Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-09-13
A farmers Experience with a Detroit
Picket.

A short time since, while our reporter was
visiting a town in the interior, he made the
acquaintance Of vell-tc-do farmer, who,
alter making some inquiries in regard to the
growth and prosperity of Detroit, inquired if
there were any pickpockets in that city. The
reply was, of course, in the affirmative. The
farmer laughed quietly a moment, and then
said:
Il dou't often tell my first experience in
seeing the lions Of your city, but am not as
sensitive over it now as l used to be, and I'll
tell you about it. Some years before my faith,
er died he went to New York city on business,
and while there he bought himself gold
watch. He wore it as long as he lived, and
when he died few years ago, he gave it TO
me. OF course l was strongly attached 10 the
watch, and not little proud of it. especially
when put it in my pocket upon the occasion
of my first visit to Detroit. l havn't any
doubt that looked at it hundred times 4
day. and you will not be at all surprised when
tell you that had not been in the city two
hours before it was missing, chain and all
IL informed the clerk of the hotel where I
was stopping of my loss, aud as l did not re-
member being by any one, and could give no
clue TO the thief he said there was no use IN
calling in officer. He advised me to offer
large reward for the return of the watch,
and added that no questions would be asked.
put such an advertisement in tho morning
papers. and during the afternoon received n
note informing me that Ii l would be at the
corner of B and i streets that
evening at o'clock with the reward (SI00)
my watch would be returned to me. The note
also stated that must come alone, and If du-
ring the day made an attempt to inform an
Il, d L.
would be watched at the time, and the only
way that could recover my watch was by
doing precisely rs | advertised.
AT O'Clock | was at the spot indicated.
and after waiting few moments n we'll dressed
man in passing me asked me the time Of day.
| replied that it was seven o'clock. At that
he asked me to walk along with him q short
distance, and as We walked he inquired IL /
had brought the S100. / replied in the af-
firmative. when he handed me the watch, re-
ceived the money, and was about to leave when
| stopped him aud told him would give him
$40 more to tell me how he managed 10 pick
wy ocket. "Ah!' said he. placing his finger
on his lips. you promised to ask no questions,
but l would show you if it wasn't for that
man standing over there the corner. He
is n detective officer and knows me. and the
man pointed across the street | looked in
the direction he had indicated, but could see
no one that looked like an officer, though there
were plenty of people standing in that local.
ity That tall fellow with the stove pipe hat
ou is the one mean but 1 must be off,
Good. bye The man hurried of. and saw
him disappear around corner; then again
tried to see the tall fellow with a stove,pipe
hat but If he had been there he had disap-
peared and started for the hotel happy in
again possessing my fathers last present to me! I!
At this thought put my hand in my vest
pocket where had placed the watch but n
moment before. and the next instant you could
have Knocked me down with straw, for the
pocket was empty. The thief had indeed
complied with my request, and shown me how
it was done | didn't advertise for it again.
and came home without telling the hotel
clerk about that evenings experience"
Detroit Post