The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-03-23
EXPERT MINNIE WATSON.

HISTORY OF SNEAK HOUSE RoBBERIEs BY
ToMBs.
Minnie Watson, who IS also known BY many other
names. was yesterday arragned before Judge Bixby
on charges preferred by Mr. Dudley $. Gregory, and
was held for trial In default of 900 bail Her disap
pearance from that gentleman's house on December
49, 1871 and Simultaneous disappearance Of about
81 600 worth OF vauabes duly chronicled IN the
newspapers ana that time the police have been
in search Of her. They succeeded, az was told IN
Wednesdays HERALD, in catching her in Boston. and
on her arragn Mr. Gregory made affidavit to the
facts in the case.
Minnie had given the officers pawn tickets for 81 900
worth OF these goods, which she had pawncd in a
shop in Sixth avenue, giving the name Of Roberts,
and the goods had been redeemed and wore in court
restored 10 their owner, while the fair cuprit was
again locked up. Her mode Of operating, which was
to obtain either board employment as servant in
some house. has alrvady been told. Among the most
widely known Of operations. the stories of which
have been told many times, are the thoft OF Mr..
George Reynolds jewelry from the New York Hotel
and the celebrated Palmer House robbery In Chicago
HER DESCRIPTION.
AS she had succeeded for SO long q tme IN Guiding
detecti on and had shown such remarkable ability and
shrewdness in ner operations effort was made yes
terday obtain story from her Of her lie and ex-
perience Sho readily into the matron's sitting
room in the Tombs and sat quietly down, waiting to
be questioned when she learned her VISITORS errand
She IS a small, slender woman, apparently not over
ihrty years OF age, perhaps less, with pale, some
what thin face Her hair Is dark and her
eyes are large. Her language Swell. well chosen,
plaln education Is true. She complained that the
newspapers had been unduly severe IN speaking of
her. and mad charged her with the commission OF at
Len a. one robbery OF which she knew nothing. But
being asked If she denied her guilt she said she did
"Of course l do not deny It," she said. 'The
goods ir the last have been restored"
"How long have you been following such lifes"
asked the reporter
.sAlmost ever since came 70 this country" she
said sand that was ersfnine years ago. went to
board with q woman named SOPHIE Myers, VINO kept
house Henry street. and she got me into It, Sue
robb,ng lot Of working girls. She talked TO me until
she persuaded me to 90 into It, and she picked out
house for mo to 20 TO- II was on Mad'sSn street. nea.
there to board, and after had stayed there while
left with a lot OF clothing"
eyes, and was tried aud convicted and sentenced
10 four wears 10 the state Prison. IL only
ordinary affair that arrested Tor. only took
few clothes. but Judge Hackett told me that my sen
tence was more for the company kept than for what
had done. was with ihis sophie Myers, you see
ana the people AZ her house"
..Did you serve out your termy'
Sing and then l got my discharge. But was ten
times us bad a woman hen came out AS was when
went there"
"Why soY'
"Because was with all the old thieves and crimi
nails OF everv KIND there, and learned things nom
them that knew no, hing about before"
"rhen did you go right on stealing when you came
out2"
eyes. was married In June-a few months after
l came out" 49,.
"No But WHOM no lound out what was he was
of IN MI
never did anything toward supporting me. lilo was a
mechanic, but he didn't work any alter he found out
where rs he now 9' asked the reporter.
.Hc Is serving time in Illinois Tor the Palmer House
anairr
"No; no let me do The stealing" she replied. Bit
tery.
shave you any chdren?"
Eyes Two One is two years old and the other
nearly Jour"
.Whcrc are thcyY"
sfhey are IN Washington. left them with some
people there, wnen went there last summer Tor
pleasure. Yes suppose they will take care OF hem,
Lul thcy Will txpec, me 10 pay Tor it,"
And she hastily wiped away two big tears that came
in her eyes as sue spoke OF the little ones
odd you never have any narrow escapes from de-
lection ny me people IN the different houses from
which you took thingsY
"No; | always waited until was certain of what
'swnat did you take, clothing or jewcry, as ruler"
always Jcwclry when could, or money"
"Do you know how much you nave stoien?"
"No, never Kept any account but The money that
got went as last 1t came always, aud never ola me
any COOL"
al would lead very different kind OF liIe ~ she
inter- uted al would take my children ana 20 back
to the GA Country My ia,her ana mother aud SIS
tcrs Ilving III England, and would work at my
trade. have g"ou trade, dTessmaKing, but never
worked al 1t alter 10 America, or oniy hItlen
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