The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-24
MRS. COLES ACQUITTED.

THE CHARGE OF SHOPLIFTING DISMISSED AND
THE LADY's CAPToRs DENOUNCED.
The examination in the OF Mrs Annet Hustled
Coles who had been arrested for shoplinng in AIT
mans establishment on sixth avenue last week and
who was proved TO DO lady Of good family and char
acter, was held yesterday afternoon before Judge
Murray. Mrs. Coles came TO court accompanied by
quito number Of ladies' and gentlemen OF standing
who anxious to testify TO hcr rcspectabiity and
freedom from any suspicion OF guilt. All were quite
indignant ut her Incarceration, and manifested do
sire TO hold 10 q strict accountability whoever was
respons ible for IL The lady was represented by
Messrs Morrison and Tresiddor counsel and there
were present various other members OF the legal pro-
lesson who were personal friends OF the lady.
Detective Jeremiah Wood, OF tho Central ONCE, was
first called to the stand He said that he nifty
seven years old; had been a policeman for twenty
years and detective for Eve; no bad had considera
BILE experience investigating the different phases OF
crime; on Thursday, week ago, no saw Mrs. Coles
standing In the vestibuo of Atman's store; IL was
about a quarter to I've In tho evening" and no was
aoe her appearance and bearing without dif-
Guilty; alter leaving tho store she went short dis
lance down the avenue TO feather store, which she
about entering when he stepped up to her and
said, "Madam, you have taken that parasoi away -
she looked at her left hand and seemed mani
fest surprise ut discovering she had two parasols
thcre sue said, II forgot TO put II back aud then
returned with the officer 10 the store.
Mr.. Albert Z. Westneimcr next testified. He had
charge OF department in Altman's; he had seen the
turned TO MIN shortly after the arrest but by whom
he could not say the article nad been In tho store Tor
some time; he mad boon notified 10 bring to tho
examination, but was unable TO do SO, rs had been
sold the day following lis return; ho know II bad
been sold for had been present at tho time, but
did not know who sold II or who bought It, and be-
lsved that NO inquiries OF hts or examination Of tho
entries would enable him 70 learn.
rHx LApY's STATEMENT.
Mrs. Coles was then called on 10 testify In her own
defence She SAID she resided at NO " West Twenty.
eller, IN Cleveland, ONO; beng afflicted with
spinal disease from her childhood, and also subect TO
dyspepsia, asthma aud catarrh, she has been
strained leave the lake shore during the winter
months, as the climate docs not agree with her, aud
locate IA New York; she has boon under aiinost
stan, medical treatment nj the hands OF Dr. Miller OF
No. Al West Twenty sixth street; DIR. Hocomb, Of
Eas, twenty nth strecl; Mss Dr. Cary OF Clinton
nlsc, and Dr smith, OF No 30I second avenue: in lilo
houses OF Dr. Miller and DR.. smith she resided for
several years IN order 10 secure better medical at
tendance; on Thursday she went TO O'Nei's store
sixth avenue TO exchange bonnet, aud afterward
went to Altman's TO purchase some dress material;
there she had her attention drawn TO "a
parAsol by tho peculiarly OF Its lining and
pickea IL up to examine whom feather In
she had such q which she wanted 10 have ro-
curicd. Unmindiul OF her errand then, sho turned
away 10 ~ 10 the leather store tow doors below and
individually carried the parasol with her. The hrst
she knew OF having taken IL from thc detective,
wnsn ho pointed IL TO har aud charged her with
tho thetL Sho then taken INTO private room IN
Altman's whore woman searched her, but failed TO
nbd an ything stolen from the place about her. Sho
was then conducted TO the Central Once, where she
gavo her name aud rccited her experience, but
shut up Ia coll Tor tho night, aud was entered on
the blottcr as well known criminal On tho follow
ing morning she was takcU 10 court and arraig ned
before Judge Murray, VINO, doubtful OF her guilt,
questioned her about II, but constrained ny the
evidence aaduced against her TO commit her IN $500.
Instead Of sending tue regular court messenger, Mc
Eyoy, 10 friends with tho news vi her mischance
sue gave a man named Fowler. connected with the
prison, sum OF money to toll them about her. and
tus way hcr stay was prolonged, as her worthless
voy Is SAID To have spent tho money ana left tho
orrand undonc. II was only through the now pnpcrs
that her TRENDS made aware OF her Incarceration
and came her fclcf owing to III health
citement caused by ner arrest Mira Coles Ut
torly Frustrated while IN the prison aud IL the
quIfics OF the doctor ana matron who had her cared
tor that first brought TO notice the injustice Of tho
charge against her.
When all the evidence had boon produced yesterday
the counsel Tor the prisoner made lengthy speeches.
IN when they denounced 0llcial imDecity aud
alluded TO the possibility VI any lady IN The city being
subjected to imprisonment aud other penalties by
mistaken aud njudicious zeal They sad that as tho
charges against tho lady had been pubic her exonera
ton at the hands OF the magistrate fnVula DO as CON-
prchcnsivc aud honorable M possible
Judao Murru then closed tue ease aud stated his