The Shasta courier., 1866-12-15
Arrest of a Southern Clergyman for steal
ing Lady's Purse.

One of the most peculiar cases of picking
rockets ever chronicled in the criminal an
nails of this CITY was developed yesterday, at
Police Headquarters, by the arrest OF the
Rev. George 7. Williams, an Episcopal
clergyman, on the serious charge of having
stolen lady's pocketbook in Broadway
stage.
TIE facts of this singular case are as fol-
lows: At about 3 O'Clock, yesterday after
noon, Mrs. Bloomfield Ii. Moore, residing
at No. LIS Walnut street, Philadelphia,
but at present sojourning in this city on a
visit to some friends, got into Fifth avenue
stage in the neighborhood of Twenty third
street, on Broadway, to ride down town.
At the corner of Eighth street the stage was
stopped and clergyman entered and sat
down next to Mrs. Moore, although there
was great deal more room on the other side
of the stage While riding down Broadway
a lady sitting opposite to Mrs. Moore beck
oned to her and made signs as though she
wished 10 attract her attention. Mrs. Moore,
however, paid no attention to these move
ments. when suddenly she observed the
lady opposite turn very pale and appear very
much frightened Almost at the same mo-
ment the clergyman arose from his seat. pull
ed the strap, and was making his exit from
the stage in hurried and precipitate man
ner when the lady who had previously en-
deavored to attract Mrs. Moore's attention
STAN i.ered our, pointing to the clergyman,
'' That gentleman has stolen your pocket
book" Mrs. Moore could scarcely believe
her senses, but on examining her pocket dis
covered to her utter establishment that her
portmonnai. containing S2S, had been alb
stracted. On making known her loss, a
gentleman in the stage jumped out and fol-
lowed the clergyman, and overtaking him
seized him by the collar. The clergyman
broke away from his captor and ran off, but
was pursued by the gentleman and recaptur-
ed. Quite a struggle ensued. but the clergy
man succumbe0 and on Mrs. Moore's ar
riving on the scene, he handed to her the
pncketbook which had been stolen from her,
with the contents intact. He begged that
Mrs. Moore would not cause his arrest, and
the lady was on the point of releDting when
Roundsman Delameter, of the Broadway
squad made his appearance on the scene
and took the clergyman into custody. All
the party were taken to the Police Central
Office and the clergyman was arraigned be
! fore Inspector Carpenter. Mrs. Moore
made her statement as given above and the
prisoner was called on for his explanation.
lie stated that he was an Episcopal minister
and rector of the church at Suffolk. Sussex
county, Virginia. and that he had come on
to this city to raise funds for the rebuilding
of his parish church and the establishment
of school to be connected with the church.
He further stated that he did not steal the
pocket book, but had found it on the seat Of
the stage, lying between him and Mrs.
Moore, and that he took possession of the
same with the intention of advertising for
an owner. He appeared greatly agtated
and in distress at the unfortunate position
in which he hod placed himself. His person
was searched, and quite number of letters
of recommendation from we'll known and
influential Southern clergymen, endorsing
Mr.. Williams as an earnest and faithful
minister of the Gospel, and recommending
him and his object in raising funds.
Mr.. Williams is about thirty-six years Of
age, and is man of great intelligence and
good education. lie is very tall and spare
with smooth face and sandy hair, and wa,
attired in the ordinary clerical habit.
He was locked up at headquarters for The
night, and will be taken to Court this morn
ing.