National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-26
A BOLD FEMALE THIEF.
She Robs Mrs. Senator Stewart of Diamonds
and Laees to the Value Of $3.50.


and Laees to the Value Of $3.50.
Kate E. CLARK, thirty .seven years Of age, rather
prepossessing in appearance, somewhat tall in
stature, slim but we'll built, hair dark, slightly
tinged with gray, and possessing deep blue eyes,
came to this city last Christmas from New York
to secure situation as seamstTess, goVerness or
light employment wherever it light be procured.
She was trst successful with family residing on
L, between Ninth and Tenth streets northwest,
but did not remain with them long, feeling salts
ned that she could do better elsewhere. what
this change Of circumstances we're, and the man
ner in which she proposed lettering her situation
were the remainder of this Article and a brief
biography OF her past three weeks life will best
explain. About the period mentioned she started
out on her new venture, and paid visit to Mrs:
Senator Sherman. Here she produced letter Of
Recommendation addressed to Mrs. General Sher-
man, but by way Of explanation said that, having
learned that the lady Tor whom the letter was in
tended was absent from the city, she had come TO
the Senator's wife to endeaYOr 10 secure her as
sistance in obtaining employment. Mrs. Sher-
man, believing the wOmans plausible tale, inter-
ested herself in her behalf, and two weeks ago
she was dOmiciled in the house of Mrs. Senator
Stewart as seamstress. She had not been there
many days before the lady, not liking her work,
became dissatisfied with and dismissed her.
Two nights after being discharged the nurse
discovered her in the house upstairs, in her
stocking feet, moving about from room to room.
When questioned, she made an excuse for her
presence and actions, and the affair was passed
over without further notice or comment, although
thought strange at the time. Last Saturday,
two DAYS SUBSEQUENT to her appearance in the
mansion, Mrs. Stewart, desiring to make recep;;
ton calls prepared TO dress for that purpose and
went to her jeWelcase TO obtain the ornaments
she proposed wearing. Judge OF her dismay on
discovering that 81 500 set OF diamonds had dis
appeared, and despite alt the searching could not
be traced, and what was still more strange, the
box containing them was also missing. Iastttut-
ing further search, it was found that many Valu-
able laces were gone, together with rich and
elegant wearing-apparel. suspicious OF theft iul-
mediately flashed across her mind. BEt who
he mil fv
one to linger upon in dOubt--the work OF detec-
ton and apprehension Of the thief must be
begun at once. Lieutenant Hooper, her son-tn-
law, proceeded at once to the Ofice Of Major
Richards and laid the facts before him. This eff
Gent officer believes in prompt action in all cases,
and Immediately transferred TIE case TO Chief
ClarvOe, of the detective corps, who turned ii
over to Detectives McDevitt and Miller, rapid
and successful workers in finding out the cases
intrnsted TO their hands. They went immediately
to work, visited a number of places, found out
where the seamstress visited frequently, but un-
fortunately at the time Of their calling she was
absent.
AT one of these houses they were informed that
while the woman was in the employ Of Mrs.
Stewart she had come TO them with a small box,
asking that good care be taken with it, as it con-
tanned leRelry. At another place she told the
inmates Of the house that the box would bring Its
moneys worth. About Il o'clock that day they
discovered the house where the trunk OF Kate
CLARK was. This was q good clue, and one the
officers tied to. She had told the lady that it was
to be sent to Georgetown, but when a colored
man came after it he said he must hurry, for 1t
was to 20 to the depot where he took it, and 1t
went to Baltimore on the $50 train, two others
going with it. kilograms were Immediately dis
patched East for the authorities to be on the
watch and arrest the female claiming them.
Sunday the officers, having secured additional
infnrrnatinn, proceeded to Baltimore and with
the assistance OF the favOrite detective firm of
Smith, Pearson & West came across the three
trunks wanted. A search warrant was procured
and the large Saratogas opened. In one OF them
was found all Of the laces missed by Mrs. Stew
art, and many more recognized by her last night,
but which she did not know were gone; but the
diamonds were not there. 1t was naturally con-
cluded that TO find them the thief must be
caught. AS the most likely chance Of success,
the detectives decided to close the trunks and
arrest the female that came to claim them, or
follow If they were sent away. About IL O'Clock
where they were with a wagon, and asked that
they be sent to the New OTk train, which was
done, and there she had them checked for
Gotham.
ives had her in custody, and with her they found
the jewel casket, containing the diamonds Of Mrs.
Stewart; hut there was also in her possession
other diamonds, three gold watches, elegant
chains. bracelets, earrings, aud a superb cameo
breastpin, surrounded with a beautiful cluster of
pearls. She was Immediately, with her trunks
brought back to police headquarters, and will
have hearing to-day. Among some Of the
bandkerchiefs, valued At 500: kid gloves, $50
worth; other laces and dress material, in all
valued at &c. 30.
The other two trunks have remained at the
depot from her advent into this city, and being
opened were found to contain ladies' valuable
wearing apparel and rolls Of velvet uncut-the
contents Of tie two trunks being considered, at a
low estimate, worth 81 900, and supposed to be
stolen property from New York.
This is probably one of the quickest Worked-up
detective cases on record in this city, If not else
where, and the officers have been cOmplmented
through Major Richards for their prOnptness
and efficiency.