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Show PROFESSIONAL BEGGAR, GENIUS, WINS $ 100,000 Big Prize for Protection of Third Rail on Elcyatcd ; Tracks" Jo Go to Starring Mendicant NEW YORK. April 2f-Member of the Charity society here express the belief be-lief that Alexander McKenxie, a professional pro-fessional beggar, who was once ao electrical elec-trical engineer, has invented a successful success-ful device for the protection of the third rajl on the elevated tracks, and will receive re-ceive the prize of $100,000 offered by the Interborough company for that achievement. achieve-ment. So sanguine are the members of the society of the succese of Mr. McKenzie's Invention that the matter 'has been placed la the hands of a patent solicitor, and a practical test of the device will be made as soon as the patent is perfected per-fected in Washington. - On the police records McKenxie Is classified with the harmless mendicants, i usually cripple, who sit silently In the street or wherever crowds are passing, and hold out their hats or a tin box with mute appeal for aid. For several years McKenxie has been a conspicuous figure on the platforms of the elevated station. sta-tion. He has but one leg. and always sat on the floor with his crutches lying In his lap and his hat stretched out for coins, f For weeks at a time be would be seen every afternoon during the rush at the stations along the Sixth avenue line, and then some one would enter a complaint com-plaint and he would be arrested and sent to the island. There he always was a welcome prisoner, for his mechanical genius found great opportunity about the shops and buildings. During his various periods of confinement he perfected per-fected the models for protecting the third rail, and, distrustful of every person per-son who attempted to examine them, finally called upon the charity organisation organi-sation for help. The official at once took charge of the matter. They say McKencie was almost starved when he finally asked for aid. . |