The New York herald., 1872-12-09
THIEVES IN THE TABERNACLE.

Mysterious DISAPPEARANCE Of Collection
Boxes-Deacon Pearsalps Wonderful
Discovery-The Sexton's Son Robbing
the Church-A Heavy Loss.
An ingenious system Of robbery, resulting in the
aggregate loss OF about six hundred dollars, con-
gregational collections, was brought to light
yesterday at Talmage's Tabernacle, Schermerhorn
street, near Powers street, Brooklyn. Ever since
last Summer the trustees of the church have been
mystined at the disappearance or money, In sums
varying from $25 to $780, from the collection boxes
These boxes, eighteen in number, are placed In
receptacles, or "pigeon holes" made for the pur.
pose, in the front OF the PASTORS platform. The
'pigeon holes" extend through the platform
nearly three feet or the length Of q box and
handle. The church officers were utterly at loss
to understand how these continued robberies were
Effected until few Sundays ago, when Deacon
Tommy Pearsall made Q remarkable discovery.
Deacon Pearsa was sitting In a seat in front OF
the platform, and could easily see the collection
receptacles. The pastor had concluded his SER
mon and
THE COLLECTION HAD BEEN TAKEN UP.
Deacon Pearsall reclined In the pew, and as
ne listened to the strains OF the organ, skilluly
manipulated by Mr.. Morgan, previous to the final
he began in his mind to trace out the plain pattern
Then he gradually looked down, until his gaze met
the ha w work st dooat the top 81 the great
then down, down, until he took in the pastors
head, which ne surveyed critically. BY this time
Mr.. Talmadge arose to give out the hymn. Deacon
Pearaa ceased gazing at him and turned his atten.
ton TO tracing out the pattern Of the carpet
upon were the "pigeon holes' Tor the collection
boxes, and at that moment he witnessed sight
that almost Strengthened out his curly locks and
took his breath away. 1t was no more or less than
the sudden disappearance Of the handle OF one Of
the boxes which nad protruded from the hole.
HE RUBBED HIS EYES
and rfveted his HaZe on the place. In q moment
another handle disappeared; there was no mistake
about II this time 10 make assurance doubly
o third box disappeared.
Deacon Pearsall mentioned this little clrcum-
Police Headgnsrters and obtained the services Of
Detectives FOLK and F1nehout to secure the thief
o. s the church for
ever, they detected Judson shotwell, aged seven
room, back OF the platform, and they followed aim.
He went under the platform and remained there
alarmed % for he suddenly emerged into The organ
room and was then arrested. He was charged
with the robbery
and implicated his brother as receiver OF some OF
the spols. The BROTHER Longstreet Shotwel,
sgsa @ sear rs h ,s an
street police station. The father was overcome
with grief at the discovery Of his sons CRIME.
eat OF square "divvy as the latter charged. Jud
sons mode OF operation was to crawl under the
platform, remove the back part OF the pigeon holes,
draw out the boxes and empty them,
It is estimated that the loss u the church
amounted in the aggregate TO about 5000; it may
be greater; the church officers ScaRnot yet
tell. Judson's operations showed that he
wanted to steal large sums, a. he took
only envelopes containing money for pew
subscriptions. The nickels and the stamps
be let severely alone. It may be imagined that the
treasurers position through all this was an un.
pleasant one. Persons who had enclosed money in
envelopes would apply to him for receipts. but he
had never received their cash. and was obliged to
tell them 80. He was convinced that something
was going wrong and various speculations as to
the nOdus OperdNdt Of the fraud were INDUCED In,
but no clew was obtained until Deacon Pearsalfs
wonderful discovery revealed the sacrilegious sys.
TEN.
complaint against the prisoners, and they viii be
arragnsQ beQye JpsNcs vAlsp iV-9azp