The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-03-15
ROMANTIC.
Curious Story of Real Life as
Told by a Chicago
Woman.
She Reveals the Existence of
an Organized Gang of
Hotel Thieves.

CHICAGO, March IA few days ago
notice was given at the central station
that detective was wanted Immediately
at ~ Rosebud street. Officers Kelly and
Spirling were summoned, and after some
search they found the right number in
the little back alley which is so inappro-
priately named. The number was one of
long row of cherries brick tenements
In bare, rear room on the second floor
they found a strange woman. She was
seated in broken rocking char with a
scantily clothed baby in her arms and a
little boy about four years ld,with very
ragged jacket on, standing by her side.
The woman was very good looking, and
chose her words as carefully as college
professor. In few words she explained
that there existed in Chicago an organized
band of male and female thieves, who CON
fined their operations to large hotels. Her
husband, she discovered months ago, was a
member of such gang, she said, and she
then determined to take the first oppor-
tunity to notify the police.
The officers listened in aston
ishment while she told the
details of her story. She then uncovered
pile of goods in the corner Of the room.
There were fine camels hair blankets,
costly linen shirts, empty purses, seal skin
caps, heavy overcOats, bedspreads, fine
soaps, valises, eto., etc.
The officers were convinced, and Mon
day night arrested Frank Emmitt, a
trusted Waterman, at the Sherman house,
together with James Boylan and Patrick
Needham and several other men and
women, who are supposed to be impl
Gated. Several of the other big hotels
have been Systematically robbed by GER
tain other employees, and the police have
secured several wagon loads of goods
taken from hotels. The woman, who gave
first information to the police, was asked
why she gave her name as Mrs. James
Murray, and told the following story of
her life, which there is every reason TO be-
lieve is true:
"My maiden name was Lizzie Josephine
Kerns. My father was John Kerns, who,
many years before my birth, was lord
mayor of Dublin City, was born and
lived there until 1 was sent away to be
educated. Father was wealthy, and we
were happy family. There were six
sisters of US and was the beauty and was
spoiled. In the ursuline convent of
AuuElSS E6CblN6u my III JllO
higher branches and in music and paint
ing. Then 1 was sent to Boulogne, France,
where finished my education. Shortly
after my return to Dublin;
when 1 was going out in society a great
deaI,my father died. While we were still in
mourning my mother fell heir to another
fortune by the death of a relative in Bir-
mingham, England. Part of the property
was a house and grounds at Aston Park,
Birmingham. We moved there next year.
1t was delightful place, and my mother
still lives there with my sister Beatrice in
that villa. 1 was introduced to JAS.
Murray, who was then a wealthy shoe
manufacturer in Limmerick. We were
married in 1869 by Rev. O'Sulli
van, in Birmingham chape'. We
we're not not very happy together.
Two years after marriage we moved to
Philadelphia. My husband is still in that
city. member of the shoe manufacturing
firm of Heye5, Murray g. Co., located at
the corner of Ninth and Market streets.
We quarrelled great deal about trivial
matters. Finally, he sent back to Ireland
for some of his poor relatives, and they
came to live with him. l left the house,
and went to New York He commenced
divorce proceedings on the ground of de-
sertion, and was granted bill. In New
York 1 was without a friend, and
was soon out of money and was forced to
go to cheap hotel, and went to the st.
Omer. Frank Emmett was porter in the
hotel, and when L was taken sick he be
friended me. When recovered my health
1 commenced living with him. That was
four years ago. Until we moved to Chi
cago 1 believed him to be strictly honest
We should have been married but that, as
Catholic, m the wife of James Murray
the millionaire, to this day, in spite of the
\. decree"
Officers, who have investigated are con
vince1 the truth of Mrs. Murray's story