The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-08-01
A PRECOCIOVS CRIMINAL.
AGirI of Fourteen who Seems a
Born KIeptomaniac.
OTHER CRIMINAL MATTERS.
Base Assault on Child-A Respect
able Colorcd Man Beaten without
Cause by Five Youths, two
of whom are In Jail.
About four weeks ago Hettie Brahman,

About four weeks ago Hettie Brahman,
young girl Of prepossessing appearance
and honest countenance, was taken into
the home or Mrs. Lezzie Young and her
brothers, the Messrs. Clark, about mile
west OF Bridgeport, on the National pike,
as a servant girl and was given unusual
privileges in the house, as she was con-
sidered thoroughly trustworthy. For
some time inmates Of the house have
missed little sums Of money, and its
disappearance could not be accounted
for until Monday evening, when Mr.. Ed.
Clark had reason to suspect the girl of
theft, and after consulting Marshal John
Stuff, Of Bridgeport, the two repaired to
the Clark residence and the girl was
brought in to be questioned.
When asked if she knew anything of
the missing money, she stoutly denied
having any knowledge OF it and became
very indignant when accused OF the
theft. After series OF questions and
promises OF leniency, the child confessed
that she had taken some money and
purchased some cashmere and dress
trimmings, and that she had left the
pattern, dress goods and trimmings with
Mrs. Wright, a dress-maker living
near.
The girl was loath to confess more,
and was taken to the Hill House, in
Bridgeport, and guard placed over her,
as the city lookup is not fit place for a
woman. Before leaving the prisoner,
Marshal Stuff learned from her that
some articles could be found at Eli
Yost's, an acquaintance OF hers, who
lives on the pike. The Marshal and Mr..
Clark went first to Mrs. Wrights dress
making establishment and found ten
yards Of lead-colored cashmere, dress
pattern and trimmings, and took charge
OF them.
From there they went to Yost's, and
were rewarded by finding a silk parasol,
q new hat, three pairs Of silk hose and
four yards OF fine ribbon. These goods
were placed with the others and brought
to Emsheimer's establishment, in
Wheeling, where the girl had purchased
them with the stolen money. They ex-
changed the goods, all new, for Sl5 in
money, which was eight dollars less
than the amount OF money thathas been
stolen from time to time.
In little bits, the girl, as near as can be
figured, has stolen twenty-three dollars
in the four weeks OF her stay at Clark's,
and as fast as she got it spent it for the
above articles.
The Marshal and Mr.. Clark visited the
girls parents on Jacob street, in this
city, and the mother stated that the
child was but fourteen years old, and
ever since she was little tot has had a
mania for stealing, and that nothing they
could do would prevent her from picking
UP money aud articles that did not be-
long to her. The father and mother are
both highly respected, and are much
hurt over the affair and promised to
make good the loss.
Yesterday morning the little girl es-
capped from the Hill House and went to
the home Of Mrs. Wright, and that lady,
knowing OF the child's trouble, advised
her to flee to the depot and get on the
excursion train going to Chippewa, and
ii the conductor asked her any questions,
to tell him she had no money and begin
to cry, and run into another car. The
child started 10 obey the woman, and
got as far as the depot, but when about
to board the train she was taken into
custody by Squire Howell and taken
back to the Hill House, from where she
was sent home later in the day.
When questioned, the child stated
that Mrs. Wright had advised her to go
away on the train, and she was trying
to do so when caught.