The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-25
Saddled on Him.

HOW DEGENERATE GEORGE WASHINGTON
WAS CAUGHT ~ HIS LITTLE SADDLE GAME
BY SERGEANT HOWARD AND TWO RURAL GEN
TLEMEN-TN THE HANDS OF JUSTICE.
The recovery on Friday last of the saddle
stolen from the stable OF Mr.. j. C.. Decker
son, who resides at No. 29l6 Marshall street,
as well as the subsequent capture OF the
thief, was cleyerly effected by Sergeant Il.
+. Howard, Of the city police force, assisted
| by two Henrico farmers, who played their
parts In way which, while they were
child-like and bland" were in marke d
contrast to their yerdant teld. The cap
ture was admirably contrived, and carried
out in a way that would elicit the approval
OF a veteran detective. The facts are these !:
The stable OF Mr.. j. &. Dckerson was
robbed Of a fine quilted saddle on the night
Of the 2lst, and reward offered for its
recovery aud the capture Of the thief. The
case has been reported to police head
quarters and Sergeant Howard put to work
on il. On Friday Mr.. Chldrey, who re-
sides below the city, and IS a marketman at
the First Market, reported TO Sergeant
Howard that he thought he had the stolen
saddle. IL appears that as he (ChiIdrey)
was driving his cart 10 town early that
morning he was sccosted by an unknown
negro, who crime out of a piece OF woods
about four miles down the River road,
and asked il he did not wish to buy
saddle. A bargain was soon effected.
Childrey becoming purchaser for the sum
or 90, which was to he paid on his return
from market that evening. On reaching
the city Mr.. Childrey read the advertise
ment OF the stolen saddle in the Dispatch,
and concluded at once it was the one he
had purchased. His surmlsc proved cor
rect, as the property was at once identl-
fed, and plans were forthwith matured for
the capture OF the thief. Accordingly the
assistance OF Mr.. Frayser, 4 gentleman from
the county, who drives a buggy, was Sc
cured.
At his usual hour Of departure in the
afternoon Mr.. Childrey left the city for
home, followed at q cautious distance by
Sergeant Howard in the buggy with Mr..
Frayser, thus eflectually disarmlng any sus-
picions that might be aroused in the wiley
negro who awaited the return OF his morn
ing's customer. At some distance behind
these again, and mounted on horseback.
followed Mr.. DickersOn. who was anxious
10 dash in at the auspicious moment and see
the capture thoroughly effected.
Arriving at the trysting-plaee Mr..
Childrey was met by the negro, who was
anxious to secure bis money and be oil.
The former, however, affecting the most
natural sOIicitude to pay him, found great
difficulty in making the exact change. The
negro was completely thrown of his guard
and scarcely needed the approach Of the
country buggy which came plo1ding along
the road until Childrey accOsted one of its
occupants. as they drove alongside, with
81 say. Frayser, can YOU change me five
dollars or lend me quarter: And while
FraysCr seemed most earnestly searching
his breeches. pocket for the money Sergeant
Howard slipped out the OF the buggy in
the most natural way, and remarking that
he had a quarter he was welcome to, al
vanced as il to hand it to Childrey.
But the direction Of his extended hand was
suddenly changed, as with q firm grasp he
seized the unsuSpecting negro back OF the
neck, who now for the first time realized
his peril a. the Sergeant said, in a stern
voice, "You are my prisoner" The CO.
lored gentleman who had "iest bin proge-
kin wild de saddle" and upon whom the
aforesaid saddle will prove more calling
than it could ever be to 4 quadruped, gave
his name as George Washington. He was
soon securely handcutred and escorted to
the First polce-statiOn, where he spent the
night.
He was tried by Justice Richardson yes.
terlay and sent on TO the grand jury on
TWO charges for stealing. Washington
proves to be an old offender, and has served
thirty days in the chain-gang for shooting
at the son Of Sergeant Angle.