Morning journal and courier., 1883-09-01
.SulrrnSI xuS Guurisr.
Saturday. September I, 1888.
Arrest of Wesley Allen.

A Notorious PickpOckst and Thief fin
 JaIl-He Attempts to Come His Funny
 Rusinoss ar the Depot i'm this City ,Clever1y Caught by Officer Kennedy
 with the Ass1stance of RaflEORd Men.
 There was quite an excitement at the Un- | ion depot yesterday morning when the 1922 train arrived from New York city. "Wes', Allen, notorious New York pickpocket and thief, was walking the platform evidently looking for 'fgame.'' When John McDer- mott, of the firm of McDsrmott & Mason, morocco leather manufacturers of Schenck street, Brooklyn, attempted to board the train on the Shore Line with his wife and daughter on their way to Newport, 'Wes'' thought he had chance to make some "swag" ,and, although on his way to tho Springfield races, thought he would take the same train with MT. McDermott and family He followed them into the car and moment later had his hand in MT. McDermott's pock- ct. The later closed on the thief's hand with his arm without relinquishing his grip on the satchel he was carrying, and, quickly turning, caught the man who was evidently trying to pick his pockets. When accused the thief indignantly denied the accusation of Mir. McDermott. A policeman was called for and Officer Kennedy appeared on the scene. The officer chased him through four cars, and when he jumped from the train, being so hotIy pursued, he ran in the direc- ton of Long Wharf. As he alighted from the train on the south side another man, evidently confederate, was noticed running of. This individual wore 8 green colored suit according to Policeman Kennedy, and in the hurry and excitement of the u0nrnAnk ha f0FO0ktan UntiI iE t00 late to trace him. The man in the green suit undoubtedly tried to divert attention from the bigger game, but he was foiled. The po- liceman cried "Stop thief" while running after Allen, and half dozen railroad men standing near the Long Wharf crossing form ed into half circle into which Allen ran. Mir. McDermott was found sitting in one of the coaches with his ladies. Before the off, cer had come within twenty feet of him he rose and said that Allen was the man who had attempted to pick his pockets. He was un- willing, however, to go to the police sta tion. He said he had lost no money and did not wish to lose any more time. 1t was only after repeated solicitations by the hundreds of assembled passengers that he voluntarily went to the station house. Allen indignant ly denied the charge and said that he himself had had his pockets picked.
 On arriving at the police station the chief discovered that his s'distinguished'' prisoner
 
 Allen. The City court was in session and 8 warrant was at once made out and he was brought before the court. He secured Judge Blydenburgh for counsel and the attorney asked for a continuance on the ground that he had not had time to consult with his client.
 Attorney Cable protested against a con- | tinuance because it would necessitate the | presence of MT. McDermott, who was in a hurry to get out of the State. The court or
 dered the testimony of MT. NcDermott to be
 taken. Judge Blydenburgh objected to this plan, claiming that it prevented him from | properly cross- examining the witness, and The court answered that he did not intend to
 allow the technicaIities of the law
 to so operate that gentleman like Mir. Mo | Dermott should be inconveniencd for the sake of shielding professional pickpocket who was not wanted in this section of the | country on any mission whatever.
 ! MT. Blydenburgh answered that his client | was deserving of justice whatever his previ ous reputation might have been. Judge
 Studley ordered the attorney to proceed witE
 the case.
 MT. McDermott was called Hei is mid l dle- aged man, dressed in black brosdelott
 suit. He laid his shining black silk hat or | the table and went on the stand. He said he | resided at 5S0 Henry street and told the
 story of the attempted theft as it has beer
 given. MT. Blydenburgh cross-examined
 and intimated when he had finished that be fore the close of the hearing next week he
 would examine the witness further. The
 court ruled that it would not be
 necessary for MT. McDermott to attend | tha hearing again. MT. Blydenburgh pro
 as there was prima facie case against the
 accused that was all he required in this pre-
 liminary hearing MT. Blydenburgh could cross ss-examine to his hearts content in the | Superior court.
 The case was continued until this morning
 the bond being fixed at $500. In the mean
 time it is expected that Attorney Blyden'
 bursh, will endeayor to find those men who I it is claimed can testify that Allen did not | have his hand in MeDermott's pocket. Immediately after the arrest of Allen word was sent to New York to hIs wife to have l her come to this city at once. Allen had nothing 10 say while on his way to the coun- 1 ty jail, where he was taken after he had a private interview with his counsel. McDer- mott went to Newport yesterday afternoon. He had nearly $1OO in the pocket Allen is al- legged to have had his hand in. Ever since the races in Springfield Policeman Kennedy goes through the trains containing passen- gers to attend them and warns them against pickpockets. He had just done so yes- terday morning before Allen was arrested.