National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-28
ROMANCE OF A THIEF.
DRYING 4 DOUBLE PHAETOS TO Il
WEDDING AND 4 PRISON.

A HOTEL PoRTERsTEALsAPAIR OF HORSES
-hARRIEs HIS swEETHEART-sELLs HIS
HORSES - HIS ARREST : COMPROMISES
WITH THE OWNERS, BUT IS REARREsTED
By THE POLICE AND HELD FOR COURT.
Some three weeks ago the livery stable Of
Messrs. Russell & Mesick, located In the rear Of
the Continental Hotel, was entered and two
valuable bay horses and . flne phaeton stolen.
Little clue was lsfE by The thieves Of
the direction taken In departing from
the city, and Detectives McElfresh and SAr-
gent, who took the casS to work up experienced
considerable trouble in obtaining any traces Of
their whereabouts. Mr.. McElfresh went some
distance into Maryland but failed Of success, and
on another occasion . eolored man was arrested
in Alexandria, suspected BY Mr.. Russell as the
guilty person, bat established innocencs and was
discharged. A short time later, Q gentleman
who was . boardeT OF the Continental Hotel was
visiting ct MechanicstoEn, in the vicinity OF
Frederick, Nd, anc while there saw Q team
which he thought he recognized ~ the one stolen.
He Gccosted the gentleman who owned them,
named Andrews, and found that only o few days
previous he had purchased the entire outfit from
a man named Joseph A. HoH for the sum Of t24O,
and exhibited receipt from this individual as o
proof Of the legality OF the Transaction. On re-
turning to the city and the hotel he related the
circumstance and Mr. Russell Immediately pro-
ceeded TO MechanicstoHn, where he recognized
the animals and phaeton Gs his property. After
conversation with Mr.. Andrews IN regard to their
ownership, no paid him s1Oo, probably for their
livery and recovery, and returned with them to
this city, leaving that gentleman minus sl4o Of
the sum paid for them originally.
A few days afterwards informRtionwas obtained
that Hof, who disposed Of the property, was in
Philadelphia. Mr.. Russell proceeded immedi-
NaIr e. has nfKy &, a,,k
hand-bils for the arrest Of the thieves. On arriv-
ing in Philadelphia he communicated with the
officers, and, report Il, offered Q reward for the
apprehension Of Hon, and then returned home.
He was shortly afterwards notified Of the mans
arrest. He then visited police headquarters and
made inquiry az to how he should proceed further
in the matter, the result Of which was that
telegram was sent to the authorities that the man
was wanted In this city to answer the charge Of
grand larceny, and to bring him on. A reply was
returned that Mr. Russell must appear in Phila-
delphis first 10 be present ct the preliminary
hearing, He went and returned yesterday morn
ing with the prisoner, ana few hours Afterwards
was marching him hand-cuffsd through the
streets. On the way down here the accused CON
fessed his guilt but still for some unexplained
reason, not long after bis arrival he was set at
liberty. The cause, however, was subsequently
discovered and will be made plain hereafter. The
horse-thief promenRded the streets with perfect
indifference, smoking bis cigar and feeling about
IS consequential as most men, notwithstanding
his acknowledged crime.
The fact reaching the ears Of Detectives Sar-
gent and McElfresh they Immediately reported
It to Maj. Richards, who ordered his arrest. A
warrant was procured, and they proceeded in
search Of Hon, whom they found comfortably sit.
usted in q pleasant room in the rear part Of the
Continental hotel, Of which Mr. Mesick Is pro-
prietor-one Of the parties that lost the horses
and phaeton. He was considerably astonished at
the arrest, as he had been given to understand
that the matter had been settled to the satisfac-
ton Of all parties. He in turn surprised the dc.
tectives by his explanation. He said that Messrs.
Russell MesIck and himself had come to the
following agreement; He was to pay 800 in cash
that "wednesday evening, which would bs there
from Philadelphia by the nights mall. He was
to give in addition note for 600, accompanied
with good security. This contract had been made
and accepted BY all the parties concerned. To
say the least Of the transaction It does not speak
creditsbly for either Mr.. Russell or Mr. Mesck,
and bears the appearance Of eompounding fell
ony. For after securing thief, instead Of bring
ing him to justice they house him in hotel, feed
him we'll, and then onter into q compact whereby
they can recover all the money expended in get
ting back the stolen property and allow the cul-
prit to escape free and unmolested. Undoubtedly
this would have been the case had the detectives
not acted promptly in making the arrest and hay-
ing him held for the grand jury.
There is also q touch Of romance in the affair
While in this city, Hof was employed as a por-
ter at the National Hotel. Here he won the
affections of one Of the servant girls, named
O'Brien. The wedding day was fixed, the cere-
mony to take place in Philadelphia. After steal
ing. the horses and vehicle, and selling them, he
proceeded Immediately to the city Of Brotherly
Love, whore his intended bride met him, and
soon they were Joined in the bonds Of wedlock
and the money was used in making q happy
honeymoon. The interruption, however, was very
sad, and undoubtedly most unexpected to the
bride, who was ignorant Of the new occupation Of
her new husband,