The New York herald., 1870-12-29
SEOPLTFTING.
THE RECENT ARRESTS AT MACY'S.
What tho storoheepers Think Of the "Klcpto-
mania" Businsss-The Danger of Leav-
ing Goods Exposed As at a Fair.

A HERALD reporter called at Macy's, on Sixth
avenue, ana found the store pretty well crowded
with customers. Lots OF pretty girls were
in waiting behind the counters, ANA
ON the counters heaps Of goods were
spread out for the edlncation OF visitors.
After waking back through the store the reporter
discovered desk with high railing, behind which
a pretty and graceful woman, with black eyes and
hair habited In black velvet sat. This was the
SUPERINTENDENT OF the establishment, Mrs. Larorge.
Within six feet Of her young aud good looking
gentleman OF that peculiarly blonde conf
pexion which Is only found In the middle
district OF Long Island. This was Mr.. Laforge. hus-
band 10 the graceful Mrs. Laforge. who holds the
responsible position Of general superintendent out
blde OF the store ana attends 10 all Custom House
business. On stating his business to Mrs. Laforge,
that lady desired HIM very politely to
TAKE SEAT WITHIN THE RAILING,
which he did.
''Now.n said Mrs. Laforge Il suppose you arc in
search OF information in regard TO the arrest OF
Ers. Phelpsn
"Yes, ma'am," said the reporter.
'well. then, viii tell you all | know" replied
the lady. II suppose we have lost as much as ten
thousand dollars worth OF goods in year by
TnIs NEFARIoUs BUSINESS.
Some OF the most respectable ladies In the city, as
far as appearance goes, have been caught In this
store while In the act OF carrying away Mr.. Macy's
property, and for two years past we have let Them
on; but the EVIL became too CARING and in the case
or Mrs. Phelps we were compelled to make the
arrest
one very respectable looking lady had on her per-
son one day when caught
FIFTY-sIx DOLLARS WORTH
OF black thread lace. Mrs. Phelps when arrested
had package OF candy valued at twenty-five cents
take on her part, think. She was stopped by the
girl and brought TO this desk and she sat down in
this very chair asked her address, which she gave
TO me, and found IT correct in the Directory, The
young lady, MISS Grotty, stated bankly that saw
her take The package and conceal 1t on her person.
Mrs. Phelps then taken below stairs and
searched.
SHE DID NOT AT ANY TINE DENY
taking the candy, you VIII observe. not even In
court she answered my question by saying to MISS
Erotty. oh, my child, there must be some mistake
and in court she answered Judge Bowling, who
asked her. .Did you take the candy, Mrs. Phelpsr
TO the best OF my recollection | know nothing
about the matter.' This, OF course was not de-
nal. Before the trial young Miss Phelps brought
Horace Greeley here, and never saw man who
wanted 10 get cut OF a thing worse tnan
POOR alR. GREELEY
nd out OF that business. They are always getting
The poor man into scrapes Miss Phelps had a
paper drawn up which she wanted Mr.. Macy to
rign. i'll which Mrs. Phelps to be exonerated of
lne charge MIR. Macy Dankly refused Mr.. Greeley.
lie would not on any account break his honor In
that lasltion 1here has been great deal OF trouble
made about this case IN the newspapers, because,
1 suppose, Wrs. Phelps knows lot OF
literary people, and size has sent her friends
10 all tHc newspapers to get statements
IN. Beside she is, / believe, member OF The
'oorosis' cuo, and that influence has been, no
Der Of this 'SOros.s' cln9, who, think, was a
president or some hlSa dignitary IN The association
et one u!ue-l think II was Jcnnle June formerly
WROTE FASHION ARTICLES
about cur store IN the Stos9ag Cou1er;
Miss Grotry ana Miss Bowyer, the two young
ladies who made the charges are stili retained IN
Our employment, and instead Of censuring
taem for att ndlDg to their duties i'll this matter
we think that tloy deserve honor and credit for
their fidelity ! had no alternative, as superin-
leuden1 ba, 10 make the charge Justice Downing
tod nc thar justice should always be tempered with
mercy. Mrs. Phelps mad DAVID Dudley Field en-
gagged, ana the case came on ut ten O'Clock in the
morning, while the subpoena was only served on
myself and Mr. Macy az twenty minutes TO ten, and
David Dudizy fied was
HAMMEKING AWAY AT MISS GRoTTY
when we reacned the court; he cross-examlned her,
bus he could not shake Aef an men, IL would nave
been great triumph to have had Mr.. Macy and
myseii arrive lae at the court after tle prisoner
had been discharged Dy reason Of the non-appear-
rnce Of The CON plainant To whom only twenty
niGutes' noIce was given on the morning OF The
"Nhere does your detective come rrom, Mrs. La
forge ~ asker lie reporter.
'slr. Mac app.ed al the police headquarters for
detective 10 stop tne thevllg ana he was sent TO
pur sore llom the specIai service squad, and he
stays 10 tne stere, being detailed, and poceman's
salary Is pad to Aim by Mr. Macy just as # he We're
attached To Vie ioice in unliorll There was
vEEY BRUTAL ARTICLE
u was ful of brutality, besides being untrue ana
hosicai-.a the SUNDAY edition ol caily paper last
buauay Great efiOits have been made 10 hush up
pnd nisrepreseat tile case OF Mrs Phelps, believe.
" MIS-. lheIps IS not euHty why should all TINS
trouble be taken IN her behalff 1 know wAat
hieptomauia is; IL Il disease OF the brain, and
SUNK that there arc many very respectable ladies in
this city afflicted with the disease Eat / knew
lddy WHO caGle IA here and was apprehended pick
luz pockets, also very respectable. NoW she was
AVt 6ieptomaAiac. She was
MORALLY, NOT MENTALLY, WRONG.
"a well known urn III inia CITY wrote 10 Mr.. Macy
before the uial OF Mrs. Phelps desiring 10 have us
ascertain II she was the same drs. Phelps VINO had
before been arrested for shoplnlng aud who had
stolen velvet CLOAK IRON taelr store, and Il SO they
deSirous ol assisting IN prosecuting her. Our
glrs here are truthful and honest and II they were
not we would not keep them IN the store. Mr.. Macy
si,tedu
TAt this iunc'ure Mr. Bryant who is in the law
'book business, and whose wle was arrested some
tlme since at Macy's entered the store. Mr.. Bryant
resides Fifteenth street, and while III the store ne
INTERVIEWED THE DETECTIVE,
Lewis Hill, In very excited manner.
The reporter next paid Visit TO the house OF
Arnold Constable, In Broadway, being desirous OF
knowing whether large drygoods stores were much
INFESTED by female thieves. He asked beautiful
looking clerk, whose kalr was parted IN the middle,
establishment, could be seem The beautiful young
naa pointed toa gentleman whose head was slightly
bald ana said "InaGs hinl.n
The reporter approached this parsonage who was
in conversation, and said to him, "Are you Mr..
JohDsonsi to which he answered, Il am; but am
not Mr.. Johnson the superintendent He is to din
uer and then the other MIR Johnson ran away after
pointing TO counter where he told the reporter he
pnght stand until the second Mr. Johnson came In.
Soon the superintendent a tall, magnificent looking
man with
CoLDsTEEAM GUARDS wHrsKERs
came in and In answer 10 the reporters inquiries
spoke as foll0ws:-
I'VE are not troubled with thieves here, sir. Ar
mold K ConstabIes people know a their old GUS
toners, and when We see any strange suspicious
person Ia the store we quietly inform tnem 70 walk
out. We are our own detectives and know all the
suspicious persons much better than the detectives
themselves. Besides, we do not allow our goods 10
lie the counters, as 10 fair or bazaar. We have
stock boys especially 10 place the goods back on
tue shelves as soon as they have been inspected.
Leaving aoous spread out loose on the counter Is
OFFERING TEMPTATIONS
10 those whe only partially dishonest. n s pos
C,I hpt eharn al nj