A Detective’s Story

A little episode in the life of Detective Becker, of Newark, reads like a novel writer’s story. Mr. Becker was ordered to Fort Wayne some time ago to work up a counterfeiting gang. After much trouble he succeeded in getting admitted to the gang under the name of “Dutch Jim.” The Newark Courier tells the rest:

Their headquarters was in one of the cemeteries, where they met nightly, and a partially opened grave, in an obscure part of the burial ground, contained the spoils of not only the result of the counterfeiting, but of a number of robberies committed by the gang. The detective worked his case well, and was astonished to find that several of the gang were well known citizens and members of churches. Had the gang once suspected the true character of “Dutch Jim,” that shrewd and cunning fellow’s life would have been forfeit. Different ones of the gang were arrested, and always “Dutch Jim” was one of the party “copped,” but he managed (always by the “skin of his teeth” apparently) to be released. At last the final blow came—the arrest of the five leaders, and “Dutch Jim” was one. They were on their way to commit a burglary in a neighboring town. Becker had telegraphed Government officers to be ready, and when the train reached the depot, the car which the burglars occupied was boarded by a dozen officers. A fearful fight occurred, and as it was not yet time for “Dutch Jim” to be publicly know he entered into the fight with as much earnestness (to all appearances) as did his “pals,” and he did receive in return some good blows. The ringleaders were captured, and in company with “Jim from Jersey” were put in cells. When the day of examination came, “Dutch Jim” was put on the stand, and when he gave his occupation “Government Secret Service Officer,” the counterfeiters wilted[.] The evidence was too strong to be broken, and the gang was secured. Becker has since returned to Newark, and is now on the city force.