Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-12-24

at the Counting Room.
EXPLOIT OF Two RoGUEs-How THEY
WERE FoILEp.-Quite scene occurred in
the thieving line yesterday, originating in
Whitzel on Town street. 1t was between
twelve and one O'clock in the day, when
Mr.. Whitzelland all his employees had gone
to dinner, with the exception of Charles
Cope, a shoemaker, that large and small
man-the latter well dressed aud rather
dandyish in appearance entered the store.
The larger of the twain said he wanted to
purchase pair of boots. He went to the
further end of the store to look at some
boots, while the smaller man remained near
the door, and in the vicinity of the moltcy
drawer. twas some time before the big
man could make selections; but at last he
made choice of pair of boots, which he
said fitted him, and for which he would call
the next day.
In the meantime the lesser sized rogue
had been figuring around in the front part
OF the store. Mr.. Cope had his eye on
him, and from his maneuyers, was satisfied
that he had taken money from the drawer.
The two strangers left the store together,
and went in opposite directions-the big
one toward Third, and the smaller one to-
ward High street. Mr.. Cope followed the
larger man, and inquired of him where his
companion had gone. He professed not to
know.
Mr.. Cope then turned in the opposite
direction in pursuit Of the lesser rogue.
Coming up with him near State street, Mr..
c. seized hold of the sleek villain, and ac-
cuscd him of stealing money from the store.
Not wishing probably to make fuss about
the matter, and disposed to end the dispute
with as little publicity as possible, the accus-
ed handed Mr.. G. roll of greenbacks
amounting to flfty-seven dollars, saying that
was all the money he had taken, and that
should end the affair. .........
But Mr.. Cope was not in humor, after
all the pains he had taken to find him, to
let him off so easily. He took the money,
but refused to let his prisoner so. Here
upon, the latter dealt him blow which
staggered him somewhat, but soon recover
ing he pursued his assailant down State to
Front street, and coming up with him there,
Mr.. c. gave him Roland for an Oliver, by
hitting him OH the head such pelt with a
stone that he was nearly fclled to the
ground.
Mr.. Cope laid hold of his victim and di-
rected him to retrace his steps by going
back the way he came. The thief did not
incline to obey, but Mr.. G. held the stone
he had struck him with before his eyes, and
threatened still further chastisement if he
was obstinate. Still the sleek gentleman
was not inclined to obey, till the Local of
The Journal, and an old eX-policc officer
appearing on the scene of action, he con-
cluded that discretion was the better part
of valor, and marched off as he was order
ed, with Mr.. c. following behind, holding
the stone at his back.
Returning to the store of Mr.. Whitzell, a
police officer was found, by whom the light
fingered little gentleman was conducted to
the Station-house and locked up. He bore
his mishap with great equanimity, passing
the afternoon in reading the papers. He
gave his name as McDermitt, though quite
a different one appeared upon some hand
kerchiefs he had about him. His case is set
for examination before the Mayor this
morning at half past eight o'clock.
1t may be proper to add that the fifty
seven dollars which the thief handed Mr..
Cope, was all the, money taken from Mr..
WhitzelIs drawer, and that on searching
the person of the prisoner, no money was
found upon him. The officers were in pur-
suit of his confederate, but we have not yet
heard of his capture. q.
ANNIyERsARY FFsrIyAI.-The ST. Johns