The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1882-12-05
A WOMAN THIEF.
A Successful Operator in Chicago
and Other Cities-The Brains
Of the Gang She Worked
With.

formerly Mrs. Mike Weaver said q
prominent detective to a Tribune re-
porter last evening. ''and she is one OF
the smartest women thieves America
ever produced. Her maiden name
was Emily Amelia Smith, and she was
born in St GATHERINGS, Canada, |
think about thirty two years ago. Her
father was a harnessmaker-an honest,
reputable man, and her mother a good
woman. When a mere child she was
noted for being great liar, and no
one could believe a word she said. She
was narrated when quite young, and
went to Philadelphia to live, her nus
band being in the saloon, 'ra similar
business. But they soon quarreled.
and she left him. The first | ever
heard of Emily as a thief was i'm New
York in 1871 or 1872, when she and
Mary Andersen ran together and
worked the stores She was arrested
tive or three times for shoplifting, but
always got out of trouble, the last
time by jumping her bail. She went
back to Philadelphia then, and while
there became acquainted with Nike
Weaver. They lived together, and
Mike, understand. took her to his
fathers. in New York, and introduced
her as Lis wife. When they left a
number Of little things were missed.
and Emily was given the credit of
carving them of in her trunk. Sub
sequently they went to her fathers. in
St Catharines: and she introduced
Mike as her husband-said he was
engaged in business at Chicago. and
that she was going there to live They
came here in 1873, Frank Jourlon
being with them. and soon after their
arrival they began work.
ESQ far as known, the first house
they entered was down on one of the
Sou:h Side avenue: A policeman
trying the basement door, found
light of glass out. and as he looked in
Mike and Emily were coming down
stairs loaded with plumber. Emily's
shrewdness came to her assistance.
The officer asked what they were
d ing. She said the family were COM
ing home In the morning and had sent
them ahead to get things ready. If he
would 60 to the front door they would
let him in. The officer was satisfied
with this explanation, and as he was
walking away Emily and Mike went
through the yard, broke open the sta
BILE door and escaped through the alley.
She had on three or four silk dresses.
and they got away with all the stuff
A little while after this they went to
Mikes brother. manufacturer here,
and very decent fellow, and told him
to take them in. Emily said she was
going to make dresses. They lived
with the brother several msnths before
be found that they were using his
house simply as cover. Emily and
Mike were out a good deal, and she
would bring home dresses which she
said belonged to customers. But they
had really been stolen, and she altered
them 50 that she could sell them. Oc-
casionaIly she would bring in seal-skin
sacks, and make one out of two, relin-
ing the large garment.
ALL THAT TINE SHE AND MIKE
were burguiarizing houses. She
would 90 out and select house, and
then force him into robbing it. In
the summer time she would ring the
door-bell Of house that seemed to be
vacant, and, if she got no answer,
would make inquiries next door.
Mike has told me several times that
he wanted 10 be honest, but she
wouldn't have it. Once he bought a
lot Of furniture to 20 to housekeeping,
but she sold it. One night she came
In after spotting a residence on Calu-
met avenue, he refused to 60 there.
She said he was coward-called him
all sorts of names and finally drove
him out of the house. After she had
been here two or three years she sent
for her sister Mary, and deliberately
made thief of her. She afterwards
married Frank Jourdan. The party
used to GO on trips to st. Louis. Detroit,
Cleveland, Cincinnti, and other cities,
rob dwellings, and send or bring the
plumber here.
Emily was the brains of the gang,
did all the planning, disposed of all
the swag, and handled all the money.
.Jourdan had row with her once be-
cause she didn't give him his share,
and left the party for Year or two
Weaver is completely under her
thumb. and if he got SIS bill he had
to hide it under the carpet or in the
cellar, or she would take it from him.
CATER MARY JOINED THEM
che and Emily ont ont of q tiuhf nlace