was his wife. He laughed at this, and
said he would like to have a few puffs at the same pipe
smoked by his informant. Finally, however, after be-
ing assured that the girl was really his wife, he consented
to go up and have a talk with her. When he stepped
into the woman's presence and saw the same old smile
on his wife's face which caused him to give up several
hundred of his dollars, he seemed like one in a dream.
He seized a chair and dropped into it as if he was com-
pletely exhausted. Then he recovered and his face be-
came crimson. He saw the cute little miss that duped
him, and saw the crowd of officers enjoying his dis-
comfort.
It seemed that all his violent love, which was sup-
posed to be kindled by the story of great wealth told by
her, had gone out and nothing but the ashes of love re-
mained. He was the picture of despair as he sat look-
ing into the face of the woman who had so completely
deceived him.
Mrs. Gagne was not so sure of her safety from her
husband, and remained at tbf" citation another day. In
MYSTERV:' OF ROSE WALLACE 145
the meantime, it was charged that she had taken some
clothing from the place on West Madison street, where
she boarded, and the owner swore out a warrant for
her, on which she was arrested and held.
This was finally settled in some way, but when she
was arraigned the next morning on this charge, Frank-
lin, the museum man, was present, and recognized her as
the woman he had engaged in the Indiana town and
brought to Chicago. The girl acknowledged the ac-
quaintance, and then he had a few minutes' conversa-
tion with her in a low tone. After that he announced
that he had engaged her to appear in a museum as a
freak, and said he would begin her engagement as soon
as she got out of her trouble and had gotten a divorce.
The woman then said she had been an acrobat ever
since she was four years old. She said her mother was
an acrobat for ten years. Then she declared that she
had been traveling with circuses during the summer and
spending her winters near Evansville, Ind., where, she
said, she really had a sister. The greater part of the
time, she declared, she acted in Mexico.
When asked about her fortune in or near Evansville,
she declared that part of her story was a fake. She said
she had a sister living there with nice, plain people, but
she had no property there.
She went into the museum afterward at a salary of
$50 a week, and later this was raised to perhaps twice
the amount. Gagne did not oppose her petition for a
divorce, and she was giv6n a decree. He acknowledged
he had been cleverly duped, and that the experience
had cost him $900.
The story which Mrs. Gagne first told in Chicago,
and which it is believed is the ont that caused George
146 HANDS UP. IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Gagne to marry her, was that her mother was the widow
of Thomas Wallace, a California miner, who had died
recently, leaving the girl $130,000. This was to be hers
when she reached the age of eighteen. She further
claimed that she would come into possession of $50,000
more at the death of her grandmother, a Mrs. Milburn,
of Evansville. She said her father and mother had sep-
arated before the former went to California.
She also declared that her grandmother had $14,000
worth of diamonds in her possession which belonged to
her, and that she was the owner of 283 acres of land
near Evansville. A lawyer named Home attended to
her financial affairs. The girl persisted in this story
until after the climax at the police station. It was dis-
covered by the police that if such a man as Home ex-
isted he was playing a role to carry out her schemes.
Careful investigation failed to show that she had any
property in or near Evansville, or that she had the dia-
monds of which she so often spoke. The Chief of Po-
lice of Evansville was requested to investigate the ro-
mance, and he declared that if the woman ever lived
there or in Vanderburgh county, of which Evansville is
the county seat, or if there was ever in that locality any
such estate as the woman claimed to own, either in land
or personal property, the people of that vicinity had
never found it out.
The police there failed to trace the locality of anj per-
son having landed property in the county by the name of
Mary Milburn. The Attorney Horne spoken of by the
girl as having been charged with the settlement of the
estate was not known there. Investigation was made
there also by several Chicago newspaper reporters, some
of whom reached the conclusion that a part of the girl's
MYSTERY OF ROSE WALLACE 147
story in reference to her owning property in the vicinity
was true, yet others declared that there was much doubt
as to the truth of her story. It has never been fully
established by the police or the press that she had prop-
erty in the vicinity of Evansville, or that she had a sis-
ter named Gertrude. The woman told so many different
and conflicting stories concerning herself that the police
have always been skeptical as to the truth of anything
she said. While the investigations were in progress.
Detective Wooldridge received the following letter :
Chicago, Jan. i8, 1899.
Officer Wooldridge, of the Harrison Street Police Station:
Dear Sir — Having read the "Gagne" article in tiie papers last
night, I noticed your name connected with the same; so please
allow me to suggest to you that Gagne is up against the real
thing if he paid these people anything, with hopes of landing
some easy money in large bunches. I was born and raised in
Evansville, Ind., and have been there recently, so these people
must have been under cover the last twenty-six y^ars. as I have
known everybody in Evansville from the mayor to the street
urchins, but can't recall these wealthy ( ?) Wallace girls, so I
think Gagne got the short end of his own game.
Jack Doherty,
"Evansville Kid," Boxer.
The whole case presents many strange features, and it
is still, in some respects, a mystery. The many stories
told by the woman cannot be reconciled. It was thought
by some that she and Gagne had pre-arranged and
planned the whole thing, and that there was really some
property somewhere of which they expected to get pos-
session. Then it was suggested that some one, who is
still under cover, planned with Rose Wallace to fleece
Gagne, but this is not sustained by the results; because
all the money Gagne spent was in payment for the wom-
an's clothes, jewelry, board, etc.
148 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Gagne is a well-known levee character who formerly
posed as a professional bondsman. He had been living
a long time with a woman named Georgia White, and
the police discovered that Georgia White knew all about
Gagne's plans. She knew he had married Rose Wallace
and expected to get her property. She had her trunks
packed expecting to go to Canada, which Rose Wallace
said would be the destination ci her and Gagne. From
this the police drew the conclusion that Gagne intended
to get Rose Wallace's property, then desert her or get
rid of her in some way, and go to Canada with Georgia
White.
When Gagne made his boast to Detective Wooldridge
about his wealth, he proposed to substantiate his claim
by showing two bank deposit books. They were unique.
The first was a plain leather account book with the
words "First National Bank of Chicago in account with"
printed on the cover, and the name of "Rose Wallace"
written underneath. On the first inside page, opposite
the cover, appeared three purported deposits, as follows :
December 21 .$5,000
December 23 2.500
January 11 10,000
Total $17,500
The officials of the First National Bank said they did
not know Rose Wallace, and had had no dealings with
her whatever, and she had no money deposited there.
It was pointed out also that the book was not in the
usual bank form, and that banks usually use a double
page -for debits and credits. The other bank book was
of similar external appearance, except for the handwrit-
ing. U had "First National Bank of Carmi, III, in ar^-
MYSTERY OF ROSE WALLACE 149
count with" printed on the cover, and "Rose Wallace,
Dec. 3, 1898, Page First," written underneath. On "page
first" there appeared in the right corner, "Cr." In the
opposite corner appeared "Dec. ist." Near the top of
the page was scrawled in the same handwriting as the
name outside, "Rose Wallace," and underneath, "$5,000."
Gagne had other evidences of his wealth. There was
the following:
No. 2782. EvANSViLLE, Ind., Jan. 2, 1899.
First National Bank pay to the order of the Bearer, George
Gagne, three thousand dollars. Rose Wallace.
$3,000.
The police compared the signature wjth that to an
order written, as George Gagne declared, requesting the
postoffice authorities to give him her mail, and found
them characteristically similar. They compared these
signatures with the name on the cover of the Carmi, 111.,
bank book, and found the same characteristics. The
general formation of the letters was alike, the-bank book
name being more carefully written. The letter "W" in
each case was peculiarly written with hooks and curls
which would be difficult to imitate. Gagne declared he
did not compare the writing before, and he could not
explain it.
Gagne also had several typewritten letters, all of which
had typewritten signatures attached. In one, "F. J. R.
Reitz," of Evansville, wrote, advising Rose Wallace not
to be in a hurry to put her money in a certain Chicago
bank, as it "is not incorporated," and she might lose it.
Another letter, signed in ink, "Gilchrist, attorney,"
and dated Evansville, advised Rose Wallace to be patient
and wait, and she would get possession of her money
without difficulty. There were letters from other towns.
150 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
It was observed that all were written on the same size
and quality of paper, none on letter heads, and apparently
with the same typewriter and the same typewriter rib-
bon.
These facts showed, when put together, there was a
ideep conspiracy somewhere, but it never developed or
[reached the stage where any one could be held, crim-
inally.
LOST MORALS AND MONEY.
STORY WHICK WILL PROVE A WARNING TO YOUNG MEN
FROM THE COUNTRY.
Young men from rural towns who go to great cities
with a consuming desire to see the great sights that lurk
in the shadows of levee resorts, will read with absorbing
interest the woes which befell G. A. Garland, who came
from a small Illinois settlement to Chicago and tumbled
into one of those pitfalls which ever tempt and lead
astray the unsophisticated.
This incident not only adorns a tale, but points a
moral and shows how young men who wander away
from home may become corrupted.
Garland was proprietor of a small store in his native
village, and was known and much respected as a con-
stant church member and one of the star pupils of the
Sunday-school Bible class. As a social light he was also
prominent, and, being single, was very popular with the
young women.
The first chapter of his moral degeneration began
when he packed his grip and started for Chicago. In his
pockets he carried $500, as his mission was to replenish
LOST MORALS AND MONEY 151
his stock of goods. On his arrival in Chicago he regis-
tered at the Saratoga Hotel. The next day he was quiet
and moral, but as the shades of evening fell and the influ-
ence of city life asserted itself, he gulped down his con-
science, checked his character at the office, and decided
for this once he would be a real bad man.
Rapidly he ebbed with the rollicking tide of careless
humanity into the forbidden precincts of the levee. Soon
he met Lillie Belmont, a "lady of color," whom the po-
lice well know. The two visited various saloons and
drank together, finally going to 480 State street, a noto-
rious panel house kept by Lulu White.
Just how long Garland stayed there he never told, but
when he finally tore himself away, he discovered that he
had been robbed of $480.
He hastened to the Harrison Street Police Station and
told his tale. His recital was accompanied with tears,
and to Detective Wooldridge, who was assigned to the
case, he said : "Oh, Mr. Officer, I'm ruined ! I'm dis-
graced forever and dare not go home ! Oh ! please get
my money. Do give me my money, and you shall wear
diamonds. You can have everything, only get me my
money."
By this time Garland was hysterical, but the officer
soothed him, and finally he was quieted. Warrants were
taken out for the arrest of Lillie Belmont and Lulu
White, on a charge of larceny, and others for Harry
Smith, William Callway, Mike Burk, Henry Turner,
and Frankie Hazel, on charges of being accessories.
The latter were arrested, but the two principals es-
caped. After the case had been called, Garland left
court and started for the lake front. At Michigan ave-
nue and Harrison street he was overhauled by Officer
152 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Wooldridge, who asked him where ne was going. "To
the lake; I am disgraced, and can only commit suicide."
He ^was sent to the Armory. Later Wooldridge lo-
cated Lulu White and Lillie Belmont and started to ar-
rest them. Garland interfered and withdrew the war-
rants. Pressed to explain his action, he said he had
received $440 of his money and had signed an agree-
ment not to prosecute the case. .
Garland called at the police station to ask them not to
let the story get out, whereupon he was confronted with
his receipt for $480, which he had given Lulu White.
After offering Wooldridge a five-cent cigar, he went
away, and the charges against the five people under ar-
rest were withdrawn.
TOO MUCH JONES.
A case in which there was enough if not too much
Jones was recalled by the arrest of William Jones, May
15, .1896, by Detective Wooldridge for shoplifting in
Siegel, Cooper & Co.'s store.
Several months prior to the theft, William Jones
worked for May Jones and was arrested by Officer Jones
for vagrancy and carrying concealed weapons. He was
found guilty and sent to the House of Correction for six
months. He was defended by the attorney, "Indigna-
tion" Jones, who after his client had served two months
served a writ of habeas corpus before Judge Goggin,
who ordered him released. The order was miscarried
in some way and, he was not released, and Mayor Swift,
Comptroller Wetherell and Superintendent Mark Craw-
ford were cited for contempt of court.
MARY HASTINGS' CAREER 153
In the shoplifting case Jones was sentenced to thirty
days in jail.
MARY HASTINGS' CAREER.
STORY OF A WOMAN WHO KEPT THE CHICAGO LEVEE
LIVELY FOR YEARS.
There is not in the life of any woman in America a
greater variety than in the checkered career of Mary
Hastings, who was one of the shining lights of the Chi-
cago levee for many years. She has played every role
in the great drama of earthly existence. It would be
impossible to find anything new for her here; there
may I be a change for her beyond the grave.
She was born of wealthy French parents some thirty
odd years ago, and in the gay atmosphere of Paris she
imbibed extravagant ideas of high living. In the whirl
of society from girlhood to young womanhood she grew
to love the fashionable pleasures and vices of the upper
circles. Princes and counts showered on her many
words of praise, and as Mademoiselle Marie Sefholic
she was the center of a set of fast young men and led a
life which was filled with one round of pleasure and mild
dissipation.
But the confines of the gay French capital Were too
narrow for her. She wanted to see the world, and espe-
cially Chicago. She left Paris for new fields of pleas-
ure, but the seven days' ride across the Atlantic seemed
to offer too little excitement, and she went in the other
direction and landed in the United States through the
Golden Gate at San Francisco.
She found life there for a time very alluring. She
154 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
mingled in the gay throngs of all classes, and finally
listened to the wooing of a lover and became his wife.
It was a dream at first, and they were as happy as her
heart could desire. But as a matron she felt the monot-
ony which goes with the round of the household duties,
and then there came a separation and a divorce. Mary's
other admirers came and went, and for some time her
old habits made life once more a pleasure. Finally, how-
ever, she grew anxious for another change. Her old
love came back to her and she returned to her divorced
husband. To make the change more effective she de-
cided to quit San Francisco, and with the divorced hus-
band she suddenly dropped into Chicago, and has been
here nearly ever since, except during the time she spent
on several occasions in other places while eluding the
police, and the past year or two, which she has spent in
Toledo.
She reached here early in the year 1888, and she kept
the temperature in the vicinity of the Harrison Street
Station several degrees warmer from that day until she
left the city. She set a new pace for the dark side of
Chicago, and her many ups and downs would make a
volume in itself.
When she arrived here she had $15,000 in gold. Soon
afterward she purchased a piece of property at 2904
Dearborn street, paying $6,500 in cash for the land. In
1890 she commenced to erect a house on the ground,
which, when completed, increased the value of the prop-
erty to $28,000. While she was building this house of
vice she lived at 144 Custom House place and conducted
a house of prostitution. Then she met Edward Mullen,
who was a contractor. Mullen was smitten with her,
and soon displaced her divorced husband.
ESCAPING FRQM DEN pF^VICE
156 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Not long after Mullen took up the woman he began
scheming to get possession of her property, but notwith-
standing the numberless artifices he employed, she ob-
durately refused at first to transfer it to him. Then the
schemer induced her to go away for a brief trip. On her
return, May 20, 1891, she was arrested by Officers Hild-
man and Buckley on a charge of harboring young girls
in a house of prostitution, and was held by Justice J. K,
Prindiville in bonds of $1,500. Her bonds were signed
by Mike Lawler and J. W. Thomas, the colored lawyer
and professional bailer, and she was released. Then
Mullen, the schemer, advised her to skip over to Canada
until the matter blew over. Before she went, however,
Mullen again counseled her to turn the real estate ovtr
to him, as she could not use it for her own benefit while
it remained in her name. The fellow had gained wonder-
ful influence over the woman, and she was prevailed
upon to do as he advised. With this end in view she
called on Attorney John C. King and asked him to draw
up a deed of transfer.
The lawyer saw through the scheme and refused to
draw up the deed. The woman had been a client of his
in the past and he felt it his duty to warn her of the evi-
dent plot.
Instead of heeding King's advice, however, she sought
George W. Crawford, ex-assistant city prosecutor, and
made a similar request of him, but again met with re-
fusal. Finally she found a lawyer who performed the
service for her.
Mullen, who then had absolute control of his victim's
property, renewed the suggestion that she leave town for
a while until the indictment which had been returned
against her had been forgotten. This she did, and the
MARY HASTINGS' CAREER 157
wily fellow ' then transferred her property to one John
McGrevy, from whom the title was shifted to Marquis
R. Berry, Both these names were said to be aliases of
Mullen, as no person could be found who would claim
them.
When she returned to Chicago a year later she had
spent all her money and demanded that Mullen deed her
property back to her. He refused to do so, and there
was a bitter controversy between them. Suddenly the
old indictment which had been returned against her for
harboring young girls under age was unearthed by some
mysterious influence, and Mary Hastings was again ar-
rested and thrown into jail. She secured the services of
Attorney Alexander Collins, and he managed to have
the old indictment quashed and the woman released from
jail.
Under her advice he then began a fight in court for
the recovery of her property. Mullen became apprised
of this move, and quietly and suddenly Marquis B. Berry
transferred the title of the Dearborn street house to
Milton R. Thackery, a lawyer who had been Mullen's
counsel in former lawsuits. Next the schemer prevailed
on Mary to go with him to Milwaukee, where they went
through a ceremony of marriage.
There was no question as to the woman's right to
marry, as she was divorced from her former husband in
San Francisco. Mullen, however, enjoyed the acquaint-
ance of a woman who lived on Green street and who
bore his name. She was sometimes known as Julia King,
but claimed that Mullen was her name.
When the couple returned from Milwaukee the woman
established a vile resort at 144 Fourth avenue. She no-
tified Collins that all difterences between herself and
158 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Mullen had been healed, and she wanted no further ef-
fort made to wrest the property from him.
Meantime Mullen bobbed up at the Harrison Street
Station as a bailer. Lieutenant Arch objected to his
presence, and told him very plainly that unless he kept
away he would be prosecuted for scheduling property
that was not in his name. This only angered the schemer
and he determined to secure Arch's dismissal from the
force. Together with a reporter who frequented the
Fourth avenue den he hatched a scheme to have Arch
call on Mrs. Hastings and then surprise him in a com-
promising position. The woman, however, refused to
be a party to the game, and it fell through.
A few weeks later Mullen left her, and she asked the
lieutenant's advice as to what course she sould pursue.
He told her to continue the fight already commenced in
the court and make the fellow disgorge her property.
Before Attorney Collins could reinstate the case the
Chicago Carpet Co. appeared with an attachment which
took precedence over any transfer of the property. The
debt was $1,900 and was for the furnishings of the
Dearborn street house. The title was traced to Thack-
ery, and then the carpet company's lawyer joined with
Collins in an endeavor to straighten out the title to the
property. The case was referred to a master in chan-
cery, but the woman was never able to recover her prop-
erty.
Mary Hastings next took up with "Tom" Gaynor,
whom she met in the fall of 1894. At that time she had
several houses on Custom House place that she fur-
nished and rented for enormous sums. She also had
two houses :vnd a saloon at 136 Custom House place
which she conducted herself. The police were making
MARY HASTINGS' CAREER 159
it very warm for her on account of the many larcenies*
committed in her houses.
She appealed to the Captain of Police to stop raiding
her, and was told that the complaints must cease and
the girls must be kept away from the windows. They
arrested her daily arid imposed heavy fines. When she
met Gay nor he told her that if she was his friend she
would have no trouble and there would be no raids.
Mary did not understand how this was, and Gaynor
explained to her that he had a "pull," and if she would
accept him as a partner everything would roll along
smoothly. She was then receiving an income of $365
per month and took him in for a partner.
She claimed that from that time on he treated her
brutally and shamefully. He was to pay $350, but in-
stead of that she claimed he took from her $1,600. Then
she paid his bills, which amounted to nearly $7,000. She
asked him for some returns of the saloon, which was
taking in some $2,000 a month, but she could get noth-
ing from him. She allowed matters to run along this
way about a year, when she demanded that he settle up
and give her what she was entitled to from the im-
mense profits of the business.
The answer she received was a shot in the leg from a
revolver and a brutal beating, which laid her up for
some time.
When she finally recovered she branched out as a
procuress on a large scale, and brought to Chicago within
three weeks nine young girls from Ohio and took them to
one of her dens on Custom House place, where they were
kept under lock and key and deprived of their clothing.
She kept the doors locked and barred and would not
allow any of them to leave the place. She intercepted
T60 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
and held all the mail addressed to them and refused tc
permit them to communicate with any one.
Finally, on the night of September 26, two of the
girls escaped by climbing down a rope from a window.
They made their way to the police station and told the
story of their bondage and eventual escape by strategy.
Two other girls also escaped, but one of them, Ida'
Martin, who was only fourteen years old, has never
been seen since, and it has always been the belief of
the police that she was killed or that she drowned her-
self in the lake to escape the life to which she thought
she was doomed.
Detective Wooldridge was sent to the house from
which the prisoners escaped, where he found five help-
less, half-clad girls, locked in rooms, quaking with fea?
and begging for release. Mary Hastings was instantly
arrested, and the girls sent to the Harrison Street Sta-
tion Annex, where the two other girls who reported the
matter were being held.
The story which the police gleaned from questioning
the girls was that Mary Hastings on September 5 ap-
peared in Cleveland in company with a man. She vis-
ited the Auditorium Theater, and met Lizzie Lehrman
and Kittie Clair. She bought drinks for them, and then,
under the pretense of taking them for a ride, got them
to enter a hack. On the way Gertie Harris, who was
intoxicated, was brought to the carriage by a man and
accepted an invitation for a ride.
At the depot Florence Lapella was met, and together
they all got on the train and started for Chicago. When
the girls sobered up they wished to return to Cleveland,
but had no money. On their arrival in Chicago they
were taken to 128 Custom House place, where their
MARY HASTINGS' CAREER 161
clothes were taken from them. Then they were kept
under lock and key, and the visits of men were forced
on some of them, no matter how strongly they pro-
tested.
The girls from Toledo said Mary Hastings appeared
in that city on September i8. On her arrival there she
paid a visit to the Brunswick Hotel, where she found
May Casey and Ida Martin, the latter fourteen years of
age. On being told they were looking for work, the
Hastings woman offered them a position in her house
as servants.
May was an orphan and consented immediately, but
Ida wished to consult her parents first. The Hastings
woman apparently consented to this, but instead took
the girls to the United States Hotel and got them
drunk. She then locked them in the room over night.
The next morning she appeared at the hotel again and
got them drunk. Then she took them in a cab to the
depot. When passing the corner of Summit and Cherry
streets, Kittie McCarthy was seen, and she was per-
suaded to get in the hack. At Lafayette street, Kittie
Winzel was called to the hack, and as she knew the Mc-
Carthy girl, she too got in "to take a ride." Kittie
Winzel was only seventeen years old and resided with
her grandparents on Canal street, Toledo. At the depot
Blanche Gordon was met, and by alluring promises con-
sented to go, and together the party got on the train for
Chicago. Arriving here the girls were taken to the den
on Custom House place and their clothes taken aw^y
from them.
None of the girls were allowed to go out, but Lizzie
Lehrman, May Casey, Ida Martin and Gertie Harris
escaped, clad only in wrappers.
162 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
In addition to the felony warrants, search warrants
were obtained, and Officer Wooldridge got some of their
clothes.
Over $2,000 worth of clothing was found in the Hast-
ings woman's house at 128 Custom House place, taken
from girls at various times who had been inmates there.
When the procuress was arraigned the following
morning she asked for a continuance of ten days, which
was granted. She was required to give a bond of $2,100
for her appearance, which was signed by "Tom" Gaynor.
A deep scheme was then evolved to get Detective
Wooldridge discredited in the eyes of the public and his
superior officers by tising the press. Mary Hastings sent
for two newspaper reporters and told them that she could
prove that Wooldridge was not sincere in his efforts to
rescue fallen women, and told them he was simply per-
secuting her. She declared that he was in her house
that morning and visited one of her inmates for an illicit
purpose. In order to prove this assertion she called in
several of the inmates, who repeated what she had said
and declared they were willing to swear it was true. She
also asserted that this was not the first time that he was
there for this purpose.
Upon getting this information and having it verified
by the inmates of the house, the reporters were inclined
at first to believe it was true, and began to think they
had gotten possession of a very sensational story. They
started ouf at once to find Wooldridge in order to ascer-
ta!n what he had to say concerning the charges made by
the Hastings woman. No baser insinuation was ever
made against any one, because at the time she claimed
that he was in the house Wooldridge was before the
grand jury and had been there from eleven o'clock in
MARY HASTINGS' CAREER 163
the morning until 2 130 in the afternoon, and before that
time was in attendance at the poHce court from eight to
nine o'clock. It was not difficult for the reporters to
substantiate what Wooldridge said ; therefore the scheme
to injure him failed, although it was said at the time it
cost Mary Hastings considerable money to promote it.
Another attempt was made to secure the woman's
freedom before the day of hearing, at which she must
appear or forfeit her bond of $2,100. This was an ef-
fort made through agents who were sent to Toledo to
endeavor to have some of the girls' friends come to Chi-
cago and secure a writ of habeas corpus in order to get
them away from the protection of the police and thus
deprive the prosecution of the benefit of their evidence.
This also failed.
Another scheme to stop the prosecution of this woman
was concocted by her attorney, George W. Crawford,
who was at one time assistant city prosecutor. His plan
was to send Wooldridge to New Mexico on a "wild
goose" chase after some alleged defaulting banker, and
even went so far as to get an order from the Chief of
Police and money for transportation and other expenses
incident to this trip. Wooldridge was to have started
from Chicago on the night before the case of Mary Hast-
ings was to be called before Justice Richardson.
Wooldridge heard of this plan to get him out of the
way and went to the officials of the Civic Federation, the
Woman's Protective Association and the Woman's Aid
Society and told them of the plan and what the objects
of it were. Officers from each of these organizations
then went to George B. Swift, who was then mayor of
Chicago, and told him of the facts. He at once wrote
an order to the Chief of Police telling him to keep De-
164 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
tective Wooldridge at the Harrison Street Police Sta-
tion and not to allow him to leave the city under any cir-
cumstances.
Wooldridge also saw the city prosecuting attorney and
secured his promise to be present in person when the
case was called.
In the meantime Wooldridge had taken the girls
before the grand jury and secured two indictments
against Mary Hastings, the bond in each case being
$5,000. These bonds were also secured by "Tom"
Gaynor, who then told her that she had better leave
the city and go to Canada, saying he would look
after everything until the matter cooled down, and
she took his advice and left.
Finally, on October 14 the case was called, and
there occurred at that time one of the most dramatic
and exciting scenes ever enacted in a court of jus-
tice.
Counsel for the woman asked for another contin-
uance of ten days, saying that the city prosecutor
had agreed with him on such action, and that his
client was on the north side giving new bonds. The
city prosecutor who was present said he saw no ob-
jection to the continuance, and the justice, with pen
in hand, was just about to enter the order, when
Wooldridge sprang to his feet, and in tones that
could be heard in the adjoining room and even out
on the street, cried :
"One moment, your honor. I want to say a word
before that order is entered. As an officer of the
court and in the name of law and order and in the
name of the City of Chicago and of the State of
Illinois, I demand the right to be heard."
MARY HASTINGS' CAREER 165
George W. Crawford, counsel for the woman, in-
terrupted and sneeringly said:
"I object to anything the little, insignificant de-
tective has to say here. The city and state are rep-
resented by the prosecuting attorney, and if there is
objection to these proceedings let it come from
him."
"I appeal to you again, your honor, for an opportu-
nity to be heard,*" Wooldridge exclaimed.
The justice overruled the objection of the defense
to the statement Wooldridge had to make, and he
was told to go on. Then the detective demonstra-
ted that he knew something about legal proceedings
himself. Addressing the court, he said :
"Your honor, I insist with all the strength of my
manhood and with an honest purpose and pure mo-
tives, that this case be not continued. For twentv-
one days these seven girls who have been the victirns
of this defendant have been held at the Annex, living
on black coffee and stale bread, with scarcely
enough clothing to cover their nudity. They have
waited to testify against the defendant, whose attor-
nev and friends are conspiring for another continu-
ance that some new scheme may be hatched to get
these witnesses out of the way. When the gentle-
man who represents the defendant in this case tells
this court that his client is m the city and is on the
north side preparing bonds for her appearance, he
utters what he knows to be an untruth. He has lied
to this court and has tried to deceive your honor.
This client is not to-day within the borders of the
United States.
"Every means possible has been adopted to juggle
166 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
with justice and defeat the law in order that a wo-
man who has brought from another city and another
state nine girls to be used in her infamous traffic of
the sale of virtue may escape punishment. Only
yesterday the counsel for the woman attempted to
secure by misrepresentation and deception an order
from the Chief of Police to send me away on a use-
less trail to Mexico in order that this case might be
continued and the witnesses gotten out of the way.
Fortunately, I discovered the plot in time to thwart
him. The prosecution in this case is not represented
by the city alone. There are attorneys here from the
Civic Federation, the Woman's Protective Associa-
tion and the Woman's Aid Society. They want to be
heard before this case is continued.
"Now, your honor, a word with you, man to man.
At your own solicitation I visited you yesterday,
and after detailing the facts in this case and relating
to you all the circumstances connected with it, you
told me that there could be no other continuance, but
that the case must go to trial to-day or the bonds be
declared forfeited. I appeal to your honor's veracity
and ask that these bonds be declared forfeited at
once and an order entered for their payment."
The effect of Wooldridge's talk was instantane-
ous, the court at once denying the continuance and
entering an order against the defendant's bondsman,
and in a short time that order was enforced and the
security of $2,100 collected and paid into court.
This ended for a time the trouble with the Hastings
woman, and Wooldridge took up a collection among the
officers at the police station and secured enough money
to send five of the deluded girls back to Toledo, Ohio.
MARY HASTINGS' CAREER 167
Mary Hastings was still a fugitive from justice under
bonds of $10,000. She remained away from Chicago for
several months, having turned all her property over to
Gaynor before she left.
However, on December 3 she returned to Chicago
to attend to some business, and remained in hiding
for several days, but soon began to indulge in her
old appetite for strong drink and Custom House
place associates, and ventured downtown. On De-
cember 10 Wooldridge heard that she was on the
levee, and having two capiases for her which had
been given him by the sheriflf, he went out to find
her. He was accompanied by Detective Schubert,
He soon found her at Gaynor's saloon, 136 Custom
House place. She was standing at the bar drinking
when the detectives entered. She made no effort to
escape, and Wooldridge served the papers, telling her
she was under arrest.
Word was sent to Gaynor by the barkeeper or
someone in the place that the detectives were there
and had the woman under arrest, and in a few min-
utes he came dashing in like an enraged and roaring
wild beast and demanded to know at once what
was going on. He used the vilest and most abusive
language that ever fell from the lips of a man, and
swore that no on^ should be arrested in his place,
ordering the detectives to get out at once.
Wooldridge knew him well, but quietly asked who
he was. This enraged him more and he became vio-
lent. He pushed the woman back toward the end
of the bar, placing himself between her and Wool-
dridge, and swore they should not touch her. The
detective told him the woman was in his custody
168
HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
and that he intended to take her out, and that if he
(Gaynor) wanted to avoid trouble he would be wise
to not make any interference.
Then Gaynor demanded that Wooldridge show
him the capiases, and that unless he saw them they
could not take the prisoner out. Wooldridge again
informed him the woman was his prisoner, that the
papers had been served on her and that he had no
right to see them, and furthermore he would not see
Orrt-VVogtMIIME. TKOS.&VYNOR. Uhc.&oiubwt.
' DROP THAT GUN OR YOU ARE A DEAD MAN."
them. Then he told Gaynor that if he interfered with
him in the discharge of his duties he would arrest
him and take him to the station.
Gaynor then ran around behind the bar, followed
by Schubert. He reached to the cash register with
his left hand and put his right hand in the drawer
for a Smith & Wesson revolver, Wooldridge
watched his every movement, and when he reached
the re-.slver, the o^cer placed his feet on the railing
MARY HASTINGS' CAREER 169
in front of the counter, and leaning over, placed his
own revolver behind Gaynor's ear and said:
"Drop that gun or you are a dead man."
Gaynor could see Wooldridge and his revolver in
the mirror behind the bar, and knowing the deter-
mination of the officer, released the gun, Schubert
at the same time seizing him. Then they told him
that he was under arrest, and further resista'nce
would mean serious trouble for him.
As may be imagined, this did not smoothe his tem-
per, and he raged like a madman, making all kinds
of threats against Wooldridge. The patrol wagon
was called, however, and he was taken to the Harri-
son Street Station, where he was charged with try-
ing to aid a criminal to escape and interfering with
an officer in the discharge of his duties.
Gaynor is a desperate character and has had many
narrow escapes, but he never came so near being
killed as he did that night when Wooldridge had his
revolver against his head. The detective afterward
said that he never came so near killing a man be-
fore. It was with great difficulty that he restrained
himself, and "Tom" Gaynor to-day owes his life to
Wooldridge's self-control on that occasion.
Then came one of the hardest fights that ever
took place in Chicago to defeat justice by the use of
influence and lavish expenditure of money to stop
the prosecution. But Wooldridge fought with tenac-
ity to the finish. He was even offered $4,000 in cash
to "let up" on the case, but he refused it.
Every means that could be devised by the woman
and her friends to escape the clutches of the law was
resorted to. Her bondsman used all his political
170 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
"pull" to get Wooldridge sidetracked. He even went
to one of the men who signed Wooldridge's first
application for a position on the police force and
asked him to do something to help him out. This
man called on Detective Wooldridge and requested
him to drop the matter. The response Wooldridge
made was characteristic of him.
"If you wanted an investigation of a case made by
an officer," said Wooldridge, "what kind of man
would you ask to do the work for you? Would you
ask one that could be bought or bribed or induced
by any kind of influence to neglect his duty?"
"No, I would not," was the reply.
"Then go to the Secretary of the Police Depart-
ment and ask him to let you see the application
which I filed there for a position on the police force,
and read the indorsements which are attached to the
application. Read the one which you signed and in
which you said I was an honest, conscientious and
incorruptible man. If I drop this case it will show
that you did not tell the truth when you recommend-
ed me for appointment."
No more efforts were made in that direction, but
everything else that could be done was tried without
avail. A strong effort was made to have Detective
Wooldridge discharged from the Police Department,
but it did not succeed. The case against Gaynor
was postponed several times and dragged along
three or four weeks. Finally it came up for trial, and
Gaynor had on hand six or eight persons who testi-
fied under oath that there was no trouble in the
saloon when Mary and Gaynor were arrested, and
that the latter did not in any way interfere with the
MARY HASTINGS' CAREER 171
officers. The persons who thus perjured themselves
were not present at all when the arrests were made,
but their evidence saved Gaynor a heavy fine and
perhaps a term in the penitentiary.
The case against Mary Hastings was called during
the January term of the criminal court in 1896. She
was not present and forfeiture was entered against
ner bondsman, with leave to produce the woman
and reinstate the case. Within two hours the wo-
man was produced and the case reinstated.
This was kept up several times, and finally, on
May 13, 1897, it was placed on call in Judge Ball's
court. Mary failed to show up again, and the bonds
were again ordered forfeited. A few days later,
however, the woman was found and arrested and
turned over to the jailer. In this way the case was
at last worn out. The witnesses had become scat-
tered, and one, the most important of all, fourteen-
year-old Ida Martin, was never found, and thus
Mary Hastings escaped prosecution at last and was
released, but with the amount paid in forfeited bonds
and in other ways to defeat justice, the cost to her
and Gaynor was the enormous sum of $20,000.
She and Gavnor continued to conduct their dives
on the levee, but he began a system of cruelty
towards her which for excess of inhumanity and in-
justice has rarely been equaled. He beat and abused
her continually. He had possession of all her prop-
erty, yet once when she was in jail for some oflfense,
she declared that out of an income of nearly $700 a
month from her houses on the levee, she did not have
a cent with which to buy a meal.
Time and again she went to the police station
172 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
with her face bruised and bleeding, and begged the
officers to protect her from this brute. Once he
knocked her down and pulled from her head great
bunches of hair and kicked and beat her into insen-
sibility. At another time he knocked three of her
teeth out. When she would threaten him with ar-
rest he would pretend to be sorry for his actions
and promise to treat her better, but in a few days he
would beat her again.
All this time he was living with her, yet he had a
wife and children who lived on what he chose to
give them in a house at Fifty-third street and Wa-
bash av^enue.
He abused her so much that she finally determined
to leave him forever. She induced him to give her
a few hundred dollars, then leaving him in possesion
of all her property, she went away, finally stopping
in Toledo, Ohio, where she is now conducting a
house similar to the one she conducted in Chicago.
PUMPED LEAD AT HIM.
DETECTIVE UNDER FIRE FROM BURGLARS AND MAKES A
NARROW ESCAPE.
t
It was a bitter cold, stormy morning on Decem-
ber 13, 1890, and the thermometer had reached the
zero point. The branches and boughs of the trees
hung heavily with icicles, and the December wind
caused them to sway to and fro as it whistled
through them. All the ground and the buildings
were covered with snow.
- The streets had been deserted by both man and
PUMPED LEAD AT HIM 173
beast, they having sought shelter and rest many hours
before.
At two o'clock on the morning in question Officer
Wooldridge, ever on duty, strolled along north on
Michigan avenue from Thirty-third to Thirty-first
street. On each side of the street towering aloft
were hundreds of the grandest mansions and most
expensive ones to be found in Chicago or ^Isewhere,
many of them costing from a hundred thousand
dollars up into the millions.
When the officer reached the front of Charles
Pardridge's residence on the southwest corner of
Michigan avenue and Thirty-second street, he dis-
covered tracks in the snow, and the tracks led di-
rectly into the yard of this residence, and a noise was
heard which sounded for all the world as if someone
was using a saw.
Stepping quietly into the yard, the officer went
around to the rear of the house, and found three
burglars at work cutting through the door. The bur-
glars, upon finding that they were discovered, im-
mediately dropped their tools and fled precipitately
to the street, with Officer Wooldridge in hot pur-
suit. Wooldridge commanded them to halt, and the
only answer was a shot from one of the fleeing bur-
glars. The officer thereupon returned the fire, and
then the burglars ran across the street into the yard
of Mr. Libby, the manufacturer of the celebrated
beef tea of world-wide reputation, and here four
more shots were exchanged between the burglars
and the officer, who was rapidly closing in upon
them in the corner of the yard.
To the back of them was a board fence at least
CHAIN SAVES HIS LIFE 175
seven feet in height, which they scaled, closely fol-
lowed by the officer, and as the latter mounted the
fence, he received a bullet through his cap, which
grazed his skull, cutting a furrow through his hair
and knocking his cap off his head. This shot came
from the burglar directly underneath Wooldridge as
he was mounting the fence.
"Baby" Bliss, the 520-pound bicycle rider, and
agent for the American Wheel Company, witnessed
the shooting from an adjoining house.
This narrow escape would have been deemed suf-
ficient excuse for most officers to quit, but it only
nerved Wooldridge to further action. Over the
fence like a streak went the officer, and he returned
the fire with his compliments. The result of that
shot was that one of the burglars fell, and from the
pool of blood found on the ground, it is supposed he
was badly wounded.
Wooldridge was next hit by another bullet which
flattened itself on the buckle of his belt and fell to
the ground. This last shot knocked the breath out
of his body for a few seconds, and the burglars made
a safe escape.
On the rear doorsteps of the Pardridge house was
found a heavy club two feet in length, a hand saw,
brace and bits, and a bunch of skeleton keys.
CHAIN SAVES HIS LIFE.
BULLET FIRED AT DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE TURNED BY A
WATCH GUARD.
The bar and several links of a watch chain worn
by Detective Wooldridge saved his life on the morn-
176 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
ing of February ii, 1896. He with othei officers
was trying to arrest some notorious levee characters,
when an unexpected fusillade of bullets, sent in his
direction, made things lively for a few minutes.
Mamie Johnson, a white woman, and Edward
Speed, a colored piano player, lived in the second
flat of 412 Dearborn street. They leased and opera-
ted the entire building, which extended from Dear-
born street to Custom House place.
The basement was operated as an opium joint,
and was patronizd by both black and white persons,
male and female. The first floor was furnished and
run as a house of ill-fame, and here the celebrated
and well-known panel game was operated with great
success.
It is a well-known and undisputed fact that the
robberies and larcenies reported from 412 Dearborn
street to the Harrison Street Police Station would
fill a very large book, and if it were possible to figure
up the losses entailed one could very easily start a
First National bank with the money.
The first floor of the house was rented for from
$20 to $30 per day in advance, and very naturally
the proprietor or landlady of a house of this descrip-
tion changed nearly every day.
On a number of occasions a uniformed officer was
stationed in front of the house night and day for
from one to two weeks at a time for the sole purpose
of trying to prevent robberies and larcenies from
taking place.
On the second floor of the structure Mamie John-
son and Edward Speed lived in luxury and style, and
rented rooms to ten or twelve of the cleverest
CHAIN SAVES HIS LIFE
177
strong-arm, thieving, panel-working women that
ever infested Chicago and the levee district.
At three o'clock on the morning in question, De-
tectives Wooldridge and Schubert, in citizen's
THE SHOOTING IN THE HALLWAY.
X78 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
clothes, and Officers Morris, Bell, O'Connor, Brad-
ley and O'Hara, in uniform, armed with state war-
rants for the arrest of Delia Blackmbre and WilHam
Thompson for the robbery of a stockman of $400 on
the evening before in the flat on the first floor, ap-
proached the house. They also had warrants for the
keeper of the place, Mamie Johnson, as well as for
the other inmates of the house.
Entrance was effected without any resistance, and
six persons were found and arrested.
The flat ran east and west from Dearborn street
to Plymouth place, and the rooms were located on
the south side of the building facing a hall six feet
in width which ran the full length of the building.
In this hall stood the police officers, waiting for
the prisoners to dress. Charles Wyatt and his mis-
tress, Ida Holmes, occupied a room in the center of
the hall, and directly in front of this door Detective
Wooldridge and O'Hara stood chatting, when, with-
out any cause or provocation, Charles Wyatt, who
was partly dressed, stepped to the door with a 38-
caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, and fired two
shots in rapid succession at Wooldridge and O'Hara,
who were only five feet away from him at the time.
The hall was lighted by a lamp attached to the
frame of the door of Wyatt's room, and the deadly
missiles of death passed safely by the two officers,
yust missing their heads by a hair's breadth and
lodging in the wall of the building.
Before the officers could draw their guns and seize
Wyatt, he fired again, and the bullet lodged in a
washtub in the further end of the hall, fortunately
doing no damage to the officers.
CHAIN SAVES HIS LIFE 179
The two officers separated and sprang to the
side of the door, out of range of Wyatt's revolver,
and made a desperate effort to catch hold of him and
disarm him, but he was too quick for them, stepping
back into his room with only his hand and a portion
of his arm extended beyond the door. He flourished
his revolver up and down and kept both officers cov-
ered.
Thus it will be readily seen that Wooldridge and
O'Hara had no opportunity afforded them of using
their guns, and again it was really too dangerous, as
the house was filled with people and officers who
wouM be in danger of being shot.
Charles Wyatt fired again, and the bullet struck
the bar on Wooldridge's watch chain, which divert-
ed its course and saved the life of the detective. The
bar and several links of the watch chain and one-
half of a button on his vest were shot away, and
the bullet also passed through a heavy Irish frieze
overcoat and his undercoat. When it had spent
its force it dropped to the floor, where it was picked
up. Officer Bell, who was standing on the top of the
steps leading to the hall, then fired at Wyatt, and
shot a portion of the door away which was close to
Wyatt's head. This shot had the effect of putting
out the light and caused Wyatt to retreat into his
room, closing and locking the door.
Upon the advice of his friends, however, Wyatt
afterwards surrendered to the officers. He was in-
dicted and tried for assault to kill, but through myS'
terious influences he escaped punishment.
180 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
SAVED FAMILY FROM STARVATION.
PATHETIC SIDE OF DETECTIVE's LIFE SHOWN IN HELI
GIVEN TO THE POOR.
Many cases are presented in the life of a detective
(which show the truth of the saying that "half the
people do not know how the other half lives." These
guardians of life and of the peace and property of the
public often do acts of kindness of which nothing is
ever known. One case of this character in particu-
lar illustrates that these secret-service men do more
for humanity than catching thieves and running
down burglars.
While eating his supper one night in the winter
of 1891, Detective Wooldridge was interrupted by
a rap at the door, and on answering it, he found a
woman who was his neighbor standing on the out-
side, partly clad, with a baby in her arms, both shak-
ing from the bitter cold as if they had the ague.
She began to cry piteously and told him that two
men had entered her house by force, and were, like
freebooters, carrying away all the furniture she had.
She told him she only had $50 worth of furniture,
which she had bought from a firm of west side fur-
niture dealers, and had paid all she owed on it ex-
cept ten dollars ; that she was two weeks behind on
the. last payment, but her two daughters were at
work downtown trying to earn money enough to
finish the payment.
She said she had begged the men not to take the
furniture until the girls came home from work,
when she would pay them, but they only answered
her with curses and abuse.
SAVED FAMILY FROM STARVATION 181
This appeal went at once to the heart of the de-
tective, and without waiting to put on a coat or hat,
he rushed out of the room and went into the place,
where two stalwart men were carrying the furniture
out. He asked them what they meant by coming
into the woman's house and taking her property, and
also asked them if they were officers. He said he
had been appealed to by Mrs. Cummings, and told
them plainly that they must explain to him.
They told him it was none of his business, and that
if he interfered he would be thrown out. Wool-
dridge left, and going back to his residence, put on
his uniform and returned to the scene. He then
informed them that the woman made complaint and
asked for protection, and he was going to give it to
her.
He told the men that they were neither officers
nor were they working under order from any court.
They claimed they were foreclosing a mortgage on
the furniture, and produced a document of some
kind. They were informed that the document was
only a contract for the payment of a certain sum,
and furthermore, they could not foreclose a mort-
gage after dark if the parties protested in the name
of the State of Illinois.
He further informed them that they had no right
to touch or lay their hands on a single piece of fur-
niture against the protest of Mrs. Cummings with-
out an order from the court; that they were no more
than highwaymen, and the woman would be justi-
fied in killing both of them.
After Wooldridge got through, one of them an-
swered that he had talked with police officers before,
182 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
and commanded the other to go ahead and take
down the furniture without regard to Wooldridge.
He grabbed an armful and started for the door. The
officer covered him with two revolvers, and told him
if he attempted to pass the door he would blow his
brains out. He dropped the goods in a hurry. Wool-
dridge then compelled them to replace every piece
of furniture they had taken out, and stood by to see
that they did so. He then ordered them out of the
house, and told them not to return without an order
from the court, gave them his name, number of his
star, and the station to which he belonged. He
then went to the Stanton Avenue Station and re-
ported the matter to Lieutenant Healy, who was in
charge, and who said he did just right.
Ten dollars were collected that night by Wool-
dridge from the officers at the station, and next
morning it was given to the woman, whom they ad-
vised to go over and lift the mortgage, as the firm
might, out of revenge, make her some trouble
through the courts when they learned what had oc-
curred the previous night.
At ten o'clock the following morning Mr. Wool-
dridge's wife came running in, and waking him up,
told him that Mrs. Cummings' baby was dying and
they had no doctor. The officer told his wife to go
to the drug store and telephone for a doctor while
he dressed. Dr. Clarence Linsey responded, and was
told to make investigations, treat the child, and send
the bill to him. The child was treated by Dr. Linsey
free of charge.
When Wooldridge and Dr. Linsey went to Mrs.
Cummings' flat they found one of the most desolate
SAVED FAMILY FROM STARVATION 183
homes it had ever been their lot to gaze upon. There
was no carpet on the floor, no fuel in the house ; one
greasy old lamp without a chimney; no sheets on
the beds, and where there had been lids to the old
stove, there were now tin pie plates.
Five of the family sat down to breakfa$t that
morning upon ten cents' worth of onions. They
owed three months' rent ; the grocery had shut down
on them and they had been notified by the landlord
to move. Wooldridge started out, and before night
seven grocery wagons stopped at Mrs. Cummings'
house loaded with provisions. The officer went to
Mrs. Cudahy, 3138 Michigan avenue, the wife of the
big packer, and told her the condition of the Cum-
mings family.
She immediately sent out two clerks from McEl-
roy's dry goods store on Thirty-first street to see what
was needed. She sent bedding and clothing to the
amount of $42. Wooldridge raised by subscription
$30, paid the rent, and secured a donation of food,
clothing, coal, etc., to the amount of $200. He also
wrote a letter to the Chicago Herald, which was do-
ing a great deal to assist charity, and upon investi-
gation it contributed also, and made the following
statement, which was published in the paper on the
morning of February 8, 1891 :
"With a bakery and a meat market on either side
of them, the Cummings family, 352 Thirty-seventh
street, were found yesterday in want of the necessa-
ries of life. The husband has been out of work for
several months and the family of six live on the
slender earnings of two small girls. So destitute
were they that the girls had to walk to work yester-
184 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
day morning, a distance of four miles. Two boys with
ragged clothing lay on the bare floor, playing with
some blocks. Neither of them had underclothing to
wear. A little baby cooed in its mother's arms. 'We
once had a happy home,' said Mrs. Cummings, 'but
reverses came and left us penniless. The girls are
proud-spirited, and so am I, and for that reason we
have not made known our circumstances to the pub-
lic. It is a fact, however, that myself and the chil-
dren have gone without food two days at a time.
" 'None of the neighbors knew of our condition,
for we keep it as quiet as we can. It is ten times
harder for us to bear up under this state of affairs
than if we had not in former days had plenty.'
"While the woman was talking she tried in vain
to keep back the tears that were welling in her eyes.
That she had once seen happier days there was no
mistaking. Her speech indicated that she had a
good education. Even in her poverty she was too
proud to make known her wants. A few months ago
she bought $50 worth of furniture from a west side
installment house. The girls have worked hard to
keep up the payments, and there is still a payment
due of ten dollars. Last Saturday two men from" the
furniture house forced their way into the humble
home of the Cummingses and began to carry out
a cheap bedroom set. Officer Wooldridge, who lives
near by, stopped them as they were carrying the
stuff down the stairway. One of the girls is afflicted
with St. Vitus' dance and is scarcely able to work.
The rent must be paid, however, and, sick as she is,
she goes to the type foundry every morning with
her sister. Some of the girls at the shop who have
FOUND THEIR MATCH 185
good homes and plenty to eat made fun of the Ctim-
mings sisters a fe^y days ago because they had bread
only for their lunch. When the sisters went home
that night they cried themselves to sleep. They are
two little heroines, and such devotion should not go
unrewarded. The family is sorely in need of bed cloth- '
ing, wearing apparel and coal. A reporter for the
Herald gladdened their hearts last night with a
package of provisions. Their other wants will be
attended to immediately by the Herald Relief Corps.
Any one having bed clothing or wearing apparel to
spare cannot bestow it on a more worthy family."
FOUND THEIR MATCH.
OFFICERS ATTACKED BY A BEAR IN THE DARK LOOKING
FOR A NEW GAME^ THEY DISCOVER ONE.
After long years of fruitless efifort to find his match,
the Chicago detective discovered him.
He was found in a dark basement under a State-
street museum, and he 'remained there, a common
black bear from northern Michigan, while four po-
lice officers who ventured to enter his den were laid
v
up for extensive repairs.
It is safe to say that David Crockett, brave hunter
that he was, would not venture to intrude upon the
reveries of a bear in the dark. It is also in the range
of possibilities that these four officers would have
found it convenient to be reported on the sick list
the morning before had they known what the day had
in store for them. It happened this way :
186 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Augustus Meyer went to the Harrison Street Sta-
tion and complained to Lieutenant Collins that he
had been swindled in the museum. A warrant was
sworn out and the place raided. Detectives Loftus
Hennessy, Teape, Howard and Wooldridge were de-
tailed on the case. It was a free show, and on the
inside were a few wax heads, a figure of the late
George Painter, and several other "pieces of statuary."
In the rear of the room is a small one, and from
this room opens a closet. Meyer had told the officers
that he had run against a new-fangled game, and
search was made for the box with which the game
was played. A number of steps lead from the small
rear room to the basement, and it was at the foot
of these stairs that the bear was encountered. De-
tective Loftus proceeded down the stairs. There
was no light, and Loftus could not have seen his
hand before his face if he put it there. On reaching
the bottom ot the stairs the bear seized him by the
coat.
Greatly alarmed, Detective Loftus tore himself
away and shouted for assistance. Not knowing what
the trouble was, Hennessy; Teape and Howard ran
down the steps into the darkness, only to fall upon
the animal.
The bear began howling and snapping his huge
jaws, and the struggle could be heard upstairs. De-
tective Wooldridge, wondering what was the matter,
joined his brother officers.
He was cautious, however, to strike a match, and
saw the bear standing on its haunches and Teape and
Hennessy lying on the floor. Wooldridge struck the
bear a terrible blow over the head with his revolver,
HID TKn: MONEY IN HER HAIR 187
causing the animal to reel to one side. Loftus gave
the bear another blow, and in a second Teape and
Hennessy were on their feet.
Howard had not been idle and did his best to keep
the bear on its haunches by shouting at it. The five
officers hastened upstairs, and some suggested that
the bear be arrested for interfering with an officer.
The search for the box was then begun, and it was
found in the closet, the door of which had to be broken
open, as the proprietor refused to give up the keys.
Loftus' coat was torn in several places, and Teape's
and Howard's clothes were also torn on the shoulders.
Six men were in the place at thti time, and they
were all placed under arrest and charged with swin-
dling. The proprietor was also charged with oper-
ating the place without a license.
When they came up for trial all were fined heavily.
HID THE MONEY IN HER HAIR.
Detective Wooldridge arrested a woman who
adopted a novel method of hiding the money she
had stolen. One Sunday evening a man named Win-
ter was taking a stroll through the streets of Chicago
and curiosity induced him to pass through Custom
House place, where he was drawn into a conversation
with a colored thief and pickpocket named Mamie
Levelle. While he was listening to the voice of the
siren, she deftly abstracted from his pockets the com-
fortable sum of $427. When he detected that his
money had disappeared he seized the woman as she
started to run into 122 Custom House place, which
188 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
was a den of vice kept at that time by Grace St. Clair.
The man called loudly for help, and Detective
Wooldridge who was passing down the street heard
the call and ran to the man's assistance. He arrested
the woman and recovered $327 of the money, for
during the struggle with her victim she succeeded
in separating a $100 bill from the $427 and hid it in
her hair. When taken to the station she confessed to
the robbery and was held to the grand jury by the
police magistrate. She sent for a professional bonds-
man and he became her surety and she was released.
When asked to produce the missing $100 she claimed
that she gave i1»to her bondsman, who, she declared,
had spent it. She was arraigned for trial April 27.
1893, before Judge McConnel and was found guilty
of grand larceny by the jury and her punishment was
fixed at a term in the Joliet penitentiary, but Judge
McConnel suspended the sentence and the woman
escaped punishment.
DETECTIVE PLAYS THE DUDE.
PASSES AS A woman's HUSBAND AND IS ARRESTED AS A
CROOK AND HORSE THIEF.
Detectives are frequently compelled to assume
many different disguises to accomplish their difficult
work. The latest adventure Detective Wooldridge
undertook in this line was to disguise himself as the
leader of the levee's 400. He dressed himself up as
a real " dude," invaded a place from which detectives
were excluded, posed as the leader of the demi-monde,
DETECTIVE PLAYS THE DUDE 189
allowed a brother officer to arrest him, and ,even suf-
fered the indignities of being slapped in the face,
kicked, cuffed, and taken to the police station in a»
patrol wagon.
Many complaints had been made at the Harrison
Street Station in 1896 of a thieving panel house at 4I1
and 413 State street. Detectives Wooldridge and
Schubert were detailed to break it up. The victims of
the place were usually strangers and traveling men
decoyed from the Polk street depot, which is only a
short distance from the house. Several women known
as panel-house "steerers" were engaged in this voca-
tion, and with their pretty faces and captivating smiles
and flashy dresses were doing a land-office business in
catching "suckers," as they termed it. A number of
trips were made by the officers to the house without
success.
On September 24 at 11 p. m. Wooldridge, disguised
as a dude with silk hat, red gloves, eye glasses and a
cane, went to the above number, and on the third floor
met Mollie Howard in the hall, who was delighted to
see him. She did not recognize the famous detective
who introduced himself as Mr. Smith from Washing-
ton, D. C, and carried a letter of introduction to Miss
Rosie Clark, who was supposed to live in the house
three months previous. Miss Howard assured him
Rosie had left the week before tor St. Paul, and kindly
offered to entertain him and show him the sights ot
State street under the electric lights if he would ac-
company her to the flat below where she could com-
plete her toilet.
They repaired to the flat below, when Miss Howard
discovered she h id lost hei key, but before she could
190 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
use the keys offered her by Wooldridge, Detective
Schubert, his partner, came from his place of hiding,
Showed his star and demanded to know who they were
and what they were doing at that late hour.
Miss Howard said that the gentleman was her hus-
band, and worked for Siegcl, Cooper & Co., and that
they were looking for housekeeping rooms. Turning
to Wooldridge, she said "Is that not so, dearie?"
Wooldridge replied, "Yes, dearie." Schubert pre-
tended to recognize him as a robber, horse thief and
confidence man whom he had arrested before. The
indignation of Miss Howard and Wooldridge was
aroused to the highest pitch, and they almost came to
blows with Schubert. Miss Howard stamped her foot
in rage, demanded the name of the officer, the number
of his star, and threatened to go to the station and
report him.
Schubert remained firm, placed them both under
arrest, and started for the patrol box at Hubbard court
and Wabash avenue. On the way over Schubert con-
tinued to upbraid Wooldridge, charging him with the
commission of many crimes and even striking him on
the face. Miss Howard protested in the strongest
language upon this treatment of her husband.
When Schubert stepped into the patrol box to ring
for the patrol wagon, Wooldridge started to run, but
Schubert grabbed him and charged him with trying to
escape. He slapped him in the face and shoved him
into the patrol box, raining kick after kick upon him.
Miss Howard rushed to his rescue, imploring the
officer not to kill her dear husband. Taking her hand-
kerchief, she carefully wiped Wooldridge's face and
SHOOTS A GAMBLING KING 191
implanted a kiss thereon, and with kind and loving
words tried to console him.
A whispered conversation was carried on between
them on the way to the station. Miss Howard told
her husband (Wooldridge) to stick to the statement
she had made to the effect that he was her husband,
and to secure bonds, and they would prefer charges
against Schubert and would get him discharged from
the force.
Wooldridge agreed to it all. Little did Miss Howard
think that she was trying to discharge Wooldridge's
partner, and she did not discover it until she was ar-
raigned the next morning in court.
Judge Richardson when informed of all the particu-
lars thought it a huge joke. Miss Howard was fined
$50 and released on promises to leave the district. The
house was speedily closed.
SHOOTS A GAMBLING KING.
YOUNG CUBAN ENRAGED BY LOSSES AND CRAZED BY DRINK
NEARLY COMMITS MURDER.
One of the important criminal cases in police history
and one that will long be remembered, was that in
which Charles Haines attempted to kill John Johnson
who was known as the "King of the Colored Gam-
blers,'' and who conducted a saloon and gambling
house at 464 State street. The shooting came neat
causing Haines the loss of his life at the hands of a
mob, and he was only saved from the vengeance of
Johnson's friends through the prompt arrival of De-
192 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIMb
tective Wooldridge and two other officers, who ar-
rested Haines and drove the angry crowd back with
drawn revolvers.
Charles Haines was twenty-nine years old, passed
as a colored man, and was born in a suburb of Havana,
Cuba. He graduated from Alphonso College, Havana,
and after leaving there completed his course in medi-
cine. He had made his home in the United States for
four years previous to March 17, 1896, at which time
the tragedy took place. He was then a waiter or
porter on the Pullman parlor cars in various parts of
the country.
Haines and John Johnson were friends, and Haines
had visited Johnson's place at intervals for years.
When he came' into the city from trips on the road he
always went to Johnson's saloon to play craps, of
which he was very fond. Sometimes he won and at
other times he lost.
On the night of the shooting Haines had a consid-
erable sum of money with him, and in company with
friends made several visits to Johnson's saloon, played
craps and won some money. Later his luck changed
and he lost $460. Haines claimed he saw the game-
keeper change the dice on him and substitute loaded
dice. Of course, this was denied.
Haines left the place several times during the night,
but returned and again engaged in craps. He also
drank and later became involved in a quarrel with
another colored man. Revolvers were drawn, but no
damage was made. At the request of Johnson, Haines
surrendered his revolver, and it was placed behind
the bar for safekeeping until he was ready to go home.
Along towards morning Haines made the discovery
SHOOTS A GAMBLING KING
193
that he had only ten cents left, and went to his room
on Plymouth place, forgetting to take his revolver with
him. He returned to the saloon, and from being up
all night and the loss of money did not feel in a very
good humor. John Johnson was still standing behind
SCE.NE OF THE SHOOTING.
the bar near the front of the saloon, leaning against
ia. large safe.
Haines asked for his revolver, which was given to,
him. Hot words then followed between them, Haines
complaining of the way he had been treated and
cheated out of his money. As to what else passed there
194 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
were many conflicting stories. The shooting was not
seen by any one, as a glass partition separated the
front part of the saioon, where they were, from the bar.
The sharp report of the revolver was heard, followed
by two more in succession. John Johnson clasped
his hands over his heart and fell to the floor. One of
the bullets almost passed through his breast in the
region of the heart, and one of the balls missed him
and imbedded in the wood in range of his head.
Again the report of the revolver rang out on the»
clear morning air. This time the revolver was pointed
to the rear of the saloon, where the crap games and
tables were situated and where several were still play-
ing. William Moore, another colored man, was shot
in the thigh and fell to the floor. Every one in the
room was thrown in a state of excitement and tried to
get into some place of shelter.
Haines made his escape to the street by the front
door. Some one seeing that Johnson was shot, seized
a gun from the bar and fired at Haines through the
window as he ran down the street followed by a num-
ber of Johnson's friends. The crowd fired two shots
at Haines, but without effect. He took refuge in a
basement, and a mob of colored men soon gathered,
crying, "Hang him ! Hang him !"
Just then Officer Wooldridge and two others arrived
and placed Haines under arrest, and with drawn re-
volvers kept back the crowd. They safely landed
the prisoner in the Harrison Street Station.
John Johnson was removed to the Presbyterian
Hospital, and for weeks lingered between life and
death, but under the skillful treatment of Dr. Senn,
one of the most celebrated surgeons in the West, he
CLOSES S.CHOOL FOR CRIME 195
recovered. William Moore was out in a few days,
having received only a flesh wound.
On May, i8, 1896, Charles Haines was arraigned for
trial before Judge Baker for assault with intent to
kill. He declined the offer of an attorney by the
court, and said he would take care of his own inter-
ests, but a little wrestling with the intricacies of the
law convinced him that he needed help, and he engaged
Alfred Lytle, a colored lawyer. Haines admitted he
dTd the deed, but stated it was done in self-defense,
as he was in danger at the time.
He had trouble with Johnson once before, and
knocked out two of his teeth.
Haines was convicted and sentenced to an indefinite
time in the penitentiary. He had a young wife and
two children at Hamlin, W. Va.
CLOSES SCHOOL FOR CRIME.
DETECTIVE RAIDS A UNIVERSITY IN WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE
WERE MADE CRIMINALS.
Detective Wooldridge performed a service for Chi-
cago in 1896 which obtained for him the everlasting
gratitude of all good citizens.
Complaints had frequently been made to the officials
at the Harrison Street Station of an unusual amount
of shoplifting and pocketpicking in the big stores on
State street and vicinity.
At the same time Detective Wooldridge, who was
then working from the Harrison Street Station, re-
ceived information that there was a "fence," which is
196 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
a place where stolen goods are stored, and a school
for thieves in a lodging house at 316 Clark street.
The officer secured suits of clothing which were
ragged, for two of his friends, and asked thern to beg
in Clark street. Within a few hours they had been
admitted to the lodging house and to the "inner cir-
cle" of lodgers. Two days were spent in the house
by these men.
Then they reported that there were about twenty-
five men and boys banded together for the purpose of
thefts and burglary ; that it was easy to get admitted
to the confidence of the men, and that by a little clever
detective work the men might be arrested and their
"fence" discovered. ' Detective Wooldridge was at
once put in charge of the matter.
"Don't come up until you clear up the whole case,"
said the captain.
Wooldridge went to a pawnship for a second-hand
suit of clothes, and when he emerged therefrom he
met an associate on the street who did not recognize
him. He wore a pair of butcher's jumpers frayed at
the bottom and white at the baggy knees. His white
shirt and collar had been laid aside for a tattered
shirt of calico. His coat and vest were greasy and full
of holes. For a hat he wore a piece of felt that had
been picked up from an alley. His shoes had long
ago been discarded by a street beggar.
A week's growth of beard, uncombed and generously
rubbed with grease and lamp black, completed the
disguise and made the policeman look like a tramp of
the street.
By appointment Wooldridge in his disguise met his
two friends at the entrance of the lodging house.
CLOSES SCHOOL FOR CRIME 197
They conducted him upstairs and introduced him to a
number of men that were congregated there. In a
few minutes Wooldridge was smoking an old pipe and
teUing of his success in acquiring other people's prop-
erty.
He had been admitted to full membership, and as a
new man was introduced as the most promising ac-
quisition. By common consent he was not asked to
do any "work" on the day of his initiation. A dirty
pack of cards was produced and a game was begun.
Wooldridge showed his associates that he knew how
to win a game.
Before the men had been playing long, a boy entered,
bringing four pairs of opera glasses, gave them to one
of the men inside and said, "Go out and peddle them."
The man disappeared with them. He returned in
half an hour and handed over to the "manager" a sum
of money.
Meanwhile another boy entered with several pairs
of gloves. These were disposed of as the glasses
were. Others came, bringing other articles of more
or less value, which were given to occupants of the
place with orders to sell or "salt" them. The latter
expression is construed to mean to secrete in a place
the police call a "fence."
In the afternoon at two o'clock sixteen men and
seven boys assembled in the room. Wooldridge
waited for developments, confident that he was going
to see the inner workings of the place.
"Are we all here?" asked the manager.
An affirmative reply was given, and after a count
had been made, a table was drawn to the middle of the
room. The manager piled it high with articles from
a trunk. Then he stepped behind it.
198 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
"I am a clerk," said he. "J^"^' yo^ stall. Mike, you
swipe the goods. If I catch either of you, mind, you
get licked."
The persons addressed were about fourteen years
old. They obeyed the order, and Wooldridge saw an
adept piece of shoplifting.
Every person in the room was put through the
drill. Then each person was instructed in the way to
pick pockets, to steal diamond shirt studs, and to
snatch purses from women. Afterward each person
was put through a drill calculated to make all skill-
ful in avoiding capture by victims or policemen. The
school closed about four o'clock.
Wooldridge then said he would "rush the growler"
— in other words, go for a can of beer. He returned
with the patrol wagon and arrested the members of
the school, together with the manager and preceptors,
making twenty-three all told.
One of the prisoners made a confession at the sta-
tion in which he told the police that $800 worth of
goods had been stolen from The Fair, from the Boston
Store and Siegel, Cooper & Co.'s store. This amount,
he said, had been much increased by thefts of pocket-
books and diamond pins. He also said that the men
and seven boys were regularly instructed, that the
things that were considered safe were peddled,
and those which were not considered safe
were "planted" in a storehouse. The location
of this place was given. A number of the
men were said to be ex-convicts. One of the boys
was but twelve years old. The party taken included
the following: L. D. Vanniman, Joseph Wilson, Jer-
ome Tuger, Charles Fryer, S. F. Dunklee, Louis Var-
VETERAN IS ROBBED AND BEATEN 199
haley, William Moran, Gus Brunswick, Charles Wag-
ner, Charles Lombarder, John McCarty, Edward
Majworden, Thomas Miller, James Haward, George
Price, John Rice, Thomas Smith, Robert Donley, Louis
Grey, Thomas O'Dwyer, Richard Rider, "Mike" St.
James.
VETERAN IS ROBBED AND BEATEN.
THUGS TAKE AN OLD SOLDIER's MONEY AND CLOTHES,
LEAVING HIM NEARLY NAKED.
Two men got into the confidence of James Drum-
mond, a veteran of the Civil War, on April ii, 1897,
and after beating him into insensibility, they robbed
him of all he possessed, and even took his clothes and
left him unconscious and nearly naked in the rear of
a saloon at 379 Clark street.
His head was blood-stained and covered with cuts
and bruises. One eye was closed as the result of the
blow, and no one knew how long he had been lying
in this alley in an unconscious condition. A pair of
overalls was borrowed and placed on him, and he was
removed to the Harrison Street Station, where the
blood was washed off his wounds, and he was put in
bed and made as comfortable as possible.
Drummond stated that he came from Milwaukee,
Wis., from the soldiers' home, to Chicago to draw
the pension money due him. After he had received
the money he purchased a hat, shoes and suit of
clothes. He intended to stay in Chicago several days
and visit different men who had been soldiers and be-
longed to the same company he was in during the late
Civil War. He had' dropped into this saloon and
^00 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
* •
found another old veteran who had an arm and a leg
blown off fighting for his country. While they were
telling their experiences and hardships during the war, '
two men came in, pushed up by them, and seemed in-
terested in their conversation.
Drummond stated that he had his discharge papers
in his pocket, also his money, and wanted to find out
where he could put them and where they would be
safe until he was ready to return to Milwaukee.
One of the men told him that he knew a man near
by who had' a safe and was also an old soldier, and
would keep them safely for him. All three men joined
Drummond in a drink, and he left, with the two men
who were to show him the place where he could leave
his papers.
Instead of taking him out the front way they took
him out the back way. Upon reaching the alley he
was struck with a billy and knocked insensible, which
was the last he remembered.
Detectives Wooldridge and McDonald were detailed
on the case. Going to the saloon, they procured a
description of the two men who took Drummond out
the back door. The entire levee was searched for
them, and finally, after three hours, they were found
coming out of a saloon on Clark street, a block from
the scene of the robbery, accompanied by a third man.
Wooldridge seized two of the men, and one, Thomas
McGowan, attempted to draw a revolver on him. At
this moment Detective McDonald and a reporter, who
was with him, came to Wooldrldge's assistance and
disarmed McGowan. All three were arrested and
taken to the station.
On T. J. Wilson, one of the* robbers, the suit of
OSTRICH FEATHER GIVES A CLUE
201
clothes Drummond had just purchased was found. He
also had his hat, and in the vest pocket of the clothes
was found Drummond's pocket comb that he had car-
ried since the war.
Wilson had disposed of his own clothes and donned
Drummond's after robbing the old min.
The suit of clothes stolen from Drummond was
taken off of Wilson and placed in the hands of the
owner, and Wilson, the robber, was left in the same
fix he left the old soldier, with nothing but his under-
clothes.
Jerry Murphy, one of the men, was discharged.
Thomas McGowan was fined $25 for carrying con-
cealed weapons and sent to the House of Correction.
T. J. Wilson was held to the grand jury and indicted.
The case was called for trial several times, but the
complaining witness could not be found, and it was
stricken from the docket with leave to reinstate.
OSTRICH FEATHER GIVES A CLUE.
"Look out for a tall woman with a high ostrich
feather." Detective Wooldridge was told to arrest a
woman who had run away from her country home
and come to Chicago, and this was the only descrip-
tion he had of the woman.
202
HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Her name was Alice Howard, and she drifted into
the levee district and levee habits. Alice had a mania
for fine clothes, and on more than one .occasion she
helped herself to other girls' wardrobes, and was ar-
rested several times and held to the criminal court
once, and would have gone to prison had the complain-
ing witness not weakened and refused to prosecute
her.
While boarding at the northwest corner of Harrison
street and Custom House Place in 1899, Alice took a
fancy to a $28 hat which another boarder had just
purchased from the millinery department at Siegel,
Cooper & Co.'s, and without asking the owner's con-
sent appropriated the hat to her own use.
The matter was reported to Detective Wooldridge
who began to look for a tall woman with a high ostrich
feather. While looking at the headgear of thousands
of shoppers who thronged State street, the detective
saw far ahead of him a high ostrich feather bobbing
up and down. It towered above the heads of all the
other shoppers. He made his way to that feather and
beneath it was the woman he wanted.
She was held to the grand jury, indicted and ar-
raigned some weeks later for trial. The jury found
her guilty and she was sentenced to one year at hard
labor in the House of Correction.
USE A TUNNEL TO ESCAPE 203
USE A TUNNEL TO ESCAPE.
SUBTERRANEAN PASSAGE DISCOVERED BY DETECTIVE
WOOLDRIDGE AND FUGITIVES CAUGHT.
Criminals use many methods to escape the police,
jbut those who infested the slums of Chicago never
ifound one by which they could get away when Detec-
tive Wooldridge went after them. He even pursued
and captured a gang who went through a trapdoor
and into a tunnel on Custom House place in 1896.
In that year Mattie Lee, a colored woman, conducted
a den of vice at 150 Custom House place and gave the
, police a great deal of trouble. She boasted that she
had a little of both negro and Irish blood in her veins
and was one of the toughest women on the levee. It
was not an unusual thing for from five to ten men to
be robbed in a single night in her house by the panel
game. The raids came so often that Mattie Lee
adopted many novel ways of escape. She first had a
ladder made that reached the roof, by which the in-
mates made their escape. This lasted for some time,
but as soon as it was discovered she had sliding panel
doors made in the wall, nicely covered with paper.
The shrewd and vigilant Wooldridge soon found
these, however, and she had to resort to somethmg.
else. She next had a pit dug beneath the kitchen
floor, over which was a trapdoor covered with an oil-
cloth to screen it from detection. At the bottom of
this pit, which was seven feet deep, there was a mat-
tress, so that when they jumped they would not hurt
themselves.
When a raid was ordered and officers arrived at
204 HANDS UP, IN THE! WORLD OF CRIME
the house, the doors were found locked and bolted.
Several minutes would be conslimed in gaining admis-
sion, and this would give the inmates time to effect
their escape. This last rhethod was used a long time
and proved a success. The officer who was then es-
k££d£-
TUNNEL UNDER PANEL HOUSE.
pecially detailed on Custom House place could not tell
where the inmates of the house made their escape.
Although they could be seen in the house before the
police could succeed in effecting an entrance, when
they got inside all would be gone, notwithstanding
USE A TUNNEL TO ESCAPE 205
the house would be surrounded by officers. The rob-
beries in Mattie Lee's house became so numerous and
bold that the officials determined to put a stop to it.
Detective Wooldridge was called in and placed on the
case to unravel the mystery of escape and break it up.
Wooldridge prepared himself with warrants for
Mattie Lee and all the inmates, and was given a de-
tail of eight men who were instructed as to where
they should place themselves so as to prevent the es-
cape of any one. With everything in readiness he
went forth to make the raid. Upon arriving they
found the house full, but before an entrance could be
made all had disappeared as though they were swal-
lowed up.
Wooldridge secured a hatchet and went on a tour
of inspection, taking one room after another, sound-
ing the walls and floors until he finally reached the
kitchen. Striking the floor, something sounded like
it was hollow, and on lifting the oilcloth he discovered
the trapdoor, which was soon raised, and he then
dropped into the pit. He found no one, but was sur-
prised to hear an electric bell ring in the pit behind
him, which was connected with a room in the front of
the house and was a danger signal for the inmates to
keep out of the way of the police officers.
When the bell began to ring, Wooldridge heard
footsteps which grew fainter and fainter. He lighted
a match and discovered another panel door which led
out into a dark passageway under the house. This
proved to be a tunnel dug under the house and had
almost as many crooks and turns as the Mammoth
Cave in Kentucky. It extended from the rear of the
house seventy-five feet east to the sidewalk, then fifty
206 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
feet north under the sidewalk, when it again made an
abrupt turn west and came up between two houses.
The tunnel itself was so small that only one person
could crawl through the tunnel doors, which blocked
the passage to all but the criminals who were ac-
quainted with it and which made it an efifectual hiding
place.
Wooldridge with a box of matches in one hand and
a gun in the other kept up his search until he seized
six of the colored women panel workers and footpads.
Three of them escaped, but he succeeded in arresting
the others. They were taken to the Harrison Street
Station and locked up with Mattie Lee, the keeper,
and were afterward given heavy fines. Wooldridge
pried off the panel doors and exhibited them as part
of his evidence, and they caused much talk and com-
ment by all who saw them. The discovery of the
tunnel furnished some very sensational stories for the
newspapers.
Wooldridge's clothes were ruined, and he told the
prisoners if they ever tried to escape justice by hid-
ing in such places again he would use giant powder
to blow them out. The tunnel has never been used
since he discovered it.
TOO MUCH REVENGE.
DIFFICULTIES OF A MAN WHO WANTED TO MARRY AND A
WOMAN WANTED TO PREVENT IT.
In seeking to prevent a man for whom she had a.
tender feeling from marrying another woman, Myrtle
TOO MUCH REVENGE 207
Belmont got a bridegroom in serious trouble and in-
cidentally in a police court.
Louis Wagner lived with Charles Belmont and his
wife at 136 Pacific avenue. Although only eighteen
years old, Wagner wanted to marry a young widow,
who lived on North Clark street. He was even will-
ing to be a father to her young child.
Mrs. Belmont, finding she could not prevent the
marriage, thought she would at least get revenge.
Wagner, who never boasts of having any too much
money in his possession, invested all he had in a dress
siut and other articles td wear on the night of his
marriage.
Finally, the time of the celebration arrived. Num-
erous friends had been invited to the house and Wag-
ner was speculating on what a stunning appearance
he would present. An hour before the arrival of the
guests he went to his room to don his new suit and
patent leather shoes. He looked about the room and
was horrified to find his entire outfit missing.
The house was searched from garret to cellar, but
the suit was gone, and Wagner, very much down-
hearted, was forced to stand up and, he said, be mar-
ried in rags. He suspected the Belmont woman of
having stolen his wedding suit, and did not, it is said,
keep his suspicion to himself.
The woman heard of it and thirsted for revenge.
Going to the home of Wagner's wife on the north
side, she said many unpleasant things to her. When
Wagner returned home and heard of the visit of the
Belmont woman, he decided that he was in need of re-
venge, and Saturday afternoon visited the house on
r^icitic avenue
208 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
He gained an entrance into her place, but failed to
find Mrs. Belmont at home. , This did not deter him
from obtaining his revenge and spying her husband's
wearing apparel, he packed all the clothing up, even
taking his shirts, and left the house. Sunday morning
Mr. Belmont started to don his Sunday clothes and,
like Wagner, was disappointed in not finding them in
their usual place.
Belmont did not leave the house, and all Sunday
kept his wife company. It was reported to the police,
and Detective Wooldridge soon found that Wagner
had been in the house, and when the Belmont woman
was made aware of this fact, her face flushed with
anger, and once more revenge was sought.
' Wagner was arrested and locked up, the clothes
were discovered, but when he was arraigned, Myrtle
Belmont's old love for him returned, and she refused
to prosecute. He was discharged, and they left the
court room hand in hand.
SPIDER AND THE FLY.
STRANGERS WHO VISIT THE LEVEE ILLUSTRATE THE OLD
FABLE IN A FORCIBLE WAY.
Strangers who have accepted invitations from oc-
cupants of houses along Custom House place to walk
into their parlors are living and forcible illustrations
of the fable about "The Spider and the Fly."
No one can furnish better testimony to this fact
than a young man, John ]\Iills, who one night in the
ratter part of September, 1898, joined a party of friends
«.nd spent the early part of the evening at the theater.
SPIDEP AND THE FLY 20'J
It was a convivial crowd and indulged freely in liquid
lefreshments.
After the theater, Mills got separated from his
friends and wandered over into Custom House place.
In the doorway of 142 stood a woman who invited
him to come in and see the high-kicking girls, hear the
music, etc.
This place was kept by a woman known as Lime
White, and was a sporting and panel house which had
many secret passageways to and from various parts
of the building to permit the inmates to go and come
without being seen.
When Mills received this invitation to enter the
place from Maggie Spencer, one of the inmates, not
wanting to offend the girl and being under the influ-
ence of liquor, he walked into the spider web, and
while gazing at the high-kicking girls he felt some
one pull at his pocket.
He turned in time to see Emma Redmond draw
from his clothes his pocketbook which contained $9
in crisp one-dollar bills.
Mills grabbed her, and she threw the pocketbook
to her partner, Maggie Spencer. He released the
Redmond girl and started for the Spencer woman
who drew a knife with a blade seven inches long, and
informed him that if he came any nearer she would
carve him, and carve him deep.
Mills went to the station and complained to Detec-
tive Wooldridge, who arrested both the women later.
The case was continued for ten days and the money
returned to Mills.
Wooldridge took Mills before the grand jury and
an indictment was voted for both women. They were
21U HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
arraigned in due time, and Maggie Spencer testified
that she alone was the guilty one, and she was given
four months in the House of Correction on Novem-
ber II, 1898, by Judge Sears.
OPIUM AND ITS EVILS.
DENS CONDUCTED BY CHINAMEN AND OTHERS LEAD TO
THE RUIN OF THOUSANDS.
The use of opium in its various forms is one of the
greatest curses humanity has ever encountered.
Science, in its efforts to cure this gigantic evil, has
been staggered ; the laws enacted against it have been
powerless to suppress it; moral influences have failed
to abate it ; homes have been wrecked by it ; asylums
filled by indulgence in it; the vast army of paupers
and criminals augmented by cravings for it ; yet it
stands today one of the most potential evils in the
catalogue of degrading, enslaving and humiliating
practices the world has ever seen.
There is only one other drug which is so ruinous
and fatal to the constitution and to the brain of the
consumer, and that is cocaine. This insidious de-
stroyer is not, however, nearly as extensively used as
opium in its dififerent forms, but is coming into more
general use daily, and its baneful effects will soon bt
almost as extensive as, are those of opium.
The evil effects of opium are not confined exclusively
to the use of it, but many other degrading habits go
hand in hand with it, into the palace and into the
hovel alike. Opium dens offer to the victims of the
OPIUM AND ITS EVILS 211
drug a resort where vice and crime reign supreme ;
where the beggar lies side by side with the sons and
daughters of the rich. It is one common meeting
ground. Caste is set aside, and on the bunks of
the Chinese joint humanity forgets its origin in the
obHvion of the pipe and pill.
Opium smoking was first introduced in Chicago by
Chinamen, and many of them are slaves to it. In
1871, at the time of the great Chicago fire, there was
only one opium joint in the city, but opium smoking
increased so rapidly from that time, that in 1885 there
were five hundred of them.
Sporting women, thieves, and, in fact, about 75 per
cent, of the criminal classes, both men and women,
black and white, either smoke opium or use the drug
in one form or another.
Enormous profits are derived from the sale of opium,
it being calculated that they run from 100 to 300 per
cent. People who once begin the use of it soon be-
come slaves to it, and when they are once in its grasp
it is almost an impossibility to'free themselves from it.
Opium is used by those who are addicted to it in
eight dift"erent forms, which are, smoking, gum eating,
opium ashes eating, opium pill eating, prepared opium
eating, laudanum drinking, morphine eating and the
morphine solution which is taken by the needle from
a hypodermic syringe.
The growth and cultivation of this drug is an in-
teresting study. Opium is the inspissated or thick-
ened juice of the somniferous poppy and is obtained
by making incisions in the head of the plant from
which the juice flows. This is scraped away and then
prepared for commercial use.
Its first commercial form is that of a thick brown
212
HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
substance which is called prepared opium. This is
the form used for smoking.
The gum of opium, which is its second form, is the
sediment resulting from a chemical process of treat-
ing the prepared opium and is used by druggists for
PARTY OF SMOKERS IN A CHINESE OPIUM JOINT.
medical purposes. Those slaves to the drug, called
opium eaters, use this form. It, like the prepared
opium, acts as a stupefying stimulant, but it is much
more destructive to the system.
OPIUM AND ITS EVILS 213
Ivlorphine is the next form of the drug used by those
who have contracted the habit, and is the form used
so extensively by physicians in their regular prac
tice ; and it appears almost incomprehensible that a
drug which has relieved so much suffering when used
properly and scientifically could also be abused to the
extent of being one of the greatest curses in existence/
Many attempts have been made to describe the
sufferings of opium eaters when they are in want of
the drug. The victims themselves say these tortures
are simply indescribable. They commence when all
the effects of the drug have worn off and the system
demands more. Their eyes become watery, while
their bones ache and their muscles in different parts
of the body get as hard as steel wire and form into
knots, causing the most acute suffering that can be
imagined. They yawn and gape, and then violent
cramps assail the stomach. Each symptom grows
worse, and the pains, which fly like currents of elec-
tricity throughout every part of the body, grow more
severe. Then follow hysterics and convulsions. The
subject grows paler and perspiration flows from every
pore of his skin. Death soon relieves the poor vic-
tim unless an opiate or a substitute is given to save
him.
The sensations produced by an indulgence in the
drug vary with different subjects and with the length
of time they have used it. The first effects are those
of lassitude- and rest. All pains vanish and the most
serene contentment steals over the mind and body.
Every zephyr that passes seems to lift and sway the
victim as gently and tenderly as the mother rocks her
infant in its downy cradle.
214 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Beautiful visions fiit through the brain like a pan-
orama of countless paradises. Repulsive objects fade
from view, and in their places things of beauty and
joy make a feast for the eyes. Discordant sounds are
transformed into entrancing harmonies. All objects
:seem lovely and attractive, and the beggars of earth
^become kings.
. Then slumber and rose-tinted dreams carry the vic-
tim into oblivion. All cares are forgotten until the
effects of the poison wear away, and here will-power
and good resolutions are swept away. The awful
craving for more of the driig drives the subject to a
repetition of his indiscretion, and this follows day after
day until there is no escape.
Those who have been addicted to the use of opium
for many years do not always experience the delight
that amateurs get out of it. They are compelled to
use it almost constantly to prevent the sufifering which
a long-continued indulgence finally produces. Their
systems have been depleted. - They are physical
wrecks and take opium, not for pleasure, but to give
them relief from the tortures they suffer when not
under the influence of it. Their dreams are frequently
very different from the visions they had when they
were in the early stages of the habit. They see un-
pleasant things ; hear disagreeable noises ; have fright-
ful nightmares; meet with imaginary disastrous mis-
fortunes and horrible accidents.
During the author's long career as a detective he
had innumerable opportunities of observing the effects
of the opium habit and of making a thorough investi-
gation of the numerous Chinese opium joints where
opium is smoked. It would surprise the public to
OPIUM AND ITS EVILS 2l6
know what a large number of people are opium smok-
trs, and a full description of one of these places will
interest the reader.
A "layout" can be purchased for any amount up to
$5. It consists of the "yen hop," or pipe, usually
made of a section and a half of heavy bamboo, about
an inch and a half in diameter, and is usually tipped
with ivory or gold ; the "yen she gow," or small chisel,
for cleaning out the bowl of the pipe ; the "yen hock,"
or needle, on which the opium is cooked and rolled
into pills over the flame from the little peanut oil lamp ;
the "sui gow," a sponge for cleaning the bowl of the
pipe after every smoke; the "hen toy," in which the
opmm is kept, and a tray on which the above utensils
are placed when in use.
Smokers can be found in all kinds of recumbent
attitudes in a joint. They frequently lie with their
heads on each other's shoulders in order that they
may be convenient to the lamp. They take turns at
smoking, each rolling his own pill. The opium is
usually served on a "hop toy," but if this article is not
at hand it is served on a card or piece of stiff paper.
The opium must be cooked to the proper point before
it is smoked, and this is done by placing it on the end
of the needle and holding it over the flame of the
lamp. Unless great care is taken in the operation, it
will take fire and burn like powder. When the pill is
ready for the pipe, it is punctured and placed in the
center of the bowl just over the small aperture. The
flame is again applied and the smoker begins to take
in the fumes. Fifteen or twenty whiffs consumes the
pill, and the next smoker takes his turn after going
through the same operation. Men and women keep
I
216 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
this up continually, new arrivals taking the places of
those who go out, and there they spend hours in a
drowsy, half-stupid condition, gabbling on simple sub-
jects and dreaming their woes away.
These frequenters of opium joints always want
company. They never like to smoke alone.
Many of the opium joints in Chicago are to be found
in basements and are laid out in enclosed stalls or
rooms, and are intended to accommodate from two to
ten persons. The bunks are usually about two feet
from the floor, and are built of pine boards, over
which is spread Chinese matting and a pillow for the
head to rest upon. No covering is used, for the room
is always kept warm and comfortable.
Some of the opium joints will hold from ten to
sixty people, and here can be found at all times persons
of both sexes, black and white, and Chinese, too.
So many raids have been made on opium joints that
it is sometimes difficult to gain an entrance, unless the
visitor is known or can speak a few words of the Chi-
nese language.
If you can tell the keeper in the Chinese language
that you want 25 cents' worth of opium you will be
admitted readily. These cabalistic words in Chinese
are, "Gee sip en kassen fiap en .yen."
This will soften the Chinaman's heart because he is
always anxious to make money. If he suspected that
you were an officer of the law, however, you would
probably have to use force to get in.
The old pass word, "en she qua?" which means, "Do
you smoke opium?" will not effect an entrance now
without some other ceremony. The keeper will test
your sincerity and incidentally your knowledge of the
OPIUM AND ITS EVILS
217
Chinese language by asking who you are. He will
say, "Hoi noi?" meaning, "Who is there?" and if you
can reply, "Offend," which signifies, "A friend," he
will probably open the door and tell you to get in
quickly by saying, "Fi fi."
. Once inside of these places you would be com-
THE chinaman's RECREATION.
pletely lost without a guide. In some of them you are
(;ompelled to pass through dark, dingy and damp hall-
ways and subterranean passages. All the doors are
barred, but you finally get into the proper place after
perhaps going down two or three flights of rickety
stairs. The smoking room does not present a very in-
218 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
viting appearance to any one except regular smokers.
It is dimly lighted, and there are usually lying on
the bunks or matting ten or fifteen men and women
languidly smoking and talking. Some of the bunks
are as filthy as can well be imagined, yet it is not an
unusual sight to see them occupied by women dressed
as elegantly as a princess and wearing costly jewels.
Men showing the same degree of prosperity and re-
finement are also found there mixing with the lower
classes and often with thieves and criminals.
Neither is it an unusual thing to find among the
well-dressed* opium smokers members of some of the
most influential and wealthy families of the city.
Chinamen who conduct opium joints are always
ready and willing to lead any one, from a child to an
octogenarian, into the habit of smoking.
Detective Wooldridge rescued a young woman in
Chicago from one of these opium joints and she told
him a pitiful and sad tale of her downfall.
When a mere child she lived near a Chinese laun-
dry, and she was frequently enticed into the place and
given small pieces of candy. Nearly every day for
months she went into the Mongolian's place, and
finally was induced to take a whiff from the opium
pipe. It was disagreeable to her at first, but the Chi-
naman would refuse to give her candy unless she would
lake a whiff from the pipe. This was kept up for
several more months when the girl began to want the
whiff more than she wanted the candy.
The Chinaman's aims were accomplished at last.
He had made an opium fiend of the child, and one day
when she went into the laundry and asked for the
pipe, the Chinaman rut bed his hands in glee and told
OPiUM AND ITS EVILS 219
her she could not smoke unless she paid for it. She
had no money, and begged for just one whiff from the
pipe, but was told again she could not get it without
the money.
She went away, but the craving for the drug became
so strong that she stole some money from her mother,
and this was kept up until she was a slave to the habit.
When she realized her condition she was anxious
to break away, but it was then almost impossible.
She left her home and became a habitue of an opium
joint on Clark street.
In a raid which took place one night Detective
Wooldridge found the girl in this den, almost stupe-
fied with the drug. When she found she was under
arrest, she begged the detective to allow her to go
home, saying she could not stand the disgrace of be-
ing caught in one of these places.
She aroused the sympathies of the officer, who gave
her all the encouragement he could. He took her to
her mother instead of to the police station and by an
almost superhuman effort she finally broke the bonds
which had so long held her.
"Smoke not, handle not," is the best advice that
can be given on this subject. This fearful curse is far
and away more fatal than all the other evils put to-
gether. It is emphatically the hardest habit to get rid
of when once formed, and it is positively the most
dangerous because it is the hardest to quit.
Opium has ruined many persons for life, and it has
sent more men and women to our jails, workhouses,
penitentiaries and scaffolds than even strong drink.
Those who once acquire the opium habit soon become
slaves to the drug, and it is almost impossible for them
220 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
to get along without it. So true is this that we have
noticed times without number that when they are out
of the drug and have no money wherewith to purchase
it, when the habit or longing for it comes on them, they
will sell or pawn any article they have with which to
raise money to buy it. They have been known to
even steal, rob or commit crime in order to get money
to purchase opium.
Statistics teach us that about 4 per cent, of those
who have formed this awful habit of smoking opium
have ready money with which to purchase their sup-
plies; the other 96 per cent, are either already crimi-
nals, or are made so through the use of it.
With them the opium habit has been formed, and
they must have the drug, or undergo the most severe
tortures, and we often find that many of them smoke
every hour.
People who are slaves to the habit are not fit for any
kind of work, either mental or physical. They there-
fore must resort to other methods by which to raise
money, outside of work and positions of trust and re-
spectability, and so we, learn that ninety-six out of
every hundred become thieves.
One million dollars' worth of "opium prepared for
smoking" comes into our ports annually. This amount,
considering the activity of opium smugglers and the
ease of carrying tiny packages of the drug, probably
does not represent one-half of the total amount of such
opium brought into our country each year.
Fifteen years ago the total amount of opium, crude,
liquid preparations and "opium prepared for smoking"
which passed through our custom houses was valuet.
at $1,250,053. The amount of "opium prepared to,
OPIUM AND ITS EVILS 221
smoking" was $335,383 worth. In 1900 the total
amount of opium imported was valued at $2,076,939
and $938,524 worth of that was opium used for smok-
ing.
These figures show an increase in the last fifteen
years of $326,886 in value of total import and an in-
crease of $603,141 in value of imported opium for
smoking.
So great has the demand for opium grown in Amer-
ica within the past ten years that factories are being
started in this country. In Victoria, B. C, a really
deceptive imitation of "Li Une" is made. The crude
opium is soaked, boiled and strained over and over
again to an extract, then flavored with orange peel and
brandy. This deceives the novice by removing or
doing away with that deadly smell which is a distin-
guishing feature of the product of the American opium
factory. Thousands of pounds of opium are sent
across the Canadian border daily, there being but one
revenue officer to every hundred miles, and the China-
men rarely look him up.
At El Paso, Texas, also much smuggling is done.
Mexico guards her border with hundreds of men to the
mile, if necessary, but America is content with the one
lone rifleman who stands on the international bridge,
spending his time looking five miles up and five miles
down stream for smugglers, who cross the river in
summer without getting their feet wet. At night the
Chinamen cross the river in droves. Dressed as Span-
iards they easily elude detectives, and are shipped in
box cars to some underground laundry in Chicago or
New York. Reg'istration tickets count little with them,
222 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
as it takes an expert to tell the photograph of one
Chinaman from another and tickets are easily bor-
rowed. In all large cities there are Chinese compa-
nies which send out their countrymen to smaller towns
for the purpose of introducing the pipe. These com-
panies, in turn, are sent out by the Six Companies of
Canton.
The Six Companies control the opium trade, and
every Chinaman who wishes to come to America is
smuggled in by the Six Companies. Once here, he is
compelled to purchase his opium and other necessities
from the agencies of the company which sends him
out, and woe betide the luckless Chinaman who goes
back on his contract, for the Highbinders reign as su-
preme in America as they do in their own native land.
At the end of six years John Chinaman sells out his
laundry and opium joint, for which the laundry is a
blind, the Six Companies advertise in their paper,
printed in San Francisco, that he is about to return to
China, and so notify all creditors. If John Chinaman
has contracted no debts, his savings deposited with
the Six Companies are returned to him, minus the $80
which it cost him to smuggle him into the country.
In 1895 and 1896, George B. Swift, then Mayor of
Chicago, and John J. Badenoch, then Chief of Police,
declared war upon these dens of iniquity, crime and
debauchery. This proved to be one of the best classes
of police work ever instituted and carried on in Chi-
cago, and brought forth better results. Most all the
opium joints in the city were closed, and over $10,000
worth of opium and pipes were seized and ordered de-
stroyed by the court.
I
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD 22?
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD.
THREE MEN ARRESTED WHO FOUGHT EXTRADITION —
TRAGEDIES AT THE TRIAL.
One of the most interesting criminal cases with
which the poHce of any city in the world have been
connected and which through its ramifications be-
came a question of international importance, and went
from the police court to the United States Commis-
sioner, thente to the District Federal Court, and on
to the Supreme Court of the United States, and finally
to the Dominion of Canada, is one which Detective
Wooldridge and his assistants made possible by the
arrest of three men said to be the most dangerous
bank robbers in the country, and whose trial in Can-
ada, in June, 1901, was attended with many tragedies,
resulting in the death of two of the robbers and the
killing of an officer.
The case first came before the public in May, 1900,
and for a period of nearly twelve months following it
occupied the attention of the press and of the foreign
consuls in the United States because of the fact that
extradition was demanded by the Dominion of Canada
of three men who were citizens of the United States.
The final decision of the important question was made
on February 25, 1901, and it established a precedent
which will have an important bearing on all similar
cases which may engage the attention of the courts in
the future, or at least until there is a change in the
existing treaty between the United States and Canada.
The case in question was brought about by the ar-
rest on June i, 1900, at the Ashland apartment build-
224 HANDS UP^ IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
ing, 131 Ashland avenue, of Fred Lee Rice, Frank Rut-
ledge and Thomas Jones, upon a request from Chiet
of Police Grassette, of Toronto, to Chief of Police
Kipley.
The following is the telegram received by Chief of
Police Kipley from the Toronto official. May 23, 1900:
"Look out for and arrest four men — Fred L. Rice,
Frank Rutledge, Thos. Jones — the fourth man's name
is unknown. On the morning of May 3, 1900, they
robbed the postoffice and bank at Aurora, some thirty
miles from Toronto, securing $700 in currency, $200
worth of stamps, and a large assortment of mining
stocks, and they made an unsuccessful attempt to
blow up the safe of the bank of Toronto. After as-
saulting and nearly killing a police officer, and steal-
ing a horse and wagon, they drove to another town,
where their baggage was shipped by their friend!.> to
452 Austin avenue, Chicago."
Chief Kipley at once realized that he had an impor-
tant case on hand, and called in Detective Wooldridge
and placed him in charge of it, giving him all the in-
formation he possessed.
Later in the day a minute description of the men
and of the baggage was received. Wooldridge was
given a detail of assistants and at once placed four
men on duty around the house at 452 Austin avenue
with instructions to watch for the baggage and arrest
the fugitives if they put in an appearance.
All the railroad trains from the east were carefully
watched by a corps of officers for the purpose of inter-
cepting the robbers, in case they had not already ar-
rived in the city, or of getting the baggage if it had not
already been received.
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD 225
Wooldridge then went to the offices of all of the ex-
press companies in Chicago and secured the assistance
of the superintendents of each in locating and detain-
ing the baggage in the event it should be shipped by
express, which was most likely.
In a day or two Wooldridge was notified thai, the
baggage had arrived at the Dearborn street station
over the Wabash road. Two detectives were then
stationed on the inside of the depot and two on the
outside with bicycles on which they might follow any
one who called for the baggage, which consisted of
three valises. It was not supposed that either of the
owners of the baggage would call in person for it,
but that it would be sent for and taken to the rooms
of the fugitives.
In the meantime information was received by one
of the officers on guard at the Austin avenue house
that three of the men he was seeking were at that place
on the evening of May 24.
Wooldridge got his forces ready and told them to
report at three o'clock the following morning. The
following are the names of those who answered the
roll-call. William Schubert, W. H. McGrath, J. J.
Sullivan, M. F. Farelly, Tim De Roche, Joseph Du-
bach, Charles Niggermeyer, J. O'Hara, William Tay-
lor, P. J. Fitzgerald, Ed. Burns and Ter Issian.
.Wooldridge and all his associates realized that the
men wanted were dangerous and desperate criminals
and that their capture would probably expose every
one to great peril. It was expected they would make
a strong resistance, and even die before submitting to
arrest.
The Austin avenue house was a two-story structure,
226 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
the ground floor being occupied by a saloon. The liv-
ing 'apartments above were reached by a long flight
of stairs which ran up from the side, near the center.
It was by means of this stairway that entrance must be
gained to the rooms above ; peaceably if possible, by
forca if necessary.
Some of the men protested against invading the
house in this way because of the splendid chance of
getting shot from above.
Detective Wooldridge then stepped forward and
said he would not ask any man to go where he was
unwilling to go, declaring he would lead.
Detectives Schubert, Sullivan^ McGrath and Dubach
joined him, and the others surrounded the house. An'
entrance was made easily enough, but when the offi-
cers got inside, they found that the game had flown.
Many clews were taken up after this and followed
persistently and relentlessly, but nothing came of theni,
and the. detectives met only disappointment. But
Wooldridge was never discouraged or downcast on
account of a failure. He never lagged in his efforts
to locate and capture the safe-blowers. He kept up -
the chase vigorously, and on May 31 it was discovered
than an expressman had carried the trunks of Fred
Lee Rice and Frank Rutledge from 1355 Michigan
avenue, where they formerly had apartments, to an-
other place, and then a search was made for the loca-
tion of their new quarters.
Nearly every driver of an express wagon on the
south side was found by Wooldridge and closely ques-
tioned about these trunks. The search seemed fruit-
less, but there was one driver he had not seen. Offi-
cer McGrath found the man at ti o'clock at night, and
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD 227
by the free use of money got the desired informa-
tion. He was told by this driver that the trunks were
taken to 131 Ashland avenue, and finally accompanied
McGrath to the place, which was the Ashland apart-
ment building, located in one of the most aristocratic
and fashionable residence districts of Chicago.
On June i Detectives Schubert, McGrath, Sullivan,
Dubach, Burns and Fitzgerald were sent in a body to
get the men if possible. They waited until late at
night in order to find the robbers in their rooms asleep.
The house was kept by Mrs. A. D. Harling, who was
awakened and told that she had some safe-blowers for
guests. She readily admitted that the men named
by the detectives were there, and conducted them to
their rooms. Here a whispered conversation was held.
The officers knew they were going to have trouble in
making the arrests if the robbers were given a single
opportunity to defend themselves or resist. It was a
desperate undertaking and required great judgment
and nerve.
While they were whispering with Mrs. Harling in
the hall, they were overheard by Fred Lee Rice. He
opened the door, evidently expecting that some of his
"pals" who were out had just returned. The officers
saw him as he looked out into the hall and made a
rush at him. He was knocked heels over head in a
corner of the room and his revolver and belt of cart-
ridges removed before he had time to recover.
Rutledge and Jones, the other two robbers, were
asleep in one bed, and near each was lying a huge
revolver, loaded and ready for use, and two boxes of
cartridges. The sudden and quick work of the offi-
cers prevented them from using their guns. There
228 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
is little possibility that they would ever have been
taken alive if they had gotten an opportunity to re-
sist the officers. The detectives seized the revolvers,
then quickly covered the robbers with their own re-
volvers and effected their arrest with neatness and
dispatch.
It was fortunate that Rice was expecting the fourth
man in and opened the door. If the officers had been
compelled to break into the room or to arouse the men,
some of them would undoubtedly be now sleeping un-
der the willow trees of a cemetery.
The robbers were taken to the Harrison Street Sta-
tion, where their pictures were taken for the rogues'
gallery. From there they were taken to the Des-
plaines Street Station.
Knowing full well that his prisoners were shrewd
criminals and men who would use all the resources at
their command to get out of the clutches of the po-
lice, Detective Wooldridge adopted a plan which was
really the most important move taken in the whole
case. On June 2 he went before United States Com-
missioner Mark A. Foote and secured on belief and in-
formation a fugitive warrant, which he placed in the
hands of United States Marshal George Allen. The
three prisoners were then released by the police, but
before they could leave the station, they were arrested
by the United States Marshal.
They were taken before the commissioner for a
hearing and the case continued from time to time un-
til July IQ.
The prisoners employed S. H. Trude, and^ then be-
gan a desperate fight to resist extradition to Canada.
The Canadian Government, by William Wyndham,
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD ?29
the British consul, had made application for extradi-
tion. Attorney Lynden Evans represented the consul
at a hearing before the United States commissioner,
who held the prisoners and recommended that Presi-
dent McKinley issue the extradition warrant.
Then the prisoners applied for a writ of habeas cor-
pus before Judge Kohlsaat. This stayed the Presi-
dent's warrant. After a hearing Judge Kohlsaat dis-
missed the writ. From this decision an appeal was
taken to the United States Supreme Court. This
highest court affirmed the decision of Judge Kohlsaat,
denying the writ.
The case attracted widespread notice among the
lawyers and students of constitutional rights. The
points brought up in their attempt to resist extradition
were numerous, the four important ones being:
1. It was claimed that all United States citizens
were eititled to bail, and this was denied the prisoners
below. The Supreme Court approved the denial.
2. It was claimed that the treaty with Great Brit-
ain on extradition and acts of congress on extradition
are unconstitutional because they do not guarantee jury
trial to the prisoners deported as would be their right
in the United States. This claim the Supreme Court
disapproved.
3. It was claimed the treaty on extradition contra-
venes the Illinois Constitution in the above points.
4. It was claimed that the words ''surrendering
state" used in the treaty referred in this case to Illi-
nois and not to the United States.
The further contention was made that the commis-
sioner who heard the cases had received them on in-
formation an^ belief, and that the proceeding was
230 • HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
not justifiable in an extradition case.- Regarding the
point, Justice Brown said : "If the officer of the for-
eign government has no personal knowledge of the
facts, he may with entire propriety make a complaint
upon information and belief, stating the sources of his
information and the grounds of his belief, and annex-
ing to the complaint a properly certified copy of any
indictment or equivalent proceedings which may be
found in the foreign court or a copy of the depositions
of witnesses having actual knowledge of the facts."
That ended the fight against extradition. In due
course the court's mandate reached Chicago and the
prisoners were taken to Canada. Their first trial be-
gan in Toronto on May 20. This was on a charge of
robbing the bank at Aurora. By the use of money
friends of the prisoners succeeded in getting enough
men on the jury who were favorable to the defendants,
to prevent an agreement as to a verdict and this jury
was discharged, the robbers getting another trial.
This was begun on May 2']. Defendants had en^
tered a plea of guilty on four minor charges, that of
attempting to rob the Standard Bank of Toronto, rob-
bing the postoffice at Aurora, horse stealing and steal-
ing a revolver from an officer.
Detectives Schubert and McGrath of Chicago were
summoned to Toronto as witnesses to testify as to
the contents found in the trunks when the men were
arrested on Ashland avenue. The second trial pro-
gressed rapidly, and on June 4, when the case was
nearing an end and the prisoners saw conviction star-
ing them in the face, they made a desperate effort to
escape, whfch resulted in the death of two of them
and an officer who had them in charge.
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD 231
Late that afternoon they were handcuffed together
and placed in a carriage to be taken to jail. Jones,
who was considered the most desperate man of the
three, had handcuffs on both wrists, while Rice, who is
left-handed, was placed on his right, and Rutledge on
his left. This put both of Jones' hands out of use
and left Rutledge with the use of his left hand only,
and Rice with his right hand.
This precaution was taken because the officers sus-
,pected that a plot had been formed to rescue the pris-
''t)ners. They were placed on the rear seat of the car-
riage, while Constables Boyd and Stewart sat oppo-
site them on the front seat. Another constable, Bo-
gart, took a seat on the box with the driver, and the
carriage started for the jail. When it reached the
corner of Sumach an4 Gerrard streets, a young wo-
man dressed in man's clothing rushed to the side of
the vehicle and threw a hat into the laps of the pris-
oners. Instantly the two free hands belonging to
Rutledge and Rice plunged into the hat and drew out
two large revolvers.
Quick as a flash Rice fired, and Constable Boyd,
who had started to seize him, fell back dying. Con-
stable Stewart, who was the only one of the three of-
ficers that had a revolver, reached back for his weapon,
but Rice pushed his gun into his face and he remained
quiet, telling them to get out of the carriage.
The horses then stopped and the three men sprang
out, Rutledge first, dragging the others behind them.
After leaving the .carriage they fired into it several
times while running away. Constable Stewart re-
turned the fire and shot Jones in the arm, shattering
the bone.
232 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Then he jumped from the carriage and fired again,
the second shot striking Jones in the groin. An elec-
tric street car which the carriage had passed was ap-
proaching, and Jones, who was so badly hurt that he
could scarcely walk, was dragged by his companions
onto the front platform of the car, which had stopped
on account of the shooting. Then followed a desper-
ate fight for possession of the car. Constable Bogart
had jumped off the box seat of the vehicle, and al-
though unarmed, was making his way towards the
car. The prisoners fired at him and missed.
Stewart rushed bravely in pursuit of the fleeing men,
firing as he went. He had emptied his own revolver
when he reached the car, and'threw himself on Rice
and Rutledge and wrenched their revolvers from them.
Then he beat them over their heads until they gave up.
They were bleeding freely from scalp wounds, and by
this time were exhausted and unable to offer further
resistance.
The motorman held on to the motor crank and the
conductor pulled the trolley ofif the feed wire during
the struggle, to prevent the robbers from starting the
car in case they had gotten possession of the crank,
which was their intention.
Jones 'was in great agony and cried out to the offi-
cers to take the handcuffs oflf his wrists. The bone in
the arm had been shattered by the bullet fired by
Stewart, and in the hand-to-hand struggle the arm
had been twisted out of shape. With the three pris-
oners lying almost in a heap on the floor in the car
and the officers standing over them, the current was
turned on and they were conveyed to the jail. Upon
their arrival there the jail physician assisted by two
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD 233
Other medical men attended them. They found that
Jones was mortally wounded, but they made him as
comfortable as possible, and he soon went to sleep
under the influence of opiates.
They dressed the wounds which Rice had received
on his head, and also the scalp wounds which Rutledge
bore. Rice was quite calm and told the surgeon to be
sure and remove all the blood from his hair.
Constable Boyd was driven to the hospital in the
carriage in which he was shot, but never recovered
consciousness and died a few hours afterwards.
If the prisoners had not lost their heads when they
first got possession of the pistols in the carriage they
could easily have, escaped. They had shot and mor-
tally wounded Constable Boyd, who was a gray-
haired man, sixty years old. The only other consta-
ble who had a revolver was Stewart, and Rice and
Rutledge had him covered with their guns. In his
pockets were the keys which unlocked the handcufifs.
They could easily have gotten these and also Stewart's
gun, then released themselves from the handcuffs and
have been masters of the situation. They then, could
have made their escape in the carriage which was taking
them to jail.
But in the excitement they overlooked the opportun-
ity. It was a fatal mistake for them and one which
greatly surprised the officers. It was astonishing
that three as shrewd and desperate men as Rice, Rut-
ledge and Jones were could lose their heads in such a
crisis as this, and it caused a great deal of comment
in police circles.
The prosecution decided that the trial should pro-
ceed against Rice and Rutledge whether Jones was
THE ATTEMPT TO SQCABB. iH TORONTO
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD 235
present or not. The shooting took place on Tuesday
and Jones died on Wednesday morning. The trial
proceeded, and on Friday, June 7, the jury returned a
verdict of guilty against the prisoners, and they were
sentenced to twenty-one years each in the peniten-
tiary. When they were arraigned to receive sen-
tence, the judge said to them :
"Have you anything to say why the sentences
should not be passed upon you?" They stood quietly,
never removing their eyes from the judge's face. Rut-
ledge's hands rested on the railing in front of him,
while Rice stood erect with his arms crossed over his
breast. They never flinched and did not move a
muscle while the heavy sentence was being pro-
nounced.
In answer to the judge's question. Rice simply shook
his head, while Rutledge replied, "Nothing, nothing."
Then the sentence was delivered as follows :
"This is a peaceable country, but you came here
bent upon a career of crime. You have followed your
unlawful purposes by committing three serious of-
fenses against the law. The country has enough of
trouble and expense ^o take care of its own criminals
and cannot do anything to encourage criminals from
foreign countries, to come here and pursue their depre-
dations. The sentence of the court upon you, Frank*'
Rutledge, and upon you, Fred Lee Rice, is that each of
you be confined in the Kingston penitentiary for the
term of fourteen years for the robbery of the bank,
and seven years for stealing the horse, cart and har-
ness ; the seven years to be consecutive with the four-
teen years ; for the robbery of the postoffice, seven
years to be concurrent with the stealing "sentence,
236 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRiMfe
making for each of you a sentence of twenty-one
years."
Deathly pale, but as calm apparently as if they had
not faced the court, they were taken to the jail and
consigned to their cells. Soon after dinner they were
taken to the corridor on the first floor for exercise and
air. After walking for a short time, Rutledge dashed
away from his guard, up the stairway to the second-
story balcony. It was thought that he intended to
make an effort to escape through the ventilator, but
he was met by guards and turned back. With a de-
fiant look he backed toward the railing which sur-
rounded the balcony, and straightening himself up,
leaped backward over the railing and fell to the stone-
paved floor thirty-six feet below, striking on his head
and crushing his skull. When the guard reached him
he was unconscious and died in half an hour without
speaking.
This left only one of the three safe-blowers, Fred
Lee Rice, and he had become a murderer, as Consta-
ble Stewart swore that it was Rice who shot and
killed Constable Boyd. The next day Rice was ar-
raigned on a charge of murder and the case was post-
poned until September. In the meantime the sen-
tence of tweoty-one years in prison hung over him.
Rutledge first came into prominence in the cities of
Kingston, Hamilton, Brantford and Montreal, Can-
ada. He was a burglar and a particularly daring one.
He seemed to have great success in getting away with
the results of his plundering, and until June 15, 1889,
he was never brought into custody with a definite
charge against him. On that day he was arrested for
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD 237
burglary, and after a trial at Kingston, was found
guilty and sentenced to five years in the penitentiary.
Rutledge remained in prison until late in 1894, or
early in 1895. On gaining his freedom he visited Col-
orado, and while in that state was arrested for lar-
ceny, convicted, and in November, 1895, was given a
six years' sentence and ordered confined at Canon
City. He entered that city a desperate man, a crimi-
nal posted in all the technique of his vocation.
He not only knew how to live well without labor
when not in prison, but how, after being confined, to
hold free conversations with his fellow convicts with-
out being detected by a warden or guard. This latter
ability is what brought him in contact with Jones.
Jones graduated from the Chicago circle of thieves
prominent in the city between 1892 and 1893. The
World's Fair brought many of them in, and Jones did
so well in their company that he became bold.
On March 20, 1893, in company with "Jack" Mur-
phy, he held up one John Howe of 2810 Ninety-third
street. Jones and Murphy were both armed and fired
shots at Howe. They took his watch and chain, but
were captured by Officers Brown and Peters, locked
up in the county jail, kept thfere several months, and
then tried and acquitted. The county official and po-
lice official who aided them in escaping punishment
are still living. Jones is supposed to have paid $5,000
for his freedom at this time.
On July 4, 1893, Jones, with "Ji"^" Kavanagh, held
up Sylvester Johnson of 7944 Ontario avenue, and stole
his watch, chain and some money. The same day they
entered the Collins home on Ontario avenue, near
Eighteenth street, and choked Collins, but did not rob
?38 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
him. But on July 6 they returned to the same house
with burglars' tools and were captured by Officer Robin-
son while in the act of robbing the house.
The case against them was finally stricken off the
calendar, and they were never tried, but it is said to
have cost Jones another $5,000 to "fix" certain offi-
cials so that he might have his freedom.
Jones now found Chicago uncomfortable for him, so
he journeyed to Colorado and allied himself with the
Indian gang in Pueblo. On December 17, 1893, he
was arrested for safe-blowing, and on March 23, 1894.
was sentenced to nine years in the penitentiary at
Canon City. There he met Rutledge, and in convict
fashion, they held many conversations together and
formed an alliance for operation in the days to come
when they should have freedom.
While they were so planning there arrived at the
Colorado penitentiary Fred Lee Rice, alias Harris.
He was sentenced on September 27, 1897, for forgery,
and had a three years' term to serve. He was only
iwenty-one years old then, but bold and eager for
criminal . adventure. Rutledge and Jones took him
into their prison brotherhood, and he swore fidelity
to them, when they all should have their freedom
again. Between October, 1899, and April, 1900, the
trio came out of Canon City penitentiary free men.
As each man gained his discharge he came to Chi-
cago until the trio were together and were joined by
Frank Stewart, alias Gannon. Gannon took agree-
ably to Rutledge and Rice, and the four took rooms
on Ashland avenue, where all but Gannon passed as
artists, photographers and literary gentlemen.
During the year of 1900 Gannon was killed. He
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD 289
e-ntered the Ga'rfield Park pavilion at Hamlin avenue
and West Madison street, and in an attempt to hold
up the bartender and Frank Barum, an attorney, w^as
shot dead. This greatly affected Jones, and, taking
Rice and Rutledge with him, he temporarily aban-
doned Chicago and sought the East. Rutledge per-
suaded him to visit Canada with him, and the trio
entered Ontario. Among the other places, they vis-
ited the town of Aurora and robbed the bank there,
made their escape to this country and immediately re-
turned to Chicago.
One very interesting chapter in the lives of Rutledge
and Jones is furnished in their attempt in May, 1900, ,
to rob the Standard Bank in Toronto. At two o'clock
one morning Officer Wood, of the Toronto police
force, saw two men standing at the rear of the bank
on Elmwood Grove avenue. He approached the men
and asked them what they were doing there at that
hour.
Before he got a reply a revolver was placed against
the back of his head by a third man, and he was or-
dered to throw up his hands. He saw that it would be
folly to resist and promptly obeyed the command.
The men then took the officer's revolver and bound
his hands with a piece of wire. He was then taken
across the street to a stable, where one man stood
guard over him, while the other two forced an en-
trance to the bank and were preparing to blow open
the safe, but were frightened away before they had
accomplished their purpose.
After the arrest of Rice, Rutledge and Jones and
their removal to Toronto, the first two were identified
by Officer Wood as the men he saw trying to rob the '
Standard Bank.
240 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
There is a romantic side to this story which is as
interesting as the criminal side of it. Rice, Rutledge
and Jones were well educated ryen and had many ac-
complishments beside those of safe-blowing and rob-
bery. Rice is a native of Champaign, Illinois, his
father being a wealthy and highly respected farmer
living near that place and a heavy stockholder in one
of the local banks. Young Rice was at one time a
clerk, in this bank.
Before this he was a student of the University of
Illinois and a prominent fraternity man. He left his
native town in 1897, and has been there only once
' since on a short visit. Rutledge was an artist and a
poet. He could paint, and painted well. Jones made
nearly as good an impression as the other two men,
although to the trained eye he would be more quickly
suspected of being a criminal than either. They had
many well-known business men in Chicago for ac-
quaintances.
All three of them dressed expensively. They wore
the most fashionable tailor-made clothes and adorned
themselves with fine and expensive jewelry. They
rode in automobiles, gave swell dinners to their friends
and spent money with a lavish hand. They rented
rooms on Michigan avenue, where they furnished an
atelier in luxurious style and set themselves up as
artists. They then advertised for models, and by this
means became acquainted with Myrtle Norrie and
Martha Dwyer.
The former lived with her parents on Forty-second
court and was employed at that time by the Siemans
& Halske Electric Co. Martha Dwyer lived at 324
Morgan street and was an operator in the main office
I
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD 241
of the Chicago Telephone company. Both were at-
tractive and handsome young women. They visited
the ^tudio of Rice, Rutledge and Jones and posed for
Rutledge, who made hundreds of drawings that would
do credit to a professional in that line. Rutledge and
Rice became very devoted to the young women and
soon won their hearts by buying for them many val-
uable presents of jewelry and by giving them untir-
ing and devoted attention. A proposal of marriage
was made and a double wedding, fashionable in ever;y
detail was planned, the girls stating that they looked
forward joyously to the time when they would no
longer be compelled to work for a paltry salary, but
instead would be the wives of prosperous business
fnen.
These two girls, however, were not the only female
acquaintances on the visiting list of Rutledge and
Rice. They knew many others and spent most of
their time visiting, driving and dining with their lady
friends. They played the society game to the. limit
during the day and early part of the evening and late
at night changed their attire and committed robbery
on an extensive scale.
Even after they were arrested many of the women
whom they had met refused to believe in their guilt,
and during the time they were in jail in Chicago these
women sought every opportunity they could invent
for the purpose of seeing the men. Once when the
robbers were arraigned in the commissioner's court.
Myrtle Norrie entered dressed in deep mourning with
her face partly covered with a heavy veil. She
watched every movement of Rutledge as he sat in
the prisoner's cage with Rice and Jones.
242 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIM£ .
"Nothing can convince me that Frank is guilty,"
■^aid Miss Norrie. "I love him yet and can never be
convinced that he is as black as he is painted. They
lie when they say that he served a sentence in Canon
City for safe-blowing. I know that he never lived
there."
Then she wept and her face flushed angrily. She
seemed much concerned over the visit of two other
mysterious girls who had called to see the prisoners. She
looked daggers at them, though they did not seem to
be frightened and left word that they would call at
the county jail to see the prisoners.
During the time the bank robbers were making
their efforts to escape extradition, they were in the
custody of the Cook county authorities and extraor-
dinary precai*tions were taken to prevent their es-
cape. They had many shrewd friends, who were con-
tinuously planning a method for their escape. They
watched and were perfectly familiar with every move
made by the authorities and with every action made
by the court. Some of these friends were always in
the vicinity of the jail and court room. On one occa-
sion a revolver was found in a bowl of soup, which
had been sent to the prisoners by an outsider. After
this the officers searched their cells and found an-
other revolver. This was prior to the time when they
were to be taken to the court from the jail and thence
to Canada. On another occasion Jones attempted to
take from the pocket of a United States Marshal,
while in the prisoners' cage in the United States com-
missioner's room, a revolver, but was seen just in
time to prevent it. At another time an effort was
made, while the prisoners were being taken to the
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD 243
District Federal Court, to escape from one of the ele-
vators in the Monadnock building. A strong force of
officers was always with them, however, and had to
be unusually watchful at all times. The friends of
these desperate men included both sexes. Just- be-
fore they were taken to Canada a woman sent them a
box of the finest imported cigars that could be bought.
They also received a bottle of fine whiskey. These
presents were confiscated by the officers and upon
analysis were found to contain powerful- narcotics. It
was supposed that the prisoners intended to treat
their guards while on the way to Canada, with the
cigars and whiskey, and if they had induced them to
partake of their hospitality, the prisoners would, while
their guards were under the influence of the narcotics,
have atternpted to rnake their escape.
On the very day of their departure for Canada a
very exciting incident took place which went to show
how thoroughly posted the friends of these prisoners
were. Early that morning the detectives went to the
Cook county jail in a patrol wagon to convey the rob-
bers to the Federal Court for the purpose of getting
the order for their transfer to the Canadian authori-
ties. Three cabs stood on the street in the vicinity
of the jail, and in each was a woman, who was a friend
of the prisoners. The patrol wagon was driven as
rapidly as possible to the Monadnock building, in
which the Federal Court was held, yet the women in
the cabs arrived there as promptly as the wagon.
• While the order was being obtained the detectives
gave it out that the men would be taken to the Michi-
gan Central depot to catch the train at ii o'clock for
their trip to Canada, while, in fact, the train which
244 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
was to take them away did not leave until 4 o'clock
in the afternoon. This did not deceive the women
friends of the prisoners, however, nor did they get
lost from the patrol wagon in the circuitous route it
pursued in re-taking the prisoners to the Harrison
Street Station, They were driven through several
streets and alleys, the wagon winding about and turn-
ing in opposite directions a number of times ; yet,
when the wagon reached the Harrison Street Station,
the three cabs with the three women were on hand.
They stayed in the vicinity of the station all day,
but were closely watched by the police officers to
prevent them from communicating with the prison-
ers. Just before 4 o'clock in the afternoon the three
men were brought from their cells to be taken to the
depot on Polk street. Suddenly the three women ap-
peared, and just as they were going to make an at-
tempt to reach the prisoners, a half dozen police
seized t:hem and held them at the Harrison Street Sta-
tion until the men were safely aboard the train and
far away from Chicago.
When the trunks of Rice, Rutle'dge and Jones were
searched the officers found some interesting articles.
There were several letters written by Miss Norrie to
Rutledge. A photograph of her was also found in
the trunk, with her name written on the back of it.
Among other contents was a leather-bound Bible, on
the title page of which was written, "Presented to
Fred by his mother." The officers also found much
fine wearing apparel, including a full dress suit of
London make, white kid gloves, silk vests, duck suits,
silk socks, and a dozen tailor-made suits. They also
found an electrical appliance which is a modern in-
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD 245
vention for the opening of safes, and which can be
used only in towns where electricity is used for light-
ing.
There were also a number of valuable trinkets of
various descriptions in the trunk, which was supposed
to be the plunder of burglaries. The police recovered
a memoranda book containing the names of fifty Ca-
nadian towns with a description of each place, nam-
ing the number of banks, number of safes, the popula-
tion and the times of the arrival and departure of
trains.
When Gannon, one of the members of the gang,
was shot and killed on the west side, the police found
on him a card with Rice's name on it. The card
showed that Rice was stopping at the Great Northern
Hotel, and when the detectives shadowed him there,
thev found that he was in company with some of the
best-known business men of Chicago.
When he was questioned he gave references, nam-
ing people who were prominent in the social and busi-
ness wo'rld of Chicago and Champaign, Illinois. He
declared that he could not understand how Gannon
got possession of his card. The references he gave
completely convinced the police, for a time at least,
that he was a business man with good connections
and that there was no reason for suspecting him of
having any relations with Gannon, the dead robber.
While the detectives were shadowing Rutledge, he
frequently acted in such a straightforward way that
they hesitated to arrest him. On one occasion when
they were following him, he went into the residence
of a prominent and well-known citizen, where it was
found that he was a welcome visitor and had an inti-
246 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
mate acquaintance with members of the family, Both
would be frequently seen around the most prominent
hotels of Chicago in company with Chicago business
men of high standing in the financial and social world.
They were for a long time a Chinese puzzle to the
officers of the law, and it was not until they had been
captured in the Ashland avenue apartment building
and their trunks searched that the mystery of their
identity was disclosed.
It was an interesting case of pursuit and capture
for the detectives. In the solution of what seemed at
one time almost an impenetrable barrier as to the iden-
tity and occupation of these three clever criminals,
the detectives found that they had an undertaking of
more than ordinary importance.
But they succeeded, one clew following another,
pne event in the lives of the men leading to another,
all of which made a complete chain of evidence, which
has finally been their complete undoing and has ridded
the country of a gang of the cleverest safe-blowers and
bank-robbers that ever operated in the United States
or any other country.
With their unlimited number of acquaintances and
friends, they had formed an almost impassable barrier
to the assaults of officers of the law. Always well sup-
plied with money, which they secured by robbery and
theft, they were enabled at all times to make a strong
fight against every effort that was made to convict
them of their crimes, and were as far above the ordi-
nary criminal in intelligence and shrewdness as the
"get rich quick" schemer is above the hold-up man
of the levee.
INTERESTED THE WHOLE WORLD 247
The story of their crimes, their arrest and convic-
tion and the tragical end of two of them forms a chap-
ter in the history of the world that will forever fur-
nish to the student of criminology a subject of deep
interest.
Canadian criminal cases are conducted very differ-
ently from similar cases in the United States. They
are heard by a police commissioner who sits in a
sanctum, clothed in somber robes, looking as austere
as the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme
Court.
This august authority paid a very high compliment
to Detectives Schubert and McGrath, the Chicago
officers, who went to Toronto to testify against the
bank robbers. During the progress of the trial he
called them to the bench and personally complimented
them upon the work they did in the case. Atfer this
he called them into his private chamber and had a
long and pleasant talk with them.
He made many -inquiries as to the methods em-
ployed in Chicago and other cities in the prosecution
of criminal cases. He again complimented them on
their work in the case and thanked "them very heartily
for what they did in bringing the criminals to justice.
This was considered in Toronto a very high mark of
confidence upon the part of the judge who conducted
the case. As a further evidence of appreciation on
the part of the Canadian authorities of the work done
by the Chicago Police Department in bringing these
three criminals to justice, the following letter was
sent to the General Superintendent of Police in Chi-
cago by the Crown Attorney:
/ •
248 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
National Trust Building,
20 King Street.
East Toronto, June lo, 1901.
Francis O'Neill, Esq., Chief of Police, Chicago.
Dear Sir : — I desire to thank you for the exceedingly valuable
assistance you have rendered in the interests of justice in the
arrest of Fred Lee liice, Frank Rutledge and Thomas Jones,
and in allowing Detectives Schubert and McGrath to come to
Toronto and testify on the charges against these men. The evi-
dence submitted by your detectives was very material, and they
are to be congratulated, not only upon this evidence, but the
splendid impression they made upon the court and jury. The
case was one of great importance to us, as you well know, and
I need scarcely assure your that, apart from the officers of our
police court, who are always glad to reciprocate favors, I shall
personally be only too glad to assist you at any time in any matter
in which we can be of servnce to you. Believe me to be
Yours faithfully,
H. H. Dev/art,
Crown Attorney, County of York
WHISKEY MADE HIM STEAL.
The use of whiskey made of Frank Henry, a man
who had a good trade and could always earn enough
money following his vocation to provide him with
everything he needed, a common thief and finally
caused his conviction and sentence to the penitentiary.
The man was a printer, but he would frequently
begin a debauch which lasted several weeks, and
when he was on one of these sprees he would steal
anything he could lay his hands on.
He had a weakness for visiting printing offices, and
it made but little difference whether any onp was at
GIRL ENTICED FROM HOME 249
home or not. If the proprietor or foreman was there
and he could get away with anything undetected
which he could pawn, he would do it. If he called
when the doors were closed, he would seek an en-
trance by means of false keys or force a door, or
break a window, and take anything he could carry.
He went to a printing office on Van Buren street
one Sunday evening and took a paper cutter and other
tools. These he carried with him to a saloon between
Harrison and Van Buren streets, and as he was in the
act of putting them behind the bar he was seen by
Detective Wooldridge, who arrested him. He could
give no satisfactory answer as to how they came into
his possession, and was locked up at the Harrison
Street Station.
On the following morning a complaint was made of
the larceny of the goods, which were identified. He
was held in bgnds to the criminal court, indicted, tried
and found guilty, and sentenced to one year in the
Joliet penitentiary by Judge Sears, March 24, 1894.
GIRL ENTICED FROM HOME.
There was at one time in Chicago a regular system
of enticing young girls to the city to be held and used
for immoral purposes. This was discovered in July,
1896, when Detective Wooldridge arrested James and
Blanche Jackson, colored, at 126 Custom House place,
on a charge of "unlawfully detaining a female in a dis-
orderly house for immoral purposes." It was believed
that the girls were procured in Milwaukee and brought
250 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
here under the pretense that they were to be given
work at fancy salaries.
Blanche Jackson met the girl who was rescued by
the police, in Milwaukee, and in a conversation induced
her to take a boat to Chicago, where she said it was
easy to find work. She was taken to 126 Custom
House place, where she was kept prisoner until she
fell sick. Then she wanted to leave, but was locked
up in her room, and Mattie Bruce, the cook, was the
only one allowed to go near her. Mrs. Bruce heard
the girl's story and took pity on her, with the result
that the police were notified, who, by a ruse, got the
girl from the place.
Warrants were sworn out for the Jackson couple
and they were arrested by Detective Wooldridge.
The story of the girl's ill-treatment was most horrible,
and the police went actively to work to put an end to
the system, and succeeded so well that only an occa-
sional case of this kind is now heard of. The young
woman in this case was restored to her parents and
did not prosecute.
CROOK IN A FARMER'S GARB.
DETECTIVE ARRESTS A MAN WHO WAS SUSPECTED OF
STEALING MILEAGE BOOKS.
The police of Chicago were informed early in 1896
that a number of ticket offices on the Chicago &
Northwestern railroad had been robbed of tickets and
mileage books. The detectives were instructed to look
out for this property and arrest any one who was seen
with it in their possession. On the night of June 2
CROOK IN A FARMER'S GARB 251
Detective Wooldridge, while walking along Clark
street, saw a man dressed like a farmer, running at full
speed. His peculiar garb and rapid gait attracted a
great deal of attention. He stopped the man and be-
gan to question him. This was objected to by the sup-
posed farmex, who drew a large revolver and at-
tempted to shoot Wooldridge.
At this point Detective Schubert came up and the
man was arcested and taken to the Harrison Street
Station, where he was charged with burglary, assault,
receiving stolen goods and disorderly conduct. His
name was John Thompson, and when searched it was
found that he had a number of burglar's tools in his
possession, two railway tickets, a number of ticket
punches and other articles indicating that he was a
crook. Two mileage books of two thousand miles
each and one of one thousand miles were also found
in his possession. They were issued by the Chicago
& Northwestern railroad and were supposed to have
been part of the property stolen from that company.
Further investigation showed that he had entered
the house of a woman at 394 Clark street, and draw-
ing his revolver had threatened to clear out the place.
The woman had also said that he had beaten her.
When Thompson was first taken to the station the
officers felt considerably elated over his arrest, feel-
ing confident that he was one of the gang who had
been robbing the railway stations in Wisconsin. He
claimed, however, that he found the mileage books
and tickets, and a case of burglary could not be proven
against him. A fine of $100 was assessed against
him, however, by Justice Richardson for assault on a
woman.
252 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
THIEVES SLUG A FARMER.
The feeble and piteous cries of a man coming from
an alley near Clark and Harrison street attracted the
attention of Detective Wooldridge at midnight, i\Iarch
4, 1892. He hurried to the place from which the cries
came and found the prostrate form of a man who by
this time was unconscious from the blows of a slung-
shot in the hands of a thug.
He had scarcely time to make an examination of
the man and ascertain that he was not seriously in-
jured, when two men made a dash from a dark hall-
way, where they had retreated at the officer's ap-
proach, and started on a swift run down the alley.
Wooldridge immediately gave chase, loudly calling
to the pair to surrender. After ten minutes' hard run-
ning the detective realized that he was being outrun
and took the only means left to bring the fugitives
to a halt ; he began firing.
The first shot frorh Wooldridge's revolver passed
through the hat of one of the men and promptly
brought him to a standstill. His companion, however,
made good his escape.
Wooldridge put tthe fellow under arrest and found
that he was Emanuel Reed, a tough negro with a bad
record. His unfortunate victim was taken with him
to the Harrison Street Station. Reed was placed be-
hind the bars, and the wounded man, who proved to
be a farmer from the interior of the state, was taken
care of. At the time of the assault he had $1,600 in
his pocket, but the quick response of the detective so
frightened the thieves they overlooked the money.
Reed was find $100 and sent to the House of Correc-
tion.
TERROR OF CLARK STREET 253
TERROR OF CLARK STREET.
DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE THE QNLY OFFICER WHOM HATTIE
SMITH DID NOT GET THE BEST OF.
The terror of Clark street at one time was a big
colored woman who called herself Hattie Smith, alias
Hattie Washington. She was one of the most vicious
and desperate thieves on the levee, and almost ever.v
time she was arrested she would make a fight with
the officers. She had whipped several of them, and
on one occasion, when she was arrested, threw a brick,
at one of them, knocking him down. It would some-
times take four or five men to put her in the wagon.
On February 19, 1892, Detectives Wooldridge and
Fitzgerald noticed three colored women in front of 376
Clark street who had an old farmer in tow. After
watching a few minutes, they discovered the farmer
was under the influence of liquor and that the women
were trying to rob him. They crossed the street and
hurried to his assistance, placing Mary Logan, Lena
Blake and Hattie Smith under arrest.
Hattie vowed that Wooldridge and Fitzgerald could
not take her and ran into a stove store near by. Gath-
ering up stove lids, wrenches, gas pipes, in fact, every-
thing she could lay her hands on, she threw them at
the officers and finally ran to the rear of the store, en-
tered a bedroom and secreted herself under the bed.
Two more officers came to their assistance and she
was dragged out from under the bed. She fought and
kicked, and it beoame necessary to put the "come-
alongs" on each wrist. When this was done, Wool-
dridge had one arm and Fitzgerald the other. The
254 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
wagon was called, but before it reached the place the
"come-alongs" caused Hattie to scream with pain,
and she promised if they would take them off she
would behave herself and submit to the arrest peace-
ably.
Fitzgerald released her from his "come-alongs,"
and as he did so she struck him a stinging blow under
the ear, which came near upsetting him. She was
just in the act c* striking Wooldridge, who still had
his "come-alongs" on her other wrist, when he took
a twist on them which cut down into her fiesh and
left their marks there for months. Hattie was thrown
to her knees, and some five or six officers grabbed her
and placed her in the wagon.
When she reached the police station and was being
taken out of the wagon she let fly one of her John L.
Sullivan blows and knocked the wagon man spinning
and got away. She ran down Pacific avenue, pursued
by a dozen officers, who overtook her at the corner of
Polk street. She was again taken to the station and
when the. lock-up keeper was locking her in a cell she
spit in his face. She kept the station in an uproar all
night, using the most vile and profane language. She
was arraigned the next morning on a charge of disor-
derly conduct, resisting arrest and vagrancy, and fined
$ioo on each charge by Justice Lyons.
A few nights after this occurred Wooldridge and
Fitzgerald had occasion to arrest her again. She said
that she had licked no less than half a dozen officers
in the Harrison Street Station, and that she would not
be satisfied until she licked Wooldridge; that she had
promised herself she would, on the first opportunity,
lick him for giving her that fine of $3(X), and then she
started for him.
TERROR OF CLARK STREET 255
Wooldridge hit her yv^ith his "billie" and knocked
her down. When she got on her feet he knocked her
down again, and he was compelled to knock her down
no less than six times before she would give up. She
walked to the station peaceably, was locked up and
fined $75 the following morning.
Several months later Hattie became involved in a
quarrel with another colored woman who lived at 141
Custom House p,lace, a house of ill-repute kept by
Blanche Alexander. Hattie opened the door, and see-
ing the woman she was seeking, began, without any
ceremony, to empty a revolver at her. After the
smoke of battle had cleared away, Blanche Alexander
and two other inmates were found to be wounded.
Hattie was arrested, and after lying in jail a long time
was finally released for want of prosecution.
Then she began again her career of robbery. On
the evening of the city and county elections, April 4,
1899, T. S. Moore, captain of one of the lake vessels,
and who lived on the west side, went down to the city
to hear the result of the voting.
He stopped at the Polk street depot to send a tele-
gram, and started to walk to the office of the Chicago
Tribune, where the election returns were being posted.
He had reached 167 Custom House place, when Hat-
tie Smith and another colored woman loomed up.
Hattie's companion threw her arms around Mr.
Moore's neck and extracted $56 from one of his pock-
ets, but before she could get away he caught her arm.
Then there was a fierce struggle for the money, which
Mr. Moore had nearly got by prying her fingers loose,
one at a time, when Hattie Smith ran up and slashed
the back of his hand with a razor, nearly amputating
256 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
it, cutting- through to the bones and leaving a wound
four inches long.
Then she turned to run, but Mr. Moore caught her
with his other hand and snatched a black, curly wig
from her head. He pursued her into a restaurant a
few steps from where the robbery took place, but she
made her escape, and Mr. Moore reported the matter
to the police station.
Detective Wooldridge was detailed on the case, and
in two hours discovered that Hattie Smith, alias Hat-
tie Washington, was the woman who had so severely
cut Mr. Moore. She kept out of the way and was not
located until three days later, when the detective found
that she was in her room at 159 Custom House place.
He entered quietly and saw her and a companion in
bed asleep. Wooldridge knew it would require some
strategy to make the arrest. He stepped outside, and,
going to a hydrant, drew a bucket of water which was
nearly ice-cold. Slipping back into the room he delib-
erately dashed the water into the faces of the sleep-
ers. When the woman realized she had not fallen into
the Chicago river, she submitted to arrest and was
taken to the station. The lake captain, however, had
to leave the city, and as there was no prosecutor she
escaped punishment.
FLED ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE CAPTURES PEARL SMITH AFTER
SHE HAD TRAVELED THOUSANDS OF MILES TO ELUDE
HIM.
Among the most notorious female footpads in the
United States and one who is only excelled in this
FLED ACROSS THE CONTINENT 257
line by Emma Ford is Pearl Smith, who is a full sis-
ter to the former. There is nothing strange in the
fact that the names are different, because these people
change their names as often as they do their resi-
dences.
No officer perhaps in the whole country has had
as exciting and varied an experience in the pursuit of
a criminal as Detective Wooldridge has had with
Pearl Smith. He has arrested her a number of times,
and once after she had escaped and traveled thousands
of miles to elude him, he finally captured her and sent
her to the penitentiary for a long time.
The detective's first ser^ious trouble with Pearl
Smith began in 1892. On Sunday evening, October 6
of that year, Pearl Smith and Mary White seized a
South Water street commission merchant who had
just alighted from a train and was on his way home
half a block from the Polk street depot with his arms
full of bundles. While he was passing the doorway
at 410 Dearborn street he was seized by the arms and
lifted off his feet by a powerful jerk and landed in
the doorway at this number, when the door was closed
on him.
There he found himself in the clutches of these
powerful colored women footpads. The bundles he
carried were dashed to the floor, and he fought them
desperately with one hand, while he held on to his
money, which was in his inside pocket, with the other
hand. He was no match for them, however, and part
of his clothing was torn off in the severe scuffle. They
finally secured the money, amounting to $320, then
rushed out of the hallway and locked him inside. The
Dccupants of the rooms above had heard the noise
258 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
resulting from the encounter and came to his assist-
ance, releasing him from his imprisonment. He sought
Detective Wooldridge and made a complaint of the
robbery, giving the officer a very good account of it
and also a description of the women. Wooldridge
then began a systematic search for the robbers. In a
short while he discovered them only two blocks away
from the scene of the hold-up. They were in an alley
dividing the money they had secured. He at once
gave chase and captured Mary White, taking her to
the police station, where she was searched and found
to have in her possession $120 in $20 bills. The money
was fully identified on account of a bottle of ink hav-
ing been spilled on it that morning, and further by the
own'er knowing the denomination of the bills.
Pearl Smith eluded the officer at this time, and was
not captured until two weeks later. Both were iden-
tified by the victim and held to the criminal court in
bonds of $500 each. They secured bail and were soon
after indicted by the grand jury. Capiases were issued
for their arrest and placed in the hands of Detective
Wooldridge and Deputy Sheriff Staley for service. •
The officers went to 1907 Armour avenue, where
Pearl Smith was at that time living. When they ar-
rived they found her in bed. They waited outside of
her room door for her to dress. After allowing her
enough time the officers thought to make a toilet for
a wedding, they entered the room and found that she
had gone. They discovered that she had lifted a trap
door in the center of the room, ancl in her night clothes
had dropped through this opening to the ground six
feet below and had made her escape.
Detective Wooldridge found that she had left this
FLED ACROSS THE CONTINENT 259
city and learned from several ^sources that she had
probably gone to Kansas City. A telegram was sent
to the Chief of Police at that place asking him to locate
and detain the fugitive.
A reply was received saying the woman had gone
from there to Denver. 'Wcoldridge then went to the
Western Union telegraph office and determined to
send dispatches to all the cities in the West in order
to locate her. The Western Union, however, refused
to send the telegrams unless they were guaranteed by
the Chief of Police of Chicago or paid for in advance.
The detective was thwarted for the time being in
his efforts to locate the woman for the reason that it
then was late at night and the Chief of Police had
left his office, and he himself had not the necessary
funds with him to pay for the dispatches. He was de-
termined not to be outdone by a small matter like
this, however, and left the telegraph office to get
more money. He finally secured this by depositing
his gold watch and overcoat with a money-lender,
then rushed back to the Western Union office, paid
for the dispatches and told the operator to "burn the
wires" all over the West until he located the fugitive.
He learned by this means that the woman had been
in Kansas City, but had left there. He traced her
thence to Denver, and from there on to San Fran-
cisco, v/here it was learned that the fleeing woman
had gone to Galveston, Texas, then on to New Or-
leans, and from there to Hot Springs, Arkansas,
where she was arrested and brought back to Chicago.
She again secured bail, and her case was placed on
the court call no less than five times, but through the
use of money and influence she was not brought to
260 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
trial until April. 24, 1893, alntost six months after her
indictment.
Then followed one of the most energetic and vigi-
lant searches by the defense to locate the complain-
ing witness in the case and settle with him outside of
court. The detective had .prepared for this, however,
and they failed to locate the woman's victim. He had
changed his residence and place of business, and no
one except Wooldridge knew his address. The officer
was even offered $1,000 in cash to tell the friends of
the woman where the complaining witness lived.
Wooldridge replied that he was not his keeper, and if
they found him they must do it through their own
efforts.
The conclusion was finally reached by the woman
and her friends that the merchant she had robbed
had decided not to prosecute her and had left the city.
The case was on call six days before it was reached,
and all this time Wooldridge had the witness secreted
in the Sherman House in charge of another officer.
When the case was called, ex-State's Attorney Elliott,
who was defending the two women, appeared before
the court and in a dramatic and forcible manner said
that he was informed that the state's witness had left
the city, and this being the case, there was no prose-
cutor present, and he demanded the immediate dis-
charge of the prisoners. At this point matters looked
very bright for these female footpads, but Wooldridge
cast a gloom over the situation when he told the court
that Mr, Elliott had been misinformed and that the
witness was present and was in as good health as any
^ne in the court room. Mr. Elliott was also told that
c'he witness had already lost twenty-eight days in at-
FLED ACROSS THE CONTINENT 261
tendance, and he was still waiting for the case to be
called ; that he intended to stick and fight it out if he
had to be in attendance a whole year.
Then the merchant who had been robbed by the de-
fendants six months before stepped into the court
room and stood before the two women. His appear-
ance was like an apparition. Pearl Smith recognized
him instantly and decided that her only hope was
through flight. She lost no time in carrying out her
intention, but at once dashed through the door and
made her escape.
Mary White was placed on trial at once, and after
a very hard and stubborn fight by her counsel she
was convicted and given three years in the peniten-
tiary, but the sentence was finally cut down by Judge
Adams to two years, which she served. She was
known as the *'strangler," and managed several dens
of vice, and is credited with having stolen nearly
$50,000.
Detective Wooldridge again took up a hunt for
Pearl Smith. He sodn got on her trail and followed
her by means of telegrams through the state of Michi-
gan, then to Cincinnati, then to Louisville, and finally
located her in Chattanooga, Tenn., v/here she was
arrested and brought back the second time. She was
arraigned for trial on a charge of larceny before Judge
Ewing, June 19, 1893. She pleaded guilty and was
given five years in the penitentiary. Her criminal
career was similar to that of her sister, Emma Ford.
She was born in Nashville, Tenn., and lived with her
mother who conducted what was known as the "White
Cas^H." She committed so many robberies and other
crimes tnat she was finally driven from that city.
262 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
She was released from the penitentiary in 1897, re-
turning to her own old work on the levee and robbing
whenever she had a chance.
On the night of February 23, 1892, long before she
had been sent to the penitentiary, Detective Wool-
dridge caught Pearl Smith holding up and robbing a
man on Plymouth place. The detective went to the
man's assistance and reached him before the woman
got his money. On the following day she was fined
$100 and costs for this offense.
She was finally driven out of the city by the police
in 1899, ^^^^ J^'^^^t turned up in New York city.
Here she began the same career she followed in
Chicago, and was very successful for some months.
Later, however, she was arrested by the police of
New York and convicted of robbery, for which she ir.
now serving a term of five years in Sing Sing penite'"
tiary.
A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER.
TWO TOUGH HIGHWAYMEN AND HORSE THIEVES FROM
BALTIMORE CAPTURED AFTER A RUNNING FIGHT.
The Democratic National Convention was in ses-
^sion in Chicago on June 23, 1892, and on that night
Grover Cleveland was nominated for president. De-
tective Wooldridge was detailed at the convention hall
on Michigan avenue and Madison street, to look after
pickpockets, shell workers and thieves who take ad-
vantage of such large gatherings to ply their voca-
tion.
It rained in torrents on the night mentioned, and
the storm had driven almost every one home, and the
• A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER 26S
streets were nearly flooded with water. Wooldridge
was detained at the convention hall till early in the
morning, when he started home. He reached the cor-
ner of Wabash avenue, when he heard a cry of "Stop,
thief !" "Police !" "Help !" and a moment later a buggy
came at a rapid rate down the street. The driver was
lashing his horse right and left, trying to make it go
faster.
This unseemly haste at this hour of the morning,
together with the cries he had heard, convinced Wool-
dridge that a crime had been committed, and that
these men were the guilty ones. That they must be
stopped and an investigation made was the heroic de-
tective's resolve, and he immediately put it into exe-
cution.
When they had come to within fifty feet of Wool-
dridge, he sprang into the street, revolver in hand,
and ordered them to halt. They paid no attention
to him, but whipped the horse all the harder.
As the horse was nearly on him, he sprang aside
and caught at the bridle and there hung for dear life,
notwithstanding the blows that were rained on his
head by one of the men who had jumped on the back
of the horse. Still the brave and plucky detective
hung on and was carried a block before the horse was
brought to a stop.
W^ooldridge had, during the melee, managed to fire
a shot at the man who was on the horse's back. The
man at whom the detective had fired rolled off the
horse's back and it was supposed that he was either
killed or. dangerously wounded.
Some two hundred feet further the horse was
stopped, and John Crosby, one of the men in the
264 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
buggy, grabbed the horse weight and hurled it at the
detective's head with such force that he lost his bal-
ance and fell over the dashboard almost at the feet of
Wooldridge, who had dodged the murderous missile,
and with a well-directed blow with the butt of his re-
volver, laid Crosby out.
John McGinnis, one of the other men, tried to make
his escape by jumping from the buggy on the oppo-
site side of Wooldridge. His foot became entangled
in the lap robe and before he could extricate himself
Wooldridge had him by the coat collar.
McGinnis pulled a piece of garden hose filled with
shot from his pocket and used it as a billy, Wool-
dridge using his revolver as a club. They both grap-
pled and blow after blow was exchanged, neither will-
ing to yield an inch, though it looked as if the detect-
ive was getting the worst of it. Still he held on.
Both were bleeding from a number of wounds, which
they inflicted on each other as the desperate fight went
on. Then McGinnis fell unconscious from a blow
from the revolver.
The other having gotten away, the. two men who
were left were taken into custody, several citizens in
the meantime having come to the aid of the officer.
He went to look after the man whom he thought was
shot, but no trace of him was found.
They had in their possession a horse and bug'gy
stolen from State and Polk streets, which belonged to
Emmet C. Gibson, of 2444 Cottage Grove avenue.
The three men had driven the horse and buggy to an
alley under the elevated railroad on Congress street,
where they had held up James McNeal of 380 State
street and relieved him of his watch and $50. This
LONG TERM FOR BICYCLE THIEF 265
man had raised the cry that attracted the detective's
attention.
Both the robbers were held to the grand jury and
placed on trial July 26 before Judge Hawes, found
guilty and given one year in the penitentiary.
LONG TERM FOR BICYCLE THIEF.
MAN WHO STOLE A WHEEL SENT TO THE PENITENTIARY
FOR TEN YEARS.
Bicycle thieves were at one time the bane of all
lovers of the wheel in Chicago, but through tlie efforts
of the police, encouraged by the courts in punishing
these daring purloiners of the property of others, the
theft of a bicycle has become a rare occurrence.
Detective Wooldridge arrested a man giving the
name of Andrew Washington, November 2"/, 1893,
for stealing a bicycle from the residence of Mrs.
Brown, 12 Polk street. The evidence against the thief
was complete, and when it was presented in court be-
fore Judge Freeman, the man was found guilty and
sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary.
This is the most severe sentence ever given to a
bicycle thief in Chicago, and it had the effect of nearly
putting an end to this kind of larceny. The stolen bi-
cycle in this instance was valued at $150, and notwith-
standing the fact that it was recovered and returned
to the owner, the court gave the prisoner the sentence
of ten years.
On December 8, 1892, W. P. Spencer entered a flat
on the west side and stole a bicycle wortl^ $165,
266 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
which was taken to a pawnbroker on Clark street
and offered iox $25. Detective Wooldridge noticed
that Spencer could not' ride the wheel and that he
acted suspiciously, and followed him into the pawn-
broker's place, and after asking a number of questions
he arrested him. This was just one hour after the
wheel was stolen.
The fellow could give no satisfactory answer as to
how he came in possession of the wheel, and soon
after the owner made complaint at the station.
Spencer was held to the grand jury in bonds of
$800, was indicted and on trial sentenced to one year
in the penitentiary.
BREAKS UP A COCK FIGHT.
DETECTIVE IN DISGUISE LOCATES A CROWD OF SPORTS AND
ARRESTS ALL OF THEM.
Cock fighting is one of the most disgusting and
cruel sports indulged in by gamblers. It has been
suppressed in Chicago a number of times, but occa-
sionally breaks out again in all its old-time fierceness.
It has always been a difficult matter to stop this cruel
diversion, for the reason that it is carried on so
quietly and secretly that the police are often unable
to locate the "pits" or arenas in which the mains take
place.
Cock fighting is usually carried on in the basement
of some saloon or in an out-of-the-way barn or vacant
building. In the center of the room is a ten-foot
padded circle in which the birds are pitted against
BREAKS UP A COCK FIGHT 267
each other, and it is usually a fight to the death.
Sometimes the fights are held in the upper stories of
buildings, but it is always difficult to gain access un-
less one is known to the promoters of the sport.
On January 9, 1897, the Police Department received
information that there was to be a cock fight on Wa-
bash avenue, and Detective Wooldridge was detailed
to locate the place and stop the sport. Every barn,
saloon and vacant house east of State street, in
which it seemed there was any prospect of a cock
fight, was visited and a close watch kept on all pass-
ers-by, busses and vehicles from 7 to 11 p. m., in
the effort to locate some clue to the fight.
While Wooldridge was standing at Fifteenth street
and Wabash avenue an old buggy drove by. It had
no top and contained three men who had sOme gunny
sacks in front of them. This aroused suspicion, and
after the buggy had passed Wooldridge heard the
crow of a cock. He was convinced he was on the
right track, and pulling his hat down over his face, he
started to follow the buggy.
It turned west on the Air Line railroad track to the
alley and went north in the alley until it reached a
six-story house which ran to the alley in the rear of
a livery stable at 1525 Wabash avenue.
' There the men" alighted, taking out several of the
sacks containing the fighting cocks.
The detective was strengthened in his belief that
he had located the fighting pit by seeing men in
groups pass down the alley, and he heard one fellow
ask his friend if he had a pass, for without one he
could not get in. The detective had neither pass nor
268 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
invitation; but into this barn he must go and see
what was going on. v
Wooldridge then disguised himself as a bum, and
going- down to a poultry store at Clark and Harrison
streets, secured two roosters, placed each of them in
a gunny sack and returned to the barn.
With his chickens in the sack, he started boldly to
enter. He was stopped several times, but told the
sentries he was sent there with the chickens and he
must deliver them. Finally he was permitted to en-
ter and was told to take the chickens upstairs.
Upon reaching the sixth floor he found a large as-
sembly of men, a canvas pit, and lamps with reflect-
ors on the walls around the room. The windows were
covered with blankets, and there was a bar in one
corner, stocked with liquors and cigars. Everything
was shipshape, ready for the fight.
Under the pretense of going for some more birds,
Wooldridge left ;the hall and hurried to a patrol box.
He told Lieutenant Cudmore he wanted twenty po-
licemen and three wagons as quickly as he could get
them, and they were soon at hand.
The place was then raided, and there was a wild
scramble among the sports to get away. Twenty-five
men and seventeen cocks were captured, none escap-
ing except the Shanghai roosters which Wooldridge
used as a ruse to get inside.
The prisoners were booked under the state .aw and
arraigned before Justice Underwood and heavily fined.
Two of the birds were produced as evidence in court
and placed on the iron railing in front of the justice.
Upon viewing each other they began crowing so lust-
ily and loudly that persons on the outside thought
RESORT TO FIRE ESCAPE 269
that the magistrate was conducting a cock fight in
the Temple of Justice. He removed the suspicion by
ordering the chickens taken away.
RESORT TO FIRE ESCAPE.
CROOKS TAKE TO THE HOUSE TOPS, BUT VIGILANT DE-
TECTIVE FOLLOWS AND ARRESTS THEM.
In the latter part of August, 1896, a complaint was
made to Captain Charles G. Koch, who was then in
command of the Harrison Street Police Station, that
Jennie Wells, Dot Delaney and Dot Gordon were
conducting an opium joint and panel house at 411
State street.
Detectives Wooldridge and Schubert were detailed
to break it up, and, armed with warrants, went to the
place. Finding the doors locked and bolted against
them, they were compelled to use a battering ram be-
fore they could gain admission. A search was made,
but only Frank Gordon could be found.
On going to the window on State street the officers
were surprised to see some three or four hundred
people on the opposite side of the street, whose at-
tention was being attracted by some more than ordi-
nary event.
One of the men was seen to point to the roof, and
on looking up the officers were surprised to see Dot
Delaney, bareheaded, dressed in short dress and low
neck, and red shoes, with an opium pipe in one hand,
ascending the fire escape.
A number of the other inmates had preceded her
E^m
CLIMBING THE FIRE ESCAPE.
RESORT TO FIRE ESCAPE 271
in making their escape. Wooldridge thought that if
she could cHmb the dangerous fire escape he could,
and up he went to the roof and brought down four of
the inmates and a number of opium pipes and other
accessories of an opium joint.
All this time the crowd was increasing, until there
were more than a thousand people, who cheered lust-
ily, and even the passengers got oflf the street cars to
see the sport.
Several trips were made before all were brought
down. The patrol wagon was called, and the prisoners
were taken to the station. The next morning they
were arraigned and given heavy fines.
The evildoers and levee characters have about made
up their minds that there is no way that they can
avoid the sleuth when he goes after them.
They have tried to shoot him. They have tried to
whip him. They have taken the railroad trains. The)'
have dug tunnels.- They have gone to the house-tops.
They have climbed fire escapes. They have tried to
bribe him. They have built panels in the walls. They
have used their pull with politicians. They have
jumped off house-tops.
They have tried to outrun him. They have taken
the steamboats. They have tried to feign death. They
have tried to hide in trunks. They have tried hot
water on him. They have tried red pepper. They
have tried intimidation. They have offered $10,000
to have him removed or discharged. But, somehow,
they cannot avoid him, and there is only one way left
untried; that is by the balloon. route, which will prob-
ably be tried next.
272 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
RUFFIAN ASSAULTS A CHILD.
LITTLE GIRL ENTICED INTO A HOTEL BY A NEGRO AND
FORCED TO DO HIS BIDDING.
In her determination to escape from the clutches of
• a brutal negro, Fannie Gray, a little thirteen-year-old
- girl, who had come to Chicago from a country town to
get work, leaped from a third-story window of the
Diamond Hotel.
She was clad only in a short nightdress, leaving
even her shoes and stockings behind in her flight for
safety. It was two o'clock in the morning, and De-
tective Wooldridge saw the fleeing form and at once
gave pursuit.
The girl fell from exhaustion after she had run two
blocks. Then the detective picked her up tenderly
and took her to the police station, where she was well
cared for. There she related her story to the de-
tective.
She said she had come to Chicago to get employ-
ment, but failing to find it and worn out from walking
over the city, sat dowh on the curbstone at Thirty-
fifth street and Michigan avenue to rest. It was then
that she realized her condition — in a strange city,
without either friends or money, tired and hungry,
footsore and weary. And the question came to her
with much force, "What am I to do?" It was begin-
ning to grow dark, and a storm was threatening.
Tears filled her eyes, and she cried and sobbed as
though her heart would break. "Oh," she cried, "if
I could only see my dear mother once more and tell
her how sorry I am I left her." She promised her-
RUFFIAN ASSAULTS A CHILD
273
self that if she could only reach her home she would
never leave it again.
While she sat and wept there, a colored woman of
the name of Mary Anderson chanced to pass that
way, and she was attracted by the strange fact of the
girl's sitting on the edge of the walk and being in such
GIRL MAKING HER ESCAPE.
deep distress ; so she spoke to her and told her to go
to Fannie Wright's, 3507 Dearborn street, several
squares distant from where they were. Mary Ander-
son told FaTnnie that she might possibly find employ-
ment there; if not employment, at any rate, she would
274 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
have shelter for the night, which was considerably
better than staying out in the cold.
To make sure that she would reach Wright's in
safety, the colored ' woman introduced Fannie to a
burly negro, Cobb Jackson, who, she said, would con-
duct her to her new place. Instead, however, of tak-
ing her to this place, he took the girl to several sa-
loons, and at eleven o'clock that night he enticed her
to the Diamond Hotel, where, he told her, a position
awaited her.
At the several saloons they visited prior to arriving
at the Diamond Hotel, which is situated at the south-
east corner of Twenty-fourth and State streets, wine
and beer had been bought, and the villain was ready
for anything. He secured a bed for the night, and
after Fannie had retired, this black ruffian, like a lurk-
ing serpent, crept to her room, and at the point of a
revolver threatened her life if she made an outcry.
Fannie fought desperately, but Jackson placed his
hand over her mouth, choked her into submission and
raped this helpless child.
He then locked the door of the bedroom, and plac-
ing the key in his pooket, at 2 a. m. fell asleep. Fan-
nie then slipped out of bed, hoisted the window care-
fully, and mounting the window sill, leaped over an
air shaft some five feet wide, which led up from the
first to the third floor, where her room was located.
Had she missed her footing she would have fallen
and been dashed to inst^.nt death. As it was, she
went heels over head down the steps to ^Me floor be-
low. The only damage she received in this wonderful
passage was a scalp wound in the back of the head.
After the child's clothes had been secured and she
PURSE SNATCHER IS PUNISHED 275
was made comfortable, Detective Wooldridge started
out to find and arrest Cobb Jackson, her assailant. He
first went to Mrs. Wright's, 3507 Dearborn street,
where he found a photograph of Jackson, and together
with Officer Hatcher he visited eyery saloon and re-
sort on State street from Thirty-fifth street, until Van
Buren street was reached, and it was while passing the
alley between State and Dearborn streets on Van Buren
that Jackson was found.
Before he (Jackson) knew where he was or what
had struck him a pair of handcuffs had been slipped
on his wrists, and he was taken to the Harrison Street
Station, where he was confronted with Fannie, who
identified him the very moment she laid her eyes on
him, and she then repeated the story that she had told
Detective Wooldridge before.
Two days later the case was presented to the grand
jury, which returned a true bill charging rape, and on
June 2, 1897, Jackson was arraigned before Judge
Baker, found guilty and sentenced to ten years at
hard labor in the penitentiary.
The father and mother of Fannie were present dur-
ing the trial, and considerable force had to be brought
to bear to deter Mr. Gray from doing Jackson bodily
harm for the awful injury he had worked on the child.
PURSE SNATCHER IS PUNISHED.
One of the meanest classes of thieves to deal with
in large cities is known as "purse snatchers." Their
victims are nearly always women. They mix in a
crowd of shoppers at a street crossing or corner,
276 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
snatch a purse from a woman's hand, dart away and
are soon lost in the throng. In August, 1896, while
Mrs. C. B. Wilson and her two sisters were crossing
the Rock Island tracks on Harrison street, two colored
men ran up behind, her. One of them held her arms
while the other snatched her purse. The three women
screamed, and one of the men ran east on Harrison
street to Clark. He was pursued by a number of citi-
zens and police officers, but jumped on a south-bound
electric car and escaped. The thief's confederate ran
north on the Rock Island tracks to Polk street, closely
followed by Detective Wooldridge. Just before the
officer reached him, the thief threw the purse under a
passenger coach, after having taken the money from
it. The man, who gave his name as Frank Ford, was
arrested and taken back to the scene of the robbery,
where he was identified by Mrs. Wilson and her sis-
ters.
At the station Ford was identified as the man who
had tried to steal Mrs. Clement's purse, 17 Charles
place, half an hour before. He was locked up charged
with robbery, and held to the criminal court in bonds
of $2,000, indicted and arraigned for trial September
24, 1897, found guilty and sent to the Pontiac Reform-
atory.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW.
TRACKS LEAD TO THE DISCOVERY OF A BIG DEN OF THIEVES
AND TWO ARE ARRESTED.
A light fall of snow is sometimes an aid to a detect-
ive and is also frequently fatal to a footpad. In one
case it gave Detective Wooldridge a clew which led
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW 277
to the arrest of two men who tried to rob a flat at
1219 State street.
The detective was crossing the Twelfth street via-
duct on January 4, 1892, and had reached a point
about three hundred yards west of State street when
a cry of "Burglars !" "Police !" reached his ears. The
call for help came from the corner of Twelfth and
State streets.
Upon reaching that point he was informed that two
men had tried to effect an entrance to the flat at 1219
State street and had been frightened away, but suc-
ceeded in taking a tub of butter with them and escaped
down the alley.
There was a light fall of snow, and Wooldridge
upon going to the alley found fresh tracks of two men,
and upon investigation discovered that one of ihe men
had one very long foot and a very short one. Ap-
parently one of the feet was deformed or a part of it
had been amputated at some time.
The tracks of the other man showed that one of his
feet was shod in a long narrow-pointed shoe, and the
track was directly in a line of the way in which the
man was going,' while the other foot was turned in
almost an opposite direction, and the shoe was not so
large. The feet were not the same size, neither were
the shoes mates, and the tracks were made by a man
who was crippled or deformed.
Wooldridge concluded that he would follow the
tracks and try to overtake the men.
The tracks led through the alley to Fourteenth
street, then west to the Lake Shore & Michigan
Southern railroad tracks until they reached an old
coal car on the side track between Taylor and Harri-
278 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
son streets. The detective waited and listened several
minutes. He could hear numerous voices and shuf-
fling of feet in the car. He decided there were too
many for him to tackle single-handed, so he went back
to the station for assistance.
I Returning with eight men, he surrounded the car
[and arrested forty men, twenty-six of whom were
sent to the House of Correction on $40 fines. Among
them were William Lake and John Murry.
Both of these men had deformed feet, and evidently
were the ones who stole the butter and tried to effect
an entrance to the flat. Failing to have any one iden-
tify them as the men, they were fined the same amount
as the others, $40 each.
A wagon-load of goods was taken from the car,
consisting of canned fruit, meat, butter, groceries,
shoes and clothing. Anything they could lay their
hands on was stolen, and either used by them or sold.
This was the breaking up of one of the toughest gangs
of petty thieves that had been on the levee for years.
'CATCHES THREE BURGLARS.
DETECTIVE DOES A CLEVER PIECE OF WORK AND RECOVERS
$1,000 WORTH OF STOLEN PROPERTY.
On the night of July 21, 1895, while Detective
Wooldridge was patrolling his beat in the vicinity of
State and Taylor streets, he did a clever piece of
work in the capture of three burglars, one of whom
made a confession which resulted in the recovery of
$1,000 worth of stolen property. The capture was ef-
fected in this way : The officer observed a colored
CATCHES THREE BURGLARS 279
man enter Carriss' pawnshop at 492 State street with
a large bundle in his hands. Becoming suspicious
that everything was not right, he followed him into
the place, and it afterwards proved to be Henry Kelly,
who also discovered the officer. Kelly passed the bun-
dle to one of the clerks, and, giving some instructions,
he passed out through the rear into the alley.
Wooldridge demanded to see the contents of the
bundle, and when it was shown he was surprised to
find it was a handsome sealskin cloak worth $400.
The clerk informed the officer" that the colored man
was unknown, and as he wanted to effect a loan on
the garment and not feeling satisfied as to the owner-
ship, he had sent him to bring the woman to whom it
belonged. Wooldridge instructed the clerk to ad-
vance no money and to hold the garment until the
man who brought it there returned for it.
The detective went to a clothing store close by,
changed his helmet for a soft hat, put on a long rain
coat that completely covered his uniform, and the
disguise was quite appropriate, as it was raining hard,
and returned to the pawnshop and secreted himself in
a closet where he could see and hear everything that
was done.
Here he remained two hours, when a man walked
in named Henry Reed with a note from Kelly to the
pawnbroker to send him $25 on the sack. Carriss told
him he could do no business with any one except the
man who brought it. In a few minutes Kelly, Reed
and a man named Franklin came running into the
place, thinking Carriss intended to keep the sack with-
out paying any one, as is frequently done, and de-
280 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
manded the return of the sack or money, or they
would blow his brains out.
Wooldridge came forth from his hiding place, and,
covering them with a revolver in each hand, arrested
all three, landing them in the station.
While they were there being booked Mary Edilston.
of 371 Clark street, entered the station with tears in
her eyes, saying that her house at the above number
had been robbed of $1,000 worth of jewelry and cloth-
ing. She identified the sealskin sack Kelly was try-
ing to pawn. Kelly made a confession, telling where
the rest of the property could be found, and implicated >
Henry Reed, .Will Johnson and Frankie Gregs, who
were arrested. The remainder of the goods had beert
spirited away to Twenty-second street, where they
were found and recovered.
Frankie Gregs jumped her bond of $500 and fled to
parts unknown. October 23, 1895, the others were ar-
raigned for trial before Judge J. B. Payne. Will John-
son and Henry Reed were cent to Joliet penitentiary
for an indefinite term, and Henry Kelly was sent to
the Pontiac Reformatory.
SHOT BY A MANIAC.
OTTO FIEDER AND HENRY BRANG MORTALLY WOUNDED BY
JOSEPH DEVISH, WHO IS ARRESTED.
Cheap whiskey transformed Joseph Devish into a
maniac at the junk shop of Otto Fieder, 200 Fifth
avenue. When the poison had been thoroughly dif-
fused throughout his brain, he shot Henry Brang in
the throat, the bullet passing down into the man's
left lung. Then he shot the proprietor. Otto Fieder,
SHOT BY A MANIAC 281
the bullet entering the base of the brain ;ind plowing
its way down along the spine. Both men were taken
to the hospital, and the doctor said they would die.
After a long search the murderer was found with
two loaded guns by his side. He was arrested after
a struggle with Detective Wooldridge of the Harrison
Street Station and locked up. '
After the shooting every one in the neighborhood
was in a state of terror. A passing street car loaded
with passengers narrowly escaped being transformed
into a hearse. The crack of revolvers and the crashing
of glass startled the driver and he did not stop lash-
ing the "steeds" until the corner of Harrison street
was turned. There a stop was made and several ex-
cited persons began to investigate. Henry Brang
was seen to emerge from the junk shop. When he
reached the corner of the street blood was spurting
from the hole in his neck. He staggered from one
side of the walk to the other and left behind him a
trail of blood. He was conscious and warned every
one from entering the junk shopj as Devish was a
maniac. His instructions were religiously obeyed.
He was helped to the station, where he lost conscious-
ness owing to the great loss of blood.
When the officers reached the scene of the murder-
ous afifray the odor of burnt powder still pervaded
the place ; the upper windows were shattered by pistol
balls, and on the floor lay the body of the proprietor
weltering in a pool of blood. His hair and beard
stuck to the begrimed floor, and it was evident that
Fieder was near his end. After the dying man was
sent to the hospital a hunt was begun for the mur-
derer.
The store is a deep one and runs from Fifth avenue
282 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
to the alley. In the front was a dimly-lighted gas jet,
and it was the only light to be found in the place.
The floor was covered with debris of all descriptions.
Ax helves and wheel spokes were found in different
parts of the room stained with blood and gave mute
but unmistakable evidence of a battle having been
fought. The rear door and windows were securely
barred, and it at once dawned upon the officers that
the murderer was still in the building.
Piled up as high as the ceiling on either side of the
room were bales of rags ; in the rear were barrels of
iron, and this composed the stock of Otto Fieder. The
hunt was begun, however, and the sidewalk was soon
vacated by various people. They expected more shoot-
ing, but did not wish to figure as targets. Every-
thing was upturned, and at last Detective Wool-
dridge saw the form of a man hidden behind a bale
of goods in the rear of the store. He told the fellow
to come out, but only a few guttural sounds escaped
him. Then the officers threw themselves on the bun-
dle and Joseph Devish was a prisoner.
When he was brought under the gas light two
heavy revolvers with every chamber loaded were
. found beside him. Why he did not shoot the officers
was something left to conjecture.
The sidewalk was again crowded with a mob, all
anxious to get sight of the madman. He was hur-
riedly loaded into a patrol wagon and driven to the
Harrison Street Station. There he was searched, and
besides the revolvers he had three dangerous looking
knives in his trousers pockets. He said he was forty-
five years of age, a Pole and a widower. He had two
children, a boy of thirteen living on Eighteenth street
and a married daughter living at ]\Iarengo, 111.
JOKE v>N A POLICE JUSTICE 283
Fieder had a family living on Division street, and
was well known by all junk men throughout the city.
He had been in businjss at 190 Fifth avenue for a
number of years, and accumulated considerable money
owing to his frugal habits. Devish had been in his
employ for eight years, and Brang had been at work
but a few days. Devish was intoxicated when he
came into the junk shop the afternoon before and re-
quested an advance on his week's wages. Fieder re-
fused to comply with the request, and Devish became
enraged. He went to his bunk in the rear of the
shop and got the two revolvers, and upon returning
he began to upbraid Fieder and Brang, who were
sorting rags on stools near the door. No attention
was paid to him, and he went to a German saloon
next door and took a drink of whiskey. He was in a
violent and abusive mood when he again entered the
junk shop. The occupants of the rooms upstairs
heard loud oaths and the shattering of glasses.
Then the noise of ^ gun shots followed and within
five seconds Devish had done his deadly work. He
was arraigned for trial February 15, 1893, and on
March 28 was given two years in the Joliet peniten-
tiary by Judge J. Hutchinson.
JOKE ON A POLICE JUSTICE
FAILING TO REQUIRE BONDS OF TWO MEN, HE IS COM-
PELLED TO PAY THEIR FINES.
On May 22, 1892, Charles Chapin and Charles Gal-
lagher became involved in a fight on Wabash avenue
284 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
and Hubbard court. Detectives Wooldridge and
Winahoven were passing and separated them. In a
few minutes they again began quarreHng, using the
most profane and vile language. They were again
separated by the detectives, when Chapin turned upon
Detective Winahoven and struck him a terrible blow
in the face.
Both the men then clinched and went down together
with the detective on top, and he gave Chapin a good
whipping. While this was going on, a Wabash ave-
nue car came along close by the side of the two men
who were on the ground in the combat. Some of the
passengers on the car thought the detective was un-
necessarily abusing the man with whom he was fight-
ing and got ofif the car to give assistance to the man.
They did not interfere^ however, and Wooldridge and
Winahoven arrested Chapin and Gallagher, but were
followed to the station by the passengers, who wanted
to prefer charges against Winahoven. They waited
several hours until Justice Lyon^ appeared and then
made a complaint to him about the treatment Chapin
had received, and notified the justice that they would
be on hand the next morning to testify.
Justice Lyons released the two men on their own
recognizance and supposed they would come before
him the next morning. After the justice left the sta-
tion that night Wooldridge had the desk sergeant
place the names of Chapin and Gallagher on the court
sheet of Justice Glennon, who held court in the ad-
joining room. Next morning the cases were called
early and neither of them were present. After hear-
ing the evidence, Justice Glennon entered a fine of
$25 each and costs against them. It turned out that
PREVENTS A SAFE-ROBBERY 285
both had given assumed names and wrong addresses,
and when they discovered they had been fined they
left the city.
The court sheets went to the city comptroller with
the fines unpaid. After three weeks of investigation
and worry, the comptroller charged the amount of
the fines to Justice Lyons, who made himself re-
sponsible by not requiring a good bond from the pris-
oners. There was nothing for him to do but settle,
and it cost him $52.
Justice Lyons never knew until he left the bench
of the police court how the little matter of shifting
the two men into Glennon's court was accomplished.
When he was told of the matter he enjoyed a hearty
laugh over it.
PREVENTS A SAFE-ROBBERY.
DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE GETS INFORMATION WHICH
LANDS A ROBBER IN THE PENITENTIARY.
Through information secured from a woman, De-
tective Wooldridge, in the summer of 1895, prevented
the blowing open and robbery of a safe. William
O'Neil and Matt Kelly, the murderer, ex-convict and
safe-blower, wefe overheard by this woman entering
into an agreement to rob the safe in a ^igar store at
423 State street. She hurriedly hunted up Wool-
dridge, who was on duty in that locality, and dis-
creetly handed him a small card, upon which was
written the following message :
"Two men intend to blow up a safe on your post to-night
Follow me, as I cannot be seen in your company on the street"
286 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Wooldridge followed some distance behind the
woman, who walked up State street to Hubbard
court ; then she turned east, and crossing Wabash
and Michigan avenues, entered the Lake Front Park,
selected a secluded spot near the center of the park,
and sat down.
She was soon joined by Wooldridge, and in a hur-
ried manner told him that two men were planning to
blow up a safe at the cigar store that night. She did
not know the names of the men, but fully described
them to the officer, and said that she was quite sure
the job was going to come off, as she had heard one
of the men say he had gotten his ticket and intended
to take the morning train over the Grand Trunk for
Canada.
He also said that if he stayed in Chicago any longer
the men who signed his bond, which was forfeited,
would be looking for him in regard to the Taylor
street job, and if they turned him over to the police
they would be sure to settle him.
Wooldridge lost no time in notifying Lieutenant
Golden, who was on duty at the Harrison Street Sta-
tion, of his information, and immediate steps were
taken to arrest Kelly and O'Neil before they could do
the job.
O'Neil was arrested in one of the saloons on State
street only a few doors from the place where he in-
tended to blow up the safe. He was taken to the
Bureau of Identification next morning, and Lieuten-
ant Evans identified him and produced his picture.
O'Neil at first denied that he was the man wanted,
but when Lieutenant Evans began to read his meas-
urements and life scars, he weakened and admitted
that he was the man wanted.
JEALOUSY CAUSES A MURDER 287
On his person he had $290, two gold watches and a
ticket for Canada on the Grand Trunk railway. He
was cleanly shaved, and when confronted by the two
officers who arrested him the first time, they did not
know him with his whiskers cut off.
On May 16, 1895, he was arraigned for trial and
found guilty by a jury in Judge Neely's court and
sentenced to seven years at hard work in Joliet pen-
itentiary.
He in connection with another man unknown held
up and robbed a man at the corner of State and Tay-
lor streets in 1894. O'Neil was arrested and indicted,
He then wore a full beard. He gave bond and fled to
Canada. This was the Taylor street job which the
woman heard him talking about. He returned to
Chicago May i, 1895. It was soon after this he and
Kelly arranged to blow up the safe, which was stopped
through the information received by Detective Wool-
dridge.
JEALOUSY CAUSES A MURDER.
LOUIS LEONARD KILLS HIS FELLOW-SERVANT BECAUSE
THE LATTER WAS PRAISED BY HIS EMPLOYER.
Praise bestowed upon a new employee at a fash-
ionable boarding-house on Michigan avenue caused
Louis Leonard to commit murder September 18, 1895.
Benjamin Fenton, a trained nurse from Boston, had
called at this house early that morning and asked for
something to eat. He was given a breakfast, and
after the meal he asked if there was any work about
the place he could do for what he had eaten. He was
288 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIidE
given permission to clean the yard, and when that was
done he was put to work to ass'*.st Leonard in wash-
ing the windows of the house.
The work of the stranger was praised by the board-
ing-house mistress, and the remark made that he
would be a good man to employ steadily. Leonard
had been working there for several weeks, and when
this remark was heard by him he feared that he was
going to lose his place. From that time until luncheon
he directed the work of Fenton, but the latter paid
no attention to his commands.
At four o'clock in the afternoon Leonard went tc
the basement to shave himself. Fenton also went
there to get a pail of water. lie started upstairs when
Leonard called out some other orders and gave direc«
tions as to how the work should be done.
Fenton replied, "Fm not taking orders from you."
Leonard then started after Fenton, overtaking him
on the stairway. He held the razor with which he had
been shaving in his hand, and when Fenton turned
around to see what was wanted, Leonard quickly drew
the blade across Fenton's thigh just below the abdo-
men, making a gash six inches long and severing the
main artery in the leg. Fentqn ran up the stairway
in the hall and cried out that he was killed and sank
to the floor,
Catherine Carroll, the cook, and Dollie Ballard, the
dining-room girl, heard the encounter and ran to the
scene of the dispute just in time to see the murder
committed.
Fenton bled to death before the doctor, who lived
only a few doors away, c( uld arrive and stop the flow
of blood.
USED A HORSE AND TACKLF. 289
Leonard attempted to hide the razoi, when Dollie
Ballard seized his arm and screamed, "What are you
doing?" Leonard tried to throw her off, but she held
to him and secured a hold on the razor, then closed.
Catherine Carroll went to her assistance and they took
the weapon from Leonard. Detective Wooldridge,
who was near by, arrived on the scene, and, placing
the murderer under arrest, took him to the Harrison
Street Police Station, Fenton was removed to the
morgue, where an inquest was held the following day,
and Louis Leonard was held to the grand jury for
murder without bail.
Upon searching Fenton's clothes letters were found
from Dr. Frank Murphy, 622 North Main street, Bos-
ton, recommending him very highly as a trained nurse,
and also one from Boston giving him the best refer-
ences as an honest, trustworthy man. It was very evi-
dent that he preferred to work rather than beg.
Louis Leonard was arraigned before Judge Payne
for murder November 2y, 1895, found guilty and sen-
tenced to fourteen years at hard labor in Joliet peni
tentiary. «
USED A HORSE AND TACKLE.
HOW A HEAVY-WEIGHT PRISONER WAS GOTTEN OUT OF
HER HOUSE BY DETECTIVES.
The ingenious detective can always find some way
to secure the elusive lawbreakers if he is an earnest,
conscientious officer. Detective Wooldridge has en-
countered a great many obstacles in his secret-service
work, but that one which puzzled him most was how
290 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
to get a prisoner who weighed 449 pounds up a nar-
row, rickety flight of stairs, which seemed scarcely
strong enough to support him, and he only weighed
158 pounds. He finally got her out, but it was through
the back door, and he did it by the use of a horse and
tackle.
Susan Winslow was the prisoner who caused him
to use this novel method. She was as black as Ere-
bus and lived in a dilapidated two-story wooden
shanty at 541 Clark street.
The ceiling was only six feet high, and an average-
size man could not stand up without stooping. The
house was built many years ago, when Clark street
had no viaduct at Twelfth street, and since the ap-
proach to the viaduct has been built the sidewalk
comes even with the roof of the house. To enter the
house one had to go down a flight of rickety stairs.
The place contained only a few old discarded pieces
of furniture, and daylight could be seen through the
sides and roof in many places.
Susan Winslow clung to this little shanty, paying
regularly $40 per month rent, and during the World's
Fair $125. She conducted one of the vilest houses of
prostitution that was to be found on the levee.
Susan adopted many novel ways of attracting the
attention of the pedestrians who passed along the side-
walk above her on the busy thoroughfare. Among
them was an old sheep bell which she would ring.
This was supplemented by an old alarm clock.
A long time she and the inmates attracted attention
by tapping on the window and hissing with the mouth
like a rattlesnake. Finally, she rigged up an electric
battery and attached it to the figure of a woman with
USED A HORSE AND TACKLE 291
a metallic arm and hand, which would strike the win-
dow and rebound, making a motion to "come in."
This worked charmingly until Wooldridge discovered
it one day, broke it up and arrested the inmates and
Susan. One case of larceny after another occurred,
and the officers could get no information or satisfac-
tion from Susan.
All that she would say was that it was some
strange woman whom she did not know and who
would keep away from the house until everything had
been forgotten and then come back. Warrant after
warrant was taken out for her, but when the officers
would go thet:e she would complain of sickness, heart
trouble, etc. She would make these various excuses,
and if this did not work successfully, she would refuse
to go, and owing to the narrow stairway and Susan's
immense weight and size, each officer in turn would
have to leave her and give it up.
This state of things went on from day to day for
months, until one day Captain Koch called in Detect-
ive Wooldridge and gave him a warrant for Susan's
arrest, with instructions to bring her to the station.
He found her in the shanty and served the warrant.
She offered the heart trouble and sickness as an ex-
cuse, but it did not work.
Finally, she sat down and refused to go one step.
The patrol wagon was called and every persuasion
used to get her to go peaceably, but of no avail.
Wooldridge told the wagon men to drive the wagon
to Taylor street and come up the alley to the rear of
the house. Two oak planks sixteen feet long and
twelve inches wide were laid in the door and placed
on the rear of the wagon. One horse was unhitched,
292 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
a big heavy rope was taken from the wagon, a lasso
was placed around Susan's waist, and the other end
attached to the horse.
Once more Wooldridge asked if she would go, and
she refused. Then he told the driver to start the
horse, which was done. Susan was dragged to the
doof so quickly that she cried, "Oh, stop the horse, I
will go."
The rope was taken off and she walked into the
wagon sideways without a word or without any as-
sistance.
This was at i p. m. She was released on bail at
6 p. m., and sat down on the steps leading to the
squadroom and demanded that the wagon take her
home again, or she would not move out of the sta-
tion. This was refused. Wooldridge got an old mat-
tress and placed it on the floor and told her to make
herself comfortable until the bus arrived the next day
to take the prisoners to the House of Correction, This
made her so angry she got up and waddled off to her
shanty. After this the police had no more trouble
with Susan Winslow.
HIGHWAY ROBBER IS CAUGHT.
COLORED MAN ARRESTED BY THE DETECTIVE WHILE IN
THE ACT OF HOLDING UP A FARMER.
During the World's Fair, when Chicago was full
•f robbers and thieves, Detective Wooldridge arrested
a highway robber after being under fire from a revol-
ver in the^hands of the desperate crook.
HIGHWAY ROEBER IS CAUGHT 293
A farmer named Quigley, who was visiting the
Fair, was in the clutches of Charles Sails on the morn-
ing of October 25, 1893, when Detectives Wooldridge
and Hennessy observed what was going on, and went
to the. farmer's assistance.
Sails whipped out a revolver and fired two shots at
Officer Hennessy, who, in attempting to get out of
range of the gun, stumbled and fell. Sails then turned
his revolver at Wooldridge and fired twp shots at
him in rapid succession at a distance of five feet. One
of the bullets passed through Wooldridge's coat.
The man then turned and ran down an alley. Wool-
dridge supposed that Hennessy was shot when he fell,
and, reaching into a pocket, he, with a revolver in
each hand, opened fire on the fleeing footpad. There
was a London fog oa at the time, and it was impossi-
ble to see more than a few feet ahead, but he thought
one of the shots might bring down the would-be mur-
derer, and consequently nine shots were fired down
the alley.
Officer Walsh and two more officers came up and
also began to fire after the man as he emerged from
Plymouth place, half a square away. Wooldridge
followed the man and emptied two revolvers shooting
at him. When he reached some hundred feet north
of Polk street, Sails stumbled and fell, and before he
could rise Wooldridge was on his back and hit him
with the butt of his revolver just as Sails was in the
act of turning his revolver loose at Wooldridge. Both
clinched, and Hennessy and Walsh came up and
clubbed Sails into submission, and then took him to
the Harrison Street Police Station,
The next morning he was bound over to the crim-
inal court in bonds of $1,000. He was indicted, ar-
294 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
raigned before Judge Chetlain, and on January 15,
1894, found guilty and sentenced to the penitentiary
lor one year at hard labor.
CLEANS OUT A POOL-ROOM.
WOOLDRIDGE AND A CORPS OF ASSISTANTS MAKE A RAID
ON DERBY DAY AND ARREST II 5 SPORTS.
With a, detail of eighteen men under his direction,
Detective Wooldridge made a raid on a pool-room
in 1899 which was so cleverly and thoroughly done
that the proprietor of the place afterwards compli-
mented the detective with the remark, "That was the
smoothest work I ever saw and I take ofif my hat to
you."
The work required a thorough and comprehensive
inspection of every detail, not only in making the raid,
but of every door, window, stairway and skylight in
the building and surroundings, and all this informa-
tion was in the possession of Wooldridge before he
made the raid.
The place was owned by Frank McWaters and
was operated in connection with his saloon at 3846
State street. A pool-room had been running in full
blast for some time, and Wooldridge was ordered by
Inspector Hartnett to break it up. Then with the as-
sistance of Detective Schubert they went to work in
an effort to find out how the place could be entered.
When Wooldridge visited the saloon he found that
he was known to all the guards and sentinels on duty
at the doors, and consequently he had to resort to
strategy. Schubert disguised himself as a milkman.
CLEANS OUT A POOL-ROOM 295
and even hired a milk wagon, and in thig way became
acquainted with a German saloonkeeper near the pool-
room. He visited this saloon frequently and talked
in German to the proprietor and his porter, exhibiting
a telegram from New Orleans which was supposed
to contain a tip on the winner of a certain race.
The porter in the saloon being known to the pool-
room keepers had no difficulty in gaining an entrance
and agreed to take Schubert, who was known as a
milkman, into the building for the purpose of placing
a bet. After that Schubert had no trouble in gaining
admission and took a careful survey of the premises
and all the surroundings.
He noted the number of doors which must be passed
to get into the betting room, which was in a large
hall on the second floor of a building two doors north
of the saloon. In order to reach the pool-room it was
necessary to pass through three different doors, then
across a small area, then up a stairway through an-
other door.
Schubert kept the survey of the rooms, doors and
passages in his mind, and he and Wooldridge after-
wards made a diagram of the interior. Then they vis-
ited the locality at night and got a diagram also of
the exterior and the yard and alley, as well as of the
streets adjacent to the saloon and pool-room.
Following this they made trips on the street cars
from the saloon to the Harrison Street Station and
timed the cars to see just how long it would take the
police and patrol wagons to reach the place. The
watches of all the men were compared in order that
there should be no mistake in executing the raid.
After all this had been done he reported his work
296 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
to Inspector, Hartnett, who then called the detail of
men who were going to assist Wooldridge. He ad-
dressed them and said that every one was under the
command of Detective Wooldridge and was expected
to obey him as implicitly and faithfully as if they were
under the directions of the captain of the precinct,
and any one who failed to do so would be liable to
charges before the trial board.
At this timfe not a single member of the detail knew
what case they were assigned to and had no idea
where they were going or what the work was to be.
They marched out of the station under Wooldridge's
command and were divided into squads of two, three
and four men, and reached the location of the pool-
room at the same time. Then these separate squads
were told what their duty was. Every exit of the
pool-room was guarded by a squad of men and no
opportunity was left for any one to escape.
This was on March 23, the day of the Crescent
City Derby, and the pool-room was crowded with
sportsmen anxious to place a bet on the great New
Orleans event.
Schubert in his disguise as a milkman entered the
place and took his stand near the betting sheet. Then
Wooldridge entered the saloon, with his squad one
hundred feet away. When he had gotten inside the
proprietor of the place, who recognized him, called a
halt, telling the detective he was the owner .of the sa-
loon and that he was conducting it lawfully and would
permit no one to search the premises unless they had
the proper legal documents and authority for that
purpose.
Wooldridge informed him that he had warrants
CLEANS OUT A POOL-ROOM 297
and proceeded at once to serve them. In order to
gain time and make as much delay as possible, Mc-
Waters said he would admit the detective, but he
first would have to find the key to the door leading
to the rear.
This consumed more time, and the key not being
found quick enough to suit the detective, he broke in
the door, followed by his squad. They went through
a passage to the end of the building and found an-
other door, which was also locked, and when the de-
mand was made that it be opened, the excuse was
again offered that there was no key.
The door opened inward, and not being inclined to
wait, Wooldridge kicked out one of the lower panels,
and, taking off his coat, crawled through this panel
and burst the door open from the other side. He
could hear electric bells and alarms going ofif all over
the building, which he knew was a warning being sent
to those in the pool-room. This only inspired him to
greater speed in reaching the premises where the bets
were being made, and he pushed forward, going up a
flight of stairs, where his progress was stopped by
another locked door.
He secured a piece of timber about four by six
inches in dimensions, and using it as a battering ram,
soon had all the obstacles to his progress out of the
way. Then he, with his squad, rushed into the pool-
room, and there "followed the greatest excitement that
ever prevailed in that place.
When the alarm was first given a man who stood
near the betting board started to tear it from the wall,
but Schubert, who was already on the inside, drew his
revolver and said, "I will take care of that."
298 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Then the cry of "Police" was started and a scram-
ble began for the exits, but to the great surprise of
every one in the room it was found that every door,
window and skylight was guarded by a squad of offi-
cers with drawn revolvers.
Those on the inside then began trying to convince
the officers that it was a political meeting, and one
who pretended to be a candidate for some office in-
sisted that he was going to make an address to his
constituents.
The actions of the inmates of the place were so
ludicrous and amusing that the officers had to stop
and indulge in hearty laughter.
Twenty patrol wagons stood below, having been
summoned from the stations at a given signal and upon
a certain time agreed upon before, and then began the
work of loading the racehorse players into the wagons
and landing them in the station.
A dozen trips were necessary to take all the prison-
ers to the lock-up, and when the last load was emp-
tied, a count was made and it was discovered that 115
prisoners had been brought from the pool-room. The
number did not include several old and feeble pool-
room players whom the officers allowed to go to their
homes without being arrested.
The raid was talked of for many days afterwards
and spoken of by the papers as one of the most sen-
sational and successful coups ever made by the police,
and Wooldridge was warmly congratulated for the
successful way in which he carried out his orders and
planned the capture of the gamblers.
All the prisoners furnished bonds, which were signed
by McWaters, for their appearance before the police
PREACHER GOES TO PRISON 299
judge the next morning. They were then heavily
fined by the justice. Following this they were indicted
by the grand jury, and it is said the fight they made
through the courts cost them many thousands of dol-
flars.
PREACHER GOES TO PRISON.
Preaching and passing worthless checks do not go
well together, as was demonstrated when Detective
Wooldridge was detailed to investigate the case of
Joseph Williams, who had given a piece of paper to a
haberdasher which he claimed was worth $i8o in
payment for $50 worth of merchandise, and got a good
check in change for $130.
The check which the haberdasher received was found
to be a forgery, and when the detective found Wil-
liams he was in a pawn shop trying to borrow money
on the other check.
He was forthwith taken into custody, and after a hear-
ing accorded to him by Justice Martin on the 24th day
of April, 1899, he was held in $800 bonds to the crimi-
nal court.
The grand jury returned a true bill against him and
he was arraigned for trial, and several weeks later he
was found guilty, and Judge Stein sentenced him to
one year's imprisonment in the House of Correction.
Williams claimed to be a preacher. He said he
preached for years in Champlain, 111., and had preached
for some time in Bethel Church.
300 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
LANDS A THIEF I^f PRISON.
DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE PUTS A WOMAN IN THE PENITEN-
TIARY AFTER SHE HAD BRIBED AN OFFICER.
There are, or have been, on every poHce force in the
world some men who were dishonest and would shield
criminals for a consideration. A case of this character
was exposed, and after the facts came to light Detec-
tive Wooldridge caught the criminal and sent her to
the penitentiary.
Sam Borland, a farmer from one of the interior
towns of Illinois, arrived in Chicago in 1893 to visit
the World's Fair and buy goods. When his train
reached the depot at Twelfth street and Michigan
avenue it was one o'clock in the morning.
He- expected to meet some friends, but was disap-
pointed and started out to walk to the west side, where
he had a brother living. On his way he had to pass
along Polk street and had reached the alley between
State street and Plymouth place, half a block east of
the Polk street depot. This block is known as "Hell's
Half Acre," and is between Polk and Taylor streets
and State street and Plymouth place. The alley runs
south from Polk to Taylor, and is known as "Dead
Man's Alley."
At the mouth of this alley Borland was seized by a
powerful colored man, who threw his arms around
his neck, lifted him bodily off his feet and carried him
some two hundred feet in the alley, with his arms
pinioned behind him. A bright-skinned colored wo-
man, who afterwards proved to be Minnie Shouse,
sprang forward and went through his pockets, taking
some $42 and a revolver that he carried.
LANDS A THIEF IN PRISON 301
Borland shouted, ''Help!" "Police!" but they silenced
him, separated and fled in different directions. Mr.
Borland had a good view of Minnie Shouse, who was
in front of him, from a lamp which hung in the rear
of Batchelor's restaurant. He pursued her down the
alley some two hundred feet and overtook her in the
rear of John Jennings' saloon, 462 State street, just
as she was entering an opium joint in the basement.
She pulled the revolver she had just taken from him,
and leveling it at his head, compelled him to beat a
hasty retreat. Borland reported the robbery to the
Harrison Street Station the next morning and a de-
scriptive warrant was procured, and in company with
officers, he went to the opium joint he had seen the
woman enter the night of the robbery.
She was arrested, indicted and arraigned before
Judge Chetlain some months later. While a jury
was being impaneled she made her escape, but was
arrested several days after and the case set for trial
the following morning. One of the officers who had the
case in charge took Borland from the court room to a
saloon on Clark street and told him the case was set-
tled by the court, and Minnie Shouse was to return the
money she had stolen from him. The officer paid him
part of the money and told him he would come to his
home the following day and pay him the remaining
$25. When 'the case was called by the state's attor-
ney, Borland could not be found. He secured tickets
and had orders given to the officer to go for Borland.
The officer was gone several days and reported that
Borland could not be found, when, in fact, he had
Mever been to his house, and the case was stricken off
302 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
with leave to reinstate. Borland waited several weeks
for the officer to come down and bring him the $25,
but he failed to do so.
He then placed the matter in the hands of an at-
torney, who advised him to go to Chicago and see the
ojfficer. Upon arriving here he found that the officer
had been transferred to the Desplaines Street Sta-
tion. He reported the matter to Joseph Kipley, who
was inspector at the station, and made sworn state-
ments to the facts. An investigation followed, and the
officer was discharged from the force.
The case was reinstated and placed in the hands of
Detective Wooldridge, and the woman rearrested.
On January 21, 1895, the case came up before Judge
Chetlain. The woman was found guilty and sen-
tenced to one year in the Joliet penitentiary at hard
labor.
Minnie Shouse had been arrested three hundred
times and held to the criminal court as many as thir-
ty-six times in a year, but before the cases were called
she managed to settle with the victim by refunding
the money.
She always employed the best counsel. She was a
good thief, and the professional bondsmen were al-
ways ready to go her b6nd for almost any amount.
She has been under $20,000 bonds at one time in va-
rious cases, and she had no trouble in furnishing them.
Minnie's old trick was to snatch a man's hat ofif his
.head, throw it into a stair or hallway, and if the
stranger ever went in after it he was almost sure to
lose his money.
FOUGHT FOR HIS LIFE 303
FOUGHT FOR HIS LIFE.
DESPERATE ENCOUNTER WITH A BURLY NEQRO WHO AT-
TEMPTED MURDER.
Detective Wooldridge took a prisoner to the Stan-
ton Avenue Police Station one night, and when they
entered the officers present thought both had been
dragged through a slaughter house. They were cov-
ered with blood from head to foot. Wooldridge had a
desperate encounter with the negro, the latter even
going so far as to try to murder the detective, and he
might have succeeded had a Pinkerton officer not gonje
to his assistance.
On the evening of August 20, 1891, while traveling
a beat at Thirty-first and State streets. Officer Wool-
dridge was requested to go to a church in course of
erection at Thirtieth and Dearborn streets, and stop a
fight which had been going on for some time. Al-
though the fight was not occurring in the boundaries
of his own post, the intrepid officer went.
Upon arriving there he found Nathan Judd, a col-
ored man, crazy with drink, and engaged in an alterca-
tion with one Jim Miller, a colored watchman of the
church, who had succeeded Judd as a special police
officer.
Wooldridge separated the combatants and succeeded
in persuading Judd to go home, and they left the
church' together.
Some three hundred feet from the place Judd re-
belled and broke away, saying he would return and
whip Miller, and before Officer Wooldridge succeeded
in reaching him, Judd and Miller again clinched, and
304 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Wooldridge again separated them. This so enraged
Judd that he threatened to whip Wooldridge, and with
this intent struck him a stinging blow full in the face
for attempting to interfere.
He also drew a revolver which he had on his person,
but the plucky officer was too quick for him, and
brought his hickory baton down on Judd's cranium
with such force that the hickory was splintered. This,
however, only caused Judd to give a little grunt, and
both clinched. Judd managed to wrench the splint-
ered baton from the hand of the officer in the scuffle
and attempted to strike him.
At this juncture of the proceedings Wooldridge suc-
ceeded in drawing his revolver and fired a shot in the
air which had the effect of deterring the colored man
from striking him.
Judd then threw the baton down and gathered half
of a brick and threw it with all his might, the missile
barely missing the head of Wooldridge.
Judd then stooped and was raising another half
brick, but before he had time to straighten himself out
for the blow, he was struck twice more by Officer
Wooldridge. Both again clinched and Judd struck
the officer a wicked blow with the brick over the left
temple, inflicting a wound one and one-quarter inches
in length and severing an artery.
Everything turned black to the officer, and he stag-
gered over against the church, and one of his feet
went into a hole eighteen inches deep, and before he
could extricate himself, Judd had him by the throat.
With one of his feet in the hole Wooldridge was at the
negro's mercy.
The officer, however, gritty to the last, managed to
NOTED FEMALE BANDIT 305
fire two shots into Judd which took effect in his leg
above the knee. The shots were intended for Judd's
stomach, but were warded off by the hand of Judd,
who all this time still held Wooldridge by the throat,
with his head bent back and his scalp opened, and
with one foot in a hole eighteen inches deep.
Judd evidently intended to kill Wooldridge, and
would have accomplished his design but for the arrival
and timely assistance of a Pinkerton detective named
Anderson, together with the watchman Miller.
Before Judd's. hold on Wooldridge could be broken,
however, both men were thrown to the ground, and
Detective Anderson was compelled to pry one finger at
a time from around the officer's windpipe. Wool-
dridge then took the negro, to the police station.
The next morning the throat of the plucky detective
was swollen out level with his chin. Judd also had his
battle scars, he having seven holes in his head, cut
through to the bone, and two bullet holes in his leg.
Judd was held in bonds of $500 to the grand jury
and indicted for assault to kill.
He was arraigned for trial before Judge Driggs
on December i, 1892, found guilty and his sentence
fixed at two years in the penitentiary, which was later
cut down to two months in the House of Correction.
NOTED FEMALE BANDIT.
FLOSSIE MOORE, WHO HELD THE RECORD FOR DARING, IS
CONVICTED AND GIVEN FIVE YEARS.
The most notorious female bandit and footpad that
ever operated in Chicago, and unquestionably the
306 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
most successful and daring pickpocket in the United
States, was in 1893 convicted tKrough the efforts of
Detective Wooldridge and sent to prison for five
years.
The woman is Flossie Moore. She came to Chr' ■
cago late in 1889, having fled from her home in Bos-
ton, to escape the police who were after her. Sh^e
first entered Vina Fields' house at 138-140 Custom
House place. Madam Fields keeps one of the largest
houses in Chicago, and at one time had over forty-
women in her establishment. The police never had
any trouble with this house, and it was never raided.
She had her own rules and regulations, which were
rigidly enforced, and she never had to call on the
police for assistance to carry them out.
Once a week, and sometimes oftener, she held court
in her own house, and was both judge and jury. These
strict rules and discipline did not suit the high-strung,
restless, self-willed Flossie, and one day she packed
her things and left. She soon became one of the
toughest thugs, footpads and pickpockets in Chicago.
She has given the police more trouble than any five
women that ever operated in Chicago.
She has been arrested and bailed out as many as
ten times in one day. Flossie Moore has stolen up-
wards of $100,000 since she came to Chicago, and has
paid into the Harrison Street Police Court fines to
the amount of $8,000 or $10,000. She was held to
the criminal court thirty-six times in one year. She
cared no more for a hundred-dollar fine than for a
one-dollar one.
One morning when she was arraigned before Justice
Lyons, in 1892, who fined her $100 for some of her
NOTED FEMALE BANDIT 307
depredations, she turned to him and remarked, "You
please make it another $ioo; I have money to burn."
She was accommodated. Reaching into her bosom,
she pulled out a big roll of bills and paid the two
fines and walked out of court.
Her victims were mostly strangers and traveling
men found around the vicinity of the Polk street
depot. When she found a man who resided in Chi-
cago or would remain here to prosecute her, she would
settle with him by giving him back his money.
She employed the best of counsel and paid one
attorney a salary of $125 a month for simply looking
after her cases in the police court. She was a great
money getter and a clever thief, paid well for bonds-
men and counsel, and could always secure both at any
hour of the day or night. Flossie has been under
bonds in various cases pending in court aggregating
$30,000 at one time.
One day she would be seen with diamonds worth
$2,000, and the next day they would be in the pawn-
shop. She would attend colored balls in gowns worth
from four to five hundred dollars, and spend as high
as $500 for wine in a night and think nothing of it.
She lived with a white man named " Handsome
Harry " Gray, who did not work. His allowance was
$25 a day. Flossie would fall out with him, go to the
station, procure a warrant and have him arrested.
After he had been in jail for an hour or so, she would
drive up in a cab with a bondsman and take him out.
Everything would be settled, for she never appeared
against him in court.
Flossie Moore was arrested for highway robbery
by Detective Wooldridge February 17, 1893, on com-
308 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF "CRIME
plaint of C. S. Johnson, a man seventy-four years of
age, with hair and beard as white as snow. He was
a retired merchant and was on his way to the Polk
street depot to take a train. He rode down a Clark-
street car one block further than he should have done.
He started to walk back to Polk street on Custom
House place, and, while passing 196, a house kept by
Sue Redman, Flossie Moore ran out from the door-
way and grabbed his sealskin cap and threw it into
the hallway at the above number.
The cold wind tossed his long silver locks to and
fro, while the snow was falling on his uncovered head.
Mr. Johnson demanded the return of his cap, and
was told to go and get it himself. When he stepped
into the hall, Flossie Moore sprang on him like a
man-eating tigress. She was assisted by Irene Moore,
and before the old man knew what was going on they
closed the door, pinioned his arms behind him and
took $42 out of his pocket. He fought desperately,
and his coat and vest were nearly torn off him.
Irene Moore was arrested a few hours afterwards,
Flossie kept out of sight until two days later she was
seen on the street and followed by Wooldridge into
a thieving dive kept by Lizzie Davenport, 202 Custom
House place, which was her headquarters. When she
ran into this place she went through to the alley.
Wooldridge knew she would return, and hid himself
under a bed, where he remained two hours and a
half before she returned. Soon the panel workers
began to collect. The doors had been barred and
locked after a search had been made for Wooldridge,
who they supposed had passed through the house into
the alley.
NOTED FEMALE BANDIT 309
They were having a good time ; each was telling
in triumphant glee of robberies committed in the face
of the law, and defying detectives, while they laughed
at the discomfiture of their victims. Not a conscience
was stricken in that band of thieves and not a pang
of regret or a thought of the future marred the gath-
ering.
Flossie had sent a messenger to see if Wooldridge-
had gone and if the coast was clear. An affirmative
answer was sent, and she soon arrived in a cab and
was received with much joy. by the gang of robbers
and fobtpads. They were still drinking and telling
stories when Wooldridge crawled from under the bed
in the adjoining room and walked in where they were.
They were dumfounded when he entered the room.
How he got into the house was a mystery to them ;
the doors were examined and found still locked ; no
tracks were found in the snoAv, and every room had
been searched for him before. Wooldridge notified
Flossie that he had a state warrant for her arrest.
She replied that she had done nothing and would not
submit to an arrest, and called on her companions in
crime to assist her. Several sprang to their feet and
swore that she should not be arrested. There were
over a dozen footpads, colored women, thugs and
toughs present, and it was an exciting time for a few
minutes. It was a guess as to what would occur
next, but the plucky little detective backed up in a
corner, pulled two revolvers, and with one in each
hand told them that the first one that made a move
would get his head blown ofif. He told them that he
held a state warrant for Flossie Moore's arrest and
that he would take her dead or alive ; and that the
310 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
first one that would interfere with him, he would kill.
No one moved, and with one gun in one hand, he
drew out the warrant with the other and read it aloud
to her. She first offered him $25 to let her go until
the next morning; then $75, which was refused. She
was taken to the station and booked, and the next
morning arraigned for trial. Sadie Jordan, a colored
woman who saw the robbery from the hall above,
while testifying, was attacked by Flossie Moore with
a knife having a blade four inches long.
Had it not been for Wooldridge, she would have
killed the witness, he grabbing her arm as she was in
the act of driving the blade through the Jordan wom-
an's breast. For his interference Flossie gave Wool-
dridge a stunning blow in the face.
Justice Lyons held her in bonds of $3,000 to the
criminal court, and in a few days she was indicted for
robbery. Sadie Jordan's life was threatened by
Flossie Moore, and she appealed to the grand jury
and to Wooldridge for prbtection.
Wooldridge secured a room for her at the rear of a
building at Fifth avenue and Sherman street, took up
a collection from the inspectors, lieutenants and offi-
cers, and paid her expenses until March 10, nearly
four weeks. The detective contributed $20 himself.
When the case was placed on call the Jordan woman
was taken to the Harrison Street Annex, and at the
proper time sent over under police protection in the
wagon.
March 6, 1893, Flossie Moore was arraigned before
Judge Dunne. She was represented by one of the
ablest attorneys in Chicago, and after one of the most
exciting trials ever held in the criminal court, the
NOTED FEMALE BANDIT 311
jury gave her five years at hard labor in the Joliet
penitentiary.
One thousand dollars was offered Wooldridge to
use his influence in clearing the woman. He was also
offered $500 to tell where Sadie Jordan could be found.
It was refused; they picked the wrong man to*bribe.
They attempted to prove an alibi by Susie Redman
and Irene Moore, who were arrested for perjury when
they came off the stand. A writ of habeas corpus was
gotten out for their release the next morning, but they
were ordered remanded to jail. They next tried to
prove that Flossie Moore was ujider age, also that
she was arrested while in attendance on the police
court, and that the whole prosecution was a persecu-
tion.
At the end of the first day excitement ran high, and
the court room was filled with notorious levee char-
acters willing to swear to anything. On the second
day Wooldridge brought twenty officers, the matrons,
lock-up keepers, justice's clerks, court records, arrest
books, desk sergeant, warrants on- which she was ar-
rested, also the bail bond which released her, and
informed the attorney that he was prepared for any-
thing that defense might hatch up. After Wooldridge
arrived with his force, all the evidence that the defense
had procured and offered crumbled to pieces, and they
did not have a leg to stand on. Flossie Moore was
said by Jailer Morris to be the most troublesome per-
son that the jail had held for years. She was con-
stantly fighting with some one, and it made but little
difference with her whether it was a man or woman.
Some twenty-six colored women were confined in
the jail at this time, when a dispute occurred between
312 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Flossie Moore and Minnie Davis, another colored
woman, each one of them representing a faction.
Flossie Moore picked up a three-legged stool, sailed
into them, and scattered them right and ieft. Several
were quite seriously injured. The matron and guards
who interfered were roughly handled and put to flight
by the infuriated woman. It took the combined
efforts of all the guards and deputy sheriffs at the jail
to overcome her. Flossie is said to be the hardest
woman to handle that ever was confined in the Joliet
penitentiary. On two occasions she assaulted the
matron, once nearly killing her. She spent over six
months in solitary confinement, and at one time they
had to pl^ce over two hundred pounds' weight on her
to keep her down.
Her ill-gotten gains were spent as fast as they came
into her possession,, and when she was sent to the pen-
itentiary she had nothing.
After serving her term at Joliet, she returned to Chi-
cago and to her old life again. She finally went East
and was arrested in Buffalo and given time to leave
the city. In November, 1899, she was fined $25 for
some offense in Pittsburg, and later was reported to
be on trial in New York with good chance of going
to Sing Sing.
CLEANS OUT "COON HOLLOW."
ONE OF THE TOUGHEST LOCALITIES ON EARTH TRANS-
FORMED BY DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE.
There are many places in this world called " Hell's
Half Acre," and according to the teachings of the
Bible, there is a place in another world, which, if all
CLEANS OUT "COON HOLLOW" 313
criminals who inhabit these places on earth, visit
after their departure, must contain more than half an
acre, or there will not be room enough for them.
Chicago once had a " Hell's Half Acre " which had
a better right to the title perhaps than any place this
side of the hereafter. It was a continual scene of
revelry, debauchery, depravity, and every sin and
crime in the blood-stained catalogue of vice. Its
crimes, sad to relate, were of the lowest and vilest
nature. The most defiant and reckless characters that
ever menaced society made this place their home.
Men and women who openly defied the statutes of
both city and state and flaunted their vices in the
face of virtue, thronged this mart of wickedness and
corruption day and night. It was a hotbed of crime
and a cesspool of vice.
In 1893, 1894 and 1895 there was no place in Chi-
cago or in the whole country which could compare
with it in depravity. It compassed then that portion
of State street between Polk and Taylor streets. An-
other section of this " Satan's Mile " which began at
Taylor street was called " Coon Hollow," on account
of the large colored population, permanent and' float-
ing, which thrived there. Every house was a saloon
or barber shop or a house of ill-fame. Games of every
description were conducted openly and in defiance of
the law. The famous "crap" game was in full blast,
and "stud poker" was played from darkness iuitil
dawn. Lottery tickets were sold without hesitation
over the bars, and it was the paradise of the "policy"
player.
On the sidewalk outside negroes from the west side
and from the depots of the neighborhood, the latter
NIGHT SCENES ON THE LEVEE.
CLEANS Or. r "COON HOLLOW" 315
Pullman and dining-t ir employes, stood and com-
mented in loud tones m respectable looking passers-
by, told filthy stories i\. the hearing of all who walked
along, and sang ribald s^nngs.
They had things about their own way, both inside
and out, and a brawl was of almost daily occurrence.
All night long cabs and hacks drove up to these
doors to unload their occupants, and at all hours after
dark painted females, half-clad in finery, walked
around in company with their low male escorts and
held high carnival in the little dens called "private
wine rooms."
These long rows of bawdy-houses and saloons,
which never closed, were frequented by women of all
ages, colors and degrees of depravity. They went
from house to house in this awful locality, singing and
yelling coarse jests and investing their money in cheap
champagne with the idea they were having a good
time. The tough saloons in this district did but little
business during the daytime, but after dark they
reaped their harvest. Their barkeepers, porters and
bouncers were equal to any emergency. Even the
children here were taught to steal. Barefooted boys
would run out and jump on the footbars of the street
cars as if to steal rides, and then snatch pocketbooks
from women. These places were the resort of the
most desperate burglars, thieves and sure-thing gam-
blers. Midnight thieving raids were planned in the
back rooms ; the criminal went there for protection,
and in the neighborhood were "fences" and pawn-
shops in wlack stolen property was disposed of.
There is another place in " Hell's Half Acre " called
"Dead Man's Alley." It is about thirty feet wide
and runs from Polk to Taylor street.
310 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
This alley is frequently selected by footpads, high-
waymen, strong-arm women and robbers as a place
in which to divide their stolen property, and many
an exchange and division has been made there.
It was no unusual thing to see from one to two
hundred men, women and children, both black and
white, in "Dead Man's Alley" at one time, soiViC
engaged in pitching quoits and horseshoes, some in
dog fighting, card playing, crap shooting and telling
filthy and vulgar stories, while others lay on the
garbage boxes or in the old hacks and slept off the
effects of a night's dissipation.
Daily complaints were made to the Harrison Street
Station of robberies, cutting or shooting affrays which
occurred in " Dead Man's Alley," and as sure as a
peddler or stranger passed this alley he was held up.
Down on the corner of Taylor street and Plymouth
place was as tough a gang of colored robbers, high-
waymen and murderers as was ever outside of prison
walls or escaped the hangman's rope.
The gang was broken up finally by Detective Woold*
ridge, eight or ten having been sent to the peniten-
tiary and one Henry Foster, alias " Black Bear,"'
having been hanged July i, 1895, for the murder of
Frank Wells, a saloonkeeper.
Wooldridge was specially selected to put a stop to
complaints from this quarter and drive out this ele-
ment of lawbreakers. He went to work on this duty
one night at roll-call.
He asked the lieutenant to send fourteen men with
him for half an hour, which was done. Dividing them
into squads of two, three and four, each squad boarded
a State street car, getting off at the various saloons
CLEANS OUT " COON HOLLOW " 317
the saloons to "Dead Man's Alley," which is about be-
tween Polk and Taylor streets and passing through the
center of "'Coon Hollow." The alley was packed with
people, at least three hundred being in sight.
Wooldridge was in advance, and sorne one yelled,
"Here comes Wooldridge !" This was enough to
start them all on a run, but when an officer emerged
from almost every saloon door leading to the alley, it
created the wildest confusion, every one trying to
find some place to escape. They ran into and over
each other. Some lost their coats and hats. Knives,
guns and razors and weapons of all kinds were thrown
away. They climbed upon each other's back and tried
to scale the twelve-foot board fence on 'the east side
of the alley.
They raised a cloud of dust equal to a stampeded
herd of wild buffaloes, and that day will long be re-
membered by the levee inhabitants. When the dust had
settled down enough for them to see each other each
officer had from one to three prisoners.
Wooldridge then commenced on the strong-arm
women and footpads, and by eleven o'clock at night
he had nineteen of the toughest characters in "Coon
Hollow" under lock and key. Warrants were taken
out for every thieving house of prostitution in this
block, and several were raided the following day.
Wooldridge concluded to give them another sur-
prise. He had been doing night duty, but on this
morning, after getting through his court cases, he
took four men and went into Plymouth place. As
soon as he was seen, there was another stampede
equal to the one of the evening before. Two big,
powerful colored men made a rush for the rear en-
318 HANDS UP, IN THE WO. rLD OF CRIME
trance to John Johnson's saloon at 464 State street
through which they expected to escape. There was
a strong storm door at this entrance, and these two
men and the many others who were in the rush, car-
ried the door off its hinges and jammed it against the
inner door and wall. The big fellows shoved and
scrambled and even butted with their heads in their
frantic effort to get away. Those in the rear kept
pushing, not knowing the way was barred, and many
JD front were severely hurt.
Seven arrests were made on this trip, Wooldridge
repeated the cleaning up of the alley the following
day, serving vagrancy warrants on every crook and
loafer he could la}^ his hands on.
A dozen of the highwaymen and robbers on whom
Wooldridge was waging a relentless warfare got to-
gether on the morning of July 4, 1895, and formed a
plot to kill Wooldridge and get him out of the way.
They concluded that the night of July 4, when every
one was firing ofFrevolvers and celebrating, would af-
ford the best opportunity. They imagine(^ it would
be an easy thing to shoot him from one of the win-
dows or from a house-top while he was on duty pa-
trolling his post, and no one would know where the
shot came from, as there was shooting from every di-
rection.
An oath of secrecy was taken by all present, and
lots drawn to see who was to do the deed. In all
probability their plan would have been carried out
had it not been for a colored woman, who was watch-
ing them and heard the whole plot, and who went
with the information to the Harrison Street Station.
Captain Koch and Lieutenant Laughlin were noti-
WORE A GAINSBOROUGH HAT 3Ki
fied, and upon investigation found the report to bv
true. They took immediate steps to protect Wool-
dridge by placing three additional officers in full uni-
form with him, and also placing six men in citizen's
clothes on this post. Every man they met was
searched for a gun ; every crook, vagrant and thief
that they could lay their hands on was placed under
lock and key in the station, and by eleven o'clock
that night there was no square in the city quieter
than the one this officer patroled, and in two weeks'
time "Coon Hollow" and the whole neighborhood for
half a mile in every direction had undergone the most
remarkable change known to police history, and this
change was apparent for a long time thereafter. .
WORE A GAINSBOROUGH HAT.
SADIE GOFF DISGUISES HERSELF AND PASSES FOR KATF
WILSON AND IS ARRESTED.
By wearing a Gainsborough hat of large propor-
tions and a blonde wig and a sufficient amount of
grease paint, Sadie GofT, a notorious pickpocket, suc-
ceeded in eluding detection by the police for several
months. When she changed her make-up she also
changed her name, and instead of Sadie Goff she be-
came Kate Wilson, and thus carried on the little ro-
mance of robbing strangers and laughing at the police
for a long tome.
Frequently the officers had gone out to look for
Sadie Goff, and in looking around the vicinity in
which they thought Sadie might be found, they would
320
HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
encounter the Gainsborough hat and the blonde hair.
As Sadie was a Creole with jet black tresses which
were inclined to be kinky without thi; use of a curl-
ing iron, Kate Wilson was never suspected of conceal-
ing the identity of Miss Goff.
Once the auburn-haired Kate was seen coming out
of the place where Sadie Goflf had lived, and when the
WHITENING HER FACE.
officers questioned her as to Sadie's whereabouts they
thought a blizzard had struck them, Kate gave them
such a cold stare along with the information that she
had nothing to do with such people, that the officers
turned up their collars and sought warmer quarters.
Reports of Sadie's robberies and vices would con-
tinually reach the officers, and although they knew
WORE A GAINSBOROUGH HAT 321
she did not leave town, it seemed impossible to locale
her.
One day, however, Detective Wooldridge armed
himself with a warrant and started out to see if he
could unravel the mystery and solve the hidden ro-
mance of the blonde head and Gainsborough hat of
Miss Wilson. One of Sadie Goflf's victims, who said
he had contributed under protest $80 to her, went
along with the detective to identify the woman.
They first went to the house at 450 State street,
where Sadie was known to have lived last. Nothing
could be seen of her there, however, and finally the
detective said he was going to get her if he, in doing
so, was forced to arrest every one in the house.
Then one of the inmates told him Sadie was upstairs.
The detective went into the room designated and
saw there the young woman with the blonde hair
who posed as Kate Wilson. She was very indignant
because the officer had dared to come into her pres-
ence without an invitation.
"How dare you?" she demanded, angrily. "Don't
you know me?"
"I don't say positively that I know you," answered
the detective, "but you and your pink hair and your
big hat must go with me to the station and explain
how it is that you always happen to be around when
we are looking for Sadie Goff."
Miss Wilson, as she called herself, shed a few tears
and prepared to go to the station. While she was
making preparations for this hazardous visit. Detect-^
ive Wooldridge caught up a tiny ringlet that hung
from her head, and giving it a slight jerk removed :i
wig, and not much to his surprise revealed the black,
&22 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
curly head of Sadie Goff. After a short search, the
other paraphernalia which was used to make up Kate
Wilson was found and went along with Sadie to the
police station.
The case was continued ten days, during which
time the woman settled with the complaining witness,
and he refused to prosecute. The case was then dis-
missed.
GIVES DETECTIVE A BLACK EYE.
FARMER MISTAKES AN OFFICER FOR A FOOTPAD AND HAS
A "scrimmage."
A farmer from western Iowa mistook Detective
Wooldridge for a hold-up man one night in February,
1896, and undertook to defend his pocketbook, which
he thought was going to be taken away from him.
When the trouble was over Wooldridge had a black
eye, and the farmer was in the station. When the
countryman told how it happened, in the Armory
Police Court, the next morning, the crowd roared with
laughter.
He said he was talking to a lady when these men
came along. The men pointed out were Detectives
Wooldridge and Schubert. They wore plain clothes
and a broad grin.
"They pushed me into a doorway, and I thought
they meant to hold me up," explained the farmer. 'T
read the papers too much to get caught in such a trap
as that, so we had a scrimmage."
The farmer kept on talking for six minutes before
he could be stopped, when he was told that if he
CAT UNEARTHS A MURDER 323
would apologize to the officers and pay the costs he
could go.
When Detectives Wooldridge and Schubert met
the farmer on Wabash avenue, he had just arrived in
Chicago from his farm, and had in his possession a
large amount of money. Kittie Odell and several
other women found him, when Detectives Wooldridge
and Schubert saw them, and going up to the stranger
gave him warning against going with the women.
He did not know what a detective was, but had read
much of highwaymen and robbers, and at once con-
cluded that the officers were going to rob him. He
sized both officers, and then suddenly threw himself
upon them and succeeded in giving Wooldridge a
colored and somewhat swollen eye before he was over-
powered.
When the officers explained to him that they saved
him from being robbed of all his moneyy he was very
grateful and said he was very sorry he had struck
Wooldridge, declaring he did not know what the men
were, never having heard of a detective.
CAT UNEARTHS A MURDER.
STRANGE CLEW FURNISHED WHICH CAUSED THE ARREST
OF AN ASSASSIN.
Once in the career of Detective Wooldridge, a cat —
a black cat — furnished him a clew and the evidence by
which he found, arrested and convicted a murderer
A wealthy old gentleman had been shot and killed,
324 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
and his safe robbed of a large sum of money, while-
his family was in a room only a few feet away.
The victim of the robber had left the parlor, where
his son, daughter and wife were sitting, and had gone
across to the library to write some letters.
Behind the old man stood the safe, which was opened
and which contained the money stolen by the robber.
After the victim of the robber had been gone some
time, his daughter began to wonder what kept him so
silent, as he usually spoke to the members of his fam-
ily through the doors of the library and parlor.
She asked her mother what she thought of her
father's silence. The mother answered that she sup-
posed he was busy writing, but the daughter thought
he must have gone to sleep, and resolved to investi-
gate.
When she reached the library, she went to her
father's side and told him to wake up, as it was growing
late. No answer came, and when she tried to arouse
him, she saw that life was extinct.
"My God !" she exclaimed, "he is dead, he is dead !"
The piercing screams of the daughter were heard
by the mother and brother, who rushed into the library
to find the father a corpse. He had been shot through
the heart and his safe robbed while his family sat not
thirty feet away, and no one heard a sound.
At the post-mortem examination the physician
found in the dead man's body a curious missile partly
in the shape of a bullet and partly in the shape of a
dart. It was a little more than an inch long. The
point was sharp and had three faces or flat sides
which ran back towards the body of this instrument
of death.
CAT UNEARTHS A MURDER 325
Experts were called in, and it was said that the
missile had been thrown by some peculiar force, such
as compressed air or electricity.
It was certain that powder could not have been
used, or some one of the family would have heard the
explosion.
The mysterious murder was a nine days' wonder,
and all hope of ever solving the mystery was given
up, when Detective Wooldridge was asked to un-
ravel it.
He took the case up, but from the clews furnished
there seemed to him little prospect of success. He
was told all that was known of the murder, and was
given the missile, which sent the robber's victim to
his death.
The detective carried this odd-shaped little piece of
metal in his pocket for many months. Nothing de-
veloped to aid him in his investigation, but he was
ever vigilant and did not give up.
Finally, a year after the tragedy, he found a clew^
and it was through the strange and incomprehensible
actions of a cat.
One night about eleven o'clock the detective was
returning to his home, when directly in front of him
he saw under a gas lamp a large black cat.
He at first started to cross the street, because he
had never felt much affection for cats, especially black
cats, but he thought it would probably display a lack
of courage, and he changed his mind, thinking he
would kick the cat out of his way and go on to his
home.
When he came up to the animal, however, it mewed
softly and looked up to him with .kindly eyes. He
326 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
passed on, but when he reached the next ocrner he
looked back and there was the cat slowly following
him.
The night was not cold, but the wind was blowing
at a lively rate, and as he listened to the creaking of
the window-shutters the cold chills ran up and down
his back, and all the stories that he had ever read or
heard of black cats rushed through his mind and left
an uncomfortable impression. When he started to
move on, the cat rubbed against his leg and looked
beseechingly into his face. Then ^it put one of its
feet on his trousers and fastened its claws into the
cloth, as if trying to pull him away. He became in-
terested and loosened the cat's claws. It started away
at once, but slowly, and he, through some strange fancy,
decided to follow it.
The little beast led him three blocks distant from
his home and into a vacant lot; here it began to
scratch in the soft earth, and presently seemed to
have uncovered something.
The detective became more interested than ever.
He thought possibly the cat was disclosing a hidden
corpse and an unsolved mystery. He lighted a match
and pulled out of the ground something like a gun —
not like the ordinary gun, but different from anything
in the shape of a gun he had ever seen before. After
examining it carefully as he could by the aid of
matches, he drew out of his pocket the bullet, or
whatever it should be called, which had killed the
man more than a year before.
He slipped it into the barrel of his strange-looking
gun, and it fitted perfectly.
Here was a clew, he thought, to the murder and
CAT UNEARTHS A MURDER 327
robbery, which had remained a mystery so long. It
is sometimes exceedingly strange how Hnks in crim-
inal cases fit into each other and finally form a chain
which binds and holds to the courts of justice men
who have thought for years they were secure from
detection, and so it was in this case.
After finding the peculiar gun, Wooldridge called
|on the son of the murdered man and was introduced
to another man named Melville.
The stranger se"emed greatly astonished when he
glanced at the gun Wooldridge had taken with him.
"Where did you get that gun? It belongs to me,"
Melville cried. The detective related the circum-
stance of his finding it and became interested because
he thought he had found the murderer he had so long
looked for.
"If this is your gun," the detective replied, "I have
perhaps at last found the man who committed a mur-
der more than a year ago in this house."
"No, no," Melville answered, "I mean that I in-
vented the gun. It was my idea. The gun was made
for me, and the first one ever made."
"To whom did you sell it?" the officer asked.
"I sold it to Henry Johnson. He took a great fancy
to it, and offered me a handsome price for it. I
needed the money to push my invention, and I al-
lowed him to take it. I do not know where he lives
now. I heard he went West and grew quite wealthy."
"Would you know him if you saw him?" asked
Wooldridge.
"Certainly. We were quite friendly. By the.wav;
I have a photograph of him in my rooms."
Wooldridge was in the possession of the photo-
328 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
graph and a full description of the man the next morn-
ing, and then he began again his search for the mur-
derer.
Two weeks later the detective met the murdered
man's son on the street in company with another
young man. Wooldridge stopped in front of the
stranger, and after eyeing him closely a minute, said :
"Henry Johnson, consider yourself under arrest for
the murder of this man's father." The stranger
turned pale and started to appeal to his companion,
when the latter interrupted him.
"You are mistaken, Wooldridge," he said. "This
is Mr. Francis. He is my guest, and to-morrow night
will- become the husband of my sister."
"Then your sister will become the wife of the as-
sassin of your father," answered Wooldridge, "for
this man is Henry Johnson, and here is the missile
with which the murder was committed."
The detective had in his hand the strangely shaped
bullet, and held it before Johnson's face. The latter
wheeled and started to run, but the officer caught
him, and in a second a pair of handcuffs were on his
wrists. Johnson was fully identified by the man who
sold him the gun, and he was indicted for murder.
He was really going to marry the daughter of the
man he had murdered. He met her some six months
before while she was on a visit to Denver, and as he
was prosperous and stood high in the community
there was no objection by the girl's brother to the
marriage, and everything was arranged. The girl
was so shocked upon learning the truth that she be-
came very ill.
The murderer sent for Detective Wooldridge while
THIEVES GIVE CLEWS 329
he was in jail and to him he made a full confession of
the murder, but just as the detective was . leaving the
prisoner said : "I will never be punished for the crime,
however."
The next morning Johnson was found dead in his
cell. Wooldridge still has the gun and the black cat.
THIEVES GIVE CLEWS.
COMPANIONS IN CRIME FALL OUT AND HONEST MEN GET
THEIR DUES, LIKEWISE THE THIEVES.
The following story shows the truth of the old say-
ing, "When thieves fall out, honest jnen get their
dues." In this case the thieves got their dues also,
which were terms in prison.
Cora Martin and Delia Foley had been friends for
years. Both were thieving prostitutes and panel-
workers. Cora kept a house at 1420 Wabash avenue,
and she and Delia became involved in a quarrel on
the night of October 26, 1896, when Delia received a
severe threshing from her former friend Cora.
This so angered Delia that she determined to have
revenge, and going to a drug store she called up the
Harrison Street Station and sent the following mes-
sage:
"To Detectives Wooldridge and Schubert : — Come to the corner
of Thirteenth and Wabash avenue at once. Two ladies will be in
waiting for you with important information."
The officers were given the message and lost no
time going to the above place. There they found
Delia Foley and Maggie Grady, who informed them
that Cora Martin was conducting a thieving panel-
330 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME.
house at 1420 Wabash avenue, and named several
robberies that had recently taken place, giving the
names and addresses of the victims.
The detectives promised to make an investigation
of the matter and called on Cora Martin, the follow^-
ing night with an old warrant that had never been
served. Cora jumped to the conclusion that Delia
Foley had procured the warrant, and, calling Wool-
dridge aside, unfolded a tale which made his hair stand
on end.
She said that Delia Foley and George Mead, the
man with whom she was living, were flat workers,
burglars and thieves, and had looted a church on the
west side, and carried away the silver communion
service, and sold it for a mere pittance. She also told
him of a number of burglaries they had committed,
and gave the names, numbers and streets ; she said
that while they were stopping with her a large part
of the goods was brought to her house and that she
had part of them ; that they had sold large quantities
to various persons, giving their names, and that they
still had a large portion with them.
Wooldridge and Schubert hastened to the police
station, and found out that the information was cor-
rect concerning the burglaries being committed. The
next move was to locate Mead and Delia Foley, which
was soon done. They had moved to the residence of
Mrs. K. Merkin, a widow, 4155 State street, taking
several trunks and some household goods.
Owing to the irregular hours they had for retiring,
the arrest of both of them at the same time, without
making a blunder, was a matter of importance to be
considered. Sometimes they remained downtown un-
THIEVES GIVE CLEWS 331
til late, and sometimes did not go home at all, but slept
downtown.
Detective Wooldridge went to the house on State
street to watch for them to come on the night of Oc-
tober 27, 1896, while Schubert, his partner, was to re-
main downtown to look for them there. The night was
bitterly cold, and to stand on the street corner would
attract attention.
There seemed to be no place where Wooldridge could
secrete himself and keep watch on the house. Finally,
he stole up into the building, and in the hallway he found
a large empty coal box, and into the box he crawled
to watch and wait until they returned home. Here he
remained until three o'clock the next morning, six hours ;
it seemed like a week.
When Wooldridge and Schubert parted downtown
that night it was agreed to compare notes at 3 a. m., and
sooner if necessary.
Crawling out, Wooldridge went to the patrol box, and
calling up Harrison Street Station, asked if they had
heard from Schubert. He received an answer to come
to the station at once, as Schubert was waiting and had
some important news.
Delia Foley and George Mead had been seen to en-
ter 1232 Wabash avenue, and were still there. The
detectives watched the house until 6 a. m., then en-
tered and found them both still in bed, and arrested
them.
In the room was found a quantity of stolen goods
and a book agent's sample case containing a fine set
of burglar's tools, consisting of braces, bits, chisels,
files, saws, a jimmy, hammer, skeleton keys, nippers
332 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
to turn the key in doors when locked, sealing wax to
take impressions of keys, a candle, acids for testing
gold and silver, two pairs of brass knuckles, a forty-
caliber revolver and two masks for the face, which
were identified as the property of George Mead, hav-
ing been seen in his possession at a number of places.
The search warrant was then served on Mrs. Mer-
kin, at the hojuse at State street, for the apartments
occupied by Mead and the Foley woman. A large
amount of stolen goods was found there, which was
taken to the Harrison Street Station for identification.
M. H. Barnett, a grocer at 518 Wabash avenue,
who resided in the rear of the store, had been robbed
of $700 worth of clothing. Six hundred dollars' worth
of the goods was found in their trunks and on their
backs. A large part of the goods were ruined by al-
tering to fit the Foley woman, who was much smaller
than Mrs. Barnett. One of her $80 dresses was cut
down and made into a petticoat.
Delia J'oley when arrested wore a three-quarter
plush sack, which several weeks before had been a
new, long, plush cloak, with cape, and worth $75.
The cape and fur had been removed and the garment
cut down to fit her. This was the property of Jennie
Gordon, who lived at 1535 State street a month be-
fore, and whose flat had been burglarized and $125
worth of property taken.
George Mead when confronted by Agnes Cullon, one
of the boarders in Mrs. Gordon's house, was recognized
as the man who committed the robbery, and was de-
scribed at the time the burglary was committed and re-
THIEVES GIVE CLEWS 333
ported. Miss Cullon had a good view of him, and Mead
was photographed on her mind. She often said she
would Icnow him among a milHon men-
Another strong link was that Mead and Delia Foley
had occupied the rooms on the same floor, and moved
the day following the robbery. Mead told Cora Martin
that he had committed the crime; besides she had seen
the cloak before it had been altered, and the cape and
trimmings were found in the trunk.
Mead and the Foley woman had lived at various
places, and bought furniture from different houses under
the chattel mortgage contract, and had signed various
notes and leases under different names. One of their
schemes was to buy a bill of furniture, give a mortgage,
re-mortgage it, then have it moved to some storage
house and sell the warehouse receipt for what they could
get.
John M. Smyth & Co., 150 to 166 West Madison
street, were heavy losers; also the Standard Furniture
Company, 373 State street.
It was several weeks before the property which was
scattered all over Chicago was found and turned over
to the owners.
George Mead, alias George Wood, and Delia Foley,
alias Jennie Whipple, were indicted and arraigned for
trial before Judge C. G. Neely, January 9, 1897. Mead
was- found guilty of burglary and sentenced to an in-
definite term in the JoHet penitentiary, on January 21,
1897.
Delia Foley was convicted of receiving stolen property,
and sentenced to six months in the Cook county jail.
334 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
CLEVER COUNTERFEITERS CAUGHT.
DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE ARRESTS PARTIES FOR WHOM THE
GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR MONTHS.
Chicago was flooded during the World's Fair with
dangerous counterfeit bills and bills raised from $io
to $50. A large number of the leading business houses
of the city were victimized by the handlers of this spu-
rious money.
Siegel, Cooper & Co., Congress and State streets;
Ed. Partridge, State and Madison streets; John D.
Gates, 404 State street ; George E. Cave, State and
Thirty-ninth streets; M. Silverman, 329 Clark street;
Leopold Reiss; iii Wells street; the Globe Clothing
Store, 29 West Madison street ; Mrs. Leary, 3645 Cot-
tage Grove avenue, and M. Hofman, 397 Clark street,
were among the victims of these counterfeiters. Some
of the bills were so skillfully prepared that they passed
through many hands before they were detected. One
in particular went through the hands of two expert
money handlers, then the Hibernian Bank, and was
finally detected by accident at Hyman, Berg & Co.'s
jewelry store on State street.
Captain Porter, in charge of the United States secret
service in Chicago, says they were the most dangerous
counterfeiters that ever operated in the west, and gave
the secret service more trouble than any case he had
contended with. They had passed the bills at different
towns all the way from West Virginia to Chicago, and
operated as far north as Minnesota. Every available
man who could be spared from the service in the west
was employed in trying to run them down. Descriptive
CLEVER COUNTERFEITERS CAUGHT 335
circulars were sent out to the police departments, asking
them to assist in locating them. One of the circulars
fell into the hands of Detective Wooldridge, and soon
after Judson S. Freeland was arrested.
The arrest came about in this way : Judson S. Free-
land went into Mr. Hofman's store at 397 Clark street,
where he bought a cheap suit of clothes, tendering one
of the counterfeit bills in payment therefor. Hofman did
not have the change, and while trying to get smaller
Ijills he met Wooldridge, showed him the money and
asked him if he was a judge of counterfeit money.
Wooldridge carefully exammed it, found it was a
national note, that the paper and workmanship were
good, and was just about to pronounce it O. K., when
he held it up between him and the sun, and discovered
that it had been tampered with and was a raised note.
Where the figure ten appeared on the bill the paper
had been partially cut through and the figure one re-
moved with some sharp instrument, and the figure five,
cut from a United States revenue stamp, had been re-
duced by rubbing with some fine emery paper to the
same thickness of the one removed.
With a keen, sharp eye, steady hand, and a pair of
fine scissors the figure five was cut and trimmed until
it filled the space and place exactly of the one removed.
When this was accomplished, it was stuck fast with
mucilage.
The new figure and the edges surrounding it were
rubbed with anise oil, a bottle of which was later found
on Freeland.
Wooldridge went into the store and drew from his
pocket a number of bills, with the pretension of making
336 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRLME
the change, and in this way he drew Freeland into a
conversation.
Freeland stated that he and his wife were visiting
the World's Fair. He said that he received the money
from the bank that morning, and knew it was good.
Wooldridge saw at a glance from the description he
had that this was the man the secret service wanted
for counterfeiting.
He called Freeland's attention to something on the
shelf behind the counter, and as Freeland turned, a
pair , of. handcuffs were slipped from the detective's
pocket and clasped on the wrists of the counterfeiter,
who was taken to the Harrison Street Police Station.
He admitted he had a wife in the city, but refused to
tell where she was.
He lost his head and stated that he came to the city
that morning and intended to go to West Virginia that
night. He also said that he and his wife spent several
weeks in Chicago the month previous, and lived at 3705
Vincennes avenue, which seemed probable, as he had
some cards in his possession from that number.
Captain Porter, of the United States Secret Service,
was telephoned for, and in less than a half hour Free-
land was fully identified as the counterfeiter.
Dispatches were sent to all police stations in the city
to watch all trains for Belle Freeland, his wife, and
arrest her. Wooldridge concluded that most likely the
woman would be found at the place where she had been
boarding. He procured a Western Union telegraph
boy's cap, wrote a m.essage to l\Irs. Belle Freeland,
3705 Vincennes avenue, and went to deliver it himseli^.
Captain Porter accompanied him. Wooldridge rang the
RAN A FAKE POOL-ROOM 337
door bell and inquired for Mrs. Freeland, and luckily she
came to the door hergelf.
He told her that he had a letter from Judson Freland
with instructions to deliver it to no one but Mrs. Free-
land. She soon returned with Mrs. C. H. Miller, the
owner of the house, who proved her identity. Mrs. Free-
land was placed under arrest by Wooldridge, Captain
Porter coming from his hiding place under the steps.
They searched her rooms for tools or counterfeit money
without success. She was taken to the Harrison Street
Police Station and arraigned with her husband the fol-
lowing day before Commissioner Hoyne, and both were
held to the federal grand jury in $2,000 bonds each.
They were tried before Judge Bonn November 20,
1893, and sentenced to three years each in the Chester
penitentiary on March 21, 1894. Belle Freeland was in
delicate condition at the time, and after some six months
in the penitentiary, was pardoned by President Grover
Cleveland. She returned to Virginia and became a
mother.
Two years after she was again caught raising bills by
the government officers. She was a pretty woman,
pleasant and agreeable to talk with. She conducted a
millinery store at Teralter, West Virginia, and did all
the work of raising the bills. Her husband was a car-
penter at the same place.
RAN A FAKE POOL-ROOM.
TWENTY-FIVE MEN ARRESTED AND EVERY ONE INDICTED
BY THE GRAND JURY.
The fertile brain of the man who wants to get rich
quickly will ever continue to supply schemes for the
338 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
purpose of separating the unwary and guileless individ-
ual from his money. All kinds of plans are adopted for
this purpose, and it is estimated that hundreds of thou-
sands of dollars have been taken from victims in Chicago
and other cities. On Sunday morning, June 2, 1901,
an advertisement appeared in one of the morning papers,
which was as follows:
"WANTED— A party with $i,cxx); will handle his own
money. Will bear investigation."
A man named Seabrook answered the advertisement,
and on the Tuesday following he met the supposed pro-
moter of the scheme. By well guarded talk and much
diplomacy, the promoter learned after considerable con-
versation that Mr. Seabrook was not averse to making
money by advance information on race results. The man
said his name was Kane, and that he was in a position
whereby he could beat the races,' and especially those at
Gravesend. He said that the operator at the eastern
race tracks was in his employ and that all results were
sent to a certain poolroom in Chicago, which he after-
ward told was located at 2918 Cottage Grove avenue,
but were held by this operator until he could give a sig-
nal to his friends. The tip would then be given to him,
and he would have sufficient time to place a number
of heavy bets on the winner before the results were sent
to the poolroom. The proposition seemed to be a good
one, but Mr. Seabrook was not entirely satisfied, and
would not at first agree to it. He made other appoint-
ments, and finally met Mr. Kane at the Grand Pacific
Hotel.
The schemer arranged for a meeting with the Western
Union telegraph operator who was supposed to be in
rharge of the wire from the race track at Gravesend.
RAN A FAKE POOL-ROOM 339
Seabrook accompanied Kane to the eighth floor of the
Western Union building, where they were met by a
man who said he was the operator, and promised to de-
Hver the information just as it had been represented he
would do.
Seabrook, however, was suspicious, and finally went
to the police department and called at the chief's office.
There he unfolded his story to Detective Wooldridge,
and after getting all the details, the detective told him
to keep the appointment which he had made with Kane
and let him beheve that he would put up the $i,ooo on
a race in which he was assured that he could double
his money many times.
Wooldridge was convinced that Seabrook was in the
hands of a syndicate of conspirators and fake poolroom
operators, and formed a plan to arrest all connected with
it. With a corps of assistants, Detective Wooldridge ar-
ranged to raid the place. He first went to the office of
a police magistrate to obtain warrants, but failed to got
them, for the reason that the magistrate was absent, and
having arranged to be at the poolroom at a certain hour,
he could not wait for the warrants, and proceeded with-
out them.
Seabrook, on the advice of the detective, had gone to
the poolroom and had told the promoter of the game
that he v^s ready to put up the $i,ooo. When he en-
tered, he saw a dozen or more men clamoring for an
opportunity to place their money on a race, while tele-
graph instruments were clicking and clerks in their shirt
sleeves were busily taking down advance tips from every
race track in the country. The appearance of the place
indicated that a regular poolroom was running in full
blast. The names of horses running at the eastern
340 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
tracks, and also at the local tracks, with the odds on
each, were conepicuously posted on the walls, and the
official announcer was calling off the results.
Detective Wooldridge was accompanied by Detectives
Dubach, Herts, Breternitz, Sederberg, Walley, Schubert
and McGrath. They appeared at the alleged poolroom
promptly at the hour previously arranged with Seabrook.
They made their way to the interior, and just as Archie
Donaldson, who was announcing the results, cried out,
"The horses are at the post!" Wooldridge bounded in
and said, "Stop a minute ! Put $5,000 on Sidney Lucas."
Instantly there was wild excitement, and every one
tried to escape. This was impossible, however, as all
the exits were barred by officers who notified the inmates
that they were under arrest. Twenty-five men were taken
into custody and conveyed to the Harrison Street Station
in patrol wagons.
Among those taken in the raid were Frank Dubois,
who was well known to the police as a swindler, and who
was then under bonds for perpetrating a confidence game
on a La Salle street broker, in which he secured $20,000,
it is said, by means of a bogus mining deal. Ed. Dunne,
a notorious wire tapper and confidence man, who had ^
been arrested once before on a charge of swindling a
woman out of $1,500, was also among them, as well as
George Moore, promoter of the game; Harry Nelson,^
cashier, and J. E. Murray, alias Eugene Munger.
The twenty-five men were taken to the Harrison Street
Station and booked on twelve charges each, making a
total of three hundred charges. The police made a thor-
ough examination of the premises, where the alleged
poolroom was in operation, and found that the telegraph
instruments were not connected with any wires than ran
RAN A FAKE POOL-ROOM 341
outside of the building, and that the tickers were oper-
ated by hand, showing it to be one of the boldest and
most barefaced swindles unearthed in a long time, and
that the whole scheme was but a conspiracy to swindle
innocent people out of their money.
When the officers reached the Harrison Street Sta-
tion with the prisoners, there was no court in session and
only one desk sergeant on duty, and they were held until
the next morning, when formal complaints were made
and their names were registered on the arrest book, while
the warrant clerk was l)usily making out the proper pa-
pers.
At eleven o'clock the Chief of Police and Detective
Wooldridge were served with a notice that a writ of
habeas corpus in behalf of the prisoners had been sued
out by Attorney Richard Wade, and they were sum-
moned to appear with the men before Judge Brentano
at two o'clock. Promptly at the hour all were present,
the state being represented by A. J. Barnett of the state's
attorney's office. There were also two attorneys present
from the city prosecutor's office. Judge Brentano asked
what the charges were, and was told that the prisoners
were charged with conspiracy to defraud, conducting
a confidence game, keeping a poolroom, being inmates
of a gaming room, being decoys and runners of a pool-
room, keeping a gambling house, vagrancy. These were
the state charges. The cit}- charges were as follows :
Keepers of a poolroom and being inmates thereof, gam-
ing and keeping gaming devices, visitors of a gaming
house, vagrancy and disorderly conduct.
The court then asked for the complaints, and was told
that the warrant clerk had not had time to make them
out, but that they were being drawn as rapidly as pes-
3i2 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
sible. Then the judge wanted to know whether the men
were booked, and was told that they were. The cour^,
who was seeking this information from Detective Wool-
dridge, then told the officer that he would give him three
minutes to get the arrest book from the Harrison Street
(Station. He increased the time to five minutes, and
then to ten minutes, but being told that the book prob-
ably was in use in some other court, the judge then said
he would give the officer until three o'clock to pro-
duce it.
At that hour the book was brought into court by Desk
Sergeant Primm, who testified to the booking of the
men. Judge Brentano became irate when he heard that
the men were not booked the evening before, and scored
the police severely, declaring they had no right to lock
up and keep all night respectable citizens whose families
were worrying over their absence. The officer and the
State's Attorney attempted to explain to the court that
the men were caught in the act of conducting a con-
spiracy and swindling game, and that many of them were
well known to the police as crooks, some being ex-con-
victs and others swindlers who were then under bonds
to the criminal court, and that their arrest was con-
sidered by the police officials to be one of the most im-
portant captures of a gang of thieves and swindlers that
had been made in a long time.
This, however, would not appease the court, and he
refused to hear any more explanations on the subject.
The State's Attorney tried to explain that the court was
sitting as an examining magistrate and that the only
question was as to the legality of the arrest. The judge
refused to listen any further, and ordered the men re-
leased on their own recognizance under bonds of $ioo
RAN A FAKE POOL-ROOM 348
each to appear in court the following Tuesday at 2 p. m.
He also ordered that $64 in currency, which had been
seized in the fake poolroom and taken from Harry
Nelson, the cashier, to be held as part of the evidence
against the men, be returned.
Sunday intervened, and on Monday at eleven o'clock
none of the prisoners appeared at the Harrison Street
Station,- and consequently no action could be taken
against them. On the next day at two o'clock all the
men were present in Judge Brentano's court again. In
the meantime the judge had become more conversant
with the facts, and decided, after hearing the charges
made by Detective Wooldridge and the other officers, to
hold the men under bonds to appear in the Harrison
Street Police Court, June 20. In order to be sure that
they would appear on that day before the police justice,
he caused them to give bonds to him to appear in his
court on June 21.
In the meantime the officers went befose the grand
jury with the evidence they had in their possession
and secured indictments against all the men they had
arrested, on charges of conducting a poolroom and keep-
ing a common gaming house.
When the men again appeared in Judge Brentano's
court, deputy sheriffs with capiases invaded the court
room and arrested every one of them. They all gave
bond for their appearance, and on July 13, they were
arraigned in Judge Tuley's court for trial.
They were represented by four able attorneys. After
an hour spent in wrangling over an effort to quash
the indictments, the cases were submitted to the court,
and four of the promoters and leaders were adjudged
guilty, and they were fined $100 each. These were;
344 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Archibald Donaldson, John J. Sheehan, George Moore
and Harry Nelson.
This disposed of the charges of keeping a common
gaming house under which the twenty-five men were
indicted. There still remained to be tried George Moore
and five others on charges of conspiracy to defraud,
which, under the Illinois statutes, is a penitentiary of-
fense.
This case will go down in history as one of the most
unique and remarkable in police and criminal annals.
Here were twenty-five nien arrested and held under three
hundred charges, and every one indicted, something un-
known before in Chicago. It had the eflfect of breaking
up one of the boldest gangs of swindlers that ever
infested the citv.
LAKE FRONT PARK RAIDED.
BIG GANG OF VAGRANTS AND FOOTPADS CAUGHT IN A RAID
BY THE POLICE.
While the World's Fair was in progress many com-
plaints were made to the police of robberies and depre-
dations in the Lake Front Park. This park is situated
east of Michigan avenue and extends from Randolph
street to Park Row, near Twelfth street. It is bounded
on the east by Lake Michigan, and the green grass and
cool, refreshing breezes from the lake offered many in-
ducements to men who had been at work all day, cooped
up in shops, attics, basements and hotels, to go there
and lie down for a few hours of rest.
Chicago was then filled with thousands of strangers
of all nationalities. Many of them came to see the
LAKE FRONT PARK RAIDED 345
sights, while others came to seek employment, and after
traveling many miles on foot and in box cars were sleepy
and worn but. Here they could rest with Mother
Earth for their pillow and the blue sky above as a can-
opy. Others went there frequently with a "jag" on to
lay down and sleep It off. It was not an unusual thing
during the hot, sultry nights to find from three to five
thousand persons stretched out on the grass in this park
enjoying rest and many of them asleep.
But these were not the only ones going to the park.
A well organized gang of crooks and thieves, both black
and white, numbering from twenty-five to forty men
and boys, visited this park night after night, and would
crawl along on their knees until they found some poor
unfortunate asleep, then like a snake in the grass, would
lie down by his side, and with his nimble fingers go
through the sleeper's pockets and relieve him of every-
thing of value he possessed. Frequently the robbers
would take away the victim's shoes or coat, or a package
which he would have in his hand, and sometimes they
would strip him of everything to which they took a
fancy, leaving him penniless in a strange city many
miles from home, friends or assistance.
Captain Hartnett, who was then in charge of the
Harrison Street Station, detailed men in uniform to look
after these tough characters who infested the park and
Michigan avenue, with instructions to drive them away.
A number of them were arrested and fined, but this did
not lessen the crimes or complaints, and, apparently, for
every one that was arrested and taken away two would '
take his place. Several of the ofiicers who were detailed
on this work had some exciting times, as a mob would
often interfere and take the prisoners away. On one
346 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
occasion an officer was badly injured by a knife which
was run through his arm.
At last Detective Wooldridge was detailed to break
up this gang of thieves and highwaymen. On August
ID, he went to the station at one o'clock in the afternoon
and called for assistance. Some twenty men were sent
with him. Wooldridge sent six of the men to Park Row
and six to Van Buren street, while eight were stationed
along Michigan avenue. The robbers and vagrants who
were in the park were then aroused and sent to the center
by the officers on the north and south, and before they
knew what was wanted, they were all surrounded. Three
patrol wagons were called, and ninety-seven prisoners
were sent to the Harrison Stret Station and booked for
disorderly conduct. Forty-two of them were fined $20
each, and ten $10 each, and all sent to the Bridewell.
The total amount of fines assessed was $940. This sys-
tem of raiding was continued for several nights until
the gang was completely broken up and the Lake Front
Park restored to its former peace and quietude.
RECOVERS STOLEN PASSES.
TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS' WORTH OF TRANSPORTATION
RECOVERED BY DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE.
Ten thousand dollars' worth of railroad passes were
stolen one night on the levee from a general freight
agent of one of the eastern trunk lines, with headquar-
ters in Detroit. They were taken from the pockets of
their owner after a fierce struggle between him and two
women. The case was put in the hands of Detective
Wooldridge, and in a few hours the railroad man had
RECOVERliD STOLEN PASSES 347
his passes and was ridirig on one of the Hmited express
trains for the east.
This was a case which required a great deal of diplo-
macy, and it was a:conipHshed without making a single
arrest.
The railroad man was visiting Chicago at the time,
and was a guest of the Great Northern Hotel. It was
on December 23, 1893, that he was called in the evening
to go to the Polk street depot on some business, and
on his return he passed through Custom House place.
When he reached the panel house at 137, conducted
by Jessie Williams, his hat was snatched from his head
and thrown into a hallway by a colored woman. When
he demanded the hat, he was told to go in and get it,
which he finally did, and was intercepted by two colored
women who picked his pockets and secured a pocket-
book containing money amounting to some $12, some
contracts and 125 annual railroad passes over the prin-
cipal roads in the United States. The passes were val-
ued at $10,000.
The victim reported the matter to the Harrison Street
Station, and Detective Wooldridge was detailed to get
the property. The railroad man called the detective aside
and asked him if there was any prospect or hope of re-
covering the passes. The perspiration rolled oflf of him
in a stream. Wooldridge told him that he would have
his money and passes inside of three hours. He heaved
a heavy sigh of relief and grasped the detective's hand
and nearly shook it off. He inquired if the detective
wanted him to accompany him, and when told "no," he
could not understand how he was going to get back
those passes. Wooldridge would not even allow the
victim to go along and point out the thief. This puzzled
348 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
the railroad man very much. He understood how to
trace and find a package of freight which had been lost
in transit, but he could not understand how a man with
no clew could recover a lot of stolen railroad tickets.
After reassuring him again, Wooldridge started out to
locate the stolen property. The first place he visited
was the Park Theater, at 354 State street, where he
procured some prepared blackening for making up as a
negro, also a silk hat, white vest, and a large walking
stick. The disguise of a colored man was good, and no
one would have recognized him. Back to Custom House
place he went, taking in all the saloons, bawdy houses
and opium joints.
Finally he found Jessie Williams, the woman who con-
ducted the house at 137 Custom House place, and call-
ing her into one of the stalls, spoke to her about the rob-
bery of the railroad man. He told her the victim was
the brother of the Chief of Police; that he had already
sent to his house for him, and he was on his way down
to the Harrison Street Station, and would use every
police officer on the iorte to arrest the woman and se-
cure the railroad passes.
He further stated that the district was already sur-
rounded by officers, and that no colored woman would
be allowed to leave it until the guilty one was arrested
and the property recovered. He told her that the passes
were no good to them, and if they did not at once sur-
render them they would be caught and sent to the peni-
tentiary. In a few m.inutes she was sweltering as if it
were a hot summer day. Finally, she jumped up and
told Wooldridge to wait fifteen minutes and she would
go and find the woman and get the passes and bring
them to him. In a short time she returned, bringing
WOMAN ROBS A SOLDIER 349
about $4,000 worth of the passes, and informed him that
they had been divided between two colored women, and
the other one had gone out to Twentieth street and Ar-
mour avenue, where she roomed, and inside of two
hours she would have the passes.
He was to stop all further proceedings and notify the
man that his property would be returned to him. The
woman kept her word. The railroad officer got his
property back and seemed a very grateful man for the
good work done by Wooldridge. He then shook the
Chicago dust from his feet, taking the train for the
east a much wiser man.
WOMAN ROBS A SOLDIER. ■
CAUGHT BY DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE, WHO RECOVERS PART
OF THE STOLEN MONEY.
While Detective Wooldridge was going east to Wa-
bash avenue, over the Twelfth-street viaduct, he heard
some one shouting below, "Pohce!" "Thief!" and an-
other voice crying, "Run, nigger; run, the white man
will catch you." Then he saw Laura Johnson, a noto-
rious colored footpad, run up on the viaduct by a stair-
way from State street.
The detective caught the woman, and found clinched
in her hands $420, which she gave up without resistance.
She was followed up the stairway by John Dayton, a
United States soldier, who was stationed at a western
garrison in charge of the hospital. He had secured a
furlough and had come to Chicago to take a course in
pharmacy in order to enable him to discharge his duties
more efficiently. He had been robbed by the woman of
350 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
$950, and when he approached and found only $420 of
the money, he ordered the woman to give up the re-
mainder.
Then the woman broke away and sprang down the
steps, with Wooldridge in pursuit and Dayton close be-
hind him. The detective stepped on a banana peel and
fell, and before he could get on his feet again, the footpad
had gotten some distance away and was flying down
through the Western Indiana railroad tracks like a grey- -
hound, with Dayton at her heels.
Several colored men joined the woman, and learning
she had stolen considerable money, tried to prevent Day-
ton from following her. One of them drew a razor and
another a revolver. This deterred the soldier, and the
woman ran into the rear of 510 State street, where she
had formerly roomed and was known to the inmates.
When Wooldridge gained his feet he bounced on a
State-street car that was passing with the intention of
intercepting the woman at Taylor street. When he
reached the building into which the woman had gone,
those who had intimidated the soldier recognized the
officer and fled.
Wooldridge proceeded to search the building for the
Johnson woman. Dayton went into the place with him,
and was left in the hall to guard the escape, while Wool-
dridge made a search in the rooms.
Dayton was set upon by a number of colored men,
who demanded that he leave the building, or they would
throw him out of the window.
The quarrel brought the officer to the hall just in
time, as they had seized Dayton and were about to put
their threat into execution. Wooldridge told them that
the first one who placed his hand on'the soldier would
WOMAN ROBS A SOLDIER «51
be killed. He handed Dayton one of his revolvers, and
told him to station himself in the corner of the hall
against the wall and look out for the woman, and told
him also to kill the first man who laid his hand on him.
Wooldridge was joined by two other officers, and they
proceeded to search the building and found Laura John-
son stowed away under one of the beds in a back room.
She had hidden the money somewhere in the building
and it was not recovered, but she was taken to the Har-
rison Street Station and booked for robbery.
During the night she sent a note to Jerry Carmichael,
a colored man, and it was supposed that he went to
the building and secured the money.
A warrant was procured for this man's arrest, and
Detective Wooldridge went to 488 State street next
morning about daylight and found him in his room.
When aroused the negro climbed over the transom into
the adjoining room, and when the door was forced no
one was there. The adjoining door was also opened
and Jerry Carmichael bounded out and clinched the little
detective, and both went to the floor with Jerry on top.
But he was quickly turned under by Wooldridge, who
demonstrated the fact that he too had learned some-
thing about wrestling.
Wooldridge secured a good hold upon the fellow's
throat and Carmichael reached for his knife, but was
detected before he could open it, and by a quick move
Wooldridge knocked the knife from his hand. He then
choked him into submission, slipped the "come-alongs"
on his wrists, and landed him behind the bars in the
Harrison Street Station. No money was found on him,
but he was fined for vagrancy and sent to the workhouse.
On April 9, 1895, Laura Johnson was held to the
352 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
criminal court in bonds of $i,000 by Justice Bradwell.
The case came up before the grand jury which heard
the evidence and failed to act on it. The case was passed
until the next grand jury. In the meantime Dayton was
called back to his post, and would not return to Chicago
again, and Laura Johnson was turned loose.
Laura robbed Dayton by inviting him to go with her
to 1 23 1 State street to see fifty or sixty people smoke
opium. She told him it was one of the sights of the
city, and he should not miss it. He accompanied her,
and while there she picked his pocket of $950 and ran
out the back way.
Later Laura Johnson became involved in a quarrel
with Irene Moore over the affection of Jerry Carmichael,
to whom both took a fancy. Irene was carved up with
a dirk. Her forearm was almost severed, blood poison
set in and she came near dying. Laura left and did not
return to Chicago until July, 1896, and on July 25, she
was arrested and bound over in bonds of $500 to the
criminal court. She was indicted and arraigned for
trial on August 25, 1896, on a charge of assault to do
bodily harm and was sentenced to six months in the
House of Correction by Judge Baker.
She told Judge Baker she stole the knife for luck and
made use of it at the first chance she bad.
RESCUES A STRANGER.
In October, 1893, Detective Wooldridge was detailed
to break up a dangerous gang of colored highwaymen
who operated on State street between Taylor and Polk
streets. As he was passing down the east side of State
MAKES A HIGH DIVE 353
street one day his attention was attracted by a faint
cry of "Help" on the opposite side of the street. He
rescued Charles Cannon, a livery man who lived in a
small town in the interior of the state. Cannon had
arrived in the city on an early morning train and was
walking along the street in search of a hotel. He went
into a saloon at 480 State street, known as the "Bucket
of Blood."
Several loungers who were thieves and pickpockets
stood around the bar, and when Cannon entered they ob-
served him closely. The stranger called for a drink and
presented a $5 bill in payment for it. He took the change
and left the place, but was followed by a number of the
inmates, and when he reached the sidewalk five of them
seized him and gave him the strong arm, and pounded
and beat him over the head. They took what change
he had, tore off his watch chain and caught hold of
his watch, but dropped it on the sidewalk.
When Wooldridge approached, some one called out,
"Look out for Wooldridge," and the crowd scattered
immediately. The robbers ran into the saloon, and two
of them, Ben Franklin and William Payne, were cap-
tured, fined $100 each, and sent to the House of Cor-
rection.
MAKES A HIGH DIVE.
DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE JUMPS FROM A HOUSE-TOP INTO
A PILE OF REFUSE.
Once while chasing some fleeing women from a sec-
ond-story window across several house-tops, Detective
Wooldridge took a plunge head foremost, which almost
buried him in a pile of refuse. Those who saw the feat
354 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
said it excelled that of the man who dives from the
top of the circus tent into a tank of water below. Wool-
dridge sank so deep in the refuse that he- might have suf-
focated had not his fellow officers rescued him.
It was on November 20, 1896. Lieutenant Cudmore,
accompanied by Detective Wooldridge and several other
officers, went to 1237 State street for the purpose of
raiding the house there. The place was surrounded and
several of the detectives ran up to the second floor.
Hearing a commotion in a room at the head of the
stairs, they went in just in time to see Fannie Clark
and Mary Nelson getting out of the window.
A low roof was near, and gathering up their skirts the
women ran across it and on that of a neighboring house.
Lieutenant Cudmore and Detectives Wooldridge and
Schubert followed, and then the chase began in earnest.
Notwithstanding the encumbrance of their gowns, the
women kept well ahead of their pursuers. A number of
low sheds almost touching each other gave them an op-
portunity to prolong the race until they arrived at one
from which there was no escape except in a leap. They
did not hesitate, but jumped, landing knee-deep in a
garbage pile. Before they could extricate themselves
Detective Wooldridge followed.
His body made a half-revolution as it went through
the air, and his head struck the soft mass of refuse. In
he went up to his shoulders, and as he passed by the
women it so happened that he was able to catch each
of them by the dress. Before they could get away,
Cudmore and Schubert had arrived from above just in
time to save their companion from what Yum- Yum would
have called a "stuffy death."
HARRISON STREET STATION 355
WQeldridge retained his hold on the two women until
he was carefully pulled up by his legs. The captives
were booked at the Harrison Street Station on a charge
of being inmates of a disorderly house. Ellen Osborne,
who was taken at the house, was booked for the same
offense, and all were fined.
HARRISON STREET STATION.
HISTORY OF ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS MUNICIPAL PRIS-
ONS IN THE WORLD.
The most famous institution connected with the po-
lice history of Chicago is the Harrison Street Police
Station. If the cells and walls of that building could
talk they could tell stories of startling criminal facts
that would stagger the world and be more interesting than
the wildest fiction ever printed by the writers of western
history. It has held within its walls more criminals and
more desperate characters than any other police station
in Chicago. It is doubtful if the Cook County jail has
held as many desperate and daring men within its walls
as this police station.
It has been under command of more different officers
of high grade than any other station in the police de-
partment. Some of the best and ablest officers in the
department to-day graduated and took their higher rank
from this station. Being in the very heart of the city
and in the center of the famous levee district, it natur-
ally became the station to which all criminal characters
arrested there should be taken. It has not only held
within its walls offenders against the city ordinances and
state laws, but has housed criminals against the laws of
356 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
the United States, and men even who have been wanted
in the foreign countries for extraordinary crimes.
On account of the fact that it occupied this position
geographically in Chicago territory, it was necessary for
the police department to place its best men in charge of
it, its most efficient detectives and its most active and
reliable patrolmen. The Harrison Street Station was
erected just after the great fire of 1871. The county
jail at that time was located at the corner of Randolph
and Clark streets, and M. C. Hickey, who was then
captain at the old armory at Adams and Franklin streets,
seeing his station melting away in that great conflagra-
tion, rushed through smoke and flame and released the
prisoners in the jail just in time to save them from
cremation.
The police force at that time consisted of only a few
hundred men, and when the armory was consumed Cap-
tain Hickey gathered his men and housed them tempo-
rarily in an old frame school building which had escaped
the fury of the flames. Then for a short time, Simon
O'Donnell, of what was then known as the West Twelfth
street terror district, was put in command. When the
smoke had cleared away and Joseph E. Medill had been
elected Mayor on the fireproof ticket, Griswold street
was changed to Pacific avenue, and there were many
other changes made in the rebuilding of the city.
Among the many captains who have commanded at
the Harrison .Street Station are William Buckley, who
many years ago was nearly mobbed one Sunday while
returning from church with his wife and was nearly
killed a short time ago by a street car conductor.
Another was Ed. Laughlin, who once had a desperate
fight while unarmed with a maniac at the Polk street
HARRISON STREET STATION 357
depot. Others were Wheeler Bartram, formerly chief
of police .of Evanston ; E. E. Lloyd, Thomas Simmons,
J. L. Revere, Francis P. Barcal, Charles G. Koch, Walter
Jenkins, George Shippy, Francis O'Neill, the present
chief of police ; Martin Hayes and John J. Hartnett, who
is at present inspector at this station.
Among the patrolmen and detectives who worked from
the Harrison Street Station are many who are to-day
high up in the ranks of the department. It has always
been considered one of the most important and danger-
ous and at the same time desirable posts from which
the officers could work. The duties required of the
officers traveling from that station very often threw them
in contact with desperate characters, and it was said
that a man who patrolled a beat on the levee took his
life into his own hands.
The importance of the Harrison Street Station is
shown in the fact that it is the headquarters of the
local Bureau of Identification. Captain Michael P.
Evans, who is the superintendent of the bureau, has
his office at this station.
Captain Evans is called the "Nemesis of the Crooks,"
and presides at the "rogue's gallery." He is a quiet little
gray-haired man with a remarkable memory. For sev-
enteen years he has been busy identifying criminals
brought into his office, and all this has added fame to
the Harrison Street Station. He can frequently identify
a man at sight. Many persons suspected of crime are
taken to the Harrison Street Station, and when brought
before Captain Evans are at once identified. This is
especially the case if they have ever figured in the crimi-
nal history of Chicago or any other large city.
The office of the Bureau of Identification at this sta-
358 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
tion is located in a long, Harrow room, and the walls
and cabinets in this room contain 40,000 pictures. This
does not include duplicates. The superintendent fre-
quently remembers the face of a man the instant he sees
it, and can tell him his record of crime. He makes a
study of faces. He is at all times in correspondence
with the police departments of other cities and wardens
of the penitentiaries in this country and Europe, and
knows just when a certain criminal who is serving time
will be released.
According to Professor Nichols, of the British Journal
of Photography, Chicago was th^ first city in the world
to make photography a branch and a part of its police
department. This plan of identifying criminals was be-
gun in Chicago in 1884. Chicago was also the first city
in this country to adopt the Bertillon system of identifi-
cation.
The system of photographing criminals was originated
in Chicago by Austin J. Doyle and Captain Evans. Be-
fore that time police officers took their criminals to a pub-
lic photograph gallery to have their pictures made, but,
of course, the system was not a perfect one, as in those
cases the prisoners were not measured. Thus, when a
picture of a criminal was wanted a search through the
old album of thousands of pictures was necessary.
At that time Evans was simply a clerk in the police
department. His duties consisted of getting up reports
of the Secret Service Bureau, which brought him face
to face with many photographs of criminals. It was at
this time that he became interested in the study of crimi-
nal faces, and it was at his suggestion that Chief of
Police Doyle decided that the department should do its
own photographing.
HARRISON STREET STATION 358
Evans was placed in charge of the bureau and at
once began to take lessons at a gallery in the art of
-photography. Soon after this a room was fitted up in
the old Rookery building, where the city hall was at
that time located, and in June, 1884, the first picture was
made in the photograph bureau of the Chicago police
department.
This picture was made of a servant girl who was
charged with shoplifting, and she was fined $10. Evans
made the picture, but he has never seen nor heard of
the girl since. This little picture is still in the gallery
of rogues along with the 40,000 others in that institu-
tion.
From the small beginning made at that time the
Identification Bureau in the Harrison Street Station has
grown to be the largest in the world, with the exception
of the bureau in Paris, France, where the Bertillon sys-
tem originated. More than one thousand pictures a year
are received at the Harrison Street Station from all parts
of the world, asking ,for the identification of suspects,
and, remarkable as it may seen, from forty to fifty per
cent of the inquiries are satisfactorily answered.
Notwithstanding the satisfactory condition of the bu-
reau to-day, from September, 1887, to 1890, it was a
rather useless adjunct to the department, for the reason
that the change in the city administration threw Captain
Evans out, and in September, 1890, Chief of Police
Marsh closed the office because he had no one who could
run it satisfactorily.
In November of that year he restored Evans to his
old position, and it was found that three weeks' constant
work was necessary before a report could be made. No
records had been kept for nearly three years, plates had
360 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
been exposed and not developed, and everything in the
office was neglected to such an extent that a great deal of
labor was required to restore the bureau to its old
efficiency.
The Bertillon system was introduced about this time,
and the bureau at the present time has four Bertillon
cases, containing eighty-one boxes in each case, making a
total of 324 boxes. These contain all the Bertillon
photographs, filed according to their respective measure-
ments.
Going back to October, 1871, it is recalled that when
the new Harrison Street Station was built it was called
the First Precinct Station. It is now known as the Sec-
ond Precinct Station, the change having been made in
1 89 1, while R. W. McClaughry was superintendent of
police.
W. W. Kennedy was general superintendent of police
in 1871. There were three precinct stations in the city
at that time, and each of these three stations had attached
to it three sub-stations, making' a 'total of twelve stations
covering the entire city. From April i, 1871, to March
31, 1872, 21,931 arrests were made, and by pro-rating
these numbers equally among the stations, Harrison
Street Station was entitled to 1,827.
The next superintendent of police was Elmer Wash-
burn, who made monthly reports to the Board of Police
Commissioners, but omitted giving certain statistical in-
formation concerning the number of arrests.
Jacob Rehm followed him as general superintendent,
and during his term of service 27,995 arrests were made
and credited to the dififerent stations, Harrison Street
Station being entitled to the greater part. In 1875 ^^^
HARRISON STREET STATION 361
number of arrests under Superintendent Rehm was 24,-
899.
The next general superintendent of police was M. C.
Hickey, who was appointed October 7, 1875. During the
first year of his service the total arrests were 19,206. In
1876 there were 27,291 arrests. In 1877 there were
28,035 arrests, and in 1878 the number fell off to 27,208.
V. A. Seavey was the next chief of police. He did not
serve his time out, however, as he died in September of
that year. Following him, Captain Simon O'Donnell
was promoted to general superintendent of police, and
Captain William Buckley was put in command at the
Harrison Street Station, and during the year 1880 there
were 28,480 arrests made in the precinct.
About this time the police telegraph system was in-
troduced into the department. It was invented by Austin
J. Doyle, then secretary of the department, and perfected
by Professor Barrett. By means of this service a patrol-
man who is miles away from this station can easily com-
municate with his superior officer.
William J. McGarigle followed O'Donnell as genera/
superintendent. He was appointed the latter part of the
year 1880. During the first year of Chief McGarigle's
service the total number of arrests for the entire depart-
ment was 31,713, Harrison Street Station being credited
with 3,643.
The following year, 1882, Austin J. Doyle assumed
control of the department as general superintendent,
and his first report showed that during the year the total
number of arrests amounted to 32,800, of which Harri-
son Street Station was credited with 3,733. In 1883,
the second year of Chief Doyle's service, the population
362 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
of the city was estimated at 675,000. The total number
of arrests this year was 37,187.
Frederick Ebersold was the next general superintend-
ent of police, and during the first year of his service in
1886 the police department was confronted with one of
the most gigantic and fearful crimes ever committed
and one which will be remembered when the present
force has passed away forever. This was the great Hay-
market riot, which took place in Haymarket Square, near
th,e corner of Desplaines and Randolph streets, on the
night of May 4.
By. the explosion of a dynamite bomb, thrown into
the ranks of the policemen on duty there, one officer was
killed instantly, six fatally wounded and sixty others
more or less seriously injured, many of them being
maimed or crippled for life. The story of that riot has
been written often and is too well known to be repeated
here.
George W. Hubbard assumed command of the de-
partment in 1888, and his report at the end of his first
term of service showed that there was a total of 50,432
arrests in the entire department, Harrison Street Sta-
tion being credited with 3,522.
On January i, 1890, Frederick H. Marsh was made
general superintendent of police, and the total number
of arrests for his term increased very largely from that
of the previous year until it had reached a total of
62,230.
R. W. McClaughry succeeded to the office of general
superintendent of police May 18, 189 1.
Michael Brennen was appointed successor to Mc-
Claughry. This was in the year 1893, during. the World's
Fair, and when the number of arrests made in the entir*?
HARRISON STREET STATION 363
department reached the enormous figure of 96,976, more
than 30,000 greater than two years before. Harrison
Street Station was credited with 6,633 of these arrests.
In the following year the total number of arrests fell
off about 8,000. In the year 1895, when J. J. Badenoch
:was general superintendent, the total number of arrests
'dropped to 83,464.
Joseph Kipley was the next general superintendent of
police, being appointed April 16, 1897, by Mayor Carter
H. Harrison. The total number of arrests during his
first term amounted to 83,680. Of this number, 4,695
went to the Harrison Street Station. In 1898 there were
77,441 arrests in the entire department, Harrison Street
Station being given 4,347. Chief Kipley was reappointed
in 1899, ^"^ during that year the grand total of arrests
reached 71,349. Of this number, 4,917 were credited
to the Harrison Street Station. Of a total of 70,438
arrests made in 1900, Harrison Street Station was cred-
ited with 4,763. Chief Kipley resigned at the expiration
of his term.
In 1901 Mayor Harrison appointed Francis O'Neill
as general superintendent of police, which office he is
holding at the present time.
By figuring up total arrests made by the police depart-
ment from 1 87 1 to the close of the official year 1900, ii
is seen that there were 422,345 arrests, and of this amount
a fair calculation gives to the Harrison Street Station
a credit of 111,983.
This is a brief history of the old Harrison Street
Station to date, yet the half of it has not been told.
More space would be required than is consumed in this
entire volume to tell of all that has taken place within
its walls. The police justices who have presided there
364 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
could add much to that which is told by the detectives.
The desk sergeant and the cell-keeper, the matron and ,
the patrol-driver, all could figure in the record of this
old landmark of police history.
But it will soon be only a memory. The march of
progress is not only consigning this station to the dead
past, but is driving the levee out of existence. Business
men, promoting gigantic commercial enterprises, need
the space occupied by the station and that used by dis-
reputable houses adjacent to it, for advancement of trade,
and in a few years this territory of depravity, immorality
and crime will disappear from the map of Chicago.
Tough saloon-keepers and the proprietors of thieving .
resorts will be compelled to seek other localities. The
advance of civilization and industry is too strong in the
twentieth century to be obstructed by the cohorts of the
world of crime.
It has often been said that the world is daily growing
more wicked, but the fact that morality will soon per-
vade one of the most sinful spots that has evef thrived
on the face of the earth disproves this assertion. While
this work is being compiled, two of the most notorious
and vicious resorts on Custom House place have closed"
their doors under the crusade that is being made by
Chief of Police O'Neill. "Tom" Gaynor and his brother
John, who, with all their political "pull" and other in-
fluence, could not stop the onward tread of virtue and
commerce, have decided to go out of business.
Nearly all the criminal history of the levee and Har-
rison Street Station is contained in the different stories
within the covers of this book; the other material facts
concerning the station are given in this sketch. While
the author stands aloof and watches the scenes of so
LOTTERY COMPANIES RAIDED 365
many of his dangerous experiences melting away, he has
no regrets, but is able to point with pride to the part he
has taken in wiping out of existence one of the greatest
pest-holes of crime in the world.
LOTTERY COMPANIES RAIDED.
FRAUDULENT CONCERNS WITH HIGH-SOUNDING TITLES
ARE DRIVEN OUT OF BUSINESS.
Companies with high-sounding names and alleged gi-
gantic capital stock flourished in Chicago for many years
by conducting what was in reality nothing more or less
than lotteries. They were patronized almost as exten-
sively as the old Louisiana lottery,, but it is doubtful i£
their business was nearly as honest and square as that
of the old concern.
Many complaints were sent to the police department
of Chicago by persons who claimed to have been s{vin-
dled by these concerns. This started an investigation
that resulted in the arrest of the agents of two of them
and their subsequent indictment. The complaints were
placed in the hands of Detective Wooldridge and two
assistants, who collected enough evidence to warrant
them to make the arrests.
On April 5, 1900, the first man was taken into custody.
He was D. H. Jones, who was the local manager of the
Guaranty Loan and Trust Company of San Francisco,
with offices in the Masonic Temple. There the detective
took possession of 40,000 tickets and much printed mat-
ter, including a circular letter of warning to the com-
pany's patrons, who, judging from the corresponaence
and books found in the office, numbered many thousands.
366 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
The plan of this concern comprehended, according to its
hterature, a system of loans. It claimed that by paying
from 50 cents to $2 for a certificate of membership in the
company, the patron was enabled to borrow sums of
money ranging from $25 to $25,ocx), without having to
furnish security, providing that the list of drawing certi-
ficates which was issued contained a number correspond-
ing to that on the alleged certificate held by the custo-
mer.
An advertisement inserted in the morning paper by a
man who claimed he had been swindled in this way gave
the police the first intimation they had that a lottery was
being conducted. This with other evidence was deemed
sufficient to sustain the charges of conducting and pro-
moting a lottery. When Detective Wooldridge entered
Jones' office and asked if he was in, he replied :
"Yes, that is my name. I suppose you wish to ne-
gotiate a loan,"
"Of your time only," answered Detective Wooldridge,
as he announced to the manager that he was under ar-
rest.
This started a wild confusion in the office. Stenog-
raphers attempted to escape by a side door, and over-
turned typewriters, tables, chairs and waste paper baskets
in their flight, but all were taken into custody before
they reached the elevator. These employes, however,
were not held by the police, who only took their names
and addresses for the purpose of using them as wit-
nesses.
When arrested, Jones was writing a letter in which
he outlined precautions that should be taken on account
of attempts which he thought would be made by the
LOTTERY COMPANIES RAIDED 367
officials to apply a lottery law to this company. Jones
was taken to the Harrison Street Police Station when
.arrested. The next morning he was held on $1,300 bail,
m default of which he was taken to jail.
The list of bonds published by the company, it was
found out, were merely announcements of the prizes that
had been drawn. Some persons who owned tickets did
not receive loans. Jones said this was because the col-
lateral was no good. It was found that he conducted
business through the express companies instead of
through the mails, but he refused to give his reason for
doing this. The company, according to the circular let-
ter which was found, had three correspondents, namely,
Lathrop & Company, 123 Market street, San Francisco,
for the Pacific states ; D. F. Piatt, 96 Fifth avenue, New
York, for the eastern states and Charles H. Kissam, 125
Dearborn street, Chicago, for the middle and western
states. Among the letters found was one addressed to
Kissam which read as follows :
"Please send me some printed matter and rules in regard to
the Guaranty Loan and Trust Company, as I think I can handle
some tickets. I have certificate No. 8061 1 for January, 1900. I
have ijot seen the list yet, but hope it's a winner."
Jones was indicted and held to the criminal court.
A few days after the arrest of Jones, Detective Wool-
dridge raided the office of John J. Jacobs, who was the
manager of 'the Montana Mining and Investment Com-
pany, located in Temple Court building, at the corner of
Quincy and Dearborn streets. The same charge was
made against him that was made against Jones : that
of conducting a lottery. In this place the detective seized
-^certificates, which very closely resembled lottery tickets,
to the face value of $70,000. Jacobs' plan was similar
368 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
to that used by Jones. Customers were given certificates,
whose value ran from 25 cents to $1, and the buyer of
each certificate had the right under the stipulations made
in the circulars to borrow money without security at any
time, but he only could get his money when the number
on the certificate corresponded to a number on the
monthly list. This in the language of the literature of
the company made him an "eligible applicant for a loan."
The police were of the opinion that the list contained
few "eligibles." A letter found in Jacobs' office showed
that their construction of the game was correct. The
letter was ffom an agent in Philadelphia, and was as
follows :
Dear Sir: — Inclosed find November returns, also the amount
of which I was short in my October account. Some time ago
I intimated to Mr. Haupt that a "principal loan" to Philadelphia
would swell my sales of certificates.
The $7,500 coming here last month has done the trick, and I
worked it for all it was worth, too, as far as my stock of cer-
tificates lasted. A friend — financially so situated as to enable
him to do so — cheerfully corroborated the statement of receiv-
ing the money, with the result that I was completely sold out
of certificates several days ago. But for some dilatory collec-
tions of my sub-agents, I believe I could have sold at least one
hundred more; did not send for them for the reason that I
probably would not receive them on time.
Were I sole agent here I would know how to derive all the
benefit possible out of all the "principal loans" you could con-
sistently send this way without causing any ugly conflictions or
unsavory details.
The result of such tactics would be to knock out the old
Louisiana, as the money that came to my friend has converted
no less than fifty Louisiana cranks into the Montana belief.
One of the principal loans sent here occasionally will do the
businesss. Yours sincerely,
(Signed) LEW LEITENBURG.
It was evident that $7,500 was not distributed by the
company. A statement to that effect, however, was
circulated by the Philadelphia agent, and he induced his
LOTTERY COMPANIES RAIDED 369
friend, who had enough money to convince inquirers that
he had drawn a prize, to uphold him in this statement.
A "principal loan" was supposed to have been made
in Philadelphia, and then there was a rush for tickets
and certificates.
Jacobs and a bookkeeper, who was also taken into
custody, were taken to the Harrison Street Station. The
former did not appear to be greatly disconcerted by his
arrest, notwithstanding the damaging evidence found
against him by Wooldridge. He declared he had been
engaged in selling mining stocks on the same plan in
Chicago since 1892, and no efforts had ever been made
before to interrupt his business. No attempt had been
made by him, he said, to use the United States mails
to promote his plan of selling certificates.
Abundant evidence was found in his office, however,
to disprove this statement. There was a large number
of envelopes containing letters and printed matter giving
details of his scheme, many of which were from cus-
tomers who had sent money orders, checks and cash,
amounting to a large sum, and some making inquiries
as to when the next drawing would take place. These
letters were from every section of the country and
were writt^ by persons in every degree of life.
In the safe, which was opened by the police, was
found several hundred tickets and certificates ranging
from 25 cents to $1. A letter from an agent in Omaha
was found which indicated that the company had been
doing an extensive business there. It was from a brother
of Davis, and was as follows:
"Send me $25 worth of February goods at 25 cents for H. P.
Hansen, 724 South Thirteenth street, Omaha. Rush 'em out to
ihe^ Swedish agent. I have more business here than a school
boy, and am billing the city properly."
370 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Other letters were found which referred to "draw-
ings," and some spoke of lucky numbers and mentioned
the names of some of the winners.
Three charges were made against Jacobs, that of con-
ducting a lottery, promoting a lottery scheme and selling
lottery tickets.
He was held to the grand jury in bonds of $1,500 and
later indicted.
Both these cases were put on the court calendar for
trial, but have not been disposed of at this writing.
Since then there have been no fraudulent schemes of
this kind in Chicago, or at least no complaints have been
made to the police.
MOB FOLLOWS A PRISONER.
DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE ARRESTS A MAN AND IS COM-
PELLED TO DEFEND HIM AGAINST LYNCHERS.
After a dangerous encounter, Detective Wooldridge
arrested a colored footpad, Charles Smith, by chasing
him several blocks and had to threaten to shoot the
leaders of the mob to prevent the prisoner from being
lynched.
Wooldridge was concealed in an alley near Polk street
on the night of June 26, 1894, for the purpose of arrest-
ing some hold-up men who had infested the locality for
some time. He had not been there long when an old
gentleman stepped into the alley from Polk street. In-
stantly two colored men seized him. One held his throat
while the other, after dealing a vicious blow with a slung
shot, began to go through his pockets.
Wooldridge saw both of the men when they" ran into
MOB FOLLOWS A PRISONER 371
the alley and seized the stranger, and with one bound was
at their side. Covering both robbers with his revolver,
he commanded them to surrender. They had not noticed
VVooldridge up to this time, so bent were they on getting
all the change which their victim might have had in his
pockets.
Both men released their victim and faced the officer.
The ©ne with the slung shot made a vicious blow at
Wooldridge, which, had it taken effect, would have
crushed his skull, but the little detective was not to be
caught napping while he had two desperate robbers
facing him. He jumped aside and fired at the man,
the shot taking effect in his hip, and clasping the wound
with his hands the robber fell to the ground.
The officer next seized Charles Smith by the coat tail,
but the cloth parted, and leaving part of his coat in
Wooldridge's hands Smith started on a full run west on
Polk street to Pacific avenue. There were hundreds of
people on the street, and Wooldridge did not dare shoot
at Smith for fear of hitting an innocent person, but
he fired three shots in the air and blew his whistle, which
attracted two special officers and a flagman for the Lake
Shore & Michigan Southern railroad at the corner of
Taylor street and Pacific avenue, who intercepted Smith
in his flight for liberty.
He was placed under arrest and a start made for the
station, but before going half a block more than five
hundred men xnd children surrounded the officer and
his prisoner, and .cried, "Hang the robber!" "Hang
him !"
Wooldridge drew his revolver, and threatened to kill
the first man who laid a hand on his prisoner. There
372 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
were five or six men in the crowd whom Wooldridge
knew personally, and he called on them for assistance.
Smith was finally landed behind the bars at the Har-
rison Street Station. Several men were sent with the
patrol wagon to Polk street to bring in the wounded
robber, but he had made his escape and could not be
found, though a thorough search was made.
Charles Smith was arraigned the following morning,
fined $ioo and sent to the House of Correction. He
would have been bound over to the criminal court, but
his victim could not stay in the city to prosecute him.
WOMAN MURDERS COMPANION.
ELLA SHERWOOD, A NOTORIOUS LEVEE CHARACTER, SHOOTS
ANOTHER WOMAN TO DEATH.
On the night of June 5, 1894, two colored women,
Ella Sherwood and Mattie Moore, were drinking in a
saloon at the comer of Polk street and Pacific avenue.
They became engaged in a quarrel, when the Sherwood
woman drew a revolver and shot her companion, who
fell to the floor dead. The murderess then ran out of the
saloon and fled east on Polk street.
Detective Wooldridge was passing along Clark street,
and hearing the shot, started to the saloon to see what
caused the shooting. He met Ella Sherwood, and think-
ing her actions suspicious, placed her under arrest. Just
then another officer came running up and Wooldridge
turned his prisoner over to him until he could make an
investigation. Entering the saloon he found that the
Sherwood woman did the shooting. He then asked the
WOMAN MURDERS COMPANION 373
officer, who was guarding his prisoner, to call the wagon
and send her to the station, while he secured the wit-
nesses.
This officer, finding it was a murder and a good catch,
took the woman to the station and booked her to him-
self and another officer, which, under the circumstances,
was, to say the least of it, very unfair on his part. It
would not have been so bad if he had only claimed a
share of the honors with Wooldridge, who made the
arrest.
Wooldridge gathered five or six witnesses and took
them to the station, and made a report of the shooting
to the Chief of Police, not knowing that the arrest of the
Sherwood woman was credited to any one except to
himself.
•The case was allowed to stand, the credit of the arrest
going to the two officers, and Wooldridge was ordered
to assist them on the case. They refused all assistance
and neglected to bring the witnesses into court or have
them before the grand jury. They were only accustomed
to handling drunk and disorderly cases, which would
take care of^themselves.
When the case was called for trial before the criminal
court, they knew nothing, had no witnesses and no evi-
dence prepared for the state, consequently Ella Sherwood
was discharged, when she should have been hanged.
Few of the notorious footpads who frequented the
levee had a greater criminal record than Ella Sherwood.
She was one of the most daring strong-arm habitues
of this district. She was an opium fiend, and one of the
most vicious colored women that ever roamed the street
When her temper was aroused she would fight like an
infuriated tigress, and was always armed with a revolver
374 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
and dirk. She has been connected with a number of
shooting and cutting affrays.
Some months prior to the shooting, Ella Sherwood
robbed a ranchman from Kansas of $375, which she gave
to a saloon man to keep until the robbery had blown over
and the ranchman had left town. She then went to him
and asked for the money. He only gave her the laugh,
told her he was going to keep it, and wanted to know
what she was going to do about it.
Ella soon convinced him what she was going to do.
She armed herself with a revolver and a baseball bat.
With the bat she knocked the front windows out, then
whipped out her revolver and riddled the saloon, almost
every bottle in the place being shot into pieces. She
was arrested, and the saloon man lost no time in turning
over the money, and even refused to prosecute her.
After this a white man with whom she had been liv-
ing deserted her for another woman, who was also a
notorious footpad. This so aroused the jealousy of Ella
Sherwood that she went after the other woman and came
near killing her. One of the cuts she inflicted commenced
from the lower part of the eye and extended to the lower
part of her face, down to the bone. The whole jaw was
almost severed, and she was marked for life.
Ella fled to Kansas City, where she was arrested by
Officers Jones and Reed, brought back, and bound over
to the grand jury, but when her victim was wanted as a
witness, she could not be found.
Ella Sherwood went to Springfield once in company
with her lawyer for the purpose of getting a negro
named Louis Baker pardoned. Baker was serving an
indefinite time in Joliet penitentiary for larceny. It is
not known what representation was made to Governor
WOMAN MURDERS COMPANION
375
Altgeld for clemency, but the chief executive of Illinois
promised to look into the case. Baker was among the
batch of convicts pardoned the day before Thanksgiving
that year, and the Sherwood woman was at the gates
to meet him.
She was locked up later at the Harrison Street Sta-
tion charged with assault. While standing in her cell
with her hands clutching the bars of the door, she paid
this extravagant tribute to Governor Altgeld :
"Mista Altgeld, he's jes' de nices' man in de whole
state of Illinois. He pahdoned out my fellow, Looey
Baker, afta he'd been in Joliet jes' twenty-seven days.
It costs me fo' hundred dollahs to get him out. Yes,
indeed, fo' hundred cool plunks. I tole Mistah Ander-
son if he get Looey out I'd give him fo' hundred, and
I did jes as shoo as I'm standin' heah. When me and
Mr. Anderson went down to Springfield to see the gov-
nah, he was jes' as nice as pie to us. Mistah Altgeld
is jes' a perfec' gem'en. It cuts no ice with him, white
or black. We talked about what a nice good boy Looey
was, an' de ole^air o' pants he stole wa'n't no good.
When we come home I tole de govnah I'd die fer him
if he'd pahdon Looey, an' I would, too. But it cost me
fo' hundred, jes' de same."
37o HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
CLEVER TOOL THIEF CAUGHT.
DISGUISED AS A PLUMBER, HE SYSTEMATICALLY ROBBED
THEM AND IS FINALLY SENT TO PRISON.
Detective Wooldridge in September, 1895, made a
clever capture of a man who made an exclusive business
of stealing plumbers' tools. He had become so perfect
in his methods that his victims had almost despaired of
ever catching him. Detective Wooldridge was detailed
on the case, and after an investigation of the complaints
and informing himself of the man's plan of operation,
arrested him in two hours.
For several months complaints were made at the Har-
rison Street Station by the owners of plumbers' shops
that they were being plundered regularly of tools, lead
pipes, etc.
The detective discovered that a man of the name of
John McCabe was selling a quantity, of tools and pipe
at a second-hand store on Harrison street near Custom
House place, and that he was a daily visitor there. Woold-
ridge secreted himself in the second-hand store on Sep-
tember 19, 1895, and after waiting two hours, was re-
warded for his trouble.
Mr. McCabe, dressed as a machinist, with a suit of
overalls on, a pencil behind his ear, and a book in his
hand, walked in. In this guise he would visit a plumb-
ing shop, and if he found no one there, which he fre-
quently did, he would use his bunch of keys, unlckk the
door, or in case the keys did not fit he would use a
jimmy, and get in any way, taking away the most salable
articles.
He had been seen many times by the neighbors of
some of the plumbers, when he came or went to the
BIRDS GIVE ALARM 377
places, and on several occasions was stopped and ques-
tioned, but in the garb of a machinist, with book and
pencil, and a 'list of what he had, he would tell them
that the owner of the shop had sent him, and those
who made the inquiry would suppose it was one of the
workmen.
On one occasion, when McCabe could not gain an
entrance by keys and was forcing his way, the man
who lived next door to the plumbing shop, when told
that the plumber had sent him in great haste after some
tools, even assisted him in forcing the door, thinking
he was doing his neighbor a good turn.
When arrested, McCabe had his arms full of tools.
He was taken to the Harrison Street Station and held
for a further investigation. Several hours later John
Pickett, of 344 Clark street, reported that his place had
been broken into. He was shown the tools, which he
identified, and also recognized McCabe as the man who
was hanging around the shop when he left it.
Ten cases were made out against McCabe and he con-
fessed. He was heH to the criminal court, indicted, and
when arraigned for trial was sentenced October lo, to
an indefinite lime in the Joliet penitentiary by Judge
Sears. He had served one term there before for the
same offense.
BIRDS GIVE ALARM.
ONE CAUSES ARREST OF A THIEF AND ANOTHER SAVES A
HOUSE FROM BURNING.
Two birds figured as the heroes in incidents in the
career of Detective Wooldridge. The sagacity of one
378 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
caused the arrest of a thief, and the other saved a house
from destruction by fire.
In 1894, Siegel, Cooper & Co., proprietors of the larg-
est department store in the world, discovered that some
one had been stealing birds from them. Nearly every
day one of the songsters was missed. One man, who
had been frequenting the bird department daily and
buying a small quantity of bird seed, was suspected of the
thefts. He came in as usual one day, and just as he
started to leave a small boy saw him reach into a cage
and take a mocking bird out. The boy gave the alarm
and a clerk went in pursuit of the thief. When the
latter reached the door, Detective Wooldridge entered
and heard the clerk accuse the man. Both his hands were
buried in his pockets. Wooldridge inquired what he had
in his pockets.
"Nothing," he replied, but just then the imprisoned
mocking bird began to sing, "Going to Leave My Happy
Home." The thief then gave up the bird, and it was
returned to its cage.
The bird thief, who gave his name as Charles Huber,
was taken to the station, where he confessed stealing
other birds and selling them. He was sent to the House
of Correction.
In 1897, a fire started in the closet in the flat of Mrs.
Ritter, on Wabash avenue. Mrs. Ritter owned an in-
telligent parrot, 'which, on seeing the flames burst out,
began to scream, "Fire!" as loudly as it could. At the
same time some one in the adjoining room discovered
the blaze and began to fire a pistol to attract attention.
Detective Wooldridge was passing by, and after turn-
ing in an alarm ran up to the flat in which the fire had
THE NiiGRJ AND HIS RAZOR 379
been discovered. The flames were bursting eut ©f the
closet and had just reached a handsome piano cover.
Wooldridge caught tlij piano cover, and throwing it
into the closet clostd the door and kept the blaze from
spreading. The fire department soon arrived and ex-
tinguished the fire, which caused very little damage.
The parrot continued to scream "Fire!" "Fire!" until
the firemen left the house. It afforded a great deal of
amusement to every one.
THE NEGRO AND HIS RAZOR.
HOW A PRISONER TRIED TO "cARVE" HIS WAY TO LIBERTY
AND WAS DEFEATED.
The negro and his razor have always cut a large figure
in police and detective work. There seems to be an
affinity between a colored man and a razor.
Here is a story which shows how the detective was
adroit enough to prevent the use of one of these dan-
gerous and deadly weapons on him.
While patroling his post at the Stanton Avenue Police
Station on the night of May 27, 1891, Officer C. R.
Wooldridge discovered two men on the opposite side
of the street, coming out of a side window from H.
Woolmen's residence, which was in the rear of his
tailor ghop, 31 11 Prairie avenue. Officer Wooldridge
gave chase and caught one of the two, Harry Anderson,
who, after he was placed under arrest, stooped down,
presumably for the purpose of lacing his shoe, when
all at jxnce he reached for a razor he had concealed on
the inside of his sock.
It was very evident that Anderson intended carving
his way to liberty and life, but both movemint and mo-
380- HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
live were discovered before he had time to put them into
execution.
Wooldridge, with one blow from his heavy oak baton,
dehvered under the ear, knocked his prisoner out, and
before he came to his senses, the detective had secured
the razor and had the handcuffs, or, as they are called
in police parlance, "come-alongs," on his wrists, and
at the point of the revolver took him to the patrol box,
called for the wagon and landed him behind the bars.
The other fellow, who had been with him, made his
escape.
It appears that this man had effected an entrance into
the residence by raising up a window, and had with his
partner collected several hundred dollars' worth of goods,
which they were tying up when they were discovered by
a daughter of Mr. Woolmen, who instantly gave the
alarm, and the two ruffians fled, leaving their booty be-
hind.
Anderson was taken to the Bureau of Identification
at the Harrison Street Police Station, and was identified
as an ex-convict who had recently come from the Joliet
penitentiary, where he had just served a term for the
same offense.
He was held to the grand jury, but was discharged
because they got the little girl witness so confused on the
witness stand, she lost her head completely, which weak-
ened the evidence. .
PREVENTS A BURGLARY.
DETECTINE WOOLDRIDGE HAS A DESPERATE HAND-TO-HAND
STRUGGLE WITH THREE ROBBERS.
In the early days of Detective Wooldridge's service
in the Chicago police department and while he was trav-
PREVENTS A BURGLARY 381
eling a post from the Warren Avenue Station, he pre-
vented a burglary, which three men were intent upon,
and captured one of the robbers and wounded another,
This was accompUshed, however, after one of the most
desperate hand-to-hand struggles he ever engaged in,
and when it was over, Wooldridge and the captured man
were both badly used up.
On the night of June 4, 1889, Wooldridge saw three
men near the residence of Edward Shaw cross, 931 Jack-
son boulevard. Rain "had been falling in torrents and
the officer was nearly as wet as if he had taken a plunge
into the lake. A heavy fog had settled over the city
which enabled Wooldridge to get close to the burglars
without being detected.
He hid behind a small tree, and the men came to
within a few feet of him and turned into the alley in the
rear of the residence and soon began to bore holes in the
rear door of the bourse. Wooldridge stepped out and
called to them to surrender.
Instead of this they turned on the officer and knocked
him down three times, inflicting a scalp wound in the back
of the head. While they had him down he managed to
draw his revolver and fired. One of his assailants fell
with a bullet in his thigh and begged for his life. At the
same time he caught hold of the leg of another and they
came up together. When they went down again Woold-
ridge was on top. He held fast to his man and finally
clubbed him with the butt of his revolver into submis-,
sion. J,n the meantime the wounded man had gotten up
and ran away. Wooldridge saw the third scaling a fence
and fired at him, but he also escaped.
The shots brought two other officers to his assistance,
382 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
who searched the neighoorhood for the two burglars who
had gotten away, but they could not be found.
The prisoner was taken to the station and proved to be
Frank Kelly, a notorious sneak thief and room worker,
and who had served a term in the penitentiary. He had
also just gotten out of the House of Correction, where
he served a year for larceny.
When the case was taken before the grand jury, Shaw-
cross and his wife requested that body not to return an
indictment, as they did not want to appear as prosecu-
tors, and consequently Kelly was discharged.
MOB CLAMORS FOR A THIEF.
A pickpocket came near being mobbed in February,
1894, for trying to steal a purse from Mrs. George D.
Potter at 320 Dearborn street. Mrs. Potter and a lady
friend were standing in a doorway at that number, when
she felt a tugging at her coat pocket, and turning, saw
a young man with her pocketbook in his hand. She
struggled with the thief, but the fellow broke away and
ran, with hundreds of pedestrians in pursuit. At Cus-
tom House place and Harrison street Detective Woold-
ridge joined in the chase. Wooldridge overtook the
fugitive and recognized him as John Burns. The officer
had a hard time in getting the prisoner to the station.
The crowd which followed seemed determined to wreak
severe punishment on the thief, but another officer ap-
peared and kept the enraged mob back, and the man
was landed safely behind the bars at the station, charged
with highway robbery. Dr. Wise of 324 Dearborn
street testified that he saw Burns throw the pocketbook
FOUR WELL-KNOWN OFFICERS 383
away, which contained $7, and that he, the doctor,
picked it np and gave it to the officer. Burns was ar-
raigned for trial May 16, 1894, before Judge Payne and
given sixty days in the House of Correction.
FOUR WELL-KNOWN OFFICERS.
SHORT SKETCHES OF A GROUP OF MEN WHO FIGURED IN
CHICAGO POLICE HISTORY.
This work would scarcely be complete without a ref-
erence to four men who figured largely in the police
history — Michael J. Schaack, the big inspector, whose
earthly career ended while still in service at the East
Chicago Avenue Station ; John R. Bonfield, one of the
old-time inspectors; Charles G. Koch and Ed. Laugh-
lin.
Michael J. Schaack was born in Germany in 1843,
and came to America with his family in 1853. He came
to Chicago with his father and mother, and entered
the regular police force as patrolman June 15, 1869, be-
ing assigned to duty at the old armory station.
He was promoted successively as sergeant, detective
and lieutenant. August 17, 1885, he was made captain
and placed in charge of the old Fifth precinct, where
he remained until a short time after the Haymarket
riot, when he was transferred to the Desplaines Street
Station, where he remained until September, 1887.
He was then sent back to his former station, and
laterjvas made inspector of police at the East Chicago
Avenue Station by Mayor Harrison. He remained on
duty there until his death in May, 1898.
John R. Bonfield was born in County Clare, Ireland,
ii84 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
April, 1836. The family came to America in 1842. In
the summer of 1844 settled in Chicago. In the spring
of 1877 he began his first duty in the police department
as patrolman and was assigned to the Twenty-second
Street Station.
After two years he was taken to the Central Station
and placed on the detective force. After this he was
promoted as lieutenant and given command of the Twen-
ty-second Street District. Soon after the first election
of Mayor Harrison, senior, he was transferred to Des-
plaines street, and a year later was ordered to West
Twelfth street, then known as the terror district.
Following this, six months later, he was made captain
with headquarters at Central Station. When Captain
Ebersold was promoted to the inspectorship, he was
placed in command of the Third Precinct, and when
Ebersold was made superintendent Bonfield was selected
to supersede him as inspector. He is at present lieuten-
ant in charge of the Seventh Precinct.
Charles G. Koch, who is at present on the retired list
of captains, was born at Hessen, Germany, in 1847. He
came to Chicago in 1865 and joined the police force
in 1872. While acting as patrolman he was seriously
wounded in a fight with a half-dozen tough characters
at Halsted and Thirty-seventh streets.
He shot three of them, two of them dying the next
day. He was promoted gradually until he reached
the position of captain, and remained in the service in
this capacity until he was made inspector and assigned
to the Harrison Street Station. He made an enviable
record as a police ofiicer.
Ed.- Lauf^hlin was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in
1843. He came to Chicago in 1862 and entered the
HISTORY OF THE STATE STREET TERROR 385
police force in 1872 as a patrolman. He was promoted
rapidly as a reward for meritorious service, and became
lieutenant of police of the Harrison Street Station.
Later he was made inspector of police, and has a long
and creditable record as a police officer. He has always
borne himself bravely and stands high in the estimation
of his superiors and brother officers.
HISTORY OF THE STATE STREET TERROR.
CAREER OF KITTY ADAMS, THE FAMOUS FEMALE FOOTPAD
WHO SECURED A PARDON FROM GOVERNOR ALTGELD.
One of the most famous white female footpads of the
levee, and one who has given the police as much trouble
as dozens of others combined and terrorized the district
for more than ten years, was Kitty Adams, She was
known to be a dangerous woman in all the practices in
which the characters ot that locality indulged, and
though once convicted and sentenced to a term in prison,
secured her release by strategy and returned to her old
life.
Kitty Adams was the wife of a pickpocket named
George Shine, whose picture is in the rogues' gallery
and who is known to the police as a "good man," which
means to the outsider that he is a very bad man. Years
ago this woman lived in a house in the lower section
of Clark street and was famous among the police for
always carrying a razor. Whenever^ it became neces-
sary^© arrest her, the officers who were assigned to the
duty always kept an eye open for the appearance of that
deadly weapon. One night her house was raided and
she jumped from a third-story window. She was pur-
386 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
sued by two officers and ran down Clark street to Polk
street, where she fell over a curbing and broke one of
her collar bones.
At another time she had some trouble with the driver
of a scavenger wagon in an alley west of Clark street,
and drawing out her ever-ready razor she cut a gash
six inches long in the side of one of the horses. About
this time she became famous as one of the band of the
strong-arm women which had so long defied the police
and which had been such a terror to strangers in Chi-
cag*©.
Finally, however, she wag arrested and convicted of
highway robbery and sent to the penitentiary at
Joliet. In a few months her friends secured a petition
which was signed by a great many sympathetic people,
declaring that she was dying of consumption and re-
questing the governor to pardon her. An investigation
followed, and when Kitty Adams was brought before
the committee on pardons, she convinced the members
of that committee that she was suffering from hemor-
rhages. She did this by puncturing her gums with a
toothpick until they bled freely. While she was before
them, she coughed in imitation of a consumptive and
expectorated the blood from the bleeding gums. This
clever scheme readily convinced the committee that she
was going to die in a week, and when they reported
her condition to the governor she was at once pardoned.
She returned to Chicago and went back to her old
haunts, and week after week she was arrested on dis-
orderly charges, but was usually discharged after paying
a small fine. On August 15, 1896, she and Jennie Clark
attacked and robbed an old and respectable business
man while he was walking to his home opposite Hop-
HISTORY OF THE STATE STREET TERROR 38"
kins' Theater on State street. Kitty at once said to
her companion :
"There's a guy with rocks. Let's get him."
In a moment they overtook him and without any for-
malities Kitty threw her arm around his neck and held
his head back, while her partner in crime went through
his pockets and relieved him of all the money he had,
which was only $5. This case was made famous on
account of the fact that when the two women were
arrested and arraigned for trial, the late Judge Goggin,
who was then presiding in one of the branches of the
criminal court, practically endorsed robbery of this char-
acter and reprimanded the victim of these two women.
Before this both women were sent to jail, but the Adams
woman gave bond and did not appear for trial when
the case was called. Jennie Clark, however, was in
court face to face with her victim. After hearing but
little of the evidence, Judge Goggin stopped the proceed-
ings and said to the prosecutor, who had just related the
facts in the robbery:
"It serves you right, sir. You ought to have known
better. You are an old man and look as though you
might be a Sunday-school teacher. Probably you are
a Sunday-school teacher, and have been doing like many
others when they want to have a good time. What
business had you out at that time is what I'd like to
know. Let the prisoner be discharged."
While the victim of these two women was in their
cluFches he shouted for help. At that moment Detective
Wooldridge turned the corner of Congress street about
twenty feet away and heard the cry. Before the robbers
had found their hiding places they were caught by the
388 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
detective and identified by a number of people who saw
the hold-up.
In 1898 Kitty Adams was again arrested for larceny.
She was held to the grand jury, but gave bonds and
then ran away, going to some small town in Illinois.
Later she was arrested there as a fugitive from Justice
and taken back to Chicago, where, on June 6, she was
tried and sentenced to Joliet penitentiary for an in-
definite term, and it is not likely she will get out on the
same pretense which liberated her before.
HE SAVED HIS STAR.
Detective Wooldridge probably saved his star once
by preventing the escape of a prisoner whom he had
arrested for robbery. On October 6, 1895, Monroe
Thompson, alias Chick Monroe, a colored highwayman,
held up an aged soldier at Polk and State streets, robbed
him of $36 and got away with the money. He was
arrested the next day by Detective Wooldridge and taken
before Justice Underwood for trial. The detective turned
away for a minute in the court room, and the negro made
a dash for liberty. Wooldridge wheeled in time to see
his prisoner trying to escape, and started in pursuit.
The fugitive and detective rushed through the crowd
in the court room, and a number of persons in attend-
ance were roughly handled by both, but Wooldridge was
determined to recapture his man. One woman was
tumbled over into a crowd of Chinamen who were pres-
ent and her screams aroused the whole room. Thomp-
son was caught by Wooldridge just as he reached the
door, and was brought back and held to the grand
COULD NOT STOP A WEDDING 389
jury under bonds of $800, after taking a change of
venue from Justice Underwood to Justice Richardson.
When the case reached the grand jury, however, it was
thrown out because the victim of the robbery refused to
return and prosecute.
COULD NOT STOP A WEDDING.
PROSPECTIVE BRIDEGROOM ROBBED BY A THIEF, WHICH
REVEALS A ROMANCE.
The work of a detective often reveals some strange
stories, some of which are filled with romance and others
with misfortunes, sorrows and distress. The one re-
lated below discloses a romance and acquaints us with
a hero who would not permit a footpad to interrupt his
wedding.
He was smiling in spite of two heavy valises, when he
passed through the gate and took a seat in the forward
end of one of the coaches of the three-o'clock east-bound
train. The train left on time.
Before it had proceeded to Sixteenth street some
mysterious hand had pulled the bell cord. While pas-
sengers and train crew looked about to see why the
train had stopped so suddenly, John Johnson, a farmer
of Calloway, Custer county, Neb., was pursuing a Chi-
cago robber up Clark street. The highwayman had $120
of Mr. Johnson's money.
The thief ran down the street and turned into an alley,
soon distancing Johnson. The latter was directed to the
Harrison Street Police Station to report the robbery.
It was on a Sunday, about 3 p. m., when he came rush-
ing into the station, hat in one hand, two valises in the
390 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
other, and the perspiration streaming down his face.
He certainly bore the most forlorn and distressed face
ever seen, and in a loud voice asked "if that," meaning
the police station, "was the Mayor's office, and where
the Chief of Police was, for he wanted to see him right
away on d — d important business."
Thinking him some eccentric or a crazy person, the
desk sergeant and several others standing by thought
to have a little fun at his expense, and pointed out De-
tective Wooldridge, who just then entered the room, as
the chief, to whom he narrated his troubles with tears
in his eyes.
He shook like a man with palsy. He said his name
was John Johnson, from Calloway, Custer county. Neb.,
and that he was on his way east to be married, and
that he was due in Cleveland December 3, as he was to
be married that night ; that as he boarded the train a
thief had snatched his pocketbook and fled.
Wooldridge secured a description of the man and told
him every stone should be turned that could be, and
that he would put out twenty of the best detectives on
the force and have the man inside of a few hours, or
any way by morning, if he would wait over.
To that, however, he said " No " most emphatically,
declaring that he did not intend to remain over one
minute longer than the next train, which left at 8 p. m.,
as he did not propose to disappoint that "gal," who had
waited for him fifteen years.
"I will be there in time for the wedding," was the
telegram John Johnson sent from the Lake Shore sta-
tion to Miss Isabella Martha Rust at 3272 Spadford
avenue, Cleveland.
The robbery of John Johnson brought to light a little
COULD NOT STOP A WEDDING 391
romance which had been running its course for fifteen
years. John Johnson and Martha Isabella Rust were
playmates together in South Victoria, Canada. Their
parents lived near each other, on the same street of the
little Canadian town, and in the morning when Martha
Isabella Rust started for school, she found John John-
son waiting on the curb to carry her lunch, and hand-
in-hand they tripped along to the school-house.
"When we get big like papa and mamma," said John,
"we will get married. I will be your husband and you
will be my wife."
Martha Isabella agreed to the proposal every day or
two, and so the children grew to manhood and woman-
hood. But when they did get old enough to think about
marriage and a word of their intentions was whispered
to their parents, a prohibitory command was issued.
Then John secretaly plighted troth with his young fiancee
and left Canada to winius fortune.
" When I am rich," he told her, " I will return and
we will be married anyway."
Johnson crossed to Rochester, N. Y., and there heard
of the opportunities for young men in the far west.
He took a train for the cattle ranges of Nebraska. Sev-
eral years were spent in the saddle, and saving the money
that he earned. Finally he had enough money in the
bank to buy a piece of land and stock it. This was two
miles from Calloway, in Custer county. Everything pros-
pered and soon more land and more cattle were pur-
chased.
By the heat of buffalo-chip fire John fried his own
steak and made his own coffee until he thought he could
support a wife. He wrote to Martha Isabella Rust, who
had moved to Cleveland. She was of the " old opinion
392 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
still," and John made her a visit. The day set for the
Wedding was December 3. He returned to his home to
await the day.
Meanwhile he sold some cattle, procured a wedding suit,
and with $200 in his pocket started for Cleveland. He
reached Chicago and went to the Garden City Hotel for
^the night. He was so pleased over the outcome of the
long courtship that he told all of the guests of the hotel
about it and about the money in his pocket.
When he went to the depot and sat down, a stranger
paced back and forth before him. When Johnson boarded
the train this same man came through the car.
" Will you give me a match ? " he asked. Johnson ac-
commodated him, and the man went into the smoker.
After the train had started the man returned and asked
Johnson to give him two $10 bills for four $5 bills. John-
son drew his roll of money out and searched for the bills.
The man seized a handful and rushed to the door. John-
son caught him, but was knocked down. Then Johnson
pulled the bell cord and brought the train to a stop. He
seized his two valises and pursued the fugitive. The man
escaped, and Johnson applied to the Harrison Street
Police Station.
Detective Wooldridge was detailed to search for the
robber. The chief of detectives of the Lake Shore road
also offered assistance, and he requested Johnson to stay
a few days until a search could be made.
" Not a day," said Johnson. " I have waited fifteen
years and I have said that it shall come off Wednesday.
I will be there if I am robbed a hundred times, and I
have telegraphed home for more money. Do you think
I will permit a Chicago footpad to prevent what my
parents fought against in vain for fifteen years ? "
MURDER WILL OUT 393
When Johnson returned to Chicago with his bride,
Detective Wooldridge had the thief under bond, but the
young wife persuaded her husband to proceed to their
western home. She declared they could do without the
money that had been stolen, and did not want her husband
to have to return to Chicago to attend the trial. The
case was therefore dismissed for want of prosecution.
MURDER WILL OUT.
THIS IS DEMONSTRATED, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOOD DE-
TECTIVE WORK IS DONE.
Police officers have been connected with many cases
in which the truth of the saying that " murder will out "
was demonstrated. One of these cases came up in the
work of Detective Wooldridge.
On October 6, 1893,. David Conners, alias " Daddy "
Connors, and James Lamon, a brakeman, gambler and
confidence manj/went to Charles Patterson's saloon, 1441
State street, and engaged in a game of dice. .Lamon and
Connors became involved in a quarrel and blows were
passed between them. They were separated by the pro-
prietor and Lamon was advised to go home.
He started, and had just got out on the sidewalk and
on the way to his boardiilg-house, when Connors started
after him. Patterson and a man named Bauer tried to
stop him, and discovered that he had a knife in his hand.
Breaking away, he again started on a run after Lamon.
^auer called to Lamon to look out for Connors, as
he had a knife. At the warning Lamon turned around,
and as he did so Connors slashed the knife across the
abdomen, inflicting a wound which disemboweled him.
394 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Bauer ran up and grabbed Connors and attempted to hold
him until the arrival of the police, but Connors slashed
at him with the knife, cutting his coat in several places,
but fortunately he escaped with only a slight wound.
Connors broke away and made his escape. Lamon was
taken to the St. Luke's Hospital where he lingered for
a few days and died.
Detective Wooldridge was detailed on the case. Lamon
refused to tell who did the cutting, although notified
that he was in a serious condition and would die.
The detective finally secured the names of those in the
saloon at the time, and arrested and took them to the
station. At first they refused to give any information,
but after being locked up a while, one of them weakened
and said that it was " Daddy " Connors, and little by
little the information was pumped out of them until he
had the whole facts.
Before Lamon died he took his ante-mortem state-
ment at the hospital, and with all this information at-
tended the inquest. The jury heard the evidence and
recommended that Connors be held to the grand jury for
the murder of James Lamon.
Wooldridge next secured a photograph and descrip-
tion of Connors, and issued a circular to locate and ar-
rest him. On April lo, 1894, Wooldridge learned that
he was in Chicago and notified the Chief of Police.
Through his eflForts and work Connors was located on
the west side, and a number of officers were detailed to
assist Wooldridge to arrest him. He was arrested and
Wooldridge took charge of the case, and when the trial
came up, through the evidence presented by Wooldridge
and his untiring energy in pushing it, Connors was, on
November 30, 1894, sentenced in Judge Blank's court
BURGLAR IN WOMEN'S CLOTHES 395
to twenty-one years in the p^nitentiary. He died there
two years later.
BURGLAR IN WOMAN'S CLOTHES.
YOUNG MAN WHO ROBBED A SALOON FALLS INTO A TRAP
SET BY THE DETECTIVE.
A clever and successful plan was executed by De-
tective Wooldridge in August, 1891, to capture the men
who robbed H. Wagner, a saloon keeper at 3144 State
street. The burglars rifled his cash drawer and also took
away a large quantity of tobacco, cigars and liquors.
Wooldridge was assigned to the case, and after making
a careful investigation, he learned that a few minutes
before the saloon was closed on thic night of the robbery,
R. Halman and William Hoyt were there, and that Hoyt
was dressed as a wonian and wore a thick veil which
completely concealed his features.
Some time after the saloon closed, both these young
men were observed to be acting in a very suspicious man-
ner, and the detective also uncovered l';c fr.ct t'r.at on
the following day Hoyt had a plentiful s"p;;!y of cigars,
tobacco and liquor. Further inquiry developed the fact
that he was living with his mother not a very great dis-
tance from the scene of the robbery.
Wooldridge made a number of visits to the residence
of his mother, but each time was informed that the
young man was not at home. It appeared th.at he had
heard he was suspected of the robbery and kept away.
Then the detective devised a plan which resulted in
the arrest of the robber. He wrote a note to him and
sent it to his mother's residence, in which he said he
396 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
had heard he was out of work, and a friend of his had
asked him (Wooldridge) to get him a position. He knew
a place that was open and could secure it if he would
meet him at the store of a certain firm that night at 8 130
o'clock,
Hoyt appeared on time, and was then arrested and
taken to the Stanton Avenue Station, where he confessed
to the burglary. When he was arraigned •for trial the
court was lenient and he was fined $50.
TRIES TO HIDE HER SHAME.
SERVANT GIRL NEARLY KILLS HER ILLEGITIMATE CHILD
BUT IT IS SAVED BY THE DETECTIVE.
There are two worlds in the life of a police officer.
He sees the criminal side of life, and he sees life from
a sympathetic side. Sometimes he sees from the latter
point alone, and when he does he is one of the most suc-
cessful moral agents in the long list of charitable institu-
tions. A woman in distress, who has been the victim
of a heartless man, or a family suffering from the ad-
versities of life often become objects of the especial care
of these guardians of the peace, and the heroic work
they do for these people would often stagger the profes-
sional reliet societies, if they were acquainted with the
facts.
One peculiar and interesting case presented itself to
Detective Wooldridge, and it came up in the regular
routine of his duties. The wife of a gentleman residing
on Vernon avenue rushed into the Stanton Avenue Station
one evening and excitedly exclaimed that there were
burglars or ghosts or something in her cellar. She said
TRIES TO HIDE HER SHAME 397
she had gone into the cellar to get some coal and heard
sounds which almost made her hair turn gray.
Detective Wooldridge was sent to Aake an investiga-
tion, and when he reached the house, which was only
a few blocks from the station, he led the way to the
basement with a revolver in each hand, followed by the
frightened woman with a lamp and a hatchet. A man
who roomed in the house armed himself with a rolling
pin, and a serv came next, leading a pugnacious look-
ing bull-dog.
And what did they find?* Not a burglar, not a ghost,
but a little baby, wrapped in a mop cloth and rags, lying
in a market basket. On top of the basket there was a
large board, and on this was a pile of lumber. The help-
less little one was left alone to die of starvation or to be
devoured by the rats which infested the cellar, and the
author of this act of chielty was the mother of this child,
a German girl who was employed as a servant in this
family.
Censure would naturally follow an inhuman act of this
character, but it will be asked if the girl was more re-
sponsible than the base-hearted villain who w^s the cause
of her downfall. She was compelled to work for a living,
and in her hour of distress he deserted her. She could
not afiFord to lose her position, and when the time came
for the deliverance of this child of sin and indiscretion,
she went to the basement alone, in the dead hours of the
ntght, and consigned it to whatever fate awaited it.
There was no physician or nurse to help her in this
liour of the greatest trial of a woman's life, and her
heroism went even further. She arose the following day
and began .her regular duties; worked the entire day;
398 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
did a large washing, and scrubbed two flights of stairs,
besides many other things which are required of a servant.
She must hide 'her shame at any cost, and no one,
except a woman who has known the sufferings of ma-
ternity, can really understand what this poor girl must
have endured.
Suspicion, of course, was directed toward the girl.
At first she persistently denied all knowledge of the
child, which had not even been washed after its birth,
but under the close questioning of the detective, she
finally broke down and confessed that she was the mother
of the little foundling. The baby through neglect had al-
most lost its eyesight, but it and the mother^ were taken
to the county hospital in the police ambulance in charge
of an officer, and a complaint of child abandonment and
an attempt to murder was lodged against the young
woman.
In three weeks' time the young mother recovered thor-
oughly, and under the skillful treatment of physicians the
child's eyes were saved. Then that little baby girl grew
in strength, and beauty set its mark on its pale face.
The story of the unfortunate girl was told to some
sympathetic and kind neighbors, who went to her rescue.
They raised by subscription enough money to buy the
baby a lot of comfortable clothing, and made its little life
as happy as it was possible to do under the circumstances.
The natural love and affection of a mother grew in the
young girl and won her many friends in the hospital.
When she was arraigned at the Thirty-fifth Street Police
Court before Justice Wallace, the court and public were
moved to tears, and for the good of both she was dis-
charged, and the child placed in the Home for the Friend-
less, where the mother paid for its board. SJie married
WOMEN GAMBLE IN STOCKS 399
later, and the little girl grew to be one of the most lovely
children the sun ever shone upon, and seven years later
she v^as the pride of the woman who once abandoned her.
WOMEN GAMBLE IN STOCKS.
DETECTIVES RAID A BUCKET SHOP AND ARREST FEMALES
TEMPTING FORTUNE OVER THE TICKER.
Women are frequently lured by the ticker in the bucket
shop as well as men, and in a raid made by Detective
Wooldridge on the fifth floor of the Rialto building, he
found a dozen there who were trying to better their for-
tunes. ~"
When the officers entered, there was great confusion.
Some of the women screamed with terror, others sobbed
as if they were heartbroken, while a few took their ar-
rests very philosophically and laughed, over the pre-
dicament in which they found themselves.
Costly and magnificent dresses adorned some of them,
while others wore gems that cost thousands of dollars.
All, however, did not present these evidences of pros-
perity. There were some who seemed to come from the
poorer classes. Their costumes showed that if they were
ever possessed of the luxuries of a fine wardrobe it had
been some time before, but each eagerly watched the rise
and fall of grain, stocks and provisions.
All of them were arrested and taken to the police sta-
tion in the patrol wagon, where they were locked up.
This frightened them more than the raid, and they vigor-
ously protested at the sight of a prison cell.
They finally gave bond and were released. In the
rooms occupied by the bucket shop the officers found five
400 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
tickers, one of which was supposed to be connected with
a similar institution in the Chicago Opera House build-
ing. There were also seven telephones. The proprietor
had been posing as a member of the New York Stock
Exchange, stating that he had a direct wire with an east-
ern correspondent.
The raid was instigated by the wife of a prominent
Chicago lawyer, who resided in the Morrison Hotel. She
claimed that the proprietor of the place had swindled her
out of $1,200 by means of alluring circulars and pam-
phlets alleging that he was a regular broker and member
of the New York Stock Exchange.
A typewritten circular, ready for the printers, was
among the property confiscated.. This is the alluring
language of the circular which caused the raid and which
has separated many unsuspecting persons from their hard^
earned money :
"Our financial methods and enterprise may not be indorsed by
narrow-minded, pessimistic wiseacres. To these we can only
assert that if you will stop to give the points herein presented
careful consideration, you will perhaps realize your vision has
been too narrow, and there are to-day greater opportunities than
ever for making large profits in a perfectly safe manner. No-
where has wealth accumulated so fast in recent years as has
been the case in Wall street. It is there that millions have been
added to the fortunes of the Vanderbilts, Goulds, Rockefellers,
Morgans and people of that class.
"The real facts are that the grand or tidal movement in Wall
street (not the daily fluctuations) are arranged by men who con-
trol millions; in other words, the insiders of those corporations
whose securities are dealt in, certain Wall street banks and some
of the big life insurance companies. Do such notoriously con-
servative people play a game of chance? Not much; these men,
the real insiders, do not put their millions into a scheme that de-
pends unon .1 hazard, and as they are sure to win, it is equally
certain that an outsider, unless exceptionally well advised, is sure
to lose. I am on the inside."
Thousands believe every word that is written of the
glittering opportunities to make money. If the victims
GIRLS IN BONDAGE 401
of these men would only stop to consider the fact that if
any one is sufficiently posted to double money in grain
speculation, he would use his own capital and make a
fortune, instead of trying to make a fortune by charging
a small commission for handling the money of some one
else, much misery and disappointment would be pre-
vented.
A man who is " on the inside " in reality can get all
the money in all the banks of Chicago to speculate with
instead of getting the small savings of poor men and
women.
Those v/ho were arrested on the occasion referred to
above were discharged the next morning on the payment
of costs.
GIRLS IN BONDAGE.
DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE /RESCUES TWO YOUNG GIRLS FROM
A LIFE OF DEPRAVITY.
Through the aid of Detective Wooldridge, Hattie Wil-
son and Maude Brown, two young girls, neither of whom
were eighteen years of age, escaped from a bondage
worse than death, at 445 and 447 Clark street, on October
18, 1895.
The girls had been prisoners in the place for several
days, the landlady, Blanche McCarty, taking their cloth-
ing from them and locking them in a room on the top
floor, where their cries for rescue were useless.
The girls were virtually sold into bondage for the sum
of $5 per head. Both came of good and respectable
though poor families from South Bend. Maude Brown's
father was a carpenter, and the other girl's father an ex-
402 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
pressman. Both of the girls appeared to be respectable
and were too young to be of an abandoned character.
They met two young men who gave the names of Burk
and Davis at the races at South Bend.
These young men told the girls of golden opportunities
to make money in Chicago, guaranteeing that it could
be done by honest means. Their oily tongues won the
day, and the four came to the city on the Lake Shore
& Michigan Southern. Arriving here, the men took the
girls to Peck court, placed them in a room, and kept them
over Saturday and Sunday. Monday night the men took
them to the McCarty woman's place and turned them
over to the latter, receiving as a reward $io.
The girls said the men told them that the woman
would keep them about ten minutes. Instead, Mrs. Mc-
Carty locked them in a room and took away their cloth-
ing.
The girls begged to be allowed to go, insisting that they
did not want to live a life of shame. It was useless.
Finally, they wrote a letter telling their troubles, and
dropped it through the window to a boy who happened
to be passing by, and begged him for God's sake to take
it to the police station. The next few hours were full
of anxiety for the girls, but the note was carried to De-
tective Wooldridge at the Harrison Street Police Sta-
tion, who lost no time in going to the rescue.
When found, the girls were almost nude. Officer
Wooldridge provided them with wrappers and took them
to the Harrison Street Annex. The two men who acted
as procurers were searched for, but escaped. The place
at 445 Clark street is notorious. The girls were held
until their relatives were notified.
Blanche McCarty was arrested, locked up in the Har-
NOT SO GREEN AS HE LOOKED 403
rison Street Station, and later taken before Justice Un-
derwood and held under bonds of $i,6oo to the criminal
court.
The girls were sent back to their parents at South Bend,
and when the case came before the grand jury both re-
fused to return to Chicago to prosecute. The police were
informed that they received a snug little sum to drop the
prosecution.
NOT SO GREEN AS HE LOOKED.
CONFIDENCE MEN TAKE DETECTIVE FOR A FARMER AND
LAND IN THE POLICE STATION.
A novel experience fell to the part of Detective Wool-
dridge one hot night in August, 1893. He was dressed
in plain clothing and presented the appearance of a
farmer from Posey county, Ind., but he was not so green
as he looked. /
While he was passing in front of a saloon on State
street a confidence man stepped up and said : " Can you
tell me which line of cars will take me to the World's
Fair grounds ? "
The detective saw at once that the man who asked the
question was a confidence worker. Biting off a chew of
plug tobacco, Wooldridge said he thought the State
street car would take him to the World's Fair. " I am
a stranger in town," said the detective, " and I am kinder
turned around myself in this part of the city."
" So am I, stranger," said the man who attracted his
attention, " Come in and have a drink." The two went
into the saloon and a game of dice was soon started.
Another man, who was a confederate of the one who in-
404 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
vited the officer into the saloon, came up and also took
a hand ip the game. One of the men tried to rob Wool-
dridge, and the officer then made known his identity and
arrested them. Several loungers about the saloon tried
to rescue the confidence men and a desperate struggle
began. Wooldridge had his coat torn off, and one of his
fingers badly chewed up. He clung to his prisoners,
however, and had to draw his revolver out to keep the
crowd of toughs back. The men whom he arrested gave
their names as George Low and James Cory. They were
arraigned in court the next morning and fined $50 and
$20 respectively. Both were sent to Bridewell.
ROBBED OF $5,000.
TWO WOMEN HOLD UP AND TAKE A CONSIDERABLE FORTUNE
FROM A BUFFALO MAN.
Two women, Lena Blake, white, and Josie Rice, col-
ored, held up and robbed Albert Hoyder, of Buffalo, N.
Y., of $5,000 in cash on January 23, 1893, in a dive on
Clark stre^et.
Hoyder was returning from Galveston, Texas, where
he had gone to receive a portion of a fortune left him
by his uncle, who had just died, and which amounted to
$42,000 cash, and real estate which brought $600 every
month. Hoyder was forty-five years old and the father
of several children. Having disposed of all the legal
formalities in Texas, he was on his way home, and upon
arriving in Chicago, had in a buckskin belt, which was
fastened around his waist beneath his undershirt, a littl^
over $5,000.
He strolled down Clark street, between Harrison and
HE USED BOGUS CHECKS 405
Polk, when he was met by Josie Rice and Lena Blake.
He said his attention was attracted by the colored
woman's antics, which were like those of a young Hot-
tentot, and a new element was introduced into his merri-
ment.
Hoyder, with the perfect honesty of a man having no
knowledge of Clark street life, allowed his curiosity to
lead him. upstairs into a room, where he was drugged
by wine furnished by these women.
When he awoke his buckskin belt had been cut loose
and taken by these two women thieves, who had hed.
Soon after both women were arrested and locked up at
the Harrison Street Station. Lena Blake secured bond,
which was furnished by one of the professional bailers
that hang around the court, and she then skipped out.
Josie Rice made a full confession of her guilt, and said
that when it came to dividing the spoils the white woman
only gave her $137, while she kept the balance.
Six months later Detective Wooldridge found Lena
Blake, who had returned to Chicago, and arrested her
on an indictment charging her with robbery.
She was placed on trial before Judge Baker, and
through perjured testimony presented, she was dis-
charged. She had spent all the money, except what she
gave her mother to start a restaurant. Some two years
after this she died in Chicago.
^ HE USED BOGUS CHECKS.
CHEAP SWINDLING SCHEMES OF LAWBREAKERS FREQUENT-
LY SURPRISE THE POLICE.
In their pursuit of lawbreakers the police frequently
meet with some great surprises, not at the amount of
lawlessness, but at the stupidity of the victims of the
406 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
criminals. In fact, it is surprising to them sometimes
that there is not more lawlessness, seeing that so many
people are so easily victimized, and by the simplest and
most apparent fraudulent methods.
In 1897 there was a colored man in Chicago v/hose
treal name was E. H. Dillard, but who for the further-
fance of his schemes assumed the name of " Dr." Baxter.
His scheme was to convince people that he had fabulous
wealth, and then on one pretense or another get n.oney
from them. He dressed well, made a fine appearance,
and was a good talker, yet he was very illiterate.
He secured large amounts of money from many Chi-
cago people (mostly colored) by passing himself as a
doctor and also as a buyer and raiser of stock.
He roomed and boarded in the most fashionable places
and cultivated only the acquaintance of moneyed men for
the furtherance of his own interests.
Being illiterate, he had to employ an educated man to
attend to his affairs, and make him acquainted with the
influential men in the neighborhood. »
It was about September i, 1897, that Dillard arrived
in Chicago from the west, and on his way he formed the
acquaintance of A. B. Williams, a porter on a Pullman
car. He told this man that he had large interests in
stock ranches in Montana, and had some 6,000 head of
cattle on the road to the Union Stock Yards in Chicago.
He also said that he had bought 20,000 more which
would follow the first shipment. He offered Williams
employment as his secretary at $150 a month if he would
leave the Pullman Company's employ and work for him.
This offer was accepted by Williams, who took the " doc-
tor " to his boarding-house, that of Mrs. Ella Clark,
2442 Dearborn street, where Dillard also secured board.
HE USED BOGUS CHECKS 407
Two of the best rooms in the house were refurnished for
the use of the " doctor " and his secretary.
The following morning Williams was taken to the
stock yards and shown thousands of head of cattle in
the pens, which the '* doctor " said all belonged to him.
He told Williams that he expected two checks for $1,500
each, payable to him, and a draft on the Merchants' Ex-
change Bank of Melbourne, Australia, for $36,000, pay-
able on demand, and endorsed b) William Shakespeare
& Co., bankers, of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
He borrowed from Williams and Mrs. Clark all their
available cash, and gave Mrs. Clark a check for his
board, which was presented to the bank for collection,
and she received the information that Dillard had no
account there. Then complaint was made to Detective
Wooldridge and his arrest followed.
Dillard had in his possession ..when taken into custody,
several bogus drafts, checks and bills of lading. Several
of his victims appeared to prosecute, and on Septem-
ber 16, 1897, he was held to the criminal court by Justice
Hall under $3,500 bonds.
Upon arraignment before Judge Gary, October 6, 1897,
he feigned insanity, but his past record and some thirty
witnesses soon convinced the court that the man was
shamming, and he sentenced him to the penitentiary un-
der the indeterminate act.
Among his victims was The Fair, where he bought
some $300 worth of goods on a bogus check, but these
goods were not delivered. Other victims who appeared
were R. Bacon, 208 Walnut street, who cashed a worth-
less check for $65 ; Edward Levy, 483 Francisco street,
who cashed a check for $95 ; Albert Lanyer, 491 Fran-
cisco street, and George S. Andison, 730 Austin avenue,
408 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
who loaned Dillard money and acted as his secretary
for two months under promise of future pay, believing
his employer to be a wealthy cattle man.
ALL THIEVES ARE DESPERATE.
ONE GUILTY OF PETTY LARCENY RESISTS ARREST AS FIERCE-
LY AS ONE GUILTY OF BANK ROBBERY.
The officer often meets as fierce resistance in his at-
tempt to arrest a man who is guilty of petty larceny
as he does in his attempt to capture a safe blower or a
murderer. Detective Wooldridge had a conflict of this
kind on a bitter cold day in November, 1893, when he
attempted to take into custody a man who had stolen a
horse blanket. On this occasion Charles Day, who was
the proprietor of the Wqjwick Hotel, had just returned
from a drive, and the horse was somewhat hot from the
exercise. Mr. Day took out of the buggy a handsome
robe which he placed on the horse to prevent the animal
from becoming chilled.
He then stepped into the hotel, and had hardly closed
the door behind him when John Donohue, who had been
watching him from the opposite side of the street, crossed
over, stripped the blanket from the horse, and rolling it
up started on a run to the alley, south of Van Buren
street and "between Clark street and Pacific avenue.
The detective was standing on the comer of Clark and
Van Buren streets waiting for a car and witnessed the
entire transaction, but the thief had a start of about
three hundred feet and was soon joined by four other
Vnen, who, judging from their actions, were his com-
panions.
ALL THIEVES ARE DESPERATE 409
Wooldridge jumped on a passing car going south with
the intention of overhauHng them, recovering the blanket
and arresting the thief. Donohue was just coming out
of the mouth of the alley adjoining the police station
on Harrison street when Wooldridge overtook him. . The
detective asked the fugitive what he had in the bundle.
Donohue replied, " None of your business, and if you
touch me I'll kill you." He then put his hand into his
back pocket as if he intended to draw a weapon. Wool-
dridge pulled out his revolver and told the fellow he was
a police officer, and at once placed him under arrest. The
thief was a powerful man and did not propose to submit.
He seized the officer and tried to get possession of his
revolver, but instead of this he received a blow on the
head which made a wound three inches long. Donohue
then dropped the blanket, and breaking away from the
officer, ran across the street into the alley on the opposite
side. Wooldridge followed and commanded him to halt.
He turned and answered that if the officer attempted to
follow him any further he would kill him. Wooldridge
fired a shot in the air which brought Donohue to a stand-
still again, and once more they clinched and both fell.
The trial board, which is a body appointed for the pur-
pose of investigating the conduct of officers who are
charged with violation of various police rules and regu-
lations, happened to be in session on this day. Three
inspectors and a large number of commanding officers
from various stations were present.
There were more than seventy-five officers in the sta-
tion when the shot was fired, and all of them came run-
ning out to see what had caused it. They were headed
by Captain Hartnett, who was in charge of the station
at this time, and he was surprised to find Wooldridge
410 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
and Donohue in a deadly struggle. The latter was try-
ing to get possession of the revolver which Wooldridge
held, and it was perhaps very fortunate that assistance
arrived when it did, as it probably prevented either Wool-
dridge or Donohue from being shot.
Donohue was overpowered and finally landed in the
station. When he was taken down into the cell rooms
he attempted to convince the officers that he was wounded
in order that he might be sent to the hospital, which
would give him another chance to escape. Wooldridge
knowing, however, that the man was not shot, strongly
insisted that he should not be sent to the hospital, which
was agreed to, and the man was locked up. On trial the
next morning he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct
and was fined $ioo and sent to the House of Correction
for six months. The four men who were with him made
their escape.
OFFICER IS ROUGHLY HANDLED.
AFTER BEING TERRIBLY BEATEN IN A SALOON HE ARRESTS
• SIX OF HIS ASSAILANTS.
In 1896 Clark street, from Polk to Twelfth streets, was
about as tough and vicious a place as there was on the
face of the earth.
Almost every other house was a saloon, dance hall, or
house of prostitution. These saloons never closed their
doors, and women of all ages, of every nationality and
color, and of every stage of depravity, were to be found
in this locality. Around the doors of these places could
be seen gaudily-bedecked females, half-clad in flashy
finery, many with loose wrappers, and others wearing
short scarlet dresses which never come below their knees,
with many-colored stockings and fancy shoes.
OFFICER IS kOUGHLY HANDLED 411
Many of them wore bodices cut so low that they did
not amount to much more than a belt. There they would
congregate and tell filthy stories and sing vulgar songs,
making all kinds ol comments in a loud tone of voice in
the hearing of all passers, right under the gaze of all
passengers on the passing street cars. This was the re-
sort and hang-out of the most depraved men in the city ;
the home of all alleged highwaymen, burglars, thieves,
sure-thing gamblers, and any kind of a game, " con " or
otherwise, could be found there.
Detective Wooldridge was the smallest man in the
station, but it must be remembered that good things come
in small packages sometimes.
For months he had waged incessant war upon these
characters, scarcely a day passing that he did not single
out five or six of these men and land them in the Har-
rison Street Station for vagrancy and other misde-
meanors, and they were usually heavily fined. He re-
ceived many threatening letters by means of which they
tried to scare him, but not the slightest attention was
paid to them, and the good work went on.
Wooldridge was called into Qiarles Kinnucan's saloon
at 435 Clark street on account of a fight between George
Kinnucan, a nephew of the proprietor of the place, and
Dave Sanch. They were separated three times, but their
blood was up. Both of them had fully made up their
minds for the occasion, and not for one miunte would
they allow even a Chicago police officer tp interfere with
them.
George Kinnucan fought desperately with Wooldridge
when he arrested him, but he was landed in the police
station. The detective had a hard time of it though,
as there were eighteen or twenty tough characters present,
among them being four ex-convicts, and many grafters
412 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
and thieves, who were avowedly friends of Kinnucan
and defied the officer to take him.
The plucky detective, however, nothing daunted, de-
termined not to show the white feather, and said he would
take his prisoner in spite of them all. From that time
the fight was on, and they clinched, and down they went
with Wooldridge on top. His " billy " was snatched out
of his pocket, and he was knocked down as fast as he
could get up, and this was done three times in succession.
While he lay unconscious Kinnucan was pounding
him, and all in the room joined in kicking him. His head
was one mass of bruises, and over the temple and on his
head were cuts from which the blood flowed.
Wooldridge had the presence of mind to throw his left
arm over his face when they all jumped on to him^ thus
saving himself from being disfigured, and at the same
time he succeeded in getting his right arm free, and with
this he pulled his revolver, and while Kinnucan was on
the top of him and the others kicking him, he fired and
the bullet imbedded itself in the bar. just grazmg the
barkeeper's hand.
Kinnucan then caught hold of the barrel of the revolver
and tried to wrench it out of Wooldridge's hand, and
at that Wooldridge fired again. The bullet passed through
Kinnucan's hand, between the thumb and forefinger,
passed all along the bone of the arm, and finally came
out at the elbow. Kinnucan grabbed a heavy oak stick,
but before he could use it he received a blow over the
forehead which cut a gash three inches long, which had
the effect of laying him out. This blow was from Wool-
dridge's revbivei.
Officer Phil Miller came to the rescue, and six of the
TRIES TO ROB THE DETECTIVE 413
men were arrested and locked up, and they were after-
wards fined and sent to the Bridewell.
For the next six years not one of the Clark street
toughs had any desire to have a personal encounter with
Wooldridge even though he were the smallest man work-
ing out of the Harrison Street Police Station.
TRIES TO ROB THE DETECTIVE.
MARY KEATING HAS A ROUGH ADVENTURE WITH DETEC-
TIVE WOOLDRIDGE.
One of the best known female pickpockets in Chi-
cago tried to rob Detective Wooldridge once, and of
course got the worst of it. The detective was stand-
ing in front of the First National Bank at the corner
of Monroe and Dearborn streets when she attempted
to rob him. She might have had the impression that
Wooldridge was the president of this big financial in-
stitution, or she possibly mistook him for the cashier.
At any rate she mistook him for an easy "mark"
and sailed in to get his money. The woman was Mary
Seating, who, with her sister Nora, were well known
to the police. Mary had been arrested many times
and always went peaceably with the officers to the
police station. She would sometimes try to escape by
running, but never fought her captors except on this
one occasion. Her sister was notorious as a fighter,
and there are many officers on the force who bear
scars which are the result of a conflict with Nora
Keating.
It was on April 24, 1892, that Mary Keating at-
tempted to rob Detective Wooldridge. She, with an-
414 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
other woman, was standing on the corner of Monroe
and Dearborn streets, discussing the propriety of rob-
bing some one, when Mary saw Wooldridge not far
from her. The detective had heard a part of their con-
versation and determined to watch them.
The Keating woman approached him and asked
where State street was. He told her it was one block
east. The woman, however, did not manifest any in-
tentions of going that direction, and engaged the de-
tective in conversation. Suddenly she threw one arm
around his neck and at the same time thrust her hand
into his vest pocket. The officer seized her by the
wrists and told her she was under arrest. She was
not in the least disconcerted, and to all appearances
was willing to submit without any resistance. She
tried to persuade Wooldridge to release her, but he
refused. She at last consented to walk to the station,
and they started away together.
No sooner had she secured the use of one arm than
she struck the officer a heavy blow in the face. He
fell, but had the presence of mind to seize her dress
and held to her. Then the woman dealt him another
blow and at the same time called to her friend, whose
duty apparently had been to keep watch for a police-
man.
"Come on," she said, "we can both fix him."
Wooldridge managed to regain his feet, still holding
to his prisoner. In an instant he took from his pocket
a pair of "come-alongs" and fastened them around her
wrists. Twisting them tightly, he caused such pain
that she was a willing prisoner, but only for a few
minutes. She then resorted to her plan of bribery.
First she oflFered $50 if the officer would let her go,
TRIED TO DODGE THE CAMERA 415
then $75, and at last $icx). Seeing that this did not pre-
vail, she promised to walk peaceably if the chains were
removed from her wrists. This was done, and for a
few blocks she kept her promise. When the corner
of Harrison and Clark streets was reached she said her
dress was unfastened and asked the privilege of step-
ping into a doorway to fix it.
She was bending slightly forward and Wooldridge
was directly in front of her. Suddenly the woman's
arm shot out, and the detective received the full force
of the blow between the eyes. Twice she struck him
and started to run up Harrison street.
Wooldridge was after her immediately, and after
another brisk fight succeeded in overpowering her.
She was booked for attempted robbery, and the next
morning was fined $200. She appealed the case, but
the decision of the lower court was affirmed. The
. money was paid and the woman was not compelled to
go to jail.
Mary Keating was shot by her lover, John Rooch,
from the effects of which she died at the county hos-
pital, April 24, 1895.
TRIED TO DODGE THE CAMERA.
The police wanted to take the picture of Frankie
Smith, whom Detective Wooldridge had arrested, but,
unlike most women, she gave feminine vanity a shock
by protesting against facing the camera. When Wool-
dridge attempted to escort her to the gallery at the
Harrison Street Station, he came near losing as much
of his face as Frankie could take in one bite. Luckily
416 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
he escaped with only a few scratches from Frankie's
finger nails, which appeared to be as sharp as tiger
claws.
Frankie got into trouble by a chance acquaintance
with one Turner, whom she met on Wabash avenue
on July I, 1895. The acquaintance had been of only a
few minutes' duration, Turner says, when she had $35
which he carried in his pocket. She positively denied
having the money or taking it until the wagon was
called, and then she attempted to pass it over to Tur-
ner. This was detected by Wooldridge, who seized
the money, which was still in an envelope with Tur-
ner's name written upon it, and had been received a
few hours previous from his paymaster. She was held
to the grand jury, indicted, arraigned for trial in the
criminal court and found guilty by a jury.
SMOKED ON THE STREET.
WOMAN ARRESTED FOR PUFFING AT A CIGARETTE ON WA-
BASH AVENUE.
While strolling along Wabash avenue one December
day in 1896 Detective Wooldridge met another stroll-
er. It was a woman who said she was Jennie Ward.
She was not very different from other women, but she
attracted more attention because she was smoking a
cigarette.
The detective would perhaps not have noticed the
woman so much if she had been smoking a cigar, but
a cigarette was the limit. He arrested Jennie and took
her to the station.
When she was arraigned for trial the court said;
"Who is this prisoner?"
SMOKED ON THE STREET
417
"This person is Jennie Ward, your honor," answered
Wooldridge.
"Ahem ! Quite a young girl," the court observed, as
he inclined the judicial head and critically regarded
the prisoner.
"Quite young," Wooldridge replied, "but a 'beaut,'
though ; just see how she's dressed. You can hear
her clothes in Europe. They're actually - disorderly,
for a fact. It's really deafening, the noise they make."
"There's nothing disorderly in those accusations,
and the clatter of her raiment does not substantiate
your allegation that Miss Ward was not peaceful last
evening," the court said, with a frown as black as a
Herodic heart and. as threatening as a cold tip from
the weather man's map.
"But, your honor, I saw her coming down Wabash
avenue Sunday smoking cigarettes like a college dude.
She spotted me and doused the ghm, but I pinched
her."
This was surely enough to satisfy the court. He
fined Jennie $i, remarking, as he entered up the assess-
^ment, "I don't know what the equal suffragists will
think, but as the thing being smoked was a cigarette
I guess they won't make a disturbance. Now, if it had
been a pipe — but then."
The court did not muse further, and Jennie paid the
tax.
418 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
AMBITIOUS "PONY" MOORE.
NEGRO WHO CONDUCT^ A SALOON AND GAMBLING HOUSE
WANTED TO SHINE IN SOCIETY.
With vaulting ambition and the exulting vanity of
a parvenu, "Pony" Aloore started out once to startle
the world b}' becoming a shining light in society. This
would not appear strange or astonishing were it not
for the fact that "Pony" Moore is a colored man who
then conducted a saloon and gambling house at 171
Twenty-first street, which was called the Turf Ex-
change, and was one of the worst dives in Chicago.
Moore was known as a "high-flyer," but the great
and insurmountable obstacle to his consuming ambi-
tion was his color. "He had his face enameled; he
had his hair made straight," or, rather, he had it all
cut off, thus avoiding the vain task of trying to have
it made straight, but notwithstanding all this and his
desire to be a white man, "instead of a coon, coon,
coon," he was doomed to disappointment.
However, he came as near, on one occasion, reach-
ing the pinnacle to which he aspired as was possible.
After undergoing treatment at the hands of special-
ists and the use of many chemicals guaranteed to
change the color of the skin, he concluded that by
making a bold dash he could at least deceive stran-
gers. Then he arrayed himself in the most expensive
and flashy clothes that money could buy, bedecked
his shirt front and fingers with diamonds that looked
like sunbursts, and dropped into Newport at the height
of the season and cut a swell that made the four hun-
dred look like hoosiers.
In a few days he was hobnobbing vv^ith ^millionaires
AMBITIOUS " PONY " MOORE
419'
and titled foreigners at the clubs in the afternoons and
dancing with their wives and daughters at night. He
was feted continually. He was invited to dinners and
receptions by members of the exclusive set, and for a
"pony" MOORE.
time his cup of happiness was filled to overflowing,
and he thought his sole aim in life had been attained.
Some one who knew him in Chicago dropped into
Newport one Sunday and "tipped off" his game. Then
420 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
followed the greatest consternation that was ever seen
in that gay resort. The swells with whom Moore had
been on such intimate terms packed up and left in the
night, so fearful were they that they would meet him
again. In twelve hours Newport was practically de-
populated. Some went to Europe, some to Hong
Kong and Vladivostok, and others went to Monte
Carlo and Egypt. They vanished like ships in the
night, and Mr. Moore arose the next morning to find
that he would have to take his ocean plunge all alone.
This dampened his ardor somewhat, but he braced
his drooping spirits by planning a campaign at Atlan-
tic City.
The news of the sensation at Newport had not
reached the other fashionable resorts, and he invaded
Atlantic City like a conquering hero. In a few days
he was in the whirl of society again. Then the gay
revelers heard of the calamity at Newport, and once
more there was a wild scramble to get off the earth.
By this time the secret had gotten out and spread
along the shore from Maine to Florida, which put an
end to "Pony" Moore's summer social campaign, and
he returned to his Chicago dive, to get back some of
the coin he had spent in society.
In 1897, just after the election of Carter Harrison
as mayor, Moore's ambition took another turn. He
wanted to branch out as a professional bailer. In
order to establish himself in this line of business he
had a large number of placards printed bearing the
words :
" Tony Moore, the official bondsman at the Twenty-
eecond Street Police Station."
As soon as the police heard of this, Mr. Moore was
AMBITIOUS " PONY " MOORE 421
visited and told that he would be given so many hours
to gather in all those cards, and he found that it was
an easier job to distribute them than to gather them
in, but they soon disappeared.
His place at Twenty-first street was the resort of
depraved women, both white and black. It was also
frequented by Chinamen and Japanese.
It was known to the public as a wide-open, care-
fully guarded gambling resort, where any kind of a
game could be had. It had the reputation of being
almost impregnable, being protected with pickets, who
were kept on duty night and day. Electric wires and
other devices were brought into requisition to help
out.
Again and again the police had swooped down on
the house expecting to catch the inmates gambling,
but the players had feceived the tip from the "look-
out," and when the police got inside they invariably
found the inmates complacently smoking cigars or en-
gaged in some innocent amusement.
During the winter of 1899 war was declared upon
poolrooms and handbooks on horse racing. Detective
Wooldridge was in charge, of gambling and had a
large detail of picked men from the Central Station
to assist him.
Moore, surrounded with his pickets ready to give
the alarm at the least sign of apparent danger, defied
Wooldridge and his detectives to catch him, and one
effort after another failed. Finally, one day, after a
number of complaints had been received respecting
Moore's place, Wooldridge went to Twenty-first street
and looked the ground over, and determined on using
strategy to catch this important chap.
422 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Several hours before the races opened Wooldridge
went to George Raymond's saloon, just south of
Twenty-first street on Dearborn, and managed to se-
crete himself, and there he waited until three o'clock
in the afternoon.
Raymond's saloon fronted on Dearborn street, and
ran back to the alley directly in the rear of Moore's
place, with but three feet of space between the walls,
and through this place Wooldridge crawled and shoved
a board eighteen inches wide and six feet long, with
which to hide himself from the vigilant eyes of
Moore's pickets, who were keeping a sharp lookout
for the police.
In order to protect himself and at the same time see
the guard, Wooldridge ran the board out about twelve
inches. It rested against the wall of Moore's saloon
and was one inch above the ground. Through this
space under the board the detective observed the
picket as he pranced and danced up and down to keep
himself warm in the zero weather.
By chance two boys became engaged in a fight on
the opposite side of the street, and the picket's atten-
tion was attracted only for a few seconds, but those
few seconds gave Wooldridge the opportunity he was
waiting for, and he arose and ran forward and suc-
ceeded in getting between the picket and the door.
The consequence was the bookmaker was caught mak-
ing bets on the races and was arrested.
As soon as "Pony" Moore heard of the arrest he
discharged the picket and gave him a good thrashing
in the bargain, and in his stead placed four men on
guard, one in the front, one in the rear, and one on
AMBITIOUS " PONY " MOORE 425
\
each corner, and then he sent for the pxayers to come
back.
Wooldridge was notified that "Pony" Moore had
resumed making a book and that his place was filled
with players. He then went to Wabash avenue and
Twenty-third street, where he secured the driver of a
coal wagon with a good team of horses, and employed
him to drive him down to Moore's saloon. Wool-
dridge stated to the driver of the wagon that he was
a police officer and that he wished to surprise and
capture a man who was badly wanted by the police
department and who was then in Moore's saloon.
Spreading several newspapers on the bottom of the
wagon, to keep the coal dust from his clothes, Wool-
dridge laid down to prevent being seen by anyone.
The driver was instructed to drive his team in a
trot to the Turf Exchange, and when he reached the
front of the place to pull in to the curb and check his
team, which instructions were duly carried out, and
' as the team came to a stop, Wooldridge arose and
jumped over the side of the wagon, and before the
picket could recover from his surprise, Wooldridge
had brushed past him and entered the saloon, had the
bookmaker under arrest and the evidence secured.
After this Moore gave up making books on the
races, but opened up a "crap" game for the benefit
of the waiters and piano players who get through
with their night's work around the restaurants and
saloons from three to four o'clock every morning.
This gam.e was usuall} in full blast from 4 to 6 a. m.,
and was well patronized, though many charges v/ere
made that "loaded" dice were usec^ and many players
swindled out of their hard-earned money.
424 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
The game was played on an improvised layout on
the end of the bar. There were pickets stationed at
the front and rear doors, and one also on the street
corner, and it was difficult for any one to enter with-
out being seen.
On July 12 Detective Wooldridge took four assist-
ants and went to the corner of Twelfth street and
Wabash avenue, where he waited several hours for the
game to open. Finally information was received from
one of the players who had been swindled that it was
time to start, as the game was in progress.
Wooldridge then secured a closed carriage, and with
the curtains drawn the five detectives were driven
down through the alley to Moore's place. The pickets,
who were pacing up and down in front of the door,
.were taken by surprise when the carriage drew up
suddenly in front of the door, and the five detectives
sprang out. One of them covered the pickets with a
drawn gun, while the others bounded into the house
before an alarm could be given, secured evidence that
gaming was going on, and arrested the keeper and
two wagon loads of players, who were taken to l;he
station and locked up. This broke up the crap game.
For several months Moore made no trouble for the
police, but he finally started another game and got
surprised again by Wooldridge. At about 4:30 o'clock
on a dark, rainy morning, the detective put on a wig
and false whiskers and started for Moore's place ac-
companied by his assistants.
They went through the side streets and dark alleys.
Arriving at the saloon, he had no difficulty, in his
disguise, in getting inside. When the pickets saw the
other officers they gave the alarm, and the keeper of
AMBITIOUS " PONY " MOORE 425
the^ame seized the money and dice and started to get
away with them. Wooldridge quickly snatched off
his wig and false whiskers, and shoving a big re-
volver into the man's face, informed him to leave that
money and dice where it was.
The detective then took charge of everything on
the gambling table and arrested the crowd. Some of
them tried to escape by the doors, but there was an
officer at each exit waiting for them. That was one of
the most thoroughly surprised sets of "crap shooters"
that were ever caught in a game.
On May 24, 1900, Detectives Conick and Culhane
visited Moore's place and found 125 pieces of cut
glassware, the value of which was $2,500. The raid
was the result of complaints made by a number of the
large uptown stores that shoplifters had been sys-
tematically robbing them. Moore was arrested, and
on the same day the officers and witnesses went be-
fore the grand jury. As a result "Pony" Moore, Her-
man Boppart, alias "Kid" Kelly, and Bessie Mitchell
were indicted.
Herman Boppart was located in New York the lat-
ter part of May, 1900, and brought back" by Detective
Conick. Boppart was the chief operator in the gang
of shoplifters. Bessie Mitchell was in Paris enjoying
the exposition at the time of Boppart's arrest.
The glassware recovered consisted of various pieces,
including valuable vases and a punch-bowl so large
that it seemed incredible to the police that it could be
taken out of a store unnoticed.
Marshall Field & Co., Burley & Co., Pitkin &
Brooks, Mandel Bros., Schlesinger & Mayer, W. S.
Thurber and J. D. O'Brien's art store were the victims
426 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
of the shoplifters. Among the property recovered
were four valuable picture frames, two of them the
property of Burley & Co., valued at $500 each.
Mrs. Jessie Pretty went into Moore's saloon be-
tween two and three o'clock on the morning of April
9, 1901. Moore invited her into a wine room, where
she, Moore and James Pollett were served with drinks.
While the drinks were being prepared, Mrs. Pretty
took her diamond earrings, brooch and finger rings
off, placed' them in her handkerchief, and then con-
cealed them about her person.
Moore wanted to take them for safe keeping, but
she said they would be safe with her. After drinking
the woman became unconscious and was taken to a
room over the saloon, where she remained in an un-
conscious condition until eight o'clock the next even-
ing.
When she awoke she was alone and her jewels were
gone. The matter was reported to the police, and
Officers Lacy and Ptacek arrested Moore and Pollett,
who were held to the grand jury for the larceny of the
jewels, which were valued at $800. Moore was in-
dicted, but Pollett was released, as the police did not
think that he was guilty. The case is still pending
trial.
FAKE INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
SCHEMES FOR GETTING RICH QUICK ARE EXPOSED, AND
MANAGERS ARRESTED AND INDICTED.
There were schemes in Chicago in 1899 and 1900,
which for getting rich quick surpassed anything that
FAKE INVESTMENT COMPANIES 427
had up to that time ever come to the notice of the
poHce or postoffice authorities. It is true these
schemes had been in operation for several years be-
fore, but the men who were at the head of them had
not been exposed before the complaint was made to
•he police, when Detecitve Wooldridge and a detail
of assistants were sent out to make an investigation.
The plan of these concerns was an alluring one. They
were usually called "Investment Companies," and sent
circulars to all parts of the country guaranteeing to
investors from 7 to 12 per cent weekly on the money
they would risk.
The claim was made that the investment companies
were able to get inside information on races and could
always, by betting carefully, make large winnings.
Tabulated statements of each week's winnings were
sent to each customer, which showed that fabulous
profits were made.
The strong card played by these companies was
that they paid each customer on demand his dividends,
but this only increased the business of the companies.
If a man who had invested $100 called for his divi-
dends and capital, it would be given him without hesi-
tation. In some cases he would receive from $200 to
$500 profits on his investment. What was the effect
of this? He would at once conclude that the invest-
ment was a good one and would re-invest both his
capital and profits and perhaps leave it there to be
credited *o what was called an accumulation account.
Furthermore, it would make him an agent for the
company, and he would induce others to go into it,
and thus for every thousand dollars paid out the com-
panies would perhaps get back $5,000.
428 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
The reader will perhaps inquire where all the money
paid out in dividends came from, if it was not won
on the races. It is well enough to state at once that it
"does not come from the winnings, because a very
small percentage of the money sent for investment
is ever staked on the result of a race.
It comes from those who have been encouraged by
drawing dividends and from those who have been
induced to invest by the stories of fabulous gains told
by dividend drawers.
Then the reader will ask how this can be kept up
without an accounting some day. It is not kept up.
When the investment company, which usually consists
of two or three persons, realizes that the end is coming
and that a final statement must be made, those two or
three men take what money there is on hand and
leave with it, informing the customers that by an un-
fortunate risk they have lost all their capital. Some-
times the company will reap an immense harvest this
way, and the customer as a rule is left without a prop,
because he knew he was in a gambling game from the
start and often will not complain.
When the detectives under the leadership of Wool-
dridge had gotten sufficient evidence to obtain war-
rants, they began to raid these concerns, and the first
one visited was that of the Co-operative Trust Com-
pany, which was located at 80 and 84 Adams street,
in offices that were luxuriously furnished. It was
claimed that C. F. Taylor, David D. Duflf and J. W.
Blackridge had incorporated this company on October
24, 1899.
The detectives found L. M. Morrison, the manager,
in charge here and at once placed him under arrest.
FAKE INVESTMENT COMPANIES 429
He protested and vigorously denied that there was
anything illegitimate about his business. The office
presented the appearance of an important commercial
counting room, and three stenographers were busily
engaged in writing letters and other documents.
The detectives took charge of enough advertising
matter, circulars, pamphlets, letter files, correspond-
ence and the books of the company to almost fill a
patrol wagon, all of which was taken to the Har-
rison Street Police Station. The advertising matter
and circulars promised prodigious returns to invest-
ors, which promise was based on what was called a
sure system of playing the races. In the load of
matter carried away from the office were more than
one thousand letters which were ready for mailing.
The books showed that the company had customers
all over the United States.
The next place visited by Wooldridge and his assist-
ants was the Turf Investment Company, which had
offices just opposite the Co-operative Company. They
found E. E. Farley in charge as manager and at once
arrested him. His literature was also seized, and it
showed that his plans were almost identical with
those of the former company.
These two men were booked at the Harrison Street
Station charged with conducting a confidence game
^nd getting money under false pretenses.
The Inter Ocean Commission Company was the
next place visited by the officers. This concern was
located in room 308, 64 and 66 Wabash avenue. The
circulars of the Inter Ocean Company bore the name
of Tames F. Mitchell as manager, but he was not in
when the detectives were there. They were informed
430 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
by the stenographer that JVFitchell only came to the
office occasionally. Nearly a load of printed matter
was also taken away from this place. His scheme
was similar to the others, and he also sold plans
for winning on the races. From 6 to 15 per cent
weekly profits were promised investors. A great mass
of correspondence from all parts of the country was
found here.
Following this the officers went to the office of D.
W. Moody, 17 Rowland Block, 182 and 184 Dearborn
street. It was said that Moody was acting as an agent
for the Security Savings Society, which failed a short
time before, when its manager, W. R. Bennett, disap-
peared. He claimed to have been swindled by Ben-
nett. It was alleged that Moody received money ad-
dressed to the defunct society and was in charge of its
business for some time after Bennett disappeared.
The warrants which the officers served at Moody's
place called for the books and other papers belonging
to the Security Company. While the detectives were
searching for this, several customers appeared for the
purpose of getting a return of the money they had
invested. Among them were two very poorly clad
women. One of them declared she had invested $200
and had received in small sums dividends amounting
to only $50.
Among the articles taken from this place were
several boxes of books and papers and a list of ad-
dresses of several hundred investors. According to
the books, nearly thirty thousand dollars had been
received from these customers.
From this place the officers went to the office of
Frank E. Stone, an attorney, and manager of the
FAKE INVESTMENT COMPANIES 431
Investors' Protective Association, in the Rialto build-
ing. Stone was not present, having disappeared when
the Security Savings Society failed, because of his
connection with Bennett in that concern. The papers
found in Stone's place showed that he advertised in
the eastern press that he would furnish information
concerning the reliability of such a concern as the
Franklin Syndicate of Brooklyn, by which so many
people were swindled and which was conducted on
the same plan as the Chicago companies.
All the property belonging to Stone's company was
taken to the station to be used as evidence. The de-
tectives then went to the offices of the Security Sav-
ings Society, which were located in the Security build-
ing. They were accompanied by D. W. Moody and
found a bundle of mail there which had not been
opened and which seemed to contain money or
checks. These were taken and turned over to the post-
office authorities. Before the detectives left the place
a lawyer appeared on the scene and said he had a client
in Kansas who had invested $400 with the Security
and that the money had been paid to Moody. The
latter replied he paid the money to other customers
in dividends.
The result of the raids was that the principals fled
the country and are badly wanted by the United
States authorities, and the cases against those indicted
are still pending.
DETECTIVE AS A RAGPICKER.
ARRESTS TWO DESPERATE CROOKS WHO HAD HELD UP AND
ROBBED A CONTRACTOR.
There was never an officer on Chicago's vast police
force who could disguise himself so completely as De-
432 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
tective Wooldridge. His success in making lightning
changes would make a professional actor ashamed of
himself* He never "made up" and started out to catch
some criminail and came back empty-handed. He was
always successful.
One of the cleverest pieces of work and most orig-
inal "make-ups" he ever figured in was when, in May,
1895, he took the role of a ragpicker for the purpose of
capturing some desperate negro highwaymen who
had robbed and beaten a Chicago contractor named
Anderson.
On the afternoon of May 28, 1895, Mr. Anderson
came down to the city, met some friends, and at night
visited the theater. After the theater was over they
went to a cafe and had some refreshments, and he
accompanied his friends back to the hotel where they
were stopping. He remained longer than h6 had
intended and missed the last train home.
Mr. Anderson had friends who conducted a hotel at
Twelfth street and Wabash avenue, some six blocks
distant, and concluded he would go there and remain
until morning, as it was then one o'clock.
His course to the hotel took him through a por-
tion of the levee district, which at that time was
infested by strong-arm women, footpads, as well as
thieves, burglars, robbers and other tough characters.
Mr. Anderson was cautioned by his friends not to
go on foot alone through the levee district, as he
might get held up, but he only laughed at them. He
was powerfully built, stood six feet two inches tall,
weighed 235 pounds, was as strong as an ox, and the
very picture of health.
He strolled along State street, from Adams to Polk
DETECTIVE AS A RAGPICKER 433
street, in the central portion of the city, meeting
hundreds of people, male and female, going and com-
ing, besides a police officer in every block, and when
he reached a point opposite the Polk stret depot the
clock struck 1 130 a. m., and in three blocks more he
would be at his journey's end.
He had reached 519 State street, a few doors north
of Harmon court, when something happened. Back
in the doorway at this place stood six colored high-
waymen, and as Mr. Anderson approached them, Ed
Lane, alias Charles Williams, stepped forth in front of
him and asked what time it was. Mr. Anderson stopped
and was just in the act of taking his watch from his
pocket when, without a moment's warning, the rob-
bers sprang from the doorway, attacking him from
every side. He fought desperately and knocked two
of the footpads down and had another by, the throat
when he was felled to the ground by a blow from a
slung-shot in the hands of another of the robbers, and
before he could rise from the ground all six of the
colored highwaymen were on top of him. Three of
his teeth were knocked out, and he was choked,
kicked and beaten unmercifully. His gold watch and
chain, a pocketbook containing $20, a knife and a
comb were taken from him, and then the highwaymen
fled. Anderson was found a few minutes later by De-
tective Wooldridge, who was passing that way. He
was conveyed to the Harrison Street Police Station,
where medical aid was given him.
He then made a complaint in regard to being
robbed and beaten, and gave a good general descrip-
tion of the six colored men who had participated in
the hold-up.
434 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Anderson had a good look at Ed Lane, alias Will-
iams, when he stopped him and asked him the time,
and also while he was relieving him of his valuables,
and said that Lane was the man who knocked his
three teeth out, and held him by the throat so that he
could not make an outcry.
He gave Detective Wooldridge a complete and
minute description of this man as to weight, height,
color and every piece of wearing apparel on him.
The victim of the robbers was given a bed in the
station and made as comfortable as the circumstances
would permit, and Detective Wooldridge told him that
every effort would be made to recover his property
and to arrest the guilty persons, and in ten minutes
Wooldridge had formulated a plan and was ready to
start out and arrest the six colored highway robbers.
He first secured a pair of overalls and an old coat
twice as large as he generally wore, and picking up
several papers he wadded them into a lump and
shoved them down his back between his shoulders,
which gave him the appearance of being a deformed
cripple.
With some burnt cork he blackened his hands and
face. Over his head was pulled an old wig, which
was at one time white. A faded black slouch hat,
tied with two strings under his chin, completed his
make-up. Then a gunny sack was found, into which
all the old waste paper in the station was dumped,
and from a heavy piece of telegraph wire a hook three
feet long was made, with which to rake out the bones,
paper and rags from the garbage boxes.
While passing through the alley, bounded on the
east by State street and on the west by Plymouth
DETECTIVE AS A RAGPICKER 435
place, between Taylor and Polk streets, he saw, almost
in the center of the alley, six colored men quarreling
over the division of some money, and they were
almost coming to blows over it.
Upon drawing nearer, Wooldridge discovered
perched on a garbage box Ed Lane, alias Williams,
the colored robber whom Anderson had described so
minutely as the person who had robbed and brutally
abused him a short while before, and here were also
five other colored men in company with him.
To have attempted to arrest Ed Lane, alias Will-
iams, at this time and place, single-handed and alone,
surrounded by five other desperate robbers, possibly
all armed, would have been both foolish and danger-
ous. Wooldridge concluded that he would secure all
the information he could and get a good look at the
other five men at the same time, so that he could re-
member their faces and arrest them afterwards. He
gathered up the rags, paper and bones in the garbage
boxes in the alley, pulling them out with his hook
from the scavenger and ash boxes, drawing nearer
and nearer to the group all the time.
He continued doing this without in the least excit-
ing their suspicion or arousing their attention, until
he picked up an old coat belonging to one of the high-
waymen which was lying on the ground, and he was
just in the act of putting it into his gunny bag when
the owner of the coat commanded him to drop the
same or he would cut his throat from ear to ear.
Seizing the gunny sack, the robber secured his coat
and threw the sack with the paper, rags and bones,
which the detective had been collecting, over the
436 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
fence into the adjoining yard, and then ordered him
to leave the alley under penalty of death.
The robbers separated in a few minutes, going in
different direction. Ed Lane and Reed went north to
Polk street, thence east to State street, then south
on State street, followed by the wily detective on the
opposite side of the street.
When Lane and Reed had reached a point two-
hundred feet north of Taylor stret, going south, De-
tective Wooldridge slipped across the street, came
behind them and seized them both by the collars of
their coats. Ed Lane drew a knife, but before he
could open it Wooldridge kicked it out of his hand.
Henry C. Reed assaulted him and was promptly
knocked down with the detective's billy. Ed Lane
and Detective Wooldridge then clinched and fought
desperately, Lane trying to make "his escape. Then
the detective kicked-Lane on the shin of his leg (this
is the most tender part of the colored man), and it
proved a lucky blow for the detective. Lane there-
upon loosened his hold, and grabbing his shin with
both hands, screamed from pain. Before he could re-
cover from the shock Wooldridge had his ''come-
alongs" around Lane's wrists, and had Reed covered
with his revolver. Just at this particular juncture in
the proceedings he was reinforced by a brother officer.
Both men were then marched to the station.
On the way to the station Ed Lane, with his left
hand, which was loose, managed to work a pocket
comb out of his pocket, but as it fell to the street it
was detected by Wooldridge, who made him pick it up.
They had scarcely gone a square further when Lane
again succeeded in dropping the comb, and he was
DETECTIVE AS A RAGPICKER 437
again compelled to pick it up and restore it to his
pocket.
Mr. Anderson was awakened, and Reed and Lane
were placed in line Avith a number of other colored
men, but the moment the contractor's eyes fell on
Lane he exclaimed : "There is the man ; I would
know him among a million men."
Lane was then searched, and when he removed his
coat the pocket comb, which he had tried so hard to
get rid of, stuck out of his vest pocket and was seen
by Mr. Anderson, who exclaimed: "There is my
comb sticking out of that man's pocket, and you will
find two of the teeth missing, and on the case you will
find my initials, J. H. A. I carried that comb through
the late civil war, and it was in my pocket the night
when I met those robbers."
Ed Lane, alias Williams, was held to the grand
jury, indicted and arraigned for trial, found guilty on
June 25, 1895, and sentenced to three years in the
penitentiary by Judge Charles G. Neely. Anderson
could not identify Henry C. Reed, and he was turned
loose.
On July 21, 1895, Henry C. Reed was arrested with
two other colored men for being concerned in a
burglary, and was convicted and sentenced for an in-
definite term in the penitentiary.
Ed Lane served his term, and was only out a few
weeks when he hunted up his old friends in crime, and
to"-ether with two other colored men committed a
robbery and murder, and was captured and sentenced
for life.
The murder for which Lane got a life sentence was
committed on Saturday night, November 9, 1898.
438 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Robert Aletcalf on this date, after drawing his money,
left the machine shop on the west side where he was
employed, and instead of going home drifted down-
town. Just what caused him to go downtown will
never be known. Through what pathways his foot-
steps wandered that night will also never be made
clear.
From the time he parted from his friends at the
machine shop and boarded a car until he stood in a
doorway in an alley running from Taylor to Polk
streets, just west of State street, in the very heart
of the levee district> no traces of Metcalf's movements
have ever been discovered.
Directly above this doorway, at a window, was a
colored woman awaiting her husband, who ran a little
shop around the corner on Plymouth place. She was
awaiting his return home.
The woman at the window carelessly observed the
man in the doorway talking to a woman, but such
scenes were common in that neighborhood, and this
little incident attracted but small attention. But just
at this particular moment she saw three colored men
come out of a doorway across the alley, and running
rapidly towards the couple, attack Metcalf fiercely.
They fell upon him, wrestled with him and tore at his
clothes. One pinioned his hands behind him ; another
one seized him by the throat, and the third struck at
him repeatedly.
The woman who was with him fled upon the first
attack, and at the mouth of the alley bumped into a
passer-by. "What is the matter?" he demanded
roughly. "Three men are slugging a man down in
the alley," she replied, pointing in that direction.
DETECTIVE AS A RAGPICKER 439
The pedestrian, who evidently knew the neighbor-
hood, looked down the alley where the slugging was
going on, and stepping to the door of the adjacent
saloon, called a friend to accompany him. The two
.hen started down the alley on a run, but seeing the
three assailants, stopped for fear of a bullet.
A slugging or robbery was not a matter of much
moment on the levee. They were of nightly occur-
rence, and of greater or less gravity.
It was almost two hours later that the police heard
of this case. Down in that particular district they
do not like the police, and will not call on them unless
it is absolutely necessary. They do not like to have
a man in uniform nosing around, because no one
know? what they might uncover. So although a num-
ber knew of the robbery, the police were not informed
until 12:15 o'clock, and the three murderers had
effected what is known in police parlance as a "get-
away."
It may be that those who witnessed the assault did
not know the victim was dead. They may have sup-
posed that he was merely choked and robbed like
many others had been, and that like them he would
recover in time to make his way to the police station
and tell it, but Robert Metcalf was dead and lay there
in the dark alley, half sunk in the mud, with the rain
beating down on his bruised head and face, while the
murderers hastened to conceal themselves and the
booty they had stripped from his body.'
When the matter was reported, the patrol wagon
was called and took the body to the morgue. Then
the police drag-net was thrown out and every well-
known colored thief and crook was arrested and p^
440 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
in the sweat box. It was found that Ed Lane.
"Moustache" Howard, alias Charles Williams, and
Joseph Smith, alias "Snakes," had been seen running
away from the scene of the murder. Howard was
arrested the following morning, and in his room was
a portion of the booty taken from Metcalf. Several
witnesses came forward who had witnessed the strug-
gle and recognized Howard, Lane and Smith.
■ All three were indicted by the grand jury. "Mous-
ache" Howard was tried and found guilty of being
an accessory to the murder of Robert Metcalf, and
sentenced to be hanged, which sentence was carried
into effect July 17, 1899. Joseph Smith made his
escape and is still at large. Ed Lane was traced to
New Orleans, La., and arrested July 6, 1899. He
was arraigned and pleaded guilty to robbery and ac-
cessory to murder April 3, 1900, and was sentenced
to life imprisonment in the Joliet penitentiary by
Judge Stein.
LEADS IN STRIKE DUTY.
DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE COMMANDS A LARGE FORCE AND
PRESERVES PEACE DURING LABOR TROUBLES.
In the great building trades strike of 1900, when
60,000 laborers were out of work, it was found neces-
sary to increase the efficiency of the police force to
prevent the numerous assaults that were taking place
on workingmen.
It had been charged that the police were favoring
the strikers, and this was brought to the attention
of Chief Kipley. He then made an order which wa»
LEADS IN STRIKE DUTY 441
a surprise and the sensation of the day. Calling him
into his private office, he told Detective Wooldridge
that he had an important mission for him. He then
and there made him the chief of as strong a body of
men, not in numbers, but in police ability, as ever
were placed under the direction of a leader. He told
Wooldridge he must take twenty-six men from the
force of Chief of Detectives Colleran and that he was
to take command of them and restore order among the
strikers. His specific duty was to take these men and
use them according to his own judgment in watching the
labor situation.
The following detectives were then named, who re-
ported to Detective Wooldridge instead of to Captain
Colleran as before :
J. E. Fitzgerald, John Hanley, George Cudmore,
John Galliker, J. J. Garrigan, Simon Kelly, Thomas
Meskell, J. J. Mason, M. F. Wagner, C. W. Mc-
Carthy, A. J. Rohan, W. J. Russel, Frank Stephens, J.
E. Quinn, J. J. Tierney, W. C. Spain, J. O'Hara,
James Gonick, John E. Culhane, Joseph Durbach, M.
J. Broderick, John Anderson, J. E. McGinn, William
Taylor, T. DeRoche and M. J. Farrelly.
Chief of Police Kipley addressed the staff of de-
tectives as they gathered at Central Station head-
quarters previous to assuming strike duty. He said
in part: "You must see that no further assaults occur.
Detective Wooldridge is in charge here, and when
a report reaches him you will be sent out to investi-
gate. Do not come back without the guilty men. You
will be held responsible for the suppression of vio-
lence."
442 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Detective Wooldridge's appointment as head of the
poHce squad on the special work of investigating the
labor war assaults was a unique move and attracted
much attention in police circles and among the poli-
ticians. The assumption was that he was picked out
for this special work an account of his recognized ex-
ecutive ability and his thorough fearlessness in the
discharge of his duties. He reported direct to Chief
Kipley in this instance, and was in no way associated
or accountable to the head of the city detective de-
partment.
His instructions from the Chief of Police were to
utilize the officers working under him "to stop all
lawlessness in picket work."' Wooldridge's methods
to secure the desired end were to institute a campaign
for the arrest and prosecution of all persons who per-
petrated assaults on workingmen.
In order that it may be known how important and
onerous his work was a few facts concerning the
strike are necessary.
The building trades strike started February 5, 1900,
and a settlement or agreement was signed by the
bricklayers June 2^, making the length of the strike
twenty weeks. The total number of workmen affected
were as follows : In the building trades proper, 30,-
000 ; in stone yards and quarries, 10,000 ; in brick
yards, 7,000; in building supply mills, 3,000, and in
other lines, 10,000, making a grand total of 60,000,
There were 2,500 contractors involved in the struggle,
and the loss in wages per day was estimated at $187,-
000, making a total loss in wages to the men of $2,-
244,000. The value in building contracts which were
LEAl^S IN STRIKE DUTY 443
delayed on account of the troubles was estimated at
$50,000,000.
During the strike the building industry of Chicago
suffered almost complete paralysis. What little work
was carried on was prosecuted under many difficulties,
and was confined almost exclusively to the small con-
tractors who had work to do in the outlying dis-
tricts of the city where they were comparatively free
from molestation.
A few important contracts, however, were pushed
along in the business districts of the city at a tre-
mendous cost to the contractors and at the risk of per-
sonal violence to the non-union workmen employed,
and it was for this work that the detectives with
Wooldridge at their head were brought into requi-
sition.
Rioting was one of the specific features of the strike,
and assaults on non-union workmen and contractors
were numerous. Five murders or killings were traced
directly to the labor troubles, while the cases of as-
saults were more than 150. A number of non-union
workmen were crippled for life as a result of their
encounters with strikers.
By his shrewd directions and clever handling of his
forces, Wooldridge soon put a stop to the many as-
saults that were being made on the workmen who re-
fused to join the strikers. He protected the former in
every way he could, and was diligent in the pursuit
and capture of their assailants. He became a terror
to those who tried to interfere with laborers who were
at work, and did a great deal towards enabling con-
tractors to complete the work they had in hand and
keep those who wanted to work from being assaulted
444 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
by the strikers, and in this way accomplished much
toward bringing the strike to an end.
It was a memorable struggle and will go down in
history as one of the most prolonged and costly con-
flicts ever indulged in between capital and labor. It
cost many poor men the savings of a lifetime and
almost bankrupted some wealthy contractors. It
drove thousands of workingmen from Chicago, and
»vas also the cause of many factories going to points
where their employees would be away from the control
of a spirit in the unions which was said to be encour-
aged by officeholders for political purposes.
Detective Wooldridge also did excellent work in the
great railroad strike which so paralyzed business in-
terests and stopped the wheels of commerce in the
year 1894. The strike started at the Pullman Car
Works, Pullman, 111., owned and operated by the
Pullman Palace Car Company, May 11, and reached
Chicago proper June 2'], and continued to spread until
every trunk line was tied up, and only the mail and a
few passenger trains were operated.
For want of fuel and supplies many of the large fac-
tories and packing houses were also closed. Matters
grew worse each day until 450,000 men were idle.
A lawless mob had taken charge of Chicago and the
railroads, and many incendiary fires were started. On
July I five regiments of the state militia and the
Fifteenth Regiment of the United States troops were
called into service and the police force was also con-
siderably increased. In addition to this, hundreds of
United States marshals were sworn in and placed on
duty, with instructions to guard life and property.
July 6, 1894, some two or three thousand men, wo-
LEADS IN STRIKE DUTY 445
men and boj'-s, among them being many criminals and
vagrants of the lowest tjpe, together with the usual
riff-raff and a few strikers, set fire to cars and de-
stroyed much property in the railroad yards on the
south side. A riot call was sent in at Thirty-ninth
street, on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and
the Chicago & Western Indiana railroads, to the effect
that a car had been set on fire and overturned,
switches broken and spiked, switch tower overturned
and much property dest yed. Detective Wooldridge
and five other officers reached the scene in advance of
other forces by some thirty minutes, and in a few brief,
stirring words he told the assembled crowds that the
depredations and lawless acts must cease at once,
and he therefore commanded them to disperse. He
was hooted at and called names, and some twenty-
five or thirty men immediately ran forward to turn
over a freight car which had been run out on the main
track from a siding. Wooldridge stepped forward with
two drawn revolvers and informed them that the first
man who put a hand on the car would be shot dead.
This had the desired effect of stopping them, and they
were thus held in check until assistance arrived, when
the crowd was dispersed.
Wooldridge was next sent to the switch tower on
the Illinois Central railroad at Fourteenth street and
Indiana avenue, from which all the signals and
switches in the passenger yards and depot of the Ill-
inois Central are operated. This was one of the most
important points to be guarded, and here Detective
Wooldridge stayed until the great strike was termip-
ated.
446 HANDS UP. IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
WAS NOT A MARINE.
MAN ARRESTED FOR ROBBERY TURNS OUT TO BE AN OLE
OFFENDER AND GOES TO PRISON.
Among the many criminals who have been brought
to justice by Detective Wooldridge there is one who
tried to take shelter under the broad canvas of the
United States navy. The name of this man is Charles
Barhytt. He was arrested with Joseph Neponuck,
who had been driving a delivery wagon for J. Golden-
berg's large furniture house in Chicago, and had con-
spired with Neponuck to rob the house. Through
carelessness or dishonesty Neponuck had lost many
small articles which should have been delivered to
customers.
Neponuck charged the shipping clerk with neglect
in putting up the orders, and the shipping clerk for his
part contended that the goods in question had been
properly delivered to Neponuck, and further contended
that if the said goods were not delivered to their
proper destination it was Neponuck's fault and not his.
The complaint, together with the general dullness
in trade and business at that time, was the cause of
Joseph Neponuck's discharge. Detective Wooldridge
was at this time working from the office of Joseph
Kipley, the general superintendent of poHce.
On or about December 13, 1899, Wooldridge was
sent out on an investigation concerning the where-
abouts of a man who was wanted by the New York
city police. He dropped into Jennie Love's place at
561 Clark street while in pursuit of this information.
When Detective Wooldridge called she told him
that a burglary was to take place eitlier that very
WAS NOT A MARINE 447
night or the next at Goldenberg's furniture store, at
1837 ^nd 1839 State street, and she furthermore stated
that an ex-employee, who had been discharged and
who was anxious to get revenge, was the man who
would do the job. She did not know the man's name,
but gave the dectective a good description of him.
Detective Wooldridge proceeded at once to Mr.
Goldenberg's store and notified him, at the same time
describing the man who intended to commit the
burglary. After comparing notes, it was taken as
conclusive that the man in question was none other
than Joseph Neponuck, the former driver of one of
Mr. Goldenberg's wagons, and whom he had occasion
to dismiss from his service for the reason stated
above.
The Cottage Grove Avenue Police Station was noti-
fied, and two officers were stationed in the store from
December 15 to December 20, when it was supposed
Neponuck had abandoned the job, and the officers
were taken away. The very night the men were taken
away the burglary was committed, and the following
morning Mr. Goldenberg telephoned to Wooldridge
and asked his assistance, which was granted.
Boarding a car, Detective Wooldridge was soon
hard at work upon the case. The first move and stop
was made at Jennie Love's place, 561 Clark street.
.Mrs. Love had left Chicago the evening before, but
had left her housekeeper, Laura Rusk, in charge, and
though she did not know Detective Wooldridge, he
lost no time in introducing himself and told her he had
called for the goods which had been left there by
Joseph Neponuck, describing the man.
She led the way to a closet in the rear, and there
448 HANDS UP. IN THE WORLD llF CRIME
three large rugs were found. She info-liied the officers
that about dayHght that morning two men had called
there and left the rugs and they were going to bring
some curtains and carpets that night. They told the
housekeeper that Mrs. Love knew all about it, all of
which was true, as Detective Wooldridge had told her
(Mrs. Love) to take in any goods which might be
brought to her by these men; but when she left she
had neglected to tell the housekeeper anything about
the matter.
The housekeeper also described the young man who
was with Neponuck and who carried one of the bun-
dles. He wore a white woolen sweater.
Visiting the store of Mr. Goldenberg, a list of the
stolen goods was obtained by the detective. Neponuck
was located at ten o'clock the same night at 1352
Wabash avenue, where he lived with his wife and one
child. He was placed under arrest, and a search for
the stolen goods was made, but none was found.
In one of the bureau drawers a 38-caliber revolver of
the Harrington & Richardson make was found, also
a combination pocket screw driver and saw, which
is used for sawing nails. Both of these articles were
taken in charge.
In the wash room was found a tall, smooth-faced
young man, about twenty-one years old, who gave
his name as Charles Barhytt. He said he was a ma-
rine in the United States navy, and presented a card
to the officer, upon which was written, "Charles Bar-
hytt, U. S. Navy, Recruiting Office, Masonic Temple,
Chicago, 111."
Mr. Barhytt stated that he was only making a
friendly call on Mr. Neponuck. Upon being fv^ber
WAS NOT A MARINE 449
interrogated he refused to talk, and appeared very
nervous. He also resembled the description of the
second man w^ho was with Neponuck that morning
when the stolen goods were carried to Jennie Love's
place.
The proprietor of the boarding-house was sent for,
and he stated that Barhytt was known as Charles
Thompson, and had been there two days ; that he was
a friend of Neponuck's, and had the adjoining room.
Upon further investigation a white woolen sweater
was found in Barhytt's room, which he said was his.
It will be remembered that the man who was with
Neponuck the morning the burglary was committed
had a ,white sweater. All the foregoing facts being
taken into consideration, Barhytt was arrested, and
they were both taken to Jennie Love's place, where
they were identified by Mrs. Laura Rusk and two
other women.
Barhytt still maintained that he was a member of
the United States navy and innocent. The next
morning he was taken to the Bureau of Identification,
where his picture was located in the rogues' gallery.
He had been arrested for burglary in 1895 by Officer
Buggie and sent to the Pontiac Reformatory, and had
only been released from said institution a few weeks
before.
When he was sent to the institution he was only a
boy, and during the time he had been there he had
grown six inches, and he thought that he would never
be identified by his picture, as he had changed so much
during the time he had been there.
This is where many criminals make a big mistake.
Under the Bertillon system of measurement it is well
450 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
known by officials that there are not two men in a
milhon that measure the same. Once the police get
a man's picture and measurements, it is utterly im-
possible for that man to pass through their hands
without detection.
Barhytt finally admitted that the picture was his,
and told Detective Wooldridge where a large portion
of the stolen goods was hidden, they having been
buried under some steps in the rear of Goldenberg's
pla^e on Wabash avenue. They were recovered and
returned to the owner. Barhytt was convicted Febru-
ary 20, 1900, and given an indefinite sentence in the
penitentiary by Judge Jonas Hutchinson. Neponuck
escaped punishment because Barhytt took all the re-
sponsibility on himself for the robberies, even saying
he planned them himself.
VILLAIN AT LAST CONVICTED.
BRUTE WHO OUTRAGED MANY WOMEN AND COMMITTED
OTHER CRIMES IS SENT TO THE PENITENTIARY.
One of the blackest-hearted villains that ever in-
fested Chicago or any other city is, after committing
the most heinous of all offenses a number of times,
at last serving an indeterminate sentence in the Joliet
penitentiary, which may keep him there the remainder
of his life. The crime for which he is serving time is
that of rape, and no less than four respectable and
virtuous women have been victims of this demon in
human flesh.
His name is Peter Hammerling, and the offense for
which he was arrested by Detective Wooldridge on
VILLAIN AT LAST CONVICTED 451
March 25, 1896, for brutality and inhumanity, stands
ahnost without a parallel in criminal annals. Seven
days before, Mrs. Julia Allen, a frail and sickly little
woman weighing only ninety-five pounds, and living
on Indiana avenue with her two little children, was
returning to her humble home from the postoffice,
where she had gone to get a letter.
Just as she reached the corner of Eldridge court
and Michigan avenue, Peter Hammerling sprang out
of a gate beside an empty lot and gave the delicate
woman a blow in the face, from which she fell to the
sidewalk unconscious. The villain then dragged her
through the gate into the yard, then down a narrow
stairway into a basement beneath the empty h^use.
When she returned to consciousness this dark-
visaged demon was bending over her. She attempted
to scream for help, but he choked her into insensibility
again and then criminally assaulted her — outraged
her person — took her money which amounted only
to $3, and left her still unconscious. He not only out-
raged her, but abused her so shamefully, that when
she regained her senses, three-quarters of an hour
later, she was barely strong enough to crawl on her
knees to the sidewalk. Then she fainted from loss
of blood and the cruel beating she had received. As
soon as she gathered sufficient strength she called for
help and was answered by several young women from
the Young Woman's Christian Association, which
was next door to the vacant house. She was carried
by them to their quarters and the police notified, who
removed her to her home and summoned medical as-
sistance.
No one had seen the assault or could give any in-
452 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
formation of the aflfair, except Mrs. Allen, who said
her assailant looked like an Italian, whose eyes were
deeply sunken in his head. He had a very dark, long
moustache, and wore a cloth cap and brown faded
overcoat.
Detective Wooldridge was placed on the case with
this description of the man and no other clew. He
interviewed every one in the neighborhood, and finally
came to the party who jvas having the empty house
cleaned and repaired. He informed the detective that
a man answering that description and representing
himself to be a carpenter had been around the house,
and two days before had hung some windows for
him. He also said he expected the m?n back in a few
days to fix the doors in the building.
Every carpenter shop on the south side and in the
Italian settlement was searched for this man, but
without success. The newspapers and the Young
Woman's Christian Association took a very active
part in trying to run down this villain, and asked the
Chief of Police to make a special effort.
The detective waited day after day in the empty
house for the carpenter to show up, and at two o'clock
on March 25, seven days later, he returned. He was
arrested and taken directly to the house of Mrs. Allen.
The woman was sitting on the side of her bed when
Wooldridge entered with the man. Her face was
turned, and as soon as she saw Hammerling, cried
out, "That's the villain!" then fainted and fell back
on the bed.
Hammerling was arraigned before Justice Under-
wood on April i, 1896, and held to the criminal court.
He was indicted, and when placed on trial severai
VILLAIN AT LAST CONVICTED 453
months later the attorney for the defense got the com-
plaining witness, who was extremely nervous, so
confused that the case was weakened. This and the
fact that the prisoner had established an alibi causjed
the court to release him.
His record was looked up by Detective Wooldridge,
and it was found that he was sent to the penitentiary
July 24, 1894, upon being convicted of assault, rape
and robbery, and was released July 24,' 1895. At the
time he was convicted and sent to Joliet, four other
charges and indictments were hanging over him for
the same offense against four different women. One
of them was a young lady whom he assaulted while
she was returning from her work at a downtown
store. Another was a married woman whom he
knocked down and outraged while she was in her own
doorway with her children.
Hammerling, who had a number of aliases, was
again arrested October 22, 1900. This time there were
filed against him three charges of rape, two of rob-
bery and two of assault. In his trial he was identified
by all the complaining witnesses and was found guilty
and sentenced under the indeterminate act, and it is
not likely he will have another opportunty to commit
any more offenses against the law and society.
One very remarkable fact was developed in the
trial. It was shown that he had a strong, healthy
wife and two interesting children, and was spoken of
by his neighbors as a good provider and a kind hus-
band, who went with his children to Sunday school.
Ev^n the pastor of the church he attended came for-
v/ard and spoke a good word for him.
454 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
DETECTIVE TURNS THE TABLES.
NOTORIOUS WOMAN LAUGHS TRIUMPHANTLY AT SUPPOSED
ESCAPE, THEN BECOMES A PRISONER AND IS
CONVICTED.
Strangers coming to Chicago are often the victims
of women who keep houses for the purpose of engag-
ing in all kinds of vice and crime. On Jiily 25, 1895,
W. Hopkins, a traveling man, was robbed by a wo-
man who was afterward convicted of larceny through
the efforts of Detective Wooldridge and sentenced to
an indeterminate term in the penitentiary.
While walking along State street, Mr. Hopkins was
met by Lillian Belmont and went with her to the
house ef Mattie Smith at 470 State street, which place
was known to the police as a very tough dive.
While this stranger was in the house Alattie Smith
entered his room and robbed him of $125. He com-
plained and demanded the return of his money, but
the woman tried a ruse which she had time to regret
while serving in prison for it.
She went into an adjoining room, extracted $25 from
the roll of bills, returned and dropped the remainder
on the floor, then picked it up, and handing it to him
tried to convince him that it had fallen out of his
pocket. She insisted that no robbers were ever per-
mitted in her house.
She then called the Belmont woman out of the room
and permitted her to pass out a back way into the
alley. Mr. Hopkins also went out, and meeting a po-
lice officer stated the case and appealed to him for
assistance. The officer went with him to see Mattie
Smith, and she told him that the victim had been
DETECTIVE TURNS THE TABLES 455
brought there by a strange woman who robbed him
and fled.
One hour later Detective Wooldridge arrested both
the women, and they were confronted by Mr. Hop-
kins. Propositions were at first made to restore a part
of the money, but when the Smith woman discovered
that her victim was a non-resident of Chicago she re-
fused to give up any of the money, her plan being to
wear out the case by getting it continued from time
to time.
When the case was called for preliminary hearing
she asked and was granted ten days' postponement.
Then she told the detective that she would get a cer-
tificate from her physician and get another ten days'
continuance.
Detective Wooldridge, in his long experience with
criminals, however, was too well informed to be out-
witted by this ruse, succeeded in getting State's At-
torney Kern to take the case before the grand jury,
and before the prisoner's attorney could interfere, he
had secured an indictment against both the women.
Mattie Smith gave a bond of $500, and the Belmont
woman had to go to jail.
The former forfeited her bond and went to Pitts-
burg, but returned later to have her furniture and
other ill-gotten gains shipped to her new home. De-
tective Wooldridge learned of this by following a
trunk to the depot and ascertaining its destination.
On August 16, Detectives Wooldridge and Schu-
bert went to her house at 5 a. m. and searched the
place, but Mattie succeeded in making her escape be-
fore the officers got into her room, by means of a
ladder to the roof of her house, and thus to the adjoin-
456 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
ing house. She was again seen at the window at 5 130
p. m., but before the officers effected an entrance she
made her escape again in the same way. Detective
Wooldridge secUided himself in a' closet of the third
story, which was vacant, and awaited her return.
He carried a ball of cord in his pocket, and he
agreed with Officer Schubert that if he did not return
to the station by 8 p. m., which would be after dark,
they would communicate with each other in writing,
and the message was to be attached to the cord,
which was hung out of the third-story window and
reached to the ground.
Wooldridge's message was as follows:
" Mattie Smith has not returned, but is expected during the
night. They have searched the house three times. I am undis-
covered. Will remain on guard till morning. Secure and send
me at once, one candle, one box of matches, and the best bull's-
eye lantern to be found, and attach the same to the cord which
you will find hanging from the window, the other end of which
will be attached to my arm. Pull lightly on cord when ready to
send them up.
"(Signed) WOOLDRIDGE."
At 9 130 Mattie Smith knocked on the trap door, and
Jack Smith, a man with whom she consorted, ran a
ladder up to the opening. He told her to blacken her
face and hands with soot, so that no one would recog-
nize her, and gave her other instructions, which were
overheard by the detective, relative to her escape and
departure for Pittsburg.
The man and woman laughed heartily as they talked
of the way in which they had given Detective Wool-
dridge the slip in the early morning and again in the
DETECTIVE TURNS THE TABLES 457
afternoon. The woman stood on the bottom rung of
the ladder and as the light from a candle which Jack
held above his head flashed in her face, her big laugh-
ing eyes flashed fire, and as she smiled displayed one
of the most remarkable sets of teeth ever seen. Then
she raised her arm, and in a triumphant tone dramat-
ically exclaimed:
"Jack, when I have given old Detective Wooldridge
the slip, and have arrived safely at our future home in
Pittsburg I will then be out of danger. Then my
bondsman may have the pleasure of paying that $500
and charging the same up to profit and loss. My at-
torney can take a trip up Salt Creek for his health,
and incidentally for his fee of $25 which I owe him.
As for Lillian Belmont, who is now in jail, indicted
jointly with me for taking that man's money, well,
she will have to go to the penitentiary, I reckon. It
is true that Lillian did not get the money, and is not
guilty, but poor dog Tray was killed for being in bad
company, and Myrtle was caught in the 'jam,' also
bad company, and I suppose must suffer. Jack, I see
no reason why both of us should be punished. It
would be a mortal shame if both of us were locked up
in a house with a big stone wall around it."
At this particiilar juncture in the strange proceed-
ings, Mattie Smith's foot slipped from the round of
the ladder and she fell forward into Jack's arms, and
the candle which he held was thus extinguished, leav-
ing them both in the dark. Detective Wooldridge then
stepped forth from his hiding place and flashed a
searchlight from his dark lantern, which made the
room as light as day, and as the flashing light fell
upon the guilty pair they were speechless with sur-
458 HANDS UP, IN THE WOkLD OF CRIME
prise and terror. Detective Wooldridge then in-
formed Mattie Smith that he held a capias for her
arrest, and holding a revolver to Jack Smith's head,
requested him to hold up his hands while he removed
Jack's horse pistol. Then the procession moved. All
requests being complied with, Mattie Smith was es-
corted to the street below and conveyed to the county
jail in the patrol wagon and turned over to the sheriff.
Mattie Smith failed to secure bonds and offered the
Belmont woman a sum of money if she would make
a confession. She also promised to have any punish-
ment inflicted on her suspended.
Detective Wooldridge heard of these offers, ascer-
tained that they were true, and then laid the facts be-
fore the State's Attorney, who allowed the Belmont
woman to sign her own bond for her appearance in
court.
The case was tried September 19, 1895, when Mat-
tie Smith was found guilty of larceny and sentenced
to an indefinite term in the penitentiary by Judge John
Barton Payne.
JUSTICE OVERTAKES AN UNGRATEFUL
MAN.
Emil Schwart was taken, fed, given shelter and
finally put to work by Mr. Pollett of 478 State street,
and the first time he stepped out Schwart took French
leave after taking $15 and the best suit of clothes Pol-
lett had. This was in May, 1896, Nothing more was
seen of him until he was seen on Clark street six
months later, and Mr. Pollett made complaint at the
CLEVER CAPTURE OF A CLERK 459
Harrison Street Station. Detectives Wooldridge and
Schubert were detailed to locate and arrest him.
Schwart was said to be a bad man with a razor. He
was finally located in one of the tough saloons on^
Clark street. Wooldridge and Schubert both were
afraid of razors, and it was decided to draw cards
as to who should grab him first. It fell to poor Schu-
bert, and after maneuvering twenty minutes for an
opportunity without endangering himself, Wooldridge
yelled, "Look out for the big spider coming down the
wall." Schwart turned his eyes up to the ceiling, and
Schubert grabbed him by the neck, in what is known
as the "strong-arm" hold, and before he could draw
his razor, Wooldridge had the come-alongs around
his wrist, and he was taken to the Harrison Street
Station. He was bound over to the grand jury in
$500 bonds, indicted and arraigned for trial. July 8
he was found guilty and sentenced to the Joliet penr-
tentiary for an indefinite time by Judge Windes.
CLEVER CAPTURE OF A CLERK.
MAN WHO HAD ROBBED HIS EMPLOYER RUN DOWN BY
DETECTIVE WOOLDRIDGE.
By a very clever ruse Detective Wooldridge located
and arrested an employee of a large cloak manufac-
turer who had been systematically robbed for many
months.
The victim of the thief or thieves was A. Ellinger,
whose place of business was at 280 Madison street.
Everv effort was put forth to detect and bring to jus-
tice the guilty parlies. Mr. Ellinger secured the serv-
460 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
ices of the best men in the Boland Detective Agency,
also men from the Pinkerton Agency. A number of
the cleverest detectives from the Central Station of
the Chicago Police Department were also assigned on
the case, and a private watchman of the Veteran Po-
lice Force was secured, whose duties were to visit the
store and inspect the locks, doors and windows.
The uniformed police officer who patrolled that post
was ordered to double his vigilance and watch for the
robbers. Mr. Ellinger was compelled to give up his
comfortable home pleasures and sleep in the store
with the hope of catching the thief or thieves, and of
putting a stop to the plundering.
On Thanksgiving night, in 1892, at 10:30 o'clock,
Joseph Russend passed down Clark street, and almost
staggered under the weight of a large bundle wrapped
in heavy paper. This man and his bundle aroused the
suspicion of Detective Wooldridge, and he concluded
it would be a good scheme to follow and keep track
of him. Russend passed down along the busy thor-
oughfare on Clark street from Van Buren to Taylor
street, and then he came back on the opposite side of
the street until he reached 357 Clark street, where he
disappeared in a clothing store or pawnshop kept by
a Mrs. Mincer.
He passed through to the rear of the store, where
he was hidden by the great stacks of clothing, and
there he deposited his precious burden, which con-
sisted of plush, velvet and sealskin cloaks valued at
$750.
Detective Wooldridge gained admission by the
front door undetected by the pawnbroker, whose at-
CLEVER CAPTURE OF A CLERK 461
tention was too much taken up by the prospects of
securing the valuable addition to her store. The de-
tective crouched on the floor, and waited several
minutes for developments, and finding all quiet,
crawled along on hands and knees under the tables
which ran across the room and held the great stacks
of clothing, until he was within three feet of the
burglar and pawnbroker. There he heard all that was
said by both.
The pawnbroker then started after the money
which was kept in the front part of the store. Seizing
this opportunity, Wooldridge, by a quick move,
reached Russend undiscovered, and engaged him in
a conversation, securing his name and residence. He
also made a bargain with him to deliver fifty more
of these costly garments on the following night at $io
each, Russend thinking that Detective Wooldridge
was a partner in the store, as he had represented him-
self to be.
The pawnbroker returned with the money in her
hand, and discovering Wooldridge tried to give the
burglar warning, but she was too late, for quicker
than lightning Wooldridge had the handcuiTs on Rus-
send's wrists, and he was a prisoner.
The detective then started with his prisoner for the
latter's room, but Russend, instead of going to the cor-
ner of Market and Van Buren streets, where he at
first said he roomed, piloted the officer to several other
places, showing that he did not intend going to the
right place if he could avoid it. Wooldridge got tired
of wandering around in the cold. They were on tlie
462 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Clark street bridge. The officer stopped his prisoner,
removed the handcuffs, and said:
"Now I am going to give you a bath in the icy
waters of the Chicago river. I have spent enough
time waiting for you to take me to that room, and
unless you do so at once I am going to throw you off
this bridge into the river. Decide quick."
Russend decided at once that he did not want a
bath, and led the officer to the room. There Wool-
(1 ridge found George Varnars, a clerk in Ellinger's
store, upon whom many acts of kindness had been
bestowed by Mr, Ellinger.
Seeing a trunk in the room, Wooldridge asked Var-
nars for the key. He said he had no key. "Empty
your pockets," the officer demanded. Out fell the
key, and when the trunk was opened Wooldridge saw
nine more fine cloaks. Varnars was then placed under
arrest, and later both men confessed to the theft of
the cloaks.
Part of Varnars' duties after business hours was to
see that the stock was properly covered vip and the
doors and windows securely fastened. Being left
alone and in charge of the store, he selected at his
pleasure just what goods he wanted, and these he
made up in large packages. There was a blind alley
which ran from Market street through a court be-
hind the store, and twenty feet from the ground a
fire escape with winding steps was attached to the
house. It was by these means that Varnars got the
goods away from the store through the assistance of
Russend.
When Mr. Ellinger opened his store after the big
CLEVER CAPTURE OF A CLERK 463
haul had been made, he had a large order to fill, and
found that the very goods he wanted for the order had
been stolen. Then he determined to clean out his
entire force of clerks, as he had begun to suspect all
of them. He called ten of them up and said they
should go to the office and get their time.
Just at this moment another clerk arrived with a
morning paper in his hand which contained a full ac-
count of the arrest of Varnars and Russend and the
recovery of the goods. Mr. Ellinger had not seen a
morning paper, but snatched this one quickly and
then countermanded his order discharging his clerks,
and told them to go to work. Then he grabbed his
coat and hat and did not stop until he reached the
station at Harrison street, and found that the state-
ment made in the papers that morning was true,
which was to the eflPect that Detective Wooldridge
had all of the goods at the Harrison Street Station
that were stolen in Mr. Ellinger's place the previous
night, and not only the goods, but in addition had in
safe custody the two thieves who were responsible
for the depredations. It is needless to add that De-
tective Wooldridge was very highly complimented by
Mr. Ellinger for his clever capture, and also for put-
ting an end to the suspense under which Mr. Ellinger
had been laboring for some time.
George Varnars was indicted and tried before Judge
Dunne, and on January 2, 1893, was sentenced to the
penitentiary for two years.
Joseph Russend was convicted in the same court,
and on January 24, 1893, was given an indefinite term
in the Reform School at Pontiac.
464 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
SHOPLIFTERS ARE CAUGHT.
THE DETECTIVE ARRESTS A PAIR OF THIEVES WHO HAD
STOLEN VALUABLE GOODS FROM TWO STORES.
Women thieves do not confine' themselves to the
criminal districts of Chicago or any other large city
in which they operate. There is a class which is en-
tirely distinct from those known as pickpockets and
robbers, and many of these have been found in the
upper walks of life. These are known as shoplifters.
There is also a class known as kleptomaniacs. The
latter is a person who has a mania for stealing, but
who does not steal for profit. The former steal for
profit, and they are called shoplifters, because they
get all their plunder from the big department stores,
while they are to all appearances out shopping. They
visit the dififerent departments of these large concerns
and make a few trifling purchases in each, and while
waiting for their packages to be wrapped they lift or
steal frequently very valuable articles from the coun-
ter, conceal them under their cloaks or skirts and get
away without being suspected.
They go to these stores on "bargain days" or on
fall or spring openings ; days when there is always
sure TO be a large crowd shopping, and by mixing up
with the throng of buyers have a better opportunity
to ply their vocation. They have become such a terror
to the big merchants that an extra detective force is
usually employed on these days to prevent them from
carrying away so many valuable articles. Nearly all
of these business houses have their own private de-
tectives, but the shoplifters frequently get away with
SHOPLIFTERS ARE CAUGHT 465
the stolen goods, and sometimes tall mto the hands
of the regular detectij^e of the police force.
Detective Wooldridge caught a pair of these people
on October 2, 1895, who had stolen a bolt of silk from
one place, and seventy-five yards of silk in another,
Mary Maxwell and William Lowrie were the two
whom he arrested. He had seen them going through
A. M. Rothschild's mammoth store at Van Buren and
State streets.
The woman attempted to steal a bolt of silk at this
place, but became so excited while trying to get it
under her skirt that she permitted it to fall to the floor.
This was made to appear accidental and she picked it
up and placed it back on the counter. The man who
was with her was simply "staUing." This is a term
known to the police as the act of engaging the atten-
tion of the clerk or salesman while the woman does
the stealing.
This pair of shoplifters then went to the Boston
Store, at the corner of Madison and State streets, from
which place the bolt of silk was stolen. They next
visited the Fair, at the corner of Adams and State
streets, where the woman stole the seventy-five yards
of silk.
The detective watched them closely in their rounds,
and after leaving the store he saw them enter a saloon
at the corner of Quincy street and Plymouth place,
where the woman brought forth the stolen goods from
their hiding place beneath her skirts, and was in the
act of passing them over to the proprietor of the
saloon when the detective stepped in and arrested her
and Lowrie.
They were both taken to the Harrison Street Sta-
466 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
tion. On the following day the proprietor of the sa-
loon was also arrested, but he insisted he knew noth-
ing about what the packages contained. He also
stated that the woman came to his place quite often
and left packages, but he never knew what they con-
tained.
He made the impression that he was innocent of any
connection with the stealing and was discharged.
Mary Maxwell and William Lowrie were held to the
criminal court and indicted, and upon trial the woman
took all the blame upon herself and was sentenced to
the House of Correction for six months.
"STALLED" FOR TWO ROBBERS.
DETECTIVE PROMISES TO ASSIST TWO THIEVE3 FOR THE
PURPOSE OF CAPTURING THEM.
Detective Wooldridge was compelled one night in
February, 1892, to "stall" for two thieves who wanted
to rob a grocery store. In doing this, however, he was
only playing the part of a city officer and landed both
of the thieves in the station. A Clark street grocery
man had complained at the Harrison Street Station
that the basement of his store was entered nearly
every night by means of false keys, and that coal and
other things had been stolen.
Wooldridge was sent to investigate, and dressing
up like a tramp he secreted himself in a doorway not
far from the store and waited for the robbers. Be-
tween eleven and twelve o'clock a man named John
Noland appeared and crossed the street, from which
place he eyed the building all over to see that no one
■' STALLED " FOR TWO ROBBERS 467
was around and that the lights were out. He knew
that the proprietor of the store Hved upstairs and
wanted to be sure that he had gone to bed.
Everything appeared to be satisfactory, and he gave
a low whistle, then recrossed the street and was joined
by another man named John Riley. Some words
passed between them, and they were about to go into
the cellar when Wooldridge was discovered standing
in the doorway. Both men came forward to see who
he was, and as thty came up to inspect him Wool-
dridge began to stand first on one foot and then on
the other, with his teeth chattering as if he had a chill.
Detective Wooldridge said to them: "Comrades,
can't you do something to help a man? Just a few
pennies to get me a bed. I have walked all day look-
ing for work, and expect to receive some money from
home to-morrow and will return the loan."
Riley inspected him and said: "He looks like a
good, honest boy, and we will help him out if he will
stall for us for a few minutes, while we get two bags
of coal." Wooldridge repHed that he did not know
what they meant by "stalling," but if they would show
him what to do he would be glad to assist them. They
then told him to keep a lookout for the police, and if
one appeared to give two low whistles. The detective
answered he would be glad to do that part of the job
for them.
When they entered the cellar Wooldridge ran across
the street to a patrol box, which he quietly opened
and told the station to send the wagon in a hurry to
288 Clark street, as he had two burglars cornered. The
thieves had just gotten to the sidewalk again with a
bag of coal when Wooldridge seized them. They pre-
468 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
pared for a fight and resistance, but at this point the
patrol wagon dashed up and the men were loaded
into it. The next morning they were fined $25 each.
COLORED ROBBERS ARE CAUGHT.
OFFICER HAS TROUBLE IN TAKING A BURLY THIEF TO
THE STATION.
Thieves have a mania for robbing clothing stores,
especially colored thieves. Detective Wooldridge has
arrested these without number, and has had some nar-
row escapes in his dealings with them. The stoi^e of
Woolf & Goldstein, at 415 Clark street, was robbed
January 20, 1893. The same evening Detective Wool-
dridge met Frank Drake, a colored thief, with two
new overcoats going into Currie's pawnshop, on State
street. Drake could not give any satisfactory answer
as to where he got the garments, and was taken to
the station. When Wooldridge and Drake arrived at
the station they were met by Goldstein, who had just
come in to enter a complaint that his store had been
burglarized and about $500 worth of goods taken.
He was shown the two overcoats, which he recog-
nized by the private mark on them. Drake was put
in the sweatbox and confessed that four other colored
men had given him the coats to pawn for them. Henry
Johnson, alias Kerley, Henry Jackson, Sam Drake,
Frank Smith, alias Leper, and Charles Jackson were
arrested by Wooldridge and most of the goods recov-
ered.
Henry Johnson, alias Kerley, is a most powerfully
built colored man, weighing 275 pounds; is an ex-
COLORED ROBBERS ARE CAUGHT 469
prize fighter, a strong-arm highwayman, a thief and
all-around crook, and went heavily armed. He was
feared by all who knew him. Wooldridge found him
asleep in a colored house of prostitution kept by Mi-
randa Whitesides at 390 Clark street.
Finding that Wooldridge was alone, Johnson re-
fused to go with him, but finally consented at the
point of the gun, and a start was made for the door.
Johnson turned back to light a cigarette. Picking up
a lamp, he turned it down until it was almost dark and
announced that he was ready to go. When the door
was reached Johnson caught Wooldridge with his
right hand and sent him sprawling into the hall over
a pile of lumber.
The door was closed and locked before Wooldridge
could gain his feet, and Johnson attempted to escape
by a window in the rear, but the plucky little de-
tective was not so easy to lose. Regaining his feet,
he burst the door open and was just in time to grab
Johnson by his leg. The window sash and both men
fell in a heap on a porch seven feet below, which runs
between the houses.
Johnson gained his feet first and attempted to reach
the street by a flight of steps in front. With one
bound Wooldridge jumped fourteen steps and grabbed
him by the coat tail just as he reached the street, and
at the point of the gun landed him in the station.
On April 13, 1893, all were arraigned for trial and
discharged except Charles Jackson, who, the others
said, entered the store and took the goods. He was
sent to the penitentiary at hard labor for two years
by Judge Brentano.
About six months after this Henrv Johnson mur-
470 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
deted his mistress, I\Tiranda Whitesides, at 390 Clark
street, and fled. All efforts to locate him have failed,
and he is still a fugitive from justice.
THIRTY-SEVEN THUGS CAUGHT
HOUSE IS RAIDED IN WHICH CRIMINALS OF MANY GRADES
ARE ARRESTED.
Thirty-seven male and female thugs were rounded
up and captured at a resort on State street on the
morning of December 26, 1897, which was considered
by the police one of the biggest and most important
raids that had been made in a long time.
Detective Wooldridge had been looking for a gang
of thieves in that locality for several weeks. They
had been committing depredations of every character,
and many robberies had been reported. He finally
located them on the night prior to the raid. When
he reported to the Harrison Street Station that he
had found this gang of plunderers and thugs a heavy
detail was ordered to go early next morning and cap-
ture all of them.
Three patrol wagons filled with well-armed men
were taken to the place by Wooldridge and the house
surrounded.
The doors were broken open and after a short en-
gagement thirty-one men and six women were
marched out under arrest and taken to the station,
More than $2,000 worth of stolen property was also
taken out of the place.
Among those arrested were several hold-up men
and a number of well-known thugs and highwaymen.
THIRTY-SEVEN THUGS CAUGHT 4:71
Among other things found in the den were masks, wigs
and false beards and more than 200 pawn tickets. A
large number of pawn tickets were torn up by the
prisoners while on their way to the station — so many,
in fact, that the floors of the wagons were covered
with scraps of paper when they reached their destina-
tion.
The prisoners were not booked at once, but were
held for identification.
, The house where the big haul of thugs was made
was a rooming house where the suspects were packed
away four or five in a. room. Several were lying half
stupefied in an opium resort carried on in the build-
ing. A trip to a similar place on Wabash avenue,
near Twelfth street, on the same morning resulted in
the capture of three prisoners, who were stowed away
in the wagons with the crowd.
The entire crowd was exhibited for identification,
and many victims of hold-ups and robberies came to
select the thief that had impoverished them. It was
the biggest haul of the kind that had been made in a
year, and there was hardly a prisoner in the lot who
had not served in jail or the Bridewell and at lea^t
a dozen who had been wanted on various charges.
The larger part of them were sent to the House
of Correction by Justice G. VV. Underwood, under
fines ranging from $10 to $25.
ROBBERS WEAR OUT WITNESS.
CASE AGAINST THIEVES DROPPED WHICH IS FOLLOWED
BY A LIVELY SCRAMBLE FOR THE STOLEN MONEY.
Thomas McCarthy, a wealthy manufacturer from
the East, visited the World's Fair with his family and
472 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Stopped at the Auditorium Hotel. Oh September 2
he made complaint that he was robbed of $715 at Fay
Conklin's panel house, 497 State street. Detective
Wooldridge was detailed on the case, and upon inves-
tigation he learned that a woman, Lillia Hamilton,
who was a stranger from St. Louis, committed the
larceny. No one seemed to know her, and to locate
her was no easy job among the many thousands of
strangers visiting the World's Fair.
The arrest of William Garrett, a sneak-thief, on
September 5 gave him a clew to the woman. Garrett
was taken to the Harrison Street Station, and upon
him were found two railroad tickets to St, Louis, two
baggage checks and $10.
Garrett called a messenger boy and wrote a note,
telling the messenger to take the note to A. Chenne's
opium, joint, at Eighteenth and State streets. This
aroused the suspicion of Wooldridge, and he inter-
cepted the messenger and asked him for whom the
message was intended. The note was handed to him
and he read the following, which was directed, to Lillia
Hamilton: "Get me a bondsman at once. I still have
all the swag except $10, which was found on me. We
are still undiscovered, and must leave the city to-
night."
Wooldridge read the message over several times to
be sure that he read it right, and then handed it back
to the messenger boy, telling him to hurry along with
it, as it was all right, and to be sure and deliver it
promptly. Wooldridge changed his clothes for a
farmer's suit and set out after the messenger boy, who
was a block ahead, and managed to get on the same
car and rode with him to Eighteenth street. Planting
ROBBERS WEAR OUT WITNESS 473
himself in a doorway, he waited for developments.
He did not haye to wait long. Lillia Hamilton soon
appeared, and was arrested and taken to the police
station.
William Garrett was again taken from the cell and
searched. Around his ankle was found $499, securely
fastened under his underclothes. Thomas McCarthy
was sent for and identified Lillia Hamilton as the
woman who robbed him. She admitted the fact, and
with Garrett had arranged to take the train to St.
Louis that night.
Both secured bail, which was $500 each. After
Garrett was released a vagrancy warrant was served
on him. Another woman, by the name of Emma Gar-
rett, whom he had been living with before he fell in
with the Hamilton woman, came forward and testi-
fied that she had supported Garrett for six months,
and during that time he had done nothing, and be-
cause she would not give him more money he left her,
taking all her clothes and pawning them, though they
were afterwards recovered. Justice Bradwell fined
him $100. An appeal was taken and he again gave
bond, his surety obtaining an order for the $499 whicH
was being held as evidence.
In due time an indictment was secured against both
of them. The bondsman boasted that the case. would
be called, and none of the witnesses or Wooldridge
would know about it. He was right. The case was
placed on call before Judge Freeman. Wooldridge
and the witnesses were not notified, but with all of
bis shrewdness the bondsman was beaten.
Wooldridge secured the number of the cases, and
474 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
every morning for months looked at the court calls,
which were published in the Chicago Herald.
One morning he found the case on call and reached
the room just as the court opened. This was the first
case. Garrett and Hamilton were not present, and
Judge Freeman promptly ordered the bond forfeited.
Next morning, however, Wooldridge received a letter
from the State's Attorney informing him the case was
reinstated, and to have his witness in court the follow-
ing morning, which was done. For two days he
waited, and when the case was called her counsel
stated that Lillia Hamilton was dangerously ill and
secured another continuance.
The following term of court the case was placed
on trial again. Not wishing to wear his witness out,
Wooldridge did not notify him to attend. The de-
fense found that McCarthy was not present. Lillia
Hamilton and William Garrett were in a cab two
blocks away waiting until they got the tip that every-
thing was all right. When the cab drew up to the jail
Wooldridge was in waiting with a capias for each.
He arrested and turned them over to the jailer and
acquainted the State's Attorney with the facts.
When the case was reached the counsel for Garrett
and Hamilton, finding McCarthy not there, demanded
trial or discharge, and the State's Attorney did not
offer a word of opposition.
Detective Wooldridge requested perrnission to speak
to the court before any order was made in the case.
He stated that he was a police officer as well as an
officer of the court, and had something important to
say which the court should hear before the order was
made.
R0BBEK6 \\ EAR OUT WITNESS 475
Counsel for the defendants objected, saying that
the State had a represtmtative there looking after the
case. *
Judge Freeman ^id we would hear what the officer
had to say, and he narrated the case from the time
the complaint was made; the forfeiture of the bond;
the notice of reinstatement, and the sick plea. He
further stated that he hunted up the records and
found no forfeiture set aside by the court; also had
found that the defendants had never come into court
and given a new bond after it was forfeited.
He also said that the complainant had come i,ooo
miles three times to attend the trial. He then re-
spectfully requested twenty-four hours, in view of
these facts, to bring the complainant from the East to
Chicago. Judge Freeman granted the request, and set
the case for one week later, which fell on Thursday.
Mr. McCarthy was present, but intentionally or
through a mistake, another case was on hearing, which
took this case over to the following Monday. Mr.
McCarthy having pressing business which called him
home, could not remain.
When the case was reached, Wooldridge received a
telegram from the complainant stating that it was im-
possible for him to be present, and as it seemed that
he could not obtain justice, he would not lose any
more time and did not intend to come again. Then
began a scramble for the stolen money which had been
held as evidence, and for which the bondsman had an
order.
The attorney who had defended Lillia Hamilton
and William Garrett in the case of vagrancy expected
476 HANDS UP, L\ THE WORLD OF CRIME
to receive his fee from this money. He was also re-
tained to defend them in the criminal court.
But Lillia Hamilton and William Garrett took an-
other counsel for the criminal court, and the first at-
torney was thrown overboard. He threatened to turn
state's evidence and was again taken.
When Wooldridge received the telegram from Mr.
McCarthy that he would not go further with the case,
he notified the attorney, who secured an order for the
money held as evidence and claimed by Lillia Hamil-
ton and William Garrett. Wooldridge presented the
telegram to the court and the case was stricken oflf
the docket. The court then honored -the attorney's
order for the money, and it was turned over to him.
Afterward Lillia Hamilton, William Garrett and
their bondsman demanded of the attorney a division
of the money. They were reminded of the double
dealings with him and of their efforts to prevent him
from getting his fee, and he suggested to them that they
had better drop the matter where it was, which was
done. The wily bondsman was beaten at his own game
and he never got over it.
TRIED TO CORNER CHEWING GUM.
BIG GANG OF BOY BURGLARS ARRESTED FOR ROBBING PRIM-
LET'S FACTORY.
A gan^ of young robbers tried to run a corner on
the chewing gum market in Chicago in 1899, not by
buying all there was in sight or by getting options on
it, but by stealing it.
Primley's chewing gum factory at 15 19 Wabash
TRIED TO CORNER CHEWING GUM 477
avenue was robbed seven times in succession before
the gang was caught. They not only took chewing
gum, but carried away everything portable they could
get their hands on. A wagon load of stolen goods
was recovered which Mr. Primley recognized as his
property.
In 1896 the factory was broken into ana robbed half
a dozen times before the police caught the thieves.
On the night of May 8, 1898, the factory was again
burglarized and $200 worth of property stolen. The fol-
lowing night about the same amount was stolen. Half
a dozen detectives were set at work on the case, but
the traps they laid for the robbers failed, and June 10
there was another raid by burglars. In less than a
month a fourth occurred, and the police set a watch
on the factory. This watch was maintained for some
weeks, but resulted in nothing, and in a few weeks
Mr. Primley lost $50 worth of goods again. New
Year's eve the robbers again entered the factory and
stole a bicycle, a quantity of gum and some silver-
ware.
After this Mr. Primley left nothing valuable about
the place. He put all the money in the saife instead
of leaving it in the cash drawer. The burglars were
disappointed at the next visit, and wrote the follow-
ing message on the back of an envelope and pinned it
to the cash drawer:
"Just please leave something next time or we will get even."
The police considered this message a defiance, and
several detectives made fruitless attempts to trap the
robbers. When the burglars paid their last visit they
broke up' several pairs of scales and a typewriter,
478 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
carrying out their threat to get even if Primley did
not leave some cash in the money drawer.
This act of depredation incensed the patient Mr.
Primley, and his complaint to the police resulted in
Detectives Wooldridge and Schubert being assigned
to the case, with orders to work on it until the rob-
bers were landed in jail.
Detective Wooldridge at last found a boy at 340
State street who had a quantity of gum in his posses-
sion. The stolen gum was put up in a peculiar way.
It was placed in a hollow tube that resembled an
elongated capsule. Wooldridge saw the boy draw
from his pocket one of these packages and take from
it a chew of gum. He at once recognized it as the
kind of chewing gum that had been stolen, and by
the exercise of a little diplomacy found out all he
wanted to know.
He induced the boy to tell him where he got the
gum. The boy led him to 1221 Wabash avenue. This
was where the gang of young robbers lived. When
the door was opened one of the leaders, Thomas Ste-
venson, fell into the hands of the detective. Then a
man named James Daly, who was well known to the
police as an all-around crook, appeared and rushed
to Stevenson's rescue. He made an attempt to get
possession of two loaded revolvers which were on a
dresser in one of the bedrooms, but Wooldridge
caught him, and after a struggle placed him under
arrest.
Two bicycles, an umbrella, and a large quantity of
chewing gum stolen from Primley were found in the
house.
February 25, 1899, James Daly and Thomas Ste-
NEW WAY TO ROB 479
venson were arraigned for trial before Judge Stein,
and James Daly was sent to the penitentiary under
the indeterminate act. Thomas Stevenson was
found to be under the age of twenty-one and was sent
to the Pontiac Reformator3\
NEW WAY TO ROB.
WOMAN THIEF BITES A DIAMOND FROM THE SHIRT FRONI
OF HER COMPANION.
There are among thieves many plans* to rob their
victims, but Detective Wooldridge once arrested a
woman who had devised a clever plan to steal a man's
diamond shirt stud.
While standing on the corner of State and Thirty-
first streets one night in December, 1896, George
Smith got into a flirtation with Mamie Fitzgerald, a
handsome young woman, with a pretty figure and
stylish clothes.
Smith was smitten vith the fair Mamie, as she
stood under the electric light, and after a little con-
versation he asked permission to call on her. While
discussing the matter he accompanied her into a wine-
room in the saloon on the corner, where a bottle of
wine was bought and drunk.
Mamie became very affectionate, and, throwing her
arms around Smith's neck, she placed her head down
on his bosom, which brought her mouth almost di-
rectly over the handsome $75 diamond stud which he
wore, and she bit the stone from -the screw which
held it to the shirt bosom. Then, granting him per-
mission to cal^ on her whenever he liked, she started
to leave him
480 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Smith, upon rising to his feet, felt the screw, which
a few moments before had held the diamond secure
in his shirt, slide down his pants leg, and, throwing
his hands up, he discovered his diamond was gone. He
rushed to the door just in time to see the fair Mamie
vanish into the Columbia Hotel on the opposite cor-
ner.
He made complaint to the officer who was patrol-
ing the post and who was standing on the corner when
they went into the saloon, and also when the woman
came out. Together they went to the hotel, but the
fair Mamie could not be found.
Several weeks after Smith saw and recognized
Mamie Fitzgerald going into one of the saloons on
State street. He made complaint to the Harrison
Street Station and procured a warrant, and Detective
Wooldridge was detailed to locate the fair Mamie.
She was found at the Boston saloon, near Vai? Buren
and State, streets, with a number of thieving and panel
house steerers, and was arrested.
She was held in bonds of $500 to the criminal court,
indicted and arraigned for trial before Judge Gibbons
and found guilty of larceny. A motion for a new trial
was made and granted.
A few weeks later she went with her attorney and
bondsman to the criminal court to attend the new
trial. When she left she laughed and winked at her
companions. The cause of her merriment was the
ease and grace with which she had played the role of
a penitent before Judge Gibbons and the desired re-
sults it had brought about.
She had shed many tears and begged the courf: to
be merciful. This melted the heart of Judge Gibbons
RIFLED THE LETTERS 481
and he let her go, with the understanding that if she
returned in two weeks and brought evidence of the
fact that she was honorably employed she might have
a longer stay of proceedings, but that she would be
required to report to him once a month for one year.
The woman is well known to the south side police,
and has been charged with many robberies.
RIFLED THE LETTERS.
An ex-employe of a hotel took advantage of his
former duties to commit a robbery in November, 1893,
and it cost him eighteen months in the- penitentiary
at hard work.
At that time H. V. Bemis was proprietor of the old
Richelieu Hotel on Michigan avenue. He had in his
service for a long time a man named Graham Kepner,
a part of whose duties was to go to the postoffice daily
for the hotel mail. After his discharge from the hotel
he went to the postoffice one day as usual and .called
for the mail. He was well known there and was given
several letters, one of which was addressed to Mr.
Bemis.
Other letters were for guests. The one intended for
the proprietor of the hotel contained a check for $30.50
which Kepner appropriated and had cashed. Some of
the other letters also contained money which Kepner
pocketed.
Detective Wooldridge was asked to investigate the
case and was given a photograph of Kepner, by which
he was recognized while in a sporting house on Custom
House place and arrested. He was indicted and when
482 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
placed on trial December 19, 1893, was found guilty
and sentenced to the penitentiary for one and a half
years.
HE PAINTED THE WINDOWS.
DETECTIVE MAKES A WONDERFUL TRANSFORMATION ON
CUSTOM HOUSE PLACE,
During-the years 1893 and 1894 there was perhaps
more public depravity in the city of Chicago than in
any other city in the United States. This was car-
ried on in Custom House place, which is in the very
heart of the metropolis. Here at all hours of the day
and night women could be seen at the doors and win-
dows, frequently half-clad, making an exhibition of
themselves and using vulgar and obscene language.
At almost all of these places there were sliding win-
dows, or windows that were hung on hinges and
swung inside. There were also doors which were used
when there were no officers in sight. These swinging
or sliding windows were used by the women to invite
pedestrians on the street to enter these places and also
for the purpose of exhibiting themselves.
Extension fronts were built to many of these houses
from which a better view could be had of the police
and pedestrians. All the houses were equipped with
electric bells and a sentinel, whose duty it was to
watch for the police and give a signal to the inmates,
.was stationed at each end of the street between Polk
and Harrison. The electric wires ran from one house
to another, and warning could be given at either end
of this thoroughfare. It was no unusual thing in those
HE PAINTED THE WINDOWS 483
days fo see from fifty to one hundred women lounging
in the doors and windows in this one block at one
time. The habitues of this place embraced every na-
tionality, both black and white, their ages ranging
from eighteen to fifty years. The costumes worn by
these people embraced every kind known to the hu-
man race, from that of the Hottentot to the belle of
the ball. Some were in tights, some having nothing
on but a loose "Mother Hubbard," made of some
flashy material which resembled a mosquito bar,
through which the entire form of the woman could be
seen. Others were dressed as jockeys, while others
had no sleeves in their dresses. The waist was cut
so low that their bosoms were entirely exposed, and
some were dressed almost exclusively in the garb
which nature gave them when they were born.
These women would frequently stand for hours in
the windows and doors of these houses; and when one
grew tired some one else would take her place. They
made all kinds of indecent gestures and remarks and
invited every man who passed to come inside. There
were two classes of houses in this block. Some of them
were known as "straight" houses, where a man could
be entertained in any way if he was willing to pay for
it. He could have any kind of music he wanted, any
kind of drink or any kind of dancing. The other
houses were known as thieving dens where every
method known to the artful, thieving women was
practiced to secure a man's money. In these houses
could be found every low and demoralizing phase of
life that the human mind could think of. Many of
these women were even lower than brutes.
Exorbitant rents were charged for these buildings,
484 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
some of them bringing as high as $250 to $275 per
month. Several enterprising landladies rented and
furnished from two to four houses each and sub-let
them for from $15 to $25 per day in advance. Among
the worst characters on this street was Mary Hast-
ings, who rented and furnished four of these places
and received as high as $25 per day for each of them.
She was not particular to whom she rented these
houses. One day a colored woman would occupy the
house, and the next a white woman would be installed.
In order to pay these exorbitant prices these women
were compelled to commit crimes, and nearly every
man who entered one of them was robbed before he
got out. Almost daily these houses were raided by
the police, but when one party was broken up and driven
out another was ready to go in, and in a few days things
would be as bad and perhaps worse than before.
Conditions grew so alarming in that locality that
business men and a committee from the Civic Federa-
tion waited on George B. Swift, then Mayor, and J. J.
Badenoch, then Chief of Police, and requested them
to take some action to suppress the daily routine of
depravity and crime of these women, declaring that
they were a menace to the public and to society, and
were leading astray many young boys who were drawn
there by curiosity. A large number of women and
young girls were employed in several printing houses
near there, and these exhibitions could be seen by
them.
The Mayor and the Chief of Police made a personal
investigation, and when they saw what really existed
in that locality they were greatly shocked. Orders
were issued at once to have the windows painted and
TROUBLESOME BOX-CAR THIEVES 485
securely fastened. Detective Wooldridge was placed
in charge of these orders and instructed to enforce
them without fear or favor, and to compel these wo-
men to observe the laws of human decency. After
several weeks of hard labor he succeeded in making
a great change in this locality. The inmates of these
houses rebelled against the orders, and every excuse
that could be thought of was made to avoid obeying
them. Several of them went to Wooldridge and de-
clared they did not have money to buy the paint or
pay the painter, which was, of course, untrue, but the
detective gave them the benefit of the doubt and
painted the windows himself free of charge. This for
a time prevented further complaints against these
places, and Wooldridge was warmly cong^ratulated on
the great change which followed his work in that lo-
cality.
TROUBLESOME BOX-CAR THIEVES.
DETECTIVE HAS FIERCE STRUGGLE WITH A MAN WHO
PLUNDERED THE RAILROADS.
There is a class of thieves in every large city called
box-car thieves, which give the police and railroad
companies a great deal of trouble. They break into
loaded cars and frequently carry away thousands of
dollars' worth of goods. Detective Wooldridge had a
fierce struggle with one of these thieves in April, 1895.
The officer saw William Smith, a powerfully built
colored man, coming out of one of these box-cars in
the Western Indiana railroad yards at Taylor street.
He had a bag full of coal on his back and was arrested
and taken to the patrol box.
486 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Wooldridge had a firm hold of Smith by the sleeve
of his coat, but as he opened the patrol box to call the
wagon Smith struck him with the hand that was free,
and at the same time wrenched Wooldridge's arm
backward against the door, nearly breaking it. He
broke the detective's hold, and before he could get out
of the patrol box and recover from the blow, Smith
had gotten twenty-five feet ahead of him, starting
north through the alley from Taylor street.
Wooldridge had on a heavy overcoat and was no match
for Smith, who ran like a greyhound. He was deter-
mined, however, not to give up the chase and let Smith
get away if he could held it.
He thought he could possibly attract the attention
of the officer who was traveling post north of him
by firing his revolver. The alley was muddy, and
when Smith heard the crack of the revolver he only
ran the ' faster. This attracted the attention of every
one in the neighborhood, and the)'- were able to keep
the officer posted as to which direction Smith took.
When he got to Polk street several of the people
said the fugitive went east, and was throwing mud as
high as the buildings with his feet. Wooldridge followed
Smith by the aid of those who saw him to the alley south
of Polk street, between State street and Plymouth
place, where he lost track of him. He searched as long
as ten minutes, and was rewarded by locating him in
a garbage box.
Smith sprang out of the box and made a vicious
smash at Wooldridge with his right hand, but missed
the detective, who dealt Smith a heavy blow with his
club across the shins, one of the tenderest and weak-
est points to be found on a colored man. He followed
TWO POLICEMEN SENTENCED 487
this with. another blow across Smith's forearm. Both
clinched and went down together. Smith was much
the stronger of the two and was about to get the best
of Wooldridge when he managed to deal him another
tremendous blow over the shins, which caused him to
loosen his hold and cry with pain.
Before he recovered Wooldridge had the "come-
alongs" around his wrists, and he submitted without
further trouble.
While passing the Polk street depot Smith was rec-
ognized by August Frank, an expressman, who lived
at 256 Forty-first street, and who claimed that Smith
and another' man held him up several days before and
took a watch and $13 from-him.
Smith was fined $50 and sent to the House of Cor-
rection.
TWO POLICEMEN SENTENCED.
PATROLMEN CONVICTED OF LARCENY AND GO TO THE PENI-
TENTIARY FOR INDEFINITE TERMS.
If it becomes the duty of a police officer to pursue an
investigation of charges made against fellow officers,
there is no halting, no hesitancy. If there are crimi-
nals on the police force, those officers who want to
uphold the integrity and good name of the department
owe it to themselves to use their best efiforts to run
down these criminals.
A robbery occurred at a picnic in Sharpshooters'
Park on July i, 1900, and the charge was made that
two policemen were among the robbers. Patrick
Sheehan and John W. Mosher were among the officers
who were assigned to duty at the park that day.
488 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
At about eleven o'clock that night Hugh Mc-
Dougall, an old man, entered the park. He was ac-
costed by Sheehan and Mosher, who accused him of
climbing over the fence. He insisted that he had en-
tered through the gate. Then the officers declared
there was no gate on that side of the park. At this
the old man said he would show them the gate if they
would follow him. They agreed and started toward
the entrance. On the way Sheehan placed his hand
on McDougall's hip and told him he had a revolver.
He then took from McDougall's pocket a spyglass
about six inches in length,
Mosher then went into McDougall's pockets and
took from his vest a roll of bills amounting to about
$i6o. McDougall asked, "Why do you take my
money from me?" Mosher replied, "You will get it
back when you get to the station," and told him to
march ahead.
They had by this time gotten into a part of the park
where there was less light and which was practically
vacated at that time of night. As McDougall ap-
proached within a few feet of the gateway, he, feeling
some force behind him, immediately reached out his
right hand and clutched Sheehan's watch chain and
at the same time received a blow in the back of the
head which dropped him to his knees. As he fell the
chain gave way. He rose to his feet and saw the po-
licemen running along a fence leading to the west,
where they disappeared.
McDougall then ran back to the park, where he met
Officer Moore, to whom he related ^ the occurrence.
He was without his hat, and, his story not being cred-
ited, Officer Moore and some others went with him to
TWO POLICEMEN SENTENCED 48&
the spot where he was assaulted and found his hat,
and upon further search found two pieces of a watch
chain, upon one of which was a Royal Arcanum
charm.
They proceeded from that spot along the passage-
way to Western avenue. When they got there, they
saw Sheehan and Mosher coming from the north on
the sidewalk about fifty feet away from them. The
two officers went near the front entrance to the park,
and there Officer Moore and another witness saw a
piece of chain with the guard hanging in the button-
hole of Sheehan's vest. Officer Moore at once went
to the patrol box and notified his superior officer.
Lieutenant Jeunger, who subsequently came with the
patrol wagon and ordered the officers there on duty
to stand in line and be. examined.
When the officers were lined up Sheehan was par-
tially identified by McDougall, who was suffering in-
tensely at the time from the blow he had received, and
was in a dazed condition. In the meantime the piece
of chain had disappeared from Sheehan's vest and he
denied being a member of the Royal Arcanum society^
and said he had not worn a chain at a picnic for five
years.
Two days afterwards these officers were again lined
up at the police station, when McDougall with some
reserye declared that Sheehan and Mosher looked like
the men. An investigation was had before the Trial
Board, resulting in the discharge of Sheehan and
Mosher from the force, and they were then indicted.
Detectives Wooldridge, De Roche and McGrath then
arrested the indicted men. At the first trial the jury
could not agree apd was discharged.
490 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Witnesses at the second trial were produced who
testified to seeing Sheehan and Mosher in -the east side
of the park at the time of the assault, which took place
in the west side, and also that Sheehan wore no chain
on that day.
There was produced a tintype of Sheehan and
Mosher taken that day at Sharpshooters' Park which re-
vealed a chain and charm on Sheehan. A magnifying
glass disclosed a rim to the charm which was of an un-
usual style of workmanship.
The taker of the tintype swore that he took no tintype
excepting at picnics and fairs, that the tintype was taken
in the year 1900, and that he was at Sharpshooters'
Park that day taking tintypes. The defendants admitted
that they sat for a tintype that day, but claimed there
were three in the tintype, and prodiKed a tintype of three
persons, one other officer besides themselves.
A witness was produced who testified to the sale of
the watch charm to Sheehan in March, 1899, and that
he had at the time entered the transaction on his
books, Sheehan having bought it on credit, and the
salesman produced his books showing that fact. He
remembered the transaction, and told what other offi-
cer was in his place at the time with Sheehan.
The other officer, however, denied being there with
Sheehan, and Sheehan denied ever having been in his
place of business or even knowing him.
But the fatal circumstances which discredited Shee-
han were that he was the only policeman assigned on
duty who had no chain on after the robbery ; that he
denied being a member of the Royal Arcanum, al-
though he was a member of that order; that he de-
nied having worn a watch chain at a picnic for five
PASSION FOR ROBBERY 491
years, whereas the tintype in question disclosed one
on him, and the further fact that he had bought, as
claimed and sworn to, the Royal Arcanum charm of
the pattern found at the scene of the assault, which
corresponded in detail with the one shown in the tin-
type, and an enlarged photograph of the same.
The trial was had before Judge Horton, and when
the case was submitted to the jury on May 15, 1901,
a verdict of guilty was returned in fifteen minutes.
They were sentenced to indefinite terms 'in the peni-
tentiary on May 25, and are now paying the penalty
at Joliet.
PASSION FOR ROBBERY.
THIEVES BRAVE EVERY KNOWN DANGER TO SEPARATE MEN
FROM THEIR MONEY.
When a thief sees a man with a roll of money he is
like a wild animal that has become enraged at the
smell of blood. There is no peril too menacing to
prevent him from attempting a robbery. The sight of
money inflames his passion for crime. The chance of
getting killed or possibility of a term in prison does
not deter him.
In a room at 497 Clark street, in 1896, two women
and a man attacked and robbed a stranger whom they
knew had a 44-caliber Colt's revolver in his pocket.
This did not deter them, however. They even took
his revolver.
The victim in this case was D. M. Elliston, whose
home was in a small town in Idaho. He had stopped
in Chicago while on his way from his western home to
492 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Indianapolis, and met and drank with several women
in a saloon on the floor below the room in which he
was robbed. One of the women induced him to go
upstairs. Soon the landlady appeai'ed and demanded
$ioo for the use of the room. Elliston refused to pay,
as he did not use the roojn.
Another woman then appeared and demanded the
money, threatening the stranger with trouble unless
he settled. Elliston then opened his pocketbook and
took out a bill, when all of them seized him and at-
tempted to rob him. He threatened to shoot, and then
the barkeeper below came running up* and struck the
stranger with a blunt instrument of some kind, which
knocked him down and closed his eye. He was robbed
of $45 and the railroad checks for his baggage.
Elliston got out of the house after the thieves had
fled, and was joined by one Milton Seely, who was at-
tached to the house as porter. He pretended to want
to befriend Elliston, and said he would see him
through, and, learning that the man was stopping at
the Grace Hotel, said he would see him home.
He took him through various streets and cross
streets trying to confuse him, and finally left him.
Elliston wanted to go to the police station and report
his loss, but was advised not to do so until the next
day.
He went to the station the next day and reported
his loss. Detective Wooldridge went with him to
search for the robbers. Elliston could not tell where
the robbery took place, but said he would know the
house again if he saw it. Street after street was
traversed without success, and some three hours spent
hunting the place. At last they were compelled to go
PASSION FOR ROBBERY 493
back where Milton Seely had left him. Here they
started and went over the course and soon found the
house. Elliston's revolver was recovered under the
bed with the cartridges drawn, which were found in
the hands of the barkeeper, Charles Miller.
Maud Murray and Charles Miller were arrested for
robbery, and on the way to the station Maud Murray
slipped a card intC) Elliston's pocket telling him if ht
would not show up at the police court the next morn-
ing his money would be returned and all his expenses
paid. Wooldridge saw the act, extracted the card
from the pocket and held Elliston a witness to give
them a surprise the next morning, knowing that if
Elliston was seen or appeared in court a continuance
of ten days would be asked for to wear the witness
out. Maud Murray and Miller made a diligent search
for Elliston, with the aid of their attorney, and sev-
eral times asked WooMridge if he had seen him, who
replied, "No," and said to them that if Elliston should
not show up he would ask them for a continuance, and
asked them if they would consent to it.
They both said they would not, and when the case
was called they demanded a trial or discharge.
Wooldridge had in the meantime posted the judge,
who asked their attorney and eiach of them if they
were ready to go to trial, receiving from each an af-
firmative reply. "And so is the prosecution," said
Wooldridge, and called another officer to bring in
Elliston, which was done. Thus the thieves were
caught in their own trap. They were speechless in
their surprise, and the worst beaten and bewildered
couple that ever stood before the bars of justice. They
494 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
were held in bonds of $i,6oo and $800 respectivel}'^ to
the criminal court.
When Elliston reached Indianapolis he wrote back
and refused to prosecute the case, and of course it was
then dropped.
RAID ON A STEAMBOAT.
THE CREW AND TWO HUNDRED PASSENGERS ARE ARRESTED
UPON RETURNING FROM AN EXCURSION.
In the summer of 1899 the old passenger steamer
Chief Justice Waite was leased and used by a syndi-
cate for the purpose of making excursions on the lake.
It was finally discovered, however, that the purpose of
the syndicate was not so much to conduct excursions
as it was to conduct a gambling house on board the
vessel.
Complaints frequently reached the city hall from
parties who had been swindled at crooked games dur-
ing the excursions in which they were passengers.
The boat was the resort of all kinds of confidence
men. Shell games, three-card monte, slot machines
and various other devices w^ere said to have been used
to separate men from their money.
Two detectives from Central Station had been
among the excursionists on several trips, getting evi-
dence on which to base charges of gambling. When
they had succeeded, state and city descriptive war-
rants were sworn out for the captain and some of the
crew. When the old steamer arrived at the Clark
street dock at midnight Detectives Dodd and Trafton,
who held the warrants, went aboard and served them
RAID ON A STEAMBOAT 495
on the captain of the vessel. They were followed by
Detectives Wooldridge, Schubert, Sullivan, Tobin,
Duffy, Focklan and Tierney.
As soon as the captain of the vessel found out what
was in progress he ordered the boat unmoored, his
intention being to steam away from the shore and get
back into the lake, where the officers would have no
jurisdiction. He blew the whistle vigorously for the
bridge tender to turn the bridge, but the officers who
remained ashore intervened. The harbor master was
summoned and the bridge tender was ordered not to
open the way for the steamer to pass out.
In the meantime the old steamer was drifting
around in the stream. Detective Wooldridge, who
had been assigned to the duty of taking care of the
vessel's captain, asked the latter where he was going.
The captain replied that he was going to take the
officers on a long trip. To this Wooldridge, of course,
objected, and said to the captain:
"You take this vessel back to the shore, or I will
take you without the vessel. I will give you just five
minutes to decide whether you will accompany me
peacefully or compel me to jump overboard with you,
and if you force me to do the latter, I will ride you
ashore or drown you in the attempt. Come, sir, what
course will you have me adopt? Speak up. I am a
man of few words and am through talking."
Seeing that the officer was in earnest, the master of
the steamer concluded he had better make a landing.
He then directed the engineer and pilots to return to
the shore, but instead of tying the boat up at the dock
on the south side of the river he steamed across to
the north side.
496 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
Nothing was gained by this, however. On the dock
fifty uniformed policemen under command of Lieuten-
ant Deely were waiting with a number of patrol wag-
ons. The officers and wagons quickly crossed the
bridge, and when the boat was made fast these officers
were on hand. They took their positions and cleared
the way for the passengers and crew.
Every one on board was arrested and great excite-
ment followed. It was nearly two o'clock in the
morning before the last passenger was taken from the
excursion steamer and landed in the station.
This broke up the gambling on the Chief Justice
Waite, and the old vessel was put to better uses. But
it had done service around Chicago so long that it
soon became useless. Its owners carried it around to
the harbor on the lake front, where it settled down to
the bottom of the lake, and lies there to-day, with
only the upper deck and smokestacks above the water.
There were other excursion steamers engaged in
the same kind of business, but the raid on this one
put them all out of commission.
TOOK DESPERATE CHANCES.
DETECTIVE RISKS LIMB AND LIFE TO GET INFORMATION
AGAINST LAW BREAKERS.
Desperate and dangerous means are sometimes re-
sorted to by detectives to obtain the information de-
sired in locating law breakers. Detective Wooldridge
took a desperate chance in 1891 in his effort to break
up a gambling resort.
Several complaints had been made to F. H. Marsh,
TOOK DESPERATE CHANCES 41*T
who was then Chief of Police, that gambhng was car-
ried on over John Gillan's saloon, 3848 State street.
Officers had been on the case for two weeks trying to
get evidence against this place and break it up, but with-
out success. It was in the second story and run as a
club, with passwords and sentries, rear and front.
Wooldridge was called to the office at 2 p. m. and
told to put on citizens' clothes, go to the above num-
ber, find out if there was any gambling going on, who
ran it, how drinks were served and how to get into
the place in case of a raid, and moreover not to return
until he had obtained the information.
This was an unsually strong order, and he was left
alone to solve the mystery and make the report, but
there is no such a word as "fail" in Wooldridge's vo-
cabulary. He disguised himself, went to the saloon,
bought a cigar, pretended to read and put in a half-
hour looking for a starter to solve the mystery.
He then went into the alley and took a survey there
with some success. Across the street there was an
empty building, which was one story higher than the
saloon, and into this he went to make further observa-
tion. He saw that five or six of the buildings oppo-
site, including the saloon, were constructed alike, and
over each was a skylight. His plan was to reach this
roof after dark and make an investigation.
He recrossed the street and went into the first
building south of the one where the gambling was
supposed to be going on, and found the upper front
occupied by Alcott, a real estate agent, and the rear
occupied by a family.
Wooldridge waited until the real estate agent had
left his office and the family had retired. He then took
498 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
a small ladder and entered the building. There he
found a stepladder ten feet high, but the trapdoor in
the roof was seventeen feet from the floor. Directly
under the trapdoor was an iron sink three feet high.
He placed the stepladder on this. When he got to the
top of it he was still four feet from the opening. Then
he tied the ladder he had brought along to the other,
reached the trapdoor and was soon on the roof.
Going over to the roof of the next building, he found
a skylight directly over where the gambling was going
on. He remained there until one o'clock in the morn-
ing, saw and heard all that was necessary to establish
a case against the house, then went away.
While descending, the small ladder from the trap-
door b-roke, and Wooldridge got a fall which came
near breaking his neck, ruined a pair of trousers,
sprained his ankle and badly bruised his leg.
He did not stop to pick up his ladder, but got out
the best way he could and returned to the station,
where he made a detailed report in writing to the lieu-
tenant in charge. The next morning he was called
to the station again and made a verbal explanation of
the means he adopted to secure the information he
gave. It is needless to say that the gambling was
speedily broken up
TICKER IN THE ICE BOX.
BUTCHER GETS RACE REPORTS IN REFRIGERATOR AND PUTS
BETS IN A HAM.
Men who tried to make hand-books on the races in
Chicago just after Francis O'Neill became Chief of
TICKER ^N THE ICE BOX 498
Police resorted to all kinds of devices to deceive the
police. But the detectives who were working from
the chief's office w ere not to be fooled by the schemes
invented to run gambling houses.
The most ingenious device used by hand-bookmak-
ers during the summer of 1901 was that started by
William Broadwell, who conducted a meat market at
Fifth avenue and Madison street. Inside the market
there was a large ice box, or reTrigerator, and within
the walls of the refrigerator, surrounded by big chunks
of ice and fresh beef, there was a ticker which brought
reports of races from the various tracks.
Broadwell had been arrested twice before on gam-
bling charges, and had gotten oJff with a small fine in
each case. It was reported to the Chief of Police that
he was still conducting a hand-book on the races, and
the head of the police department sent Detective
Wooldridge out to get evidence against him.
The detective found evidence that the reports which
came to the Chief of Police were true and that Broad-
well was making a hand-book, notwithstanding the
fact that he had been warned not to repeat his offense
and had promised not to do so.
Upon securing this evidence, Wooldridge, accom-
panied by Detectives Schubert, Dubach, Gleason and
Walley, secured warrants for Broadwell and his as-
sistants, and started out ior the purpose of doing a
little marketing.
The meat market was there, and there were a num-
ber of customers in the place. Broadwell was not only
selling beefsteaks and slices of ham, but also selling
pools on the races. When the detectives entered the
place it was filled with customers. Seeing that a raid
600 HANDS UP, IN THE WORLD OF CRIME
was on hand, many of them made a run for the doors,
but all exits were guarded and no one escaped until
they convinced the efficers that they were not gam-
bling.
Broadwell was so confident that he had his appara-
tus concealed and that the detectives would be un-
able to discover his plan, that he smiled and remarked
to Wooldridge, "You've made a mistake this time,
old man ; there is nothing doing here."
"I will see about that," Wooldridge remarked, and
then he told his men to search the premises. When
they went to the ice box and opened the door Broad-
well said, "It's all up with me now. There is a ticker
in there, but any man has a right to have a ticker."
Inside the ice box the detectives found the ticker on
a shelf returning reports from local -and out-of-town
races.
This, however, was not sufficient, and they made a
further search. They found a hogus ham which con-
tained the bets and money wagers. It was discovered
hanging along with other genuine hams behind the
meat counter.
Taking it down, they found there was an opening
on top, which was cleverly concealed by a cover. It
was easily discovered, however, and on the inside they
found all the evidence they needed. There were a
number of small envelopes within this ham which
contained bets on the races, with the bettor's initials
and tickets, also betting sheets.
Broadwell and his brother, Edward Broadwell, and
F., Wilson, a clerk, together with the wooden ham and
the ticker, were taken to the Harrison street Police
Station in a patrol wagon.
TICKER IN THE ICE BOX 501
There was a young woman in the place v/ho was
acting as cashier, but she shed so many tears when
she saw the detectives that she washed away all evi-
dence against her and was not arrested.
The first raid made on this place was on May 31,
when Broadwell was fined $50. The second raid was
made on the day the Derby was run at Washington
Park, and this time Broadwell and R. L. Phine were
arrested as keepers of the place. Broadwell was again
fined $50 and Phine $25.
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