The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-08-09
From the Kalamazoo Telegraph.

VERY STRANGE COINCIDENCE.
On the night Of July I'd, man stole about
$500 worth Of property Of Col. Wattlee. con-
sisting Of gold watch and chain and jewelry.
Col w. imm ediately put the matter into Sheriff
Gates hands. He SAID the thief came to his
house to board about the goth Of June few
days. He repaired sewing machines, saying
he was an actor, and on the LIST Of September
was going to travel with Crane d Robson
dramatic troupe, and would fill in theinterven-
ing time in the machine business at which he
showed himself an adept. He was soon taken
sick Cor feigned sickness to perfeetion), and
was under the care Of doctor for number
OF days, during which time Col VS. family
did all they could for his comfort he would
continually quote Shakespeare and impressed
those present with the idea that he was truly
an actor. Finally, as before stated, he left one
night with the plumber which he evidently
planned. Having had such good opportunity
while taking care OF him. Col. W. was able to
give minute description OF the scamp. He
had talked much about Wilhamsport. Pa.
among other places. Sheriff Gates wrote
Chief Police Mexican OF that city. After de-
scribing the property stolen, the way it was
taken, ETC., the Sheriff said he gave his
name as Harry Montague here. said he was
brother to HARRISON Montague, star actor
New York City; is about 25 years of age
about foot 7, slim, very pale and nervous
small scar on forehead, also small scar under
chin, one breast ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS more
than the ether; he repairs sewing machines
is good hand, and will no doubt follow that
business il he strikes your town. He saws he
is an actor, and the first OF September he is
engaged to travel with dramatic troup. He
has theatrical turn, continually quoting
Shakespeare and other dramatic authors: l
have no doubt he has made that profession
study. Please keep sharp lookout and tele-
graph any information to L. NJ. Gates sheriff
OF Kalamazoo, Michigan
Monday morning, July 18th. the sheriff re-
ceired q telegram from Chief Of Police Nc
Kean that he had his man arrested. to come on
Immediately. The sheriff started at once. On
his arrival there Chief Mexican met him at
the depot and related the following concerning
his arrest: He said on receiving the sherifrs
letter he Immediately notified all the sewing
machine agencies in the city, showing them the
letter and asking them to notify him IN caee
they heard Of such man: that Monday morn
ing, July 18th, this man called at a sewing ma
chine agency on Pine street and wanted job
OF repairing sewing machines till the first Of
September, when he was going to travel with
dramatic troupe. The chief was Immediately
sent for As he stepped into the Office the
Fellow stepped out, but was stopped and fur
Their questioned by the chief, who called him
MIR. Montague. The fellow replied. " You don't
take me for Montague, the star actor OF New
York, 1 hope" mo, but you may be his
brother replied the chief. and then read him
the description, and as he read compared. He
had the scar on the forehead, the scar on the
chin one breast as described: he was pale.
claimed he had been sick. was nervous, and, in
fact, everything seemed perfect, description
and vocation. But he said, before telegraph
ing, he took him to the Mayor Of the city, who.
by the way, is one Of their most prominent
physicians. and they together, going through
a close examination and comparison, point by
point, found the Identification apparently COM
pIete. The prisoner frequently admitted the
was truly remarkable, but declared
he was not the man. He refused however to
give his name or any account OF himself The
officers had no doubt, and so telegraphed The
prisoners own lawyer gave 1t up and said he
would not try to defend him. But 80 strenu-
GUS was the fellow OF his innocence so conf
dent was he that IL confronted with the Kala-
mazoo parties he could prove that he was not
the thief, that Sheriff Gates telegraphed for
Col, Wattles to come on. When Mr.. W. saw |
and conversed with him, he was astonished at /
the similarity in description, but declared that
he was not the man that bad boarded with him.
This ended the case.