The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1884-08-19
A SLICK SCOUNDREL,
Who Attempts to Work x
Drunken Man For His
Watch and Wad.
But Who Was Not Sharp
Enough to Elude the Vigil
lance of Sedalia Cops.
The Intended Victim of the Sharp
er Is Also Arrested on
Suspicion.

! Yesterday afternoon, just before the ar
rival OF the train from the east, consider
able excitement was created at the union
depot by the arrest of two men snc two
women, one of whom was suspected of steal
ing a gold watch, and the others being sus-
pected Of possessing knowledge OF the
transaction.
Early yesterday afternoon Ben Benson,a
! bartender at the Wine Hall,
notified Officer Fifer that a man
had been robbed, while in his place OF a
gold watch, at the same time giving a
pretty thorough description of the suspect
ed thief. The officer at once proceeded to
the depot, In company with Marshal Bar
nett and the man who had lost his watch.
The latter at once pointed out the party
who he believed had robbed him, and he
was at once taken into custody, together
with young man and his female compsn-
| ion, who were enjoying a bottle of beer
at the expense OF the light fingered gent
| and a, well known prostitute who was in the
depot at the time, but who claimed to have
no acquaintance with the other parties In
the waiting room.
| Two very respectable ladies, who were
in the depot at the time, were taken in
charge by the officers, but they begged
| so piteOusly not to be taken to
! the station that they were lett at Beck
Il Messerly's store with instructions
| from the marshal to wait there until he
called for them. While in the store one OF
the ladies picked up her buster, which she
| aad laid on the counter, when the missing
watch dropped out of the folds of the gar
ment. This of course very much en-
bsrressed the lady and placed her in very
uuenviable position. She disclaimed
any knowledge of the watch, and
as she was we'll known by at
taches of the store, the officers at
once came to the conclusion that the thief,
seeing that he was closely watched, had
placed the watch in the pocket of the lady's
dress.
Tee man who had been robbed gave his
name as G. r. Radclif, of Excelsior, Nor
gan county, Mo.
The name of the alleged thief is Harry
Stevens. He was with Radcliff all
of the morning, and claims that
he was going to Lamonte
as the agents for the latter in the purchase
of saloon. When arrested he had re-
volver, which be claimed Radclif had
given him to take care of.
| The woman, Ella Steele, who was ar
rested with the outfit, is doubtless innocent
of any completely in the robbery, and prob
ably tells the truth when she says she
knows nothing about the matter.
The man and woman from Kansas City
give the names of Renick Stiles and Flora
Tate, and claim that they came to this
city for the purpose of getting married.
Stiles says that his father resides in Kansss
City, where be also has an uncle who keeps
/ ., "A
Main street. Young Stiles says that he
knows Stevens by reputation, and that he
is very hard citizen, having served
given hours to leave the city.
Stevens vas very abusive when placed
behind the bars, threatening to kill every
man who wore star, and turning the. IT,
rade of his abuse upon Recorder Ratcz,
who CHANGED to enter the calaboose. The
Judge quietly remarked to the prisoner
that ne would become better scquainsed
with him later.
Stevens stated that the other parties who
had been arrested we're innocent and knew
nothing about the watch. He also claim
ed that Radcliff was drunk and did not
know what he was doing, and what dispo-
siiion he had made of his watch.
Radcliff turned over 5000 in greenbacks
to Marshal Barnett, having deposited 5000
a short .ime previous. He was very much
under the influence of liquor at the time
ne delivered his money to the marshal and
ii was counted in the presence OF witnesses.
At late hour last night, RadcliE be-
came so much intoxicated that the police
found 1t necessary to take him in. The
marshal had learned, in the il; erium, that
Radclifi, as he calls himself, is wan d In
Excelsior, Morgan county, on the cha ;e of
seduction. On his person was found about
! dozen letters. no two of which bear the
same address. Since his arrival in the
city Radclif has purchased a fine two
horse team, for which be paid 1885. A va
lise longing to the prisoner wss found to
contain lot OF Few shirts, collars, neck
ties, etc, two or three pair of pants and
lot of cheap jewelry.
Mr.. Radcliff's case will be given the
thorough investigation which it doubtless
merits. Some interesting developments
may be expected upon the preliminary ex-
animation. Stevens swears that he will
make il hot for Radcliff when he gets
chance.
Late last night Stiles told the reporter
that Stevens il fcrnr ! him while at the de-
pot thst 10 he'd l.. IL a rich haul and
that he at to lesv Sedalia as soon as
poss'b.r Mar>.al EsrEe;, wrote to Kansas
City Ia, nigL. ar: 20 the matter.
Y este In Union Wires.
Chic, -. AEg Il lo.-Ohicials of the
Western Uri1n telegraph company were