The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-01
THE WIDOW DAyIs'S TRUNK.
Something that n Number Of On,ciaIs may be
REQUIRED 10 Explain.


Mrs. Letitia J. DAVIS put up In the City
Hotel at Eighth street and Broadw about
three months ago. she bad trunk containing
her wearing apparel and gold watch and chain
and some Masonic emblems that had been the
property Of her deceased husband, who was
n sson of high standing. She had recently lost
nearly ali she had In the world 10y the fraud
sale by the mortgagOr OF property In this city on
which she had a chattel mortgage. She was
irving to get some trace VI IL. she paid tor her
board the nrst week but. not receiving a re-
mttance that sue expected. she could not
meet her bill az the end OF the second week.
She went away leaving her trunk ana its con-
tents with Mr.. Salisbury, the landlord, until she
could redeem II. After few weeks she re-
turned with the money to pay her bill and de-
manded her trunk. She was met by the owner
OF the place, who said that Mr.. salisbury and
bis confidential clerk, John Alexander had
gone, taking her trunk with them. Then
for two weeks. oight and day, she hunted
she found Alexander al Z Clinton place and he
said that salisbury had taken the trunk, but he
would not tell where IL was.
Mrs. Davis traced the trunk to a negro board
ing house IN W est 1wenty-sixth street, and
there she was Informed that an expressm an had
Just taken 1t away She found a. in Eidridee's
express Once IN West Ihirty-eignth street
marked for philadelphia. sue ap lied TO the
magistrate In the fIity--eventh street poll ,e
court for aid. and Alexander WAS sent tor. He
admitted That the trunk was the property Of
Mrs. Davis, but he claimed lien on 1t. Payment
offered on condition that the contents
should De found Intact. Both parties then went
out Of the court room to inspeci the trunk
Alexander went in advance AID asked the ex
pressman 10 let HIM open the trunk. THIS was
refused.
Two detectives then appeared and demand ed
the trunk on the compliant Of Alexander that
II contained property belonging to MIN and
stolen by Mrs. Davis. In ne Police Central or
Il the trunk was opened, anu mems clothing
was taken from IT, IT, former contents hao dis
appeared. On Mrs. Davi-'s complaint superin-
teudent " .ling telegraphed othe Mercer street
station and all uflcer was despatched IL arrest
Alexander. lie was found ut Clinton place,
aud On the following morning Justice Dufy
committed him on his own confession.
The Grand jury promptly indicted Alexander
Tor grand larceny and Mrs. Davis urged the
chief clerk III the District Attorneys ONCE to
Keep the case on the calendar for trial.
. W lie Mrs. Days Was boarding la the city
Hotel, james Msa1her was EMPLOYED as
ball lie testined that he owned Furniture aud
n lease at Dudley's Grove. md the Dis rict At
torney accepted him Ind released Alexander.
Then for two W eks Mrs. ID Wis tired 10 get her
case ON the calender, out sue could not: Mrs
tod her that Meagher's oath was false, as
the furniture waa his and not Meagher's
and the lease was not his until paid tor. Mrs.
Davis returned and Informed tue District AT
torney's ONCE. The Clerk OF the General Ses-
siOns told her To Apply for bench warrant for
the arrest of Alex nder; but this wis denied
her. After do | OF ursinR. the case wss nut on
the ca enddr aud called, and Alexander being
absent, his bail was declare forfeited. Instead
warrant Tor the arrest OF Alex .nder, tue officers
allowed him To 80 al large without Interference.
Tue amount Of bdil given was S2,5UJ.
Three times after The events above narrated
Mrs. Davis was suOpened 10 attend the tri |,
hui the case was not lied. II was put on the
calend again on Monday after urgent solicta-
ton, and when called Alexander WAS again ao-
sent and uis bail was declared forfeited. Mrs.
Davis mas appealed To the Masonic frdsds Of
her deceased husband to aid her IN her efforts
to bring Alex tnd,r To justice,
Notwithstanding the statements OF the chief
clerk IN the District Attorneys Office that there
was no case againsi All KINDER, Gen.James Hus-
ted Grand Master Of Masons in this state, later
esied himself III behalf II ans. DAVIS, mi John
Alexander was brought to trial In the General
Sessions yesterday before Recorder Haokett. lie
demanded trial separate from SALISBURY, WHO
was unity indicted WIN him Tor the larceny OF
Mrs. Davs's goods, aud the Court 50 ordered.
Tue Court aud ten ~ the jury ha1 no doubt
whatever OF the prisoners guilt Two iurymen
hesitated about the prisoners particlpa tion In
the larceny, but Eare Il that he received the
goods knowing them to b We been stolen, aud
this was the vefdict rendered.
Alter MA conviction the Court told the pris-
oner thai. he would remand him until next Fri
day 20 give HIM an opportunity to produce the
stOl,n goods, ana Alexander was taken to the
I.mDs.