Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-12
PLUNDERTNG THE RUINS AZ
TYBE1s.
Good Detective WOFk-ReeOveTy of
Valuable Property.

Accounts have appeared In the MoRSEG
NEWS of the investigation instituted before
bench Of Magistrates in regard to the dis
appearance Of some valuable jeTelry
and money from the ruins of Mr..
solomons' house on the night Of
the terrible storm, 9th ult., when the house
was blown down and burned. Benjamin
Haney, a steward at McVeigh's restaurant,
was arrested on the charge Of having In his
possession some Of the property, and has
been on preliminary trial before the Msgis-
trates. The case, It will be remembered,
was continued from Friday afternoon
until Monday, and some expressed
the opinion that a case would not be made
out against Hsney.
On Friday night, however, Detective
Wetherhorn accidentally struck a clue,
which set his "wits to working" and he
finally concluded that by theoretically work
ing he could recover most of the property
and obtain convincing evidence of Haney's
guilt. Saturday morning, securing the as
sistance of Mr.. Julius Kaufman,
veteran constable and shrewd
detective, he started to work. The two
officers, after following up their trail, dis
covered that there was "a woman In the
case" and ascertained that the aforesaid
woman was employed at the residence of a
citizen living on South Broad street, near
Habersbam. They applied to Magistrate
Wsring Russell, Jr., for a search warrant,
with the intention of visiting her room and
searching It.
On arriving at the house the officers
made known the object of their visit, and
after some little delay obtained access to
her room and commenced their investiga-
lions. There were several dresses and
other articles OF wearing apparel hanging
upon the wall, and the second dress that
was taken hold OF was found to con-
tain something in the pocket. The
pocket was turned inside out and
a number of the missing articles were re-
vealed. The young woman, on witnessing
this disclosure, was greatly agitated,
and, we are informed, shrek
ed, "Oh, don't take me to jail.
would have told it all before now" The
contents Of that pocket consisted of dia-
mond cluster ring. valued at $500, two gold
chains, valued at $35 each, one pair gold
sleeve buttons, valued at $l2, one lot of
gold coins amounting TO s25, all the proper
ty OF the late Mrs. Georgiana Wolfe,
whose terrible fate will ever be remembered
in this community with sadness and regret.
The property was secured and the young
woman was taken into custody and carried
to jail, being accompanied by officers Weth-
erhorn and Kaufman and Magistrate War
ing Russell. On reaching the JAIL, the
young woman was placed in one Of the
rooms and officer WetheThOrn proceeded to
the cell where Benjamin Haney was con-
fined for the purpose Of interviewing him.
Haney was In Ignorance OF the Woman's ar
rest and had not the slightest idea of the
developments thathad been made during the
day. The officer endeavored to get him to
tell where the stolen articles were, or to
make some confession, but he persistently
denied all knowledge of any other articles
than he had surrendered. The officers state
he gave Haney every opportuni y Of ac-
knOwledging his completely in the crime,
but be declined. Finding that Haney was
stubborn, the officers then introduced the
young woman with the statement that
they knew everything, the young woman
having stated that the articles had been
given to her by HaneY. Her appearance,
we are informed, rather startled Haney,
who asked her what was known, when she
hesitated for a moment. He then said,
"Out with it, let's hear It," The young
woman then told him that the Off
GERS had discovered the articles IN
the pocket Of her dress. Hancy then said
IL they would let him speak to the young
woman he would tell her where the other
articles were, but would not tell them. His
request was granted and II was then learned
that a man named Frank Latre, who was
also employed In some capacity at Tybee,
but who has since the storm been
living on Habersham street, near York.
was In possession Of the other articles, and
we are Informed that HaneY intimsted that
Latre had taken them all. Taking the
young woman with them, who was sc-
quainted with Latre, search warrant was
obtained to investigate his premises. Latre
was apprehended, and search of his room
resulted in the discovery OF a pillow
which had the appearance Of having been
cut open and sewed up again. 1t was
torn open and inside were found in bag
the following articles: Two gold seal rings,
valued at $40 each; twelve one dollsr gold
pieces; two gold pencils, valued at $40 each I;
one gold franc piece, valued at $20 one
gold stud and one English stud, all of
which were identified as the property OF
Mr.. Perry Solomons.
Both Latre and the young woman were
committed to jail, the latter being held as
receiver Of stolen property, but may be
used as a witness against the others.
The skill and sagacity, as well as rapiditY
with which this case was worked up, the
property recovered and the parties ap
pretended and committed, reflect great
credit upon detectives Wetherhorn
and Kaufman. When It Is remembered
that these articles were stolen during
period of dire distress, suffering and death,
the crime assumes a greater magnitude
than an ordinary robbery.
The examination of Hsney will be con-
cluded this afternoon. Latre will probably
not ask for preliminary hearing.