The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-01-23

MASSACHUSETTS CLERGYMAN ARRESTED.

The Boston Post Of the It'll inst. says 80 There
was considerable rejoicing last evening among
the propretors Of our leading book establish
ments over an arrest made by detective officer
Bill of shrewd and most successful book thief,
who proved TO be a Clergyman by the name Of j.
j. Sine, who resides at Bonneville, Mass. Fer
number of months the booksellers on Washington
and fremont streets have from time to time
missed valuable volumes from their shelves Ind
counters, but have been unable to detect the
thief. During the past three weeks their losses
have been numerous the house of Messrs. De
VTes, IbaTra q Co. losing volumes valued at be-
ton concerning these losses was lodged with tho
chief Of police and detective officer Hill was set
to work on the job n
"a After few days skirmishing, be came to tbs
conclusion that Sine was the man he was after
| He accordingly tracked him from place to place,
and fret discovered that Sine was constantly on
his guard, never entering store until he was GER
tain that no one was following him. Yesterday
afternoon Hill followed him into fremont street,
and becoming satisfied that he was on his way to
Messrs lie Yres. Ibarra d Co.'s store, the officer
made circuit through Province street and some
alleys, reaching the above house some minutes
before Sine entered, concealing himself in closet
where be bad previously contrved more conve-
nient peep hole. The officer closely watched his
clerical subject, and in few minutes saw him
conceal two volumes in the inside pocket of his
large overcoat. and make for the door.
" Hill immediately arrested him, took the pro-
perty from bis person. and then, accompanied by
clerks from the houses of Little d Brown and Mr..
Piper's, he visited Sne's residence ia 5omervilie,
where they found several hundred volumes OF
stolen books, the property belonging to leading
book houses in this city. These books were seized
and brought TO the chiefs Office, where our book
sellers will have an opportunity to inspect them
this morning, and meet their old customer Sine.
Some time since he was suspected of being thief
by the proprietors Of the Unitarian rooms on
Chsuncy street, but being a minister, IL was
thought they must be mistaken. Mr.. Piper also
had bis suspicious aroused, bat was unable 70
detect the adroit thief. m .rt
" In further working up the case, Mr.. Hill has
discovered that Sine not only filed his library by
stealing valuable books, but In addition made
living in this way, stealing from one house and
selling TO another. On Monday last he stole two
volumes Of Don Quixote, published in Spanish,
from Messrs. DeVries, Ibarra & Co., aud on the
same cay sold them 10 Mr.. Piper on Washington
street. for three dollars and fifty cents, and before
leaving the store stole two volumes valued at
seven dollars each. During bis thieviDg career
be has frequently visited Mr. Loring's house. and
in q very quiet manner made sale Of bis stolen
goods; Mr.. LoriDg, judging from his good looks,
easy manners and courteous address, that he was
some editor reporter engaged in writing literary
notices. Sine was taken 10 the TOmbs and this
morning between and 10 O'Clock will be on ex.
animation at the Office of the chief Of police"