National Republican., 1875-09-08
PETTY THIEVES.
The Washington Family in Trouble-Thsir
Charms Fail Them


For some time past petty robberies have been
committed in all sections OF the city, and the vic
tins have been unable to find their missing goods
or have the thieves spprehended. A case has
Just come to light that may lead to the conviction
of two at least of the perpetrat ors Of these rob-
berries. The facts in the case are about as fol-
lows: Some days ago as Mrs. Howard Pixley was
passing the house of a colored man named Frank
Washington, who lives on b street, between
Fourth and Fifth streets northeast, she rec0g-
nized several chickens in his yard that mad been
stolen from her residence short time before.
She Immediately acquainted her husband with
the fact, and Mr.. Pixley procured q warrant to
search the premises OF Frank Washington, which
was given to Officer Clements, of the Eighth pre-.
mansion Frank was at home, but be did not re-
main there long. Under the pretepce Of driving
IT, the chickens he got outside the fgnoe and made
tracks, followed by Ohicer Clements, who chased
him as far as Gales woods.
Alter eXpeDding four ROUNDS Of ammunition from
his revolver fruItlessIy the officer abandoned the
pursuit and returned to the house, where Mrs.
Pixley Identified the chickens and other prop
erty. The officer then placed Mary Washing
made thorough search of the house. The result
was that large quantity Of ladies' and gentle
Tens wearing apparel, bedding, gill. nets, books,
handsome black velvet basque with bugle trim.
mings, several costly dresses, and some finely
made baby clothes. Officer Clements left the
goods not identified at the house, and conye we'd
the woman to the station house. where he re-
ported the facts to Sergeant Pierce. That oticer
stolen to be seized, which was done. Yesterday
morning Mary was taken before Judge Mills on
the charge Of tesling, but that officer deferred
the case TO give the officers chance to capture
Frank.
This opportunity presented itself . short time
after the case was disposed Of. As Oficer Clem-
ents was leaving the Police Court be noticed the
man whose presence was required within standing
outside the halls of JUSTICE in crowd of colored
men. Mr.. Clements walked quietly up to Frank
at first but finding that the latter didn't care to
interview him, the officer quickened his pace,
which finally Increased to run. This continued
for some time, but a pistol-ball sent whiZztng BY
the ear Of Washington from the pistol Of the off,
Ger had the effect Of bringing him TO, when he
was arrested and conveyed to the Eighth precinct
station. house, where be now is confined. Among
the articles in possession of the police that may
lead to the Identification of others is book enti-
tied "The Siege Of Spoleto;' by McCaffery. On
the inside Of the cover is the inscription dThird
prize awarded to Alfred D-ss for his good con-
duct and application. Brother Maurelia.
ST. Mary's College, December 10, 1885,"
A pocket Bible, with the initials tEE W." on
clasp; q towel, marked 'sAIrs. Mockison," and a
pair of socks, ''W. B." A letter addressed 70
Mrs. Col Geo. Cowie was also among the effects
Frank Washington, or his wife, must have been
a coniurer, for among the things found at his
house was a bag containing ssveral snake rattles
rabbits feet the back bone of snake, and small
vial containing q dark liquid, from which
heavy sediment would settle when the bottle was
ct rest. On the outside was label, on which
was written "Ro. 2aQ-Luck,"