THE STOLEN GAINSBOROUGH PICTURE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 31 May 1901, Page 4

THE STOLEN GAINSBOROUGH PICTURE.

Truth stranger than Fiction.

Never was romance written more alluringly than is the history that clings to the Gainsborough portrait of the Duchess of Devonshire, which has just been returned to its rightful owner, after having been in the possession of a thief for almost twenty-five years. Many years ago Patrick Shecdy, a man whose adventures have carried him over the whole world, found himself, deserted by luck, stranded in Chicago. Ho came under the observation of a young man who had sat by his side during the long hours of a night spent in front of a faro table. As Sheedy’s luck had been bad, the Ollier’s had been proportionately good. They had breakfast together, and after breakfast the more fortunate of the two said to his companion, whose name ho had learned—“ Mr Sheedy, money is of littlo- value to me. Here is oOOdol which I want to lend to you. I have a presentiment that I am doing myself a greater favour than I am doing you, and that some time you will be able to repay me, and I am sure that when that time comes you will do so.” Sheedy took the money. What it profited him is not known even to himself. So often has he been buffeted by fortune that he has ceased to remember the ups and down of his eaHy life. But he always remembered the giver, and on various occasions made an endeavour to-find him for the purpose of returning the

loan. They did not meet again for many years, and when they did meet it was under peculiar cireunfstances, in a foreign city, where Mr Shccdy found himself fully able to made good his friend’s presentiment. He returned the loan and (lie favour with compound interest. From Robert A. Pinkerton many of the details of the plot which resulted in the theft of the Gainsborough were learned by a representative of the New York Herald.

“It was back in 1873,’’ said Mr Pin-, kerton, “when a band of thieves organised in this city for the purpose of making a raid through tiie Eastern States. They planned a series of crimes winch, carried to a successful culmination, would have netted them millions of dollars. They began operations in Baltimore, where they robbed the Third National Hank of a great many thousands of dollars. “ Successful in this venture, such a hue and cry was raised that the thieves were compelled for their own safety to abandon ilieir greater plans and to make a hurried trip to England, where they came together, and determined to do there that which they had failed to accomplish in this country.

“In the band were Charles Becker, alias “ The Dutchman,’’ the most expert penman and the most dangerous forger I hive ever known; Joseph B. Chapman, an expert in all lines of crime; Joseph Keilly, alias “Little Joe,’’ a man of education and high connections; Jas. Wilmont. alias “ Mysterious Jimmy,” and John and Adam Worth, brothers. “ Added to his band was John Suaeovitch, a Kussian criminal picked up in London, who was said to have been a man of remarkable daring, I never saw him. After several successful burglaries and forgeries committed in England, Scotland Yard, made Great Britain too small for the Americans and their accomplices, and they transferred their base of operations to Constantinople. Woman in the Band.

“ I had forgotten to mention another member of the band, Mrs Joseph B. Chapman, who had been the widow of an English thief, whose name I have forgotten, but who was known to the English detectives as “ Two to One.” Mrs Chapman remained in London acting as banker for the thieves, and I believe that she had charge of money and jewels to the value of perhaps 100,000 dollars. In Turkey the tide of fortune turned against the thieves. Four of them were captured and convicted of robbing the American Consulate. They were Chapman, Reilly, Beeker, and Soscovitch, and all were sent to Smyrna to serve- a long term of imprisonment. Chapman was given an easy position in the kitchen, where he was able to obtain for himself good food and plenty of if. His companions demanded that he should smuggle food to them, complaining that they were being starved, “ This Chapman refused to do, saying that it would surely be detected, and that he would lose an opportunity which might lead to the escape of all. Later the other three succeeded in escaping, and they had it in their power to take Chapman with them, but enraged at what ho had done, they left him behind while they made they way as best they could to England. Mrs Chapman when called upon to divide tire money which was in her possession, refused to do so without an order from her husband. She also threatened to denounce the men who had escaped from gaol because they had not treated Chapman fairly. This she did not do, but instead prepared a feast at the house in which she was living for the returned wanderers. They in turn decided to drug her, believing that she kept the money and jewellery in the house. “It is said that they had no intention of murdering the woman, but they gave her too powerful an optiato, and it paralysed her heart, which had been weak for years. She died, and they were unable to recover any of the money which she had in her possession. “At this time a brother of Joseph Reilly joined the band. All its members wore penniless, and to obtain funds Becker forged a draft upon the Bank of England, by means of which they oln tained possession of £2200 in bank notes. Reilly’s brother was sent to Pa,is to negotiate the notes, but when he offered them for exchange he was taken into custody, their numbers having been telegraphed, and was later returned to England to stand trial for forgery. “At this time Gainsborough’s portrait of the Duchess of Devonshire was attracting much attention in London, it having been recently purchased at auction by William Agnew and Sons, who paid £10,500 for it. The picture was on exhibition in the Agnew Art Rooms in Bond street.

Gainsborough’s Picture Stolen

“ These thieves raided the art room on the night of 25th May, 187 G. Having first established sentinels outside to give the alarm in case of surprise, a tall and stalwart member of the band hoisted one of the smaller men through a window that had been forced open. The canvas was cut from its frame and a little later was placed in a secure hiding-place. The intention was to persuade Mr Agncw to give bonds for Reilly, but before this was done the counsel that had been employed announced that the indictment and the extradition papers had been drawn in a faulty manner, and that Reilly would escape on a technicality. This turned out to be true, and so the picture was held for a reward.

“In the course of a few years most of this band of thieves and swindlers returned to the United States. Joseph Reilly, who was also known as Joseph Eillo'tt, was arrested for passing a forged cheque for 364,000 dollors. purporting to have been drawn by the Now York Life Insurance Company on the Union Trust Company, New York. “While awaiting trial Reilly escaped and the police wore unable to locate him. That was in 1885, and as Reilly’s crime was one of many that had made trouble for the banks a determined effort was made to re-arrest him. The services of the Pinkertons were obtained, and wo succeeded after a long chase in rubning Reilly to earth.

“At that time Kate Castleton was a favourite in the musical extravaganzas and light operas of the day. She was Reilly’s wife, but this fact was known to few. Wo succeeded in placing one of our men in Kate Castloton’s company, and wo watched the woman’s course for several weeks. Finally in Puekskill, N.Y., Reilly visited his wife, and i i that manner his arrest was effected. Revealed Story of the Theft. “When ho was brought to Now York for trial ho sent for mo and gave to me a complete history of the manner in which the Gainsborough had been stolen. He told mo that the man who had taken it from its frame and who had since kept it in possession was under some obligation to him. and, ho believed, would return the picture if assured that Reilly would be given his freedom. I am unable to make any promise, and negotiations fell through. Reilly was convicted and served his term.”

Just how the Gainsborough came to be returned to the Agnews makes another chapter. Wlliiam Pinkerton, a brother of Robert, is Western Manager of the detective agency, and makes his headquarters in Chicago. For a groat many years ho has been on terms of intimacy with Patrick Sheody. He heard of the story told by Reilly, and knew the name of the

man in whoso possession the picture was. While at dinner with Mr Shcedy in Chicago a few years ago William Pinkerton suggested that his friend was just the man to bring about the return of the canvas to the Agnews. Mr Seedy replied that he would keep his eyes open.

Mt? Sheedy meets an Old Friend. It so happened that Patrick Sheedy one lime fonud himself in Constantinople. While the.e he was visited by a mysterous Greek, who told him that a friend of Mr Shcedy, who had heard of his arrival in the Turkish capital, was very anxious to sco him. The Greek intimated that the friend of Mr Shcedy was in trouble. An investigation was made, and Mr Shccdy found that his friend was none other than the one who years before bad lent; him the 500 dollars after Ids disastrous experience at the faro table. The wheel of fortune was made a complete revolution. The man who had boon Mr Sheady’a benefactor had attempted to turn a little game at forgery in Constantinople, bad been captured, convicted, and sentenced to a long term of imprisonment, but after serving three weeks had escaped, only to fall into the hands of some brigands, who hold him captive. They demanded 1500 dollars for his release. The money was promptly paid by Mr Sheedy, who was glad of the opportunity to return the favour which had been granted to him. The man who had been so successful at the faro bank in Chicago and who had the adventurif in Constantinople is the same man who stole the picture from the art rooms in Bond street.

Relating his adventures, Mr Sheedy told William Pickorton of the manner in which he had been able to repay the obligation which had rested upon him for more than twenty years. Mentioning the name of the man whom ho had been successful in releasing from captivity in Constantinople, Mr Sheedy was surprised to heardiis companion say, “ That is the man who stole the Gainsborough picture.” Mr. Sheedy Offers His Services. Mr Sheedy at once volunteered to bring about the return of the canvas if proper arrangements could bo made. He said that his friend had turned over a new leaf after his experience in Turkey, and was then living an honest life in England. He is the father of children now reaching maturity, none of whom has ever heard of thsir father’s experiences as a thief. Mr. Sheedy first exacted from Mr Pinkerton a promise that no attempt should bo made to discover the identity of his friend while he (Sheedy) was opening negotiations.

A trip was made to England, and Mr. Sheedy found his old friend more than willing to permit the picture to be returned to the Agnews. He thought, however, that he was entitled to a reward, and placed his figure a £SOOO. A proposition was made to C. Morland Agnew. who directed that all further communications should be sent to the detectives at Scotland Yard.

At this juncture the matter was placed in the hands of Robert Pinkerton, with whom Mr Sheedy conducted his negotiations. Immunity for the reformed thief was promised, and he went to the States. Mr Agnew, being convinced that at last there was a prospect for the return of the canvas, which has been missing for twenty-five years, came over on the last western trip of the Eturia. With him was his wife, who is said to be an art connoisseur without a superior. Mr Pinkerton vouched to Mr Agnew for the integrity of Mr Sheedy, and Mr Sheedy vouched for his friend. •

The 5000 was placed in the hands of Mr Sheedy, and he obtained possession of the picture, when ho packed in the false bottom of a trunk. The transfer of the canvas to Mr Agnew was made in the Auditorium Hotel in Chicago. It was carefully examined and all precautions wore taken against a fraud.