The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-26
THE MURDER or MRS. PORTER.
The story Of Gang of Outlaws that nrs
Meu Known in New York.

Mrs. Porter whose murder In her house
at 10 Maude Grove, Chelsea. England. on tho
- h inst., Ia believed to have been the work OF
william Wallace and his wife, It has now been
ascertaned was long a resident OF this city,
where, as In London, she was central figure in
gang of skiful bank burglars and forgers OF
which her alleged murderer was also a member.
After she had lived as the paramour Of two
London thieves and forgers she came to this
city elsht years ago and naturally drlfted into
the companionship OF Joseph B. Ch apman, a
forger and bank thief, who operated with sue
Gees between this city and Chicago. Chapman,
the police say, came OF honest parentage. But
his family disowned him. After successful
forging tours westward, made with "Geordis"
Wilks, II was Chapman's custom To hide In this
city. The only place that he visited and his
Nisiis there were re, was a billiard and liquor
room under Booths Theatre kept by Howard
Adams. The room was much frequent-d at
that tire by men upon whom the police kept
an eye, and the police say that The gang com
mitted many rooberies, the proceeds OF which,
II Is said. were worked into legitimate trade
channels again by the kind Offices Of loan and
In the summer Of 1877 the Third National
Bank OF Baltimore was robbed OF $4,000. This
Chapman, Joe Randall. and Others Of the How
ard Adams saloon gang. The police. after
housekeeping In fair style in the same street IN
London In which her father and mother were
living. She was known as Mrs. Chapman. Her
reputed husband seemed to RELY upon the fact
that man cannot be extradited for burglary.
Their house was the resort Of many offenders
who had hed from America.
Mr.. William Plnkerton rented a house oppo-
site that occupied oy Chapman. and observed
hts every movement. Among the residents OF
frequent visitors az Chapman's house were Mac
ID maid, the Bdwell brothers, and others, who
were then preparing for the great for1eries upon
the Bank OF England. After Chapman had been
under surveillance for about six weeks he sud
denly went 70 Brussels and none too soon, for
the papers fDr his extradition for forgery In
Chicago arrived only few hours after his
cane; The repnted Mrs; Chapman remained In
hold effects, and that done she Joined Chapman
In Brussels. The bafiled detectives returned to
America, and Chapman and his gang lived un-
moested for two years in Brussels. At the end
Of that time their money gave out.
Suddenly German and Austrian bankers were
astounded 10y the simultaneous emission at va
Tious points Il forged letters OF credit upon
London bankers. Chapman, Howard Adams,
Joe Hurlbut, and one Becker were arrested in
SMYRNA as the forgers. They were tried in the
Consular Court, found guilty, and sentenced TO
three years itnprisonment in COnst tntinOpe.
Before the cell doors were closed on him Chap
NJ an gave his reputed wife what was left Of the
proceeds OF his rOOberies and forgeries. the de-
tectiNes say amounting to more than $1,000, and
with this she turned TO England, where she
was 81 eedilY Joined by all tho gang except her
husband. Howard Adams assumed the name
OF Wallace. He. his wife, and the others OF the
gang became pensioners upon Mrs. Chapman,
who had taken the name OF Porter.
The detectives, who saw much Of Lydia
Crosby In London and who learned something
OF ner peculiarities Of temper6rent, say that
she was rather too shrewish to make her society
agreeable, and that when In liquor she became
almost unendurably abusive, and In the absence
of the facts they incl ne 10 the opinion that Wal
lace atlas Adams must nave be N stung to hastY
murder by the vrulence OF her tongue. Her
personal jewelry they think could hardly have
tempted them in the face OF Ch pman ability
and willingness TO avenge her murder.