National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-12
CHILD STEALING.
An Infant Aged Six Weeks Abduoted-A
Beggar Woman the Inhuman Thief.

An infant ABen DIX weeks ADauobed-A
Beggar Woman the Inhuman Thief.
Last night about o'clock q young man, proba-
bly, tWenty-eight years of age, plain but neatly
dressed, having the appearance OF q mechanic,
visited police headquarters and stated his griev-
snces, which are Of serious nature. 1t has been
thought that from the exertions made to ind the
s'olen Charlie Ross. and the punishment In store
for those accessory to the abduction, II any re-
man alive, would likely be warning 10
thOts contemplating ne PerPefrSeiGn 81
feared harm Detailing their children, the men,
bers Of this community have congratulated them
selves the safety Of their little ones and free
dom from dangers OF this nature 1t appears,
however, from the statement made hy the gentle
man last night, who gave bis nameSs John H
town, that this District has these heartlsss sb-
ductors In Its midst. This case, however, differs
from others that have come to public notice by
reason Of the deed being performed BY females
1t seems that on Wednesday afternoon two f.
males called at his residence, one we'll dressed,
and the other rather scantily clad. They did not
come together, but reached the house Q few min
utes apart. He was absent, attending to business
at the time. They were received by one Of the
visit, which was Of a trihlng nature soliciting
charity for the needy or something similar, but
did not prefer their request in concert; on the
Contrary acting as strangers. and on inquiry dis
claimed having any acquaintsnceship. While
the conversation was in progress in the hall, the
niece Of Mr. BeckElth, young girl, passed
infant, six weeks old, belonging to the family,
which she was taking out for an airing. She had
only been out sufficient time to get square away
from the house. when she was overtaken by one
OF the women who was in the hallway Of the
dwelling as she came out. The female ap-
confidence, and under pretence Of desiring 10
hold the infant, persuaded the nurse to relinqush
it temporarily TO her care.
When she obtained possession Of the babe she
started of q rapid walk toward this city, fol-
lowed by the little girl as close as she was able
to keep up. She darted into store, remained
these stoppages the girl was able to overtake her.
After coming out Of one she was heard TO say, "
have made IS anyhow" and then turning to the
nurse handed her some change and asked her to
cross the street to q grocery and get its worth In
cOTnmeal; that she would await her return, and
then they would retrace their steps to George
town. The girl did as bid, but hardly had she
disappeared within the grocery than the woman
started of with the child, and neither has since
been heard tell Of.
1t is supposed from the circumstances surround
ing the abduction that the abductress was in
league with the other female, whom she met at
Mr.. Beckwith's house, and that the child was
stolen for the purpose TO which she applied 1t i'm
mediately after securing possession Of It-that OF
using It in begging aims, and make her case IN
asking charity appear deserving. The mother
oil the infant is almost inconsOlabIe its loss
and the family deeply worried over the abduction.
1t being go young, and almost constantly re-
quiring a mothers care, it is apprehended that
from the rough and unnatural hands into which
it has fallen, the family will never 1t again;
or if they do, life will be extinct. The case was
turned over to the detective department. and
every effort will be mace to recover the child and
bring the abductress to justice.
LATER-Immediately after the case had been
reported, the fact Of the abduction, with as good
a description Of the parties as could be obtained,
was telegraphed 10 the different stations, with
Instructions to keep a sharp lookout and arrest
and hold any or all parties who answered 1t.
Under these orders. about 10 O'Clock, Officer War.
wick, Of Lieut.. GreeTs precinct, met and arrested
Kate Robbins, q we'll character, and took
her to the station house, where, after being ques-
toned, she confessed that she was one OF the two
who had called at the house, but denied all
knowledge Of the abduction. She states that the
other woman is Mag Oakley of Richmond, Va,
who was only released from jail March l, where
she had been confined for theft.
She describes Mag as very bright mulatto,
almost white, about twenty-five years Of age,
heavily pitted with smallpox marks, and states
that she was dressed in q red plaid dress trimmed
with black velvet. She denied all knowledge OF
the former or present Whereabouts of Mag, as
sertiDg that she had not seen her since she left
the house on Wednesday. At q. N. the officers
were still on special duty, searching every place
in which to their knowledge the woman could be
harbored.