Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-02-06
NOT EXACTLY A DETECTIVE.
James smith plays the Role of One,
Hut Comes TO Grief.

A most remarkable case of what APP
pears to have been attempted burglary
was brought before Judge Speirs this
morning. James f. Smith, miner-de-
tective, according to his own statements,
was found trying to effect an entrance to
the Devereux House yesterday morning
little before Z o'clock. The servant
girl, who had Just come to the kitchen
from up stairs, heard peculiar noise at
the door, and after lighting the gas, peered
ont at the window TO see who it was.
Surprising it to be the gardener she went
and unlocked the door, when, without any
ceremony, Smith forced himself past her
into the kitchen. The girl becoming
somewhat alarmed at the presence of the
peculiar-looking stranger, demanded what
he wanted Smith said he was there to
warn them of danger, and asked the girl
il she was aware that several of the win
dows were unfastened. He asked TO see
the mistress, having been told that the
master of the house was dead, and en-
deavored to appear as commissioned
officer whose presence was in the especial
interest OF the law, and to protect the
house from burglarious raid which he
stated had been planned, and which he
had learned Of. The girl asked him II he
were Mormon policeman, to which he
answered Indignantly: "No; Pm no rob-
Der or murderer or thief like they are."
He continued to insist that he was there
as un officer under instructions, until
the young man who works around
the stable came. The latter was requested
by the girl to remain, as she was now
thoroughly alarmed To the boy Smith
reiterated his former statements and took
him out to the laundry window, where,
raising the sash, he exhibited number
of napkins and towels in confirmation of
his assertion that the house was badly
exposed to the danger of burglars. In
the meantime, Mr.. Stephen Stanford, the
gardener, came in, and to his questions
Smith said that he had good authority for
his official action, and had obtained it
from the law and the courts. He said he
was acquainted in Salt Lake, but at this
juncture Mr.. Stanford's searching inter
rogations proved too embarrassing and he
began to move off toward the door.
He walked nervously,out of the grounds
closely followed by Mr.. Stanford, and
when outside the gate started towards
Main street, but finding himself accom-
panied he turned and walked in the di-
rection of the depot. The gardener, who
by this time was convinced that the fell
low was crooked, insisted upon their GO
ing over to the depot, where an officer
could be consulted. Smith assured him
however that he was all right, and re-
quested him to remain at the corner OPP
posite the depot while he (Smith) went a
short distance to fetch an officer and a
gentleman to identify him. Stanford in
stead of waiting crossed to the railroad
station as soon as the fellow was out Of
sight and communicated the facts to pc.
liceman John Smith. The two gentle.
men Immediately went in search of the
detective, but found no trace OF his
whereabouts, save that he had been seer
passing through the lumber yard bearing
in the direction OF town. The stranger
called at the City Hall later in the day
and applied for a position on the force,
citing as meritorious grounds the
service he had rendered al
Jennings residence. He was told that
seen OF him until officer Clayton, who
had been summoned by telephone to the
Devereux House at the early part of the
strangers interview there, returned to
the City Hall from long and fruitless
search, in company with Policeman
Smith, of the depot. When Clayton ex.
planned the facts, the officer tumbled tC
the whole business, and he and Police
man Sharp went at once in quest oil
the fraud. He was found on the cross.
ing near Godbe, Pitts & Co.'s, with his
slouched hat pulled down over his eyes
The officers arrested him, and he spen,
last night in the City Jail. This morning
ut half-past 10 o'clock he was brought be.
fore Justice Speirs, and Mr.. Stanford, the
boy, Thomas Tolhurst, Miss Spratline
and Miss Mary Haddock, the four wit
nesses, gave their testimony to the Court
| Smith wanted Prosecuting Attorney Moyle
to defend his case, and failing in that, he
announced to the court that he would be
his own attorney The trial, which lasted
more than two hours, was most anus
ing one, and tended in some points
to almost establish the fellows insanity
He evidently had been in a court before
as shown by his frequent expressions Of
''if your honor please" and particularly
his patented remark, 81 object to the
evidence rs immaterial and irrelevant
He cross-questioned every witness and
made some OF them very angry by his
arrogant and impudent manner and
questions. He became terribly mixed in
his own testimony, stating at intervals
that he vas born in San Francisco, had
spent much OF his life there in the de.
tective business, and had come out hero
two years ago; and also that
he was miner and had spent
much OF his time in Arizona,
Montana and other places. The skeleton
key found on him he insisted was
a miners candlestick, and even the testi-
mony of several policemen could moi
convince him that it was burglarious
instrument. The fellow demonstrated his
sanity by his ingenious attempt to mani
fest insanity. The Judge found him
guilty OF misdemeanor, and took the
matter under advisement till 2 O'Clock
this afternoon, when he sentenced Smith
to pay fine OF $50 and costs, the latter
amounting to about $l5. He will in al
probability pay his fine in labor on the
Streets