The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-10
IT,, Case Of rev. Mr. " :,


tons of life.
- -. o1 rev. Mr. Williams.
ya.,.uaa~ morning, at the jefferson Mar
800; So,yt. the case OF the Rev. MT.
k ke,,;. 80 charged with picking the pocket
M ,N Moore in Fifth-avenue stage, was
Oh Nd before Justice Dodge. The pri-
resu'' domination room was crowded with
wave ND gentlemen, anxious to hear the
iau.s Among the most prominent
tes'i; l. the courtroom we're Right Rev.
2 persons Potter. Rev. DR.. Higbee, Rev. Mr..
!! 'S S,ocking, Rev. Mr.. Morgan, Rev. A. D.
! 9,rt Rev. C. ]. Gibson, OF Petersonrg'
II. Rev. W. B. Wellons, OF Suffolk, fa'
Va Rev. A. S. Smith, of Baltimore. :,
AI Soc m the previous adjournment, the
SoI for Mr.. Williams has served sub
Sn '0' on several leading detectives, to give
a.onr az 10 whether the pocket had
a,sen picked by professional or unprofes-
SC NJ Murray appeared for the prosecutor,
! and General Pryor for the defence.
'D The 6rSt witness sworn was Mr.. ii. FL
L. member of the detective force. lie
Sonosed that his employment was such as
uepoT1J him familiar with the habits and
operations of pickpockets their hapil was
~ work alone, and also IN companies,
sometimes in pairs on the stages there are
lots of female piCkpockets; they sometimes
throw away and sometimes keep the pocket
hooks. occasionally they are found with
the pocket-books in their possession some
are ripbt-handed and some are left handed;
thew generally work with the hand con-
ceajed: il can be done other ways though.
The pocket of Mrs. Moore was produced
and shown to the witness.
Ii is nv opinion that the pocket has
been cut; il looks as if it was o profess
sional pickpoCket's work.
Cross-examined.-The man would not
require To be an expert pickpocket to do
that there are great many pockets
picked that are never detected; pick
sockets are frequently identified by COM
,aiuantS when sent for; pickpocketsmight
Practice for long time without being de-
tectcd; it is common thing for persons to
get their pockets picked without knowing
Il. have seen number of attempts to
nick pockets, and have arrested parties.
By Mr.. Pryor.-Sometimes person has
been confronted by complainant and
identified and the Identification has been
among rare instances.
The next witness examined was Mr..
Christian B. McDougal, also detective.
He deposed he was on the force for ten
wears: was familiar with the habits and
operations of pickpockets; professional
pickpocketS are always prepared for an
emergency.
The pocket of Mrs. Moore was here ex-
hibited and examined by the witness.
Question.-Is it your opinion that that
was done by an expertl Answer.-My i'm
preston is that it was done by profess
sional pickpocket.
Cross examined.-It is possible that it
might have been cut by person not pro-
fessional.
Question.-Might not person have
practiced the act some time without being
found out? Answer.-I presume they do.
Pickpocka.s always have way Of getting
nd of the pocket-books. A pickpocket
cuts hole large enough to admit the nm
ger, and then tears ii. / have seen blood
on pocket that had been cut.
Mr.. John S. Young, chief Of the detec-
tive force, was next called to the stand.
He testified that he had been nine years in
the detective service; his employment rem
dered him familiar with the habits and ope-
rations of pickpockets; pickpockets gene
rally have confederates, but sometimes
they work alone their first impulse is to
throw away the pocket book; it requires
great deal of experience to become an
expert in picking pockets; the "wire," as
no 10 hn rUh IA
"stall," as he is called, attracts the atten-
tion of the person whose pocket is to be
picked.
Question.-Is it your opinion that the
pocket of Mrs. Moore was cut and picked
by an expert Answer.-It is my opinion
that it was picked by professional pick
pocket.
Observation-Disclosures do not
always get rid Of pocket-books there have
been instances in which the pocket-b0oks
were found with those who stole them.
Question.-Suppose case where lady
has one end of the bottom Of her dress in
the seat raised by her side drawn close to-
ward her, and the pickpocket is seated
close to her on that side, and is seated
sideways, so that her person is turned to-
ward the lady with her, and her back to-
ward him, and there being but few persons
In the stage, with looking-glass in the up
per end, is that an easy or difficult case
Tor i pickpocket to operate ONT Answer.
That would depend altogether upon the
position. n
Question.-Would it be difficult for q
non.expert to pick pocket in the position
Answer--I think it would be difficult for
3 on-expert to pick any pocket.
General Pryor here informed the court
that he had many witnesses to produce to
testify to the good character Of the accused.
Mr.. Murray, for the prosecutrix, replied
hat the defendant wonld have an opportu.
1iiy to do that before another tribunal.
General Pryor.-We do not intend that
be shall leave this court without exhibit
ing bis innocence to the world. We shall
prove that II would have been morally i'm
possible for him to commit the offence
imputed TO him.
Justice Dodge here remarked that he
would adjourn the court to hear further
evidence for the defence. ~
The court was held the next day, and ad-
ourned to Monday afternoon at 8 o'clock,
december L..