Mexico weekly ledger., 1888-04-26
Before the Confession.
MoRTIMER's ARREST

MoRTIMER's ARREST.
Officer James Marshall arrested
George Mortimer, a colored man,
at his home ON the corner of Whit
ley and Jackson streets Friday
for robbery. The arrest was brought
about by A. M. Trimble, a dealer
in second hand goods, who brought
a watch to the jewelry establish
ment of Mark Pitcher, for repairs.
Here the watch was recognized as
the one stolen from Frank Tucker,
in the First Ward, several months
ago. The police were notified, and
with this excellent clue the work
of running down the criminals that
have committed half a. hundred
burglaries in Mexico since Christ
mas and who, probably, are re-
sponsible for the murder of Samuel
Apgar, was commenced.
Trimble, the second hand dealer,
had no trouble in locating the man
from whom he had purchased the
watch. He is a colored porter of
the Hotel de Ferris, named Ben
Crawford. Crawford was equally
ready with the name of the party
who sold the timepiece to him,
but when Mortimer was reached he
could not tell straight story. He
claimed to have bought the watch
for dollar, but at first he could
not name the man who sold it to
him. He was taken to the City
Hall, where he was searched.
Among other things found in his
lpockets were two knives, which
Mr.. Hill, of the firm of Clacher &
| Hill, thinks were stolen from his
place of business when visited in
the night couple of weeks since.
| To LEDGER reporter who was at
the City Hall when Mortimer was
incarcerated, the prisoner stated
that he had bought the watch from
.iSilas Fawcett, a colored man, who
is known by the police to be t'bad. u
i Officer Marshall, accompanied by
a LEDGER reporter and Mr.. J. R.
| Luckie, then went to Fawcett's
house near the bridge, but a thor.
ough search did not result in find.
ing the man. From Fawcett's
house the party went to Morti.
mer's place in North Mexico
John Miller, colored machinist,
Epays the rent of the place, Morti.
mer and his wife living with them
The house was searched and q
pretty good haul made. Miller
showed the trio into room in the
South end of the building and the
!. first thing Mr.. Luckie saw
was bunch of keys that had been
stolen from him several weeks ago,
hanging on the wall. At that time
his pccketbook was stolen and the
gentleman now resolved to have it.
Mortimer's wife, a buxom mulatto
of twenty, was called to time, and
she at once took red leather wal
let from the folds of her dress,
which was at once identified by
Mr.. Luckie. The police officer
found a dark lantern that had
been stolen from him several
months ago, and from under the
, lmattress of the bed handsome
cashmere dress pattern and some
silk thread were brought. The
walls were covered with ladies
white underwear, the most OF
which, together with the cloth, was
claimed by Mrs. |. Frank, of East
Promenade Street, last Saturday.
). Every pocket of the clothing in the
room contained knife, almost
new. After this capture the party
returned to the City Hall, where
1.-THE stolen property was laid before
the prisoner. He almost weakened
when he saw the stuff but braced
tup with an explanation that didn't
Il Iexplain. His stories did not fit
and he has been telling different
ones ever since. After the find
Friday Mortimer was taken to
Il the county Jail.
THE GANG BROKEN UP-
/ Saturday morning Miller, with
whom Mortimer has been boarding
lsince Christmas, brought q lot o.
lstuff down town which he turned
lover to the authorities, claiming
that the prisoners wife had giver
Iit 10 him since the place was search.
led Friday, Miller was arrested