The New York herald., 1873-12-31
CHIDESTER'S CAPTURE.
A Case Of Filial Devotion Of Heroic sort-Hov
to Justice to Save q Venerable
Father from Ruin-Wom-
anly Strategy Successful


David D. Chidester, OF this city, notorious fugi-
tive from justice. has been brought into the hands
OF the law through the enorts OF his halfsister.
Hattie F. Chidester. This young lady fearessly
undertook to play the part OF detective to cap
ture her fugitive brother in order save her aged
father from ruin, he being sole security on the bail
bond OF his son.
The facts OF the case are these David D.
Chidester Is the son OF q superannuated Methodist
preacher, respected citizen OF this city. The
young man has been wayward son from his early
years. and the limited purse OF his old father has
been many times drained to save HIM from
prison. In July last young Chidester forged
q mortgage on property in this city be-
longing to o gentleman in Brooklyn. This
fraudulent instrument he came near negotiating
In this city, q fortunate circumstance preventing
He was arrested for the forgery however, and at q
hearing was held In 81, 500 bail to appear for trial
His father, having property valued at about that
amount, signed the bail bond. The case was called
for q hearing in November. Young Chidester had
ned to Canada, and did not appear. His bonds
were declared forfeit, and ruin stared the aged
father in the face All the savings OF life OF strict
economy and selfdenial were to be swept away
through the
BAsENEss OF AN ONLY SON.
At this stage the hafsister OF the fugitive deter.
father. Owing to the fact that she had been
raised by him, her mother having died
when she was an infant, and her brother
having grown up in charge Of his mothers rela-
tives, the TWO had never met until about year
ago. The young lady at once formed an ardent sis
terly affection for David Chidester, and endeav-
Ored to influence him to lead better life. In re-
turn for her pure sisterly love young Chidester
made advances to her that turned her affectiOn
into the deadlest hate. This was about the time
he was arrested on the charge OF forgery.
sister. She, forming q plan which has been car
ried into successful execution, answered, and
warm correspondence was kept up between them.
WOMAN'S STRATEGY AGAIN.
About the middle OF November Miss Chidester
received letter from her brother, proposing that
He said that he would not dare to come into New
York State, but suggested that she meet him at
proceed southwark, unknown to any interested
parties. Miss Chidester now knew that her time
had come to carry out her plans. She replied to
her brothers. letter. acquiescng in his proposal,
and appointed Berkshire, Mass, as the meeting
place He wrote approving the appointmentand
said he would meet her there the 2Stn OF Oven-
Der She proceeded there in due time, and called
upon Deputy Sherr Mansir. TO him she told her
story, and requested the officer to be readiness
to take her brother into custody when be arrived
In Berkshire. Young Chidester did not come on
the day appointed, but his sister received tele-
gram nom him, follOWS:-
HArrE-Can't come till Tuesday Wait. DAVE. !,
she waited until Tuesday. Chdestef did not
come. Towards evening she received the follow
ing despatch:-
H.,,rpe,avea WIN ooms Gsursanv Pss %s; 1873
i'''"'su "l'' '''i's -n'' '1A'' DAVE.
Miss Chidester waited until Thursday. She was
disappointed again. Not hearing further from her
brother she concluded to return TO Syracuse. Sne
left directions at the telegraph office in Berkshire
that all telecrams addressed to her should be first
shown to Deputy Mansir and then forwarded to
her. On Saturday, the 9th inst, the following de-
spatch was forwarded to her from Berkshire:-
HArrrr-Can't get to Berkshire. Meet me at Spring
field ON Saturday at the Massasoit House. DAVE
THE LAST TRYsT
Miss Chidester started at once for Springfield.
Deputy Manslr, having first seen the despatch, pro-
ceeded to that city and reached it on Saturday
covered. The young lady reached Springfield ON
Sunday. Her brother did not come. Miss Chidester
that he was triring with her and did not intend TO
come. She was about to return home, when she
received the following telegram
day morning. Meet me at train. DAVE.
Although having little faith in her brothers. sim
cerity Miss Chidester concluded to give him one
more trial. On Monday morning she went to meet
the tram, and, sure enough, her long sought
tonate meeting they proceeded to the hotel, going
at once to her apartments
CHIDEsTER CAPTURED AT LAST.
1t had been arranged between the young ady
and Deputy Mansir that II young Chidesterfar-
rived rive ths omcer & with necessary a,d should ioow
she would admit them, and they snould takeI the
entrappcd fugitive into custody. The arrahge-
ment was carried out to the letter. Chldester was
arrested and handcuhed.
so artfully did Miss Chdester sustain herself her
brother did not know until he was brought to this
city and lodged In JAIL that she had been the means
OF his capture and return. Old Mr.. Chldester was
in entire ignorance OF the girls proceedings and
received the first intelligence OF the arrest OF his
from her lips. 1t cannot be SAID that he rejoces.
Ruin threatened the afflicted old man on one hand;
the other Is his sons deep disgrace as the walls
OF prison certainly rise before him in the near
future.