Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-11-10
SKHLFUL JENNIE RIGNEY.

Il Girl Of Tsrenty Whvse Thefts -4moumt to
More Than S2O.OOO-TheDetectire litter
ia Eighteen Nonths' Search, Find Her
Engaged at a Domestic Occmpatioa-Tnc
Manner ct hcr FORK.
New York Sun.
In the month Of April, 1881, the atten-
ton of the police was attracted to the OPP
eSations of bold and successful female
thief. whose good address and honest ap-
pearance secured her employment in veal
thy families, where, after being in the
house & few hours, she decanlped with ev-
erything OF value she could secure. In
spector Byrnes issued the following circu-
lar
WANTED.
To employment offices. Confidential !
Wanted, for number of robberies. Young Ger
man-American girl. She hires from employ
ment Offices. Age, about Is or 10; height about
feet inches: slim built, cast in one eye, sandy
hair, long, pale face: dressed in green plaid
dress, white apron, black sack and Derby hat
If any person of the above description calls send
information as possible to Inspector
Byrnes, Detective Office. 800 Mulberry strict.
New York
man was unavailing, but complaints con-
tinued to come in. In several instances
she took from $1,000 to $1,000 worth of
property from single residence. She
never remained longer than twenty-four
hours at her employers. Her usual prac-
tice was to enter upon her work as a do
nestle in the afternoon, do it so well as to
secure the confidence of her mistress, learn
as ar as possible where the valuables were
kept, and depart with them at an early
hour in the morning. She was specially
drawn by rich dresses and clothing and ar
ticles Of jewelry.
At last it was learned that William
Clark of 22S East 122d street. who had
served two terms in the penitentiary, one
for burglary and the other for receiving
stolen goods, was on intimate terms with
the woman, and it was believed that he was
her husband. She was known as Jennie
Rigney. The number Of complaints had
reached over twenty and the number OF
thefts are estimated by central Office de-
tectives at over $4,000.
A few weeks ago Clark secured admis-
sion to the Presbyterian hospital, where
he was treated for sciatic rheumatism. The
fact soon became known to the police, and
he was onder constant surveillance while
n the hospital, and Swallowed after he de-
parted. He went to his hous in 10Th
street. but suddenly disappeared, and was
last sight OF for several days He was
found at 22S East l22d street on Tuesday
last, and there Oh Saturday Jennie Rigney
appeared. She was in the basement iron
ing when arrested. She confessed that she
had been employed 10y several of the Ia
dies who had made complaints, but denied
the thefts.
Central Office Detectives Haley, Rutland
and Kinds ushered their thin-featured
yong prisoner into Jefferson Market yes
ter0ay morning. She was richly dressed,
but scantily protected against the cold, and
she shivered violently as she climbed the
stone steps. seedily dressed. hard-feat-
ulea man followed her into the court room
and was permitted TO sit beside her. She
talked to him sternly, with quivering lip.
He seemed to be defending himself
against some accusation. This was Clark,
against whom there is no charge.
Two ladies appeared to make complaint
against the prisoner. Mrs. Mary Purdy,
of 42S Fourth avenue, charged that the
young woman entered her service on June
II, being hired by the month. She re-
manned one day, aud departed with cloth
ing belonging to Mrs. Purdy and Miss Lot
tie Kilie, leaving every one of her old gar
ments behind her. hrs. Purdy lost also a
diamond locket and chain, gold pin and
a gold ring. A Spanish lace dress worth
$3.50, black silk dress worth $50, and
several articles eff gold jewelry were among
the property taken from Miss Kilie. The
latter recognized the black hat and feath-
ers which the prisoner wore as belonging
to her.
The detective said that $500 worth of
jewelry was takeu from beneath the pillow
of Mrs. George Dougherty, 1852 First ave-
hue, and that Drs. Dougherty had since be-
come insane over her loss. Mrs. Hyde of
1907 Park avenue, Mrs. Phinney of the
same address, Mrs. Moore of 26 Fourth
street, and sister of Mr.. Tony Pastor,
whose name could not be recalled, were, he
said, among other recent sufferers. Twen-
ty-One pawn tickets for dresses and jewel
~ were found in the girls possession.
Justice Bixby said it was strange fact
that another woman of the name of Jennie
Rigney, entirely differing in appearance,
was before him some years ago for the
same offense, and was subsequently con-
victed and sent to Sing Sing for five years.
That woman first appeared to bring crimi-
nal charges against well-known dentist,
and subsequently against prominent ply
sician. Not particle of proof was pro-
duced to sustain the charges. She was af-
terward charged with trying to poison the
woman by whom she was employed, and
still afterward was charged with various
larcenies, and convicted.
The prisoner signed her name ''Mrs. So
phie Clark said she was twenty years old.
born in New Jersey, and when asked her
occupation, said, Il do not work. She
was held for trial, and the detectives went
with her to secure her photograph for the
Rogue's Gallery.
BROTHER GARDNER ON GOODNESS.
Some Scientific Observations on Life at the
Lime KIN Cab.
''What am gooder dan goodness?" asked
Brother Gardner as he opened the meet