National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-07
THE oTHER STDF


Miss G. A. Sherman, the lady who lost her
pocket In one of the street cars on Saturday,
sends statement Of the case from her stand
point, in which she complains that the report
In the REPUBLICAN attempts to create SYM
patty for the criminal at her expense. She
says:
"I dropped the pocket book containing about
SOS, in car No. ~, on the S1st ultimo; which to
me sad fact with subsequent developments, has
furnished each daily and weekly paper with q
fat Item; which attempts 10 evoke sympathy
In behalf ofthe oyer-worked, under-paid, but, l
trust, honest conductors Of our horse-e cars,
who, believe, would scorn and ignore John
w. Chambers, the conductor on said car No.
AZ, on the above occasion, who was seen BY two
or thee persons (ready to testify thereto) to
pick up and pocket my purse-even as an ex-
cuse, let alone representative, of their vocation
on the principles upon which they are about ap-
pealing to the charity Of the public through
q theatrical performance for their benefit.
On leaving the car at Twenty-irst northwest,
I directly missed my purse and tried 10 hail or
signal the conductor without avail, taking next
car for Georgetown. then found No. AZ and
Chambers on the stand. asked him II he had
seen or heard anything of my purse. He said
he had not. / stated my conviction that l had
lost 1t in his car, the amount 1t contained, that
my name and address were written inside, and
asked that he report the facts II he learned
aught of It, He assured me he would write down
my name and address in his memorandum
book and ayowed his sympathy. rode back TO
Twenty-frst street In his car, of course quite
distressed at my loss, and he with my purse In
his pocket, and the proof that 1t was mine, wit
Messing my discontinue, dismissed me at Tween
ty-first street, and doubtless all compunctions
or moral obligations at the same moment.
l,,kt 6o1lr ftao Cd
yertisement. Despairing, as only women will
under such 9 loss, with obligations outstand-
ing, day after day passed without tidings, until
Saturday morning when two ladies called and
inquired if my purse had been returned, and
assured me they saw the conductor pick 1t up,
and were ready to testify thereto. l at once
visited President Phillips, of the railroad CON-
pany, learned the name and status OF the con-
|Eluctor, thence to Major Richards with my In
formation, who, after hearing my statement,
informed me that Chambers had just been ar
rested upon the charge and SS5 recovered.
went with Chief Clarvoe into his office, de-
seribed my purse, the denomination OF It's con
tents, and asked upon whose information he
was arrested was told upon that of boy who
saw him pocket the purse. Detectives Nc
Dewitt and Muller related the circumstances Oh
the arrest and the repeated denials of Chambers
that he had seen or taken the purse or that be
had any Of the contents, and that it was only
on being taken from the car on which they
found him at work, assuring him that they had
positive evidence of his guilt, that he admitted
having portion of the money. then identi
fed the man, and he in my presence admitted
the fact.
The detectives then assured me they would
attend to the matter, aud recover what they
could additionally, and, if possible, surety fol
the balance or prosecute, and took both my
Office and home address, assuring me they
would inform me of their steps and success, ant
| call upon me IL needed. On reaching hom'
Saturday evening found Mrs. Chambers ant
| child had already been to intercede, and on yes
terday they called again. Their appearance o
comfort compared favorably with my own, as
am sure my necessities and obligations for tn
use of said sos did with theirs, and claim, al
false sympathy to the contrary, had the bet
ter right to the use oft.
The magnitude of the offence of taking thu
purse and contents seemed lost in the north
cation of being caught in it. I was assured
| had nothing to hope by prosecution, and ad
vised to cease proceedings. / assured the lady
until was advised by them would say moth
| ing. This morning, not hearing further, /
about II o'clock called at the detectives otiic'
and learned the man had been discharged upoI
his own recognizance, and no more of my los
| recovered. l submit, Mr.. Editor, to you AM
the public where the sympathy, the offence, tn
justice of the matter SO far rests. Laud TIL
officers, the laws, this administration, and de
plore the poor conductors temptationl Will
repent having honestly earned or had tn,
money and my creditors patient wait.
| MISS c. A. SHERMAN,
$50 Twenty-frst street, northwest.