The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-11-23

NEW SWINDLE--A SHARP 1OUNG LADY
AND THE ST. LOUIS JEwELLERs.--A young
lady from indianapolis, who arrived in the
CITY last Thursday, has in this short time
plaved most successful game upon several
watchmakers in different parts of the city.
Her name is Mrs. Lizzie Smit, and she
claims to be a widow. She Is very good.
looking young woman, and makes an ele-
rant appearance-such one, In fact that
would contradict the fact that she is sue
cesstul beat.
Her mode of procedure was novel one,
and altogether impractical e1etotOre. With
the aid of q confederate she has obtained
several fine gold watches from Jewellers,
which were left with them for repairs, by
representing that she had been sent for them.
This confederate would closely watch the
various watchmakers' shops for the appear
ance of any one with fine watch to be lett
for repairs, aud would then enter the shop
on the pretence Of examining some goods,
and while there listen to the conversation be.
tween the jeweller and his customer, and
after finding what the price agreed upon
was. would leave and inform the woman,
who would, on the day appointed, call at the
store. and under pretence that the party
leaving the watch was her husband, or. in
some Way connected with her, and that she
had been sent for if, would almost lnVaria.
bly Obtain the article. These facts had been
reported BY the various losers to the police
authorities. and the detectives have been on
the lookout for several days for the woman.
Yesterday afternoon about 3 O'Clock, as
CAPTAIN Dan O'Connor, Chief of the Detec-
tive Corps, was walking along Fifth street,
he saw a finely.dressed woman (Wbo answer
ed to the description of the party who had
been victimizing the jewelry stores for the
mast few days) step out of Hilton's restaurant
and cross the sidewalk to carriage at the
curbstone, apparently In waiting for her. ana
enter it.
Just then Captain O'Connor stepped up
to the carriage and asked her to drive with
him to the Four Courts, and at the same
time informed her of his position. She con-
sented in such O ready and peculiar manner
that she left no doubts in the mind OF the
detective that she was the guilty party. be
entered the carriage, and, in company WIN
her. was rapidly driven to the -Four courts
There she was taken into the chiefs othce,
and In conversation with him and Detec.
tives O'Connor and Stiles acknowledged
that she was the party wanted, Due
sai6 that she was the tool OF con-
federate. who compelled her to practice
the trick under threats of great per
sonal violence. She confessed everything;
told the plan that was worked upon (Wnlcn
has already been given; gave the name OF
her confederate; and turned over pawn
tickets for the watches, which she had pawn
ed as fast as they could be obtained. sne
stated TO the officers that she had always
nawned the watches, but that her con!eoe-
rnte had always pocketed the money tnus
ohtained. She was locked up, and the oe-
teetiyes were set to work, and are now SEEK.
inc for her confederate, whom they expect
to have before evening. 80
Among the jewellers who nave pesn VIZ.
ti,nized by the woman is Mr.. D. A. winter,
at No. lila Franklin avenue, where she oD'
tanned fine gold watch belonging 10 a he.
GRO. by representing to the proprietor lnaI
sbe had sent the negro with the Watch 70
have it repaired. .ooo couonao,ot
james M. Elmer, of No. POOP Caronaelss
avenue. let her have watch Wnlch nao
been left with him by some gentleman, on
her pretending to be the wife OF the parry
who had left the watch. She also obtainea
from Henry German, No. 1872 Market street.
an open.faeed gold watch by similar pre-,
fences. All the watches have. through .ns
instrumeatality of Captain OConnor anu anu
Chief Harrigan, been recovered from tne
nawn. shops where they had been ielt.- 81.
E Louis Globe, Norenaber 18Th.