Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-03-04
AFEMAEE DETECTIVE.

A FEMALE DETECTIVE.
A woman in the character Of a de-
tective created sensation on Vine street,
about 2 o'clock Yesterday afternoon.
She was on her way to the matinee at
the Grand Opera House, when her at
tentioD was attracted by man walking
only few steps IL front Of her. She
was rather startled at first, but, regain
ing her composure and quickening her
pace, she was soon by ms side. Look
ing him square in the face, and becom-
ing fully satisfied an to the identity of
the man, to use detectives phrase, she
"collared" him. There was no mistake
about the matter with her; she wanted
him by very large majority" and in
reply to his question. "Well, what do
you propose 10 do? ?" she only said
"Wait until we find a policeman, and
III show you" This conversation took
place OIL the east side of Vine Street;
Just north of Fifth. They walked quiet
ly together as far up as Longworth,
when the man "broke loose aud started
west on Longworth Street at q break
neck pace, considering the icy condition
OF the streets. But tie woman deter
mined not TO- allow her prisoner to es-
cape without race, and started in pur-
suit Like clipper ship under full head
way, she spread her sails and away she
went, skimming over the icy pavements
at rate of speed that astonished ail
beholders. Her cries Of 'Stop thief
soon gathered crowd, and maEy joined
in pursuit of the fleeing man. lie ran
down Race TO Fifth Street, and thence
east, no doubt hoping to escape in the
crowd Of people ON that thoroughtare;
but he finally run into the arms Of Hen
ry Hugg, watchman at the Wade Street
Market, and was gently Rugged until
two policemen and the woman came up.
He was then marched to Hammond
Street Station, where lie gave his name
as Edward Riley, and the woman, Mrs.
Louise Stevenson, preferred the charge
of grand larceny against him, after
which he was locked up in one OF the
cells
In conversation with Mrs. Steven
son afterward, we learned that the facts
in the case had already appeared in the
Commercial, but they are worth repeat
ing. A year ago last May she became
acquainted with the prisoner, and knew
him as j. w. Roberts, drummer Tor
large house in New York. lie had been
introduced to her by one Of her friends,
and it seemed was so much charmed
with her society that he neglected his
"business,' aud spent great deal OF
time with her. For several successive
days after his introduction to Mrs. Ste
venson he took her out carriage riding
through the suburbs, and made himsslt
agreeable to her to such an extent that.
to use her own language, che chad never
before met such perfect gentleman.
He had been married, he said, and lived
in Philadelphia, and then he told the
charming Widow Stevenson beauti-
tul story Of the dear departed, etc. 1t
was thus that two sympathlzing souls
talked Of their joys and griets. The
last ride il the suburbs, like The first,
had been one of unalloyed happiness.
They returned to her home in the eve
ming, and, after assisting her on: of the
buggy, he took the horse to the stable
and in few minutes was again by the
side of his charmer. During his absence
with the horse she had taken off her
iewvlry-a inc Geneva watch aud chain,
i pair of solitaire diamond earrings, a
ncck-chain on which was pin with
cluster of twenty-eight damonds-auI
placed il i'll a writing desk along with
a handsome aud valuable set OF coral
jewelry and full set of jet jewelry, in
all valued at about Sl,2O0. The eve
ming was warm, and when Roberts en-
tered the room, he threw off his coat,
and asked for writing material, saying
he wished to write "busness' letter.
Mrs. Stevenson told him he would find
paper in her wliting-dcsk, and retired to
another room 10 change her dress. She
was absent about fifteen or twenty min
rtes, aud when she returned Roberts
had finished his letter and was in the
act of addressing it. He then got up,
put on his coat aud hat, aEd with the
letter in his hand 'bade her good-by,"
saying he would drop the letter III the
office and then go to his hotel-the
Burnet House-but would return imme-
d;aiely after supper.
That was the last time she laid eyes
on Roberts, as she alleges, until yeslsr-
day Oh Vine street. She noticed by his
manner OIL leaving that he appeared a
little nervous, but thought nothing OF
it until few minutes later, when she
wen. to her writing desk, and was bor-
rited 10 find all her jewelry gone. The
Burnet House was visited, and inquiries
made, but no such person was stopping
there. Then she left information Ut the
robbery and description OF Roberts at
Hammond Street Station. Since that
eventful evening Mrs. Stevenson has
never given up her vocation of ''detec-
tive" aud ifshe has at times overstepped
the bounds of modesty in gazing intent
ly upon the beaming countcnances OF
gentlemen while promenading Fourth
and other streets, ga!lantry will certain
ly compel the gentleman to attribute it
to the fact that she was locking for her
&. d. F. I.-charning drummer from
Ireland. AT the sta:ion-house yesterday
she looked Roberts or Riley square in
the face. aud then said: "You are the