Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-01-23


In Wednesday mornings edition we pub
Hshed an account Of the transactions Of a
young sWindIer and hotel thief, who spent
couple Of weeks in this city recently, calling
himself Charles Clinton. He was arrested on
Wednesday evening at Toledo, BY Deputy
Sheriff whitney, who was sent in pursuit Of
him by Sheriff Lewis. Mr.. Whitney arrived
in Toledo late in the evening, and while
standing in the clerks ONCE conTersing with
Conductor Josh. Tyler and Ticket Agent E.
B. Bronson, of the C. & 7. R. R., Clinton
and q companion came in. Whitney stepped
Up to Clinton remarking, " Good evening
Clinton" He turned around, and recogniz-
ing tho officer, his face beamed with delight,
and catching the officers hand he shook it
with the greatest eordiality, saying, Whit
ney, my dear boy, how are your Glad to see
you. When did you arrive ?" &e. Whitney
told him briefly that he had come for him,
and handed him over to Conductor Tyler un-
til he could secure his companion, whom he
suspected Of being confederate. Clinton
broke away from Tyler and attempted torun,
but josh was too quick for him and re-
captured him before ne could get out Of the
Office. Clinton was manacled and led to
room up stairs, together with his companion.
The latter was found to be a young man named
J. H. Locke, whose father is q PrOmi-
pent business man in Toledo. Mr.. Locke
was utterly ignorant Of the character Of Clin-
ton, who had managed to make his aequaint-
snes the evening before. Clinton had on
the boots he stole from Traoy'S room at the
Angler, and was wearing on his scarf q pin
CnOt the diamond pin) which he stole from
Major Hampson's room. The diamond pin re-
ferred to was not found. It can be proved,
however, that Clinton told man in this city,
on Friday evening last, that be had lost a
diamond pin, which was doubtless the one
he had stolen from Major HampsOn.
As the party we're descending the stairs
young Locke turned upon Clinton as if a
sudden idea had occurred to him, and said
be, Clinton, you are thief; you stole a
dollar and 8 half out of mypOeket last night
when you slept with me.'' It appears that
the two young men slept together at the
Kingsbury House. In the morning Locke
missed some money, but never dreamed that
the polished Clinton had stolen it. he saw
Clinton, Just before his arrest, lay down q
dollar bill for drinks, which he was almost
sure was the one he had lest. Still he couldn'i
believe that be was q thief, until his arrest
yan officer reduced to conviction what be-
fore was hardly a suspicion. The twelve
shiuings is sll that he is known to have stO'
len in Toledo. He arrived there on Monday
evening last, and had been stopping at th'
Kingsbury House. On his person was fOun'
revolver, which had been stolen from MT
Meyers, Of Columbus. He also on had
shirt stolen from Mr.. Meyers.
During Wednesday Clinton induced hi
neE-made acquaintance, Locke, to call upO
some Of the young ladies Of the town Wit
him and introduce him, and in this way b
coutriged to make the acquaintance Of som
Of the most respectable young ladies Of To
ledo. We hear of one at least, whom ho in
duced to promise a correspondence with him
When she hears who the pleasing strang'
proved to be we hope the lesson will not
lost upon her, or upon other young ladies wi
consider itromantic to correspond with q
most total strangers, because they may
handsome and agreeable.
Daring Wednesday evening, ct q little 2
eisl gathering in one of the Parlors Of 4
Kingsbury House, to which Clinton was 4
vited, he declined to participate in game
euebrs, remarking that he never played
card or drank glass of liquor in his life
Oacsr Whitney brought Clinton to the ei
yesterday morning and lodged him in jail
await examination.
From correspondence found in his trui
It appears that the .uIprit's right name
Theodore C. VenargedAle. he has fath
who is private soldier in some New Jers
regiment, and mother residing IN Newsl
Nj. From the tone ofletters from News
hFould appear that young Theodore is a {
serter from New Jersey regiment, and b
been in Canada. His mother, evidently
pious old lady, loving her son dearly, is
norant Of the manner Of life he has be
leading. The letters abound in fearful
fection and the most anxious solieituds
his welfare. Obtaining little from husbI
or son, old and feeble, she is compelled
earn scanty living by such sewing as
can obtain. She addresses her letters to
assumed name, Theodore c. Clinton, in
der that he may not be arrested as TheOd
c. Venargedale the deserter. In one Of
letters she calls him my dear little so
ItiG sad to think how the mother's m
vent back as she wrote those words, to
time when her son was an innocent prat
upon her knee. She writes" Ny lot
hard one, but am content if you viii {
get to be q good man" She seemed to
that he might fall into dishOnestoOu
luding to her seanty means Of living
says, " On Monday morning III go to
ner's shop to work so long as can stan
and that won't be long, for remember m
Of sickness last fall"
What ealIouz heart q son must ha1
read such words es these from mother
continue life Of extravsgsnee and erin
In another place she writes: " You
me to send you yOur,fsther's OvsreOat.
heart is good enough to send 1t, but l
sent to ask your father, and must wait f
ansWer. BE said he gave you all the p
his clothes, and he wanted the coat hii
when he came home" Again Ihe I
CHOW long do you think it will take i
get ne cloak at eightssn pence day
an sure you are smoking four cent q
but think you ought to dispense with
Of those Injuries and help your poor N
sHttls." In another place she IsyS !