The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-12
THE CURSE OF POVERTY.
A WELL KNOWN WIDOW CHARGED
WITH A SERIOUS oFFENsE.
Mrs. Emma White Arrested for Stealing
aPurse and Contents from Mrs. Min
ME Pleasants-She Confesses and Re-
turns IL.


Mrs. Emma White, the widow Of once
prominent Memphian, and herself until
recently above reproach or suspicion, was
arrested yesterday about noon.
The crime charged against Mrs. White,
and Of which there is no lack of proof, is
the larceny of pocketbook and contents,
the property Of Mrs. Minnie Hunter
Peasants. The occurrence took place in
the millinery store Of Mr.. p. L. Hopkins
carly in the afternoon.
Capt Geo. T. o'Ilaver, Of the police
force, was summoned by Mrs. Peasants
shortly after the mysterious disappearance
of her purse, TO take charge OF the case.
She related the facts, so far as they were
known, and the suspicion rested upon
Mrs. White. Capt. o'IIaver, following
up the clew thus obtained, traced the
woman TO several places where she had
recently lived, the last being on Tennessee
street. While returning from the latter
place he discovered the object of his
search across the street. He promptly
confronted her with the accusation.
When Mrs. White was made acquainted
with the matter that caused her arrest, she
became highly indignant. $40 you mean
TO accuse me of stealing q pocket-book?"
she exclaimed; "l'll make you pay for
| this, sir" "pll give you judgment for
almost any amount you wish, replied the
captain, imperturbably, iii you'll only
give me that pocket-book" Accusation
and denial followed close upon each other,
which finally terminated with q request
from the officer TO accompany him TO the
station-house. On the way complete ST.
lence between the officer and prisoner pre-
vailed.
Just before reaching the station, Capt.
O'Haver, feeling absolutely certain that
his prisoner was in possession Of the miss
ing purse, said: "Mrs White, il you
have that purse, you might az well let me
have it, When we get to the station you
will be thoroughly searched, and il il is
concealed anywhere about you We'll find
it," Thus aroused, and aware that ex-
posure would soon be her fate, Mrs White
broke into tears and confessed thatshe was
guilty. Poverty" she said, "has driven
me to this" and begged piteously for her
liberty upon return Of the pockctbook. She
was taken into the station, turned her
face from the officers, leaned slightly for
ward, and soon placed the purse in the
hands OF the captain, at the same time
teariully pleading on Bonded knees TO lie
allowed 20 go her way. Duty was mex
orable, however, and Mrs. White was soc N
behind the bars Of cage No. l.
An APPEAL reporter saw and inter
yiewewed Mn. White in the cage. She
stated between convulsiye tears and sobs
that she had no intention OF stealing the
purse and the money. She was under a
great mental strain how her house rent
which fell due yesterday, was 10 DO paid,
and when her foot struck the purse ON the
the floor of Mr.. Hopkins store she felt
that II was a God-send. Had she sue
ceeded In retaining II and her freedom the
newly found money would have been APP
, piled 10 the payment Of her rent.
! A visit was also made 10 the establish
ment Of Mr.. Hopkins, where a story wa
heard that makes II appear very gloomy
for the unfortunate woman. Mr.. Hopkins
stated that Mrs. White came into the
store 10 see about hat she had lett there
n few DAYS before. After concluding the
, business for which she came, il was no
ticed that she fingered without any ap
. parent cause. Mrs Peasants was also q
r customer, examining some artificial flowers
Not finding what she iancied in one box
= she moved away about six feet TO another
( leaving her purse, fan and handkerchie
a on the show case near the first box. Soon
aiterward Mrs. White came over 10 wher'
the articles were lying, picked up n flower
-, looked at IL a moment, replaced Il In the
= box and left the store in a hurried man
J, ner. When Mrs. Peasants returned ant
: found the purse gone, she called the atten
y ton Of Mr.. Hopkins 10 the fact. He re
membercd that no one had been near th,
place but Ms. White, and the arrest fol
lowed M previously detailed.
4 Mrs. White has been in the hands o
tho law before. A few weeks ago she wa
!, tried before the criminal court on a charg
:, Of disposing OF stolen books TO a dealer u
y y ancient books, but acquitted. II is highl,
I" probable that her plea Of poverty is vel
founded and the real cause Of her trouble
Some years ago she kept boarding. hons
\. on Court street, and was regarded q
< highly respectable