[ [ "A Dog Made the Confederate of a Thief" / New York Times ]
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper which began publishing in 1851 and continues to this day. It has won more Pulitzer Prizes than any other newspaper, and has the 3rd-largest circulation in the United States.
This brief note about another Newf being made accomplice to theft appeared in the April 17, 1861 issue:
Charles Conklin, a youth 16 years of age, was arrested on Tuesday, charged with having committed a number of larcenies by imposing upon the credulity of small children. Traveling about the streets, accompanied by a Newfoundland dog, the prisoner would enter into conversation with any child whom he encountered, and represent that he could perfom several tricks with the animal if a piece of gold — money or jewelry — were procured for him to operate with. This statement would induce the child to furnish the required property, the lad promising to return it immediately after performing the trick, but as soon as it passed into his hands he would run away. About two years ago the prisoner was convicted of operating in the same way, when he used a goat to assist him. He was then sent to the House of REfuge, but after remaining there a few months was released, upon promising to reform. It is probably that he will now find quarters at the Penitentiary.