New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-16
A THIEF IN HIGH SOCIETY.

A sERIRs or THEPrs By A DOWNTOWN BRokEh
WE'LL KNOWN IN The CLUBS AND IN FAshioNA-
BILE CrRcLEs-ACCEPTISG HOSPITALITY TO GET
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CRIME.
The dingy back office of New-Y0rk de-
ttive wa. the scone OF an impressive spectacle several
weelts ago In the presence OF the gentlenen-one u
weknown detective. the other a prominent merchant
knet fashionaby dressed Of middle age, confess
ing "A shameful story Of crime, aud mpioring mercy.
81 admit ALL he orcd 81 stole tho property, but
cannot restore IT, was driven the deeds In order to
maintain my position in society. Ny means mad largely
left me- and could not resist temptation"
This statement fell like tbunderboit upon tine er-
chant who had known the speaker long and iayorabV
To the detective however it was not at al! unexpected
"A he had already satisfied himself as to The gut OF inc
man The stealing which was here confessed Is one Oh
those crimes IN the higher circles OF society when are
generally kept hidden from the public
In the early part OF last December the family OF
prominent lawyer living on Fiftlrave gave social en-
tcrainment, which only persons of high standing IN
society invited The following morning 1t was ds
covered that rings watches. and ewelry worth several
hundred dollars missing. The most careful search
and close examination of servants forced the conclusion
upon the family that the robbery had been committed ny
some one OF the guests although this seemed Incredible
s every name upon the list of those present seemed to
forbid the thought OF suspicion. The affair was put INTO
the hands OF private detectives, who were unable, 1oW
ever TO obtain the slightest clew to the thief or To the
property.
few days later a wealthy merchant entertained
large number Of friends. and the following day "e
ding ring and other jewelry in value about Slooo Dus
priced far more account OF family associations were
missing Every nook and Of tho house wos
searched and detectives watched the servants,
but mystery continued 10 surround the matter
Meanwhile. another merchant hold reception III his
brown-stone house fashionable uptown street, ana
also suffered loss during tine evening OF Jewelry'
Watches and other property, valued at from 500 10
5000 Thartcles in this were IN room where the
gentlemen assembled, and the theft lay between some
one Of them and old servant whom the master OF the
boso Immediately excupaed declaring that he did not
suspect HIM in tho least The investigation OF TINS et
also vas given to detectives, who visited the pawn
brokers' shops OF this and other cities but none oil the
property was az aeoyorcd An entertainment at the resi-
dcnce of another wckHown citizen resulted In tho diS-
appearance of more iewery and mystery deeper than
any of those already in tho hands 81 detectives
One OF the dee yes a work upon these cases. Decon-
ing convinced that the thief in case was one ana Inc
same person. and That this person was mem
Der OF the company ut each party began systematic
course Of action which finally crowned with sue
cess The names of the ladies and gentlemen attending
all four Of the parties were obtained and entered in
his notebook. The list presented formidable array
of judges. lawyers, editors physicians, brokers'
and other professional and business men and their
wives and daughters Upon investigating the repuIs-
lions OF these persons the detective was al loss to know
whom to suspect all Of them having tie fullest conf
dence Of their friends and the public. At length his
attention. was attracted to gentleman whose expensive
social ma hit business made the
detective think that he tho right track This
man IS u downtown broker. now q member OF we'll
known firm His n8mo and family well known IN
this city, and he has long enjoyed position III the very
best society For years he has been prominent club
and society man. always dressing in tie hight OF fashion
aud 4
acquaintances lie is an unmarried man, and having
handsome personal appearance ana attractive MANNERS
De popular with ladies lie is member OF one OF The
leading regiments Of NowYork aud has sporting tastes
II WAS discovered that the broker was N the rooms IN
tho houses IA which tle thes were made and in the
case Of the ~ 600 robbery ne and one Of tile judges OF
the Supreme Court the only persons who were seen
IN the apartment containing the property with This
and other cews the detective aud the families by which
he was employed became convinced thot the broBr was
the thief, ana anonymous letter was sent to Inm
charging him with the stealing, and inform
ing him that unless restitution OF the prop
crty was made Immediately tic circumstances
would he gwen TO the pubic and he would be handed
over TO the police This letter hld the desired effect rs
the broker at appointed meeting with he detective
and in the presence Of the merchants whose resi-
dence he bad robbed while enjoying ms hosp'ahty'
made q clean breast ~ the entire mattel Inc broker m
telling his story said that lac had not been doing 50 veil
financially % former years and it was necessary for
him fo get Sims u money from source IN order ~
meet his obligations and social expenses. The ewely
he had sold for cash, and it impossible TO re-
cover IT,
1he broker was promptly arrested ~ the nsigauon OF
Ole 81 the merchants robDe, bat through the efforts OF
bis relative, and friends The affair kept secret, and
he was released upon AL. II the intention Of the
persons whom he had SrOnged not To proceed against
him. il proper restitution made by bin Of by his
frnd. who are wealthy. Some % bis friends reside in
this city and t>rope. As steps have yes been
taken 70 restore the stolen property i,s value, Is the
intention III tho w.onsc1 families to have tholr lawyers
bring the matter tO q crisis.
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