The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-28
AN EXCITING CHASE.
Professional Thief Captured Yesterday After
Long and Lively Pursuit.

Within the last few days number of board
ing houses have been robbed of clothing and
valuables, the thefts in each case occurring sim
ultaneously with the disappearance of genteel-
looking fellow, who had few hours before OBJ
tanned entrance to the houses as a
boarder. The police have been we'll
done by a Chicago thief who operated in this
city quite extensively in the same way about
year ago. An accurate description of him was
furnished number of the leading boarding
house keepers, with instructions to report at
once to police headquarters it he applied to any
of them for entertainment Among Others
Eagle. the grocer, at the corner of Fort Wayne
avenue and Delaware street, was requested to
keep lookout for his appearance in that part of
the city.
Yesterday at noon the boarding house at No.
167 North Tennessee street, kept by. James
Offut, was robbed Of several articles of iewelry
and small amount of cash. The thief fitted
the description of the one for whom the police
were searching, An hour or two later he
walked into Eagles grocery store and inquired
if certain house near there was not board
ing place. Oslo Eagle, who at once recognized
him as the man described by the police directed
him to house in the neighborhood, and
sent for Captain Campbell. who responded to
the summons in company with Patrolman Haley.
The suspected thief had, in the meantime en-
gagged board at the house of Colonel Gray. oppo-
site the Blind Asylum. While in
room to which he had been as
signed. he saw the officers approaching,
in citizens clothing, and Immediately jumped
through window. carrying the sash with him,
and dashed up Fort Wayne avenue, turning
north on Delaware street. followed closely by
the officers, who were firing at him. The fugi-.
tive, to enable him to make faster speed threw off
his coat and vest and dropped his revolver. The
chase continued for nearly mile, but after
running two or three squares the officers began
to fall behind. until finally they became so COM
pletey exhausted that they. could run no
furSher. A butcher continued the pur-
suit in his buggy, and gained
on the fleeing thief until, near the residence of
Gen. Morris, he came within a short distance of
him. The fugitive jumped into buggy in
which Gus Mason was sitting, Visiting for his
mother. who was making call, aad seized the
lines, saying that he wanted to drive around the
corner to catch man. Mr.. Mason was COM
pletely overcome By the boldness and suddenness
OF the thing. but protested and ordered the fell
low out of his buggy. In trying to turn the We
hcle he had locked the wheels, and, finding that
he was losing time, while his pursuers
were close upon him, he jumped
out and started to run again,
but was so near exhausted that, after going a
short distance he was compelled to stop and sur
render himself He was turned over to the po-
lice when they came up, and at the station house
he gave the name of George W. Williams. The
suit of clothes he wore was identified as that
was stolen a few days ago on North Pennsyl
vania street.
Early yesterday afternoon, man of Will
iams's description, found the six yearold son of
William Ii. Morrison playing In University
Park, opposite his house, and pretending to take
fancy to him, induced the boy, by promising
him ice-cream to go after his sisters gold watch,
which, the confidence man said, he simply want
ed TO see. Mrs Morrison found the boy looking
for the watch and asked what he wanted to do
with 1T. He told her. and, Of course, she did
not let him have it. The fellow waited for the
boy at the corner of Pennsylvania and New
York streets for some time.
Several days ago man about thirty-five years
old, giving his name as Michael Maher. bat who,
the police are disposed to think, was Williams,
applied at St Johns Academy on Georgia street
for situation. The man who had done chores
abont the place had left and the Sisters of Prov
idence, in whose charge the institution is needed
some one, but would not employ Maher without
recommendation. He said he was stranger,
but would be able to give the required indorse-
ment in few days. He was then temporarily
employed, and ran errands and did various work
about the place. On Sunday, when nearly ell
the household were at mass at ST. Johns, the
trunk of Florence Morris, one of the students,
was opened and So taken. while from the
trunk Of the Sister Superior $15 53, belonging to
the St Cecilia Sodality. was stolen. From the
art department brushes. tube colors and other
material amounting to about $50, were found by
the Sisters to be missing. Maher did not lodge
in the house. but suspicion pointed to him as the
thief The police were told of the theft, but
kept the information from the reporters fearing
that Maher would find out he had stolen some
thing On Monday that brazen rascal who had
made few purchases at Bretz's grocery store
near by for the institution, went to that place
and, to divert suspicion, as he did not have the
pass-book bought wagon-load of supplies for
the academy, which he ordered to be sent, and
carried away an load Of supplies, for which
he said the Sisters had immediate need. Neither
Maher nor the arm-load has since been seen.
''Phe academy has been established in this
building over fifteen years." said the Sister SUI
perior to the reporter, and this is the first time
any one has stolen from u.s."