The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-28
AitEutond nispat.rl:lh.
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY %, 1871.
THE CIRCULATION OF THE DIsPATCH
IS LARGER THAN THE CONFINED CIR
CuLATION OF ALL THE OTHER DAILY
NEWSPAPERS OF THE CITY,
Important Arrest-An Expert Burg
lar and EIoteI.Thtef Caught. t

In one OF the cells at the detective ONCE
in this city may be seen an individual whose
travels have been extensive, and who has
never left place probably without taking
some souvenir Of a thieving exploit with
him. He gives his name as John 81. Lewis,
which may or may not be the cognomen be-
slowed upon him at the baptismal font. In
height he is about five feet three inches, and
well-proportioned. He is llght-compleX-
ioned, with sandy hair and noustache, blue
eyes, and well-formed mouth. A very
plauSible-looking person, of genteel appear
ance and intelligent bearing. About five
weeks ago this Individual was noticed in
our streets by two of our sharpest
detectives, who saw something in his
looks and appearance that awakened
their suspicious. They kept an eye on his
movements, and at length got clue that
served to confirm their suspicious that he
was dangerous person" They first
traced him to the shop ola locksmith, where
he left an order for dozen peculiar pine
ers, such as are used by burglars to turn
the keys in door.locks. Here he stated that
he was dentists and used such tools In bis
profession. In two or three days lie return
| ed and Stook pair OF the pincers, paying
the locksmith's wife for them, the man him.
self being absent. AS soon as the dctec-
tiyes discovered that he bad got these tools
they went round to the hotels and warned
| the proprietors to be on their guard. But
the suspected party was Immediately miss.
ed from town, and inquiries revealed the
fact that he had gone to Aiken. About
| two weeks ago be returned, and late at
night sought lodgings at the Pavilion Ho-
/! tel, registering bis name as John H. Lewis,
| from Aiken. He slept there that night and
| left ut an early hour in the morning. Short
| ly after his departure several Of the board
ers reported to the clerk that they had been
robbed during the night. One gentleman
lost $75 in greenbacks, another 500 In
notes on the Bank of Camden, a lady missed
a costly brooch, set of false teeth, AND
some jewelry. In one ct the rooms visited
| by the thief couple of gold watches lay
| under hat on the table near the bed, but
they were undisturbed, the thief not sus
pecting that so much of value lay under 6
| well-w0rn tile. A few nights after the same
party put up under another name at tht
| WaYerly House, when similar result fol
| lowed. Subsequently he was traced to s
| private clearinghouse in King street
where he also "went through some o
the boarders. getting several articles o
value. He again left town, and the detec
tives began to fear that he had escaped thei
clutches, but he returned few days ago
| and took up his lodgings at an aristocrata'
| boarding-houSe in street, where, /
has since been ascertained, he engaged per
! manent board some weeks ago, and has re
| tanned possession Of his room ever since
giving various excuses tor his frequent alb
sence.
The day after his return to town officer
street, and arrested him, they having dis
covered that he had visited the locksmitl
during the morning, and left orders TO-
some more Of the peculiar tools OF his pro
teSsion. The officers, as blind, told hin
that they arrested him on the charge o
bumming," or soliciting orders withou
| a license but on taking him to the office
they revealed the true charge, when ht
"turned pale US sheet,' and said I" fel
that YOU had arrested me- for something elst
than bumming.'" Several parties wht
had seen him at the hotels have visited TIT
detective Office and fully identified Lewi
as the man who has been blamed for TIT
Irrespective robberies.
After reaching the detective office the &C
cused was searched. but nothing was tount
on him but a bunch Of keys and So il
greenbacks. His trunks, which, by tn
way, are very capacious, were taken froE
from his clearinghouse to the detectiy
office, and on being opened were found t.
contain an extensive wardrobe, including
costly coats and pants, elegant shirts, I'm
derclothing, neckties, and three dozen fin
kid gloves. The outfit is sufficient for thre
or four gentlemen going on a tour of travel
The accused is evidently d first class AM
dangerous adventurer. He states that hi
permanent residence is in Hooper county
Missouri; claims Dublin as the place of hi
nativity, but left there when but thre
months old. His trunks have express an
hotel labels showing them to have been i
Paris, London, Liverpool, Baden Baden
New York, Montreal, Ottawa, st. Louis
Chicago, and several other places.
The examination Of the accused will tax
place on Monday.-Charleston Is. C) RI
L