The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-03-28
AMoNG PmILADELPHIA THIEVES.
A BeIIairo Mans Experience With Pick
pockets and COuncIlmen There.

A BellAirS Mans Experience win Flick
pockets and COuncIlmen There.
Special DiIpatrh 10 the Cincinnati Gazette.
PHILADELPHIA, March 26.-J, W, King,
a merchant tailor OF Bellaire, O., has had
a peculiar experience in buying back his
own property from thieves Of this city.
Mr.. King, after day in the cloth stores
making purchases, took his daughter to
the Museum Theatre, While taking the
air in the lobby between acts, two men
inquired the time, and Mr.. King read that
OF his 500 gold watch to their satisfaction.
While moving out after the play, his
daughter on his arm, Mr., King became
the centre Of a throng oi half dozen
men, who jostled him more than was com.
Portable or necessary. One man, parLiCu.
larly, who was recognized As one oil those
who had asked to be told the time, as be.
fore related, brushed close up against Mr..
King, and moved backward and forward
several times. On reaching the street, Mr..
King lelt his watch'ChSin dangling, and
became aware that hla watch was gone.
The thieves had simply tWitsed the ring
loose. Some associations lent the watch
value In MIR, Kings eyes IN excess OF itR
market price, and he took steps to ssCeT.
tain its number, hoping thus to be able to
trace It. He mentioned the losa to Coun.
Gilman Holman, OF The Fourth ward, who
became deeply interested.
In his company Mr., King visited Squire
MCMullln, who, Tor some reason, he con.
sidered the proper person 10 see under the
circumstances, and he advised them to
call at certain saloons 10 B inbTidge and
South streets, which are notorious as
thieves resorts. After hall q dozen dives
had enjoyed drinks all round at Mr.. Kings
expense, that gentleman saw and rec0g.
niSed the man who had ostled him at the
theatre.
"That ia the man." he said, pointing
him out to-CounCilman Holman.
"0h, no, you are mistaken, That man
wonld not do such q thing" Mr.. Holman
said with such seeming sincerity that Mr.,
King thought he might have made mis-.
take. This finished their search, as he
thought frultlessly. Next morning, how.
ever, Mr.. Holman told him that he had
found the watch In certain pawn shop,
In which 1t had been pledged for $25. He
engaged to get 1t back for $50. The price
was steep, but Mr.. King agreed to pay 1t,
and agreed meet Mr.. Holman next morn
ing 10 . certain salaon, where the watch
would be turned over on payment Of the
price. 1t was stipulated that Mr., King
should not bring any third party with
him.
On reaching the saloon indicated, Mr..
King was informed that he would have to
90 to Gilllspie's saloon, on Sixth street,
above Chestnut. Arriving there he found
Councilman Holman, Squire McMulleu,
and several men, whom he had never
seen before. Holman told him that 1t
would take 500 to get the watch back, and,
after some demurrer, that price was
agreed upon. In little back room he
found o man who produced the watch and
returned 1t to its owner after receiving the
500. He submitted gracefully to treating
the house, and during the libstlon told
Squire McMullir the price extorted. ut
is a-shame. l would have got 1t Tor
you orS40. Them iellers have just robbed
you Of $40" said the Squire.
Mr.. King entertains the opinion that
some Of the professional friends who aided
In the recovery are no better than aCces.
sories alter the fact to the robbery. His
estimate OF tho character Of Fourth ward
CounCllmen is anything but exalted, In
view oi the double fleeing.