The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-11-14
Exciting Scene at u Fair.
4 p1cKpocKET DEFENDS HIMSELF WITH BAB

PICRPoCKET DEFENDS HIMSELF WITH BABY.
A New York paper says: :.
Despite the vigilance on the part Of the
twelve policemen detailed for duty ct the
great fair in st. Patrick's Cathedral. pick
rockets and sncak-thievcs have succeeded
in making their way into the building, and
have nightly turned to advantage the crowd
and hustle. On the first night OF the fair
n costly gold watch Disappeared from the
table OF the Church OF the TRANSPORTATION !;
on the second q gold watch was taken
from the st. COLUMBIA table, and on the
next night 4 si!ver-mounted revolver was
taken from the table OF the Church OF the
Nativity. Pockct-books were frequently
stolen, and OF late the complaints OF those
who had thus been robbed became so Ire
quent that tive detectives were detailed by
| Captain Kealev. with orders to eject all
suspicious characters found lettering ABOUT.
| Detective Ferris, one Of the officers thus
assigned, saw last night the notorious
Ewes" Allen going from table to table
with another man whom he recognized rs
thief named William Howard. The two
| were evidently watching their chances.
Unseen b, them, Ferris followed close upon
their heels. Before the table Of St. Column.
ba church they stopped, and the officer
heard Wes." saying under his breath to
his companion, "There is not grain IN
the building" eyes," was the answer,
here's a gold watch on this table" The
thieves crowded closer to the table. but
were cut of by Il throng OF ladies passing
between. At that moRent Ferris, who had
kent by Aliens side, secure from obSerya-
ton by the fact that the thief wore patch
over his eye on that side upon which
the detective took good care to keep
saw him iostle one OF the ladies and Try to
steal her watch. With Quick nod TO De-
tcctiye Mccormick, who was near at hand,
he seized AlleD, who turned, and, seeing
the officer ran hurrIedly around the table
toward bench, upon which sat Mrs. Allen,
with Il baby in her arms. and her sister. lie
took the baby from bis wife'S lap anil ran
toward the aisle, pursued by Ferris. See
ING that he could not escape, he rushed
uD to Officer Kennedy, who was at the
door, uniformed, and claimed his pro-
lection. The officer, recognizing the de-
tectiye, seized Allen and dragged him
toward the entrance. The thief strus-
gled desperately, and crying, "Let me get
at the - - =" sought bis pistol-pocket
with one hand, while with the other he re-
tanned his grip on the child as barrier
against the assault Of Detective Ferris. The
crowd was so great, fortunately, that COM
parativcly few were aware OF what was
taking place. The frightened cries OF the
| two women, when they saw the child be.
tween the policemen and the struggling
man created momcntary confusion, and 4
clergyman entreated the officers to desist,
thinking it merely personal difficulty. BY
the united efforts of the policemen "Wcs."
was at length dragged outside the building
and made to submit. Detective Mccormick
had meanwhile arrested the other thief, and
both were taken on Fourth-avenue car to
the Central Office and locked up.
The whole affair was over so soon that
the excitement which the officers feared was
avoided. When searching Allen the police
found no pistol upon him. On his way to
police headquarters, whittier he was fol-
lowed by his wife and sister-in-!aw, he told
the officers that though he was not now
crooked" he could "get away with" any
amount OF valuahles at the Cathedral Fair.
"Wes.'' is the worst OF the family OF crmi-
nails Of which "The." Allen, now held in
bail for trial for shooting Detective Malloy,
is the most notorious. he has served sevc.
raj terms in the State prison, and now; has
an excellent chance OF .letmnng thither
He will be examined In the Tombs to-day