Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-16
THE DETECTIVE SCANDAL.
The Work OF the investigation Com
mfttee.

THE EvIDENCE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN
VARIOUS sHAPES-GoOD CITIZENS COMING FORWARD
IN PERSON TO AID THE CoMGITTBE-ANoTHRR
CHAPTER OF ROBBERY AND DETECTIVE ACTION.
The work undertaken by the citizens committee
of examining the evidence OF collision between
the thieves and the detectives OF this District IS
only delayed by the mass Of evidence which comes
daily to their attention, not only by letter, but
by the personal relation OF the victims of thieves
II can think or nothing else, said the chairman,
Mr.. J.W. Thompson to STAR reporter this morn
ing. 1.-THE amount OF the material presented TO us
is not only large the suggestions contained in
regard to fresh matters would employ good
sized detective force In looking up"
~ believe he continued with q laugh "that
the committee will have to employ detectives to
aid us in our work. We have received informa-
ton of the existence of two rences,' or places
where stolen goods can be received, that are not
generally known Such.'
The committee want to get sufficient evidence to
make beginning in bringing the guilty parties
to justice, and theJ hope that they will soon be
able to accomplish it. One feature OF this nvesti-
cation has brought to light circumstance which
that is the unwlllingnesS OF some TO have their
names appear IN connection with the revelations.
committee nat rating their experiences or that of
their friends. give LANES OF the detectives, dates
&C.. and then sign with the nom de plume, "a
BurglarlZed Cit1Zen.' or something OF the sort
The committee, however, find such communica-
tions ton very suggestive and useful, and do not OBJ
eeS 10 e the of tine
much more valuable If accompanied by
the name and address OF the writer Many promi-
nent citizens, however. who have been victimiZed
recognize it as public duty to come forward at
this time and give the comnittee the benefit of a
full statement OF their personal experiences Wit
the detectives, and very important aid has thus
been supplied to the work OF investigation. This
praiseworthy motive has prompted the following
communication to Chairman Thompson giving
the particulars of the robbery of Mrs. Jane Farm.
ham, the venerable and greatly esteemed widow
OF the late Robert Farnham:
Chairman. Com. to Investigate Defective Force:
Sir: In behalf of Mrs Jane Farnham, whose
son-in-law amy, residing at 1103 street north
west desire to make the following statement:
During the Garneld obseQuies, one year ago Last
september, when every member or her family was
absent-the house being thoroughly locked ana
fastened against Intrusion, as she thought-twO
white men were seen by Mrs. Thomas Shepherd,
the premises. and one OF them sine saw ring the
front Goor bell. This man she subsequently saw
come from the house by the front door in a hur-
ried way. wiping the perspration from mis- face,
and adjusting his cufrs and collar. When Mrs
Farnham returned she found her house broken
open, and desks, bureaus, secretaries, ETC.,
thoroughly ransacked. The burglars had Effected
an entrance. by means of Jimmy, at the front
and the other at the bottom. The door at the head
Of the first flight OF stairs being locked and boted
was treated ID IN IN the the way This gave them
and desk was forced open and contents dumped
upon the floor, the best and most valuable OF
losing, perhaps never to see again, SO many heir
looms and valuable articles of jewelry, ETC., that
she resolved to Oner liberal reward for their re-
turn. She had several interviews with Private
Detective Flinders, who advertised for the return
OF the goods, Offering reward OF three hundred
dollars. In the course OF a few days the goods
were heard from The possessors wanted, first OF
al, to be assured that no steps would be taken by
the owner to have the burglars punished for their
crime, or got into trouble through their mfsdeeds
Believing that it would be useless to attempt the
recovery OF her property, and the detection of the
thieves alsO she concluded, against her best tudp
ment, perhaps, to make no attempt to have them
apprehended.
lam not fully advised as to all that passed be-
tween her and Detective Flinders, however He
turned the case over to Detective Miller who sub
sequenty produced the goods and received her
check for the reward.
Imake this statement with no other motive In
view than that OF putting the committee in pos
session OF the facts concerning this robbery. I
have no charge to make againS- either burglars or
detectives, but sincerely hope the labOrS OF the
committee may result In giving US better protec-
ton in our persons and property than we have
had In the past Very truly,
1898 18th street northwest
WHAT PRIVATE DETECTIVE FLINDERS SAYS
Private Detective C. e. Flinders, on being Ques.
toned by STAR reporter In regard to the state