Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-17
A Gypsy AS A DETECTIVE.
How Jim 'Owel Robbed the Camp Of the
R0vers and was Pursued and Captured.

Jim Howell alias 'Owel or any other name BY
which his acqua;ntances care to call him by
was in the Police Court yesterday afternoon
for robblng his gypsy employer. When the
| gipsies were passing through Virginia some
| months ago Jim had nothing to keep him al
home and SO he went with them and made him.
| self generally useful about the campo. Corfeld,
his employer, thought good deal of him on
| account of his usefulness and trusted him with
| everything about the camp. Several weeks
| ago Corfeld's followers came here and camped
| in Berry's woods, just beyond Glenwood ceme-
! terry. Corfeld thought nothing Of leaving Jim
| about the camp when he came to the city, for
he never doubted his honesty. The latter,
however, knew that Christmas was close at
| hand and he wanted to enjoy the holidays &C
cording to his usual custom. He always gave
presents to his family and sweetheart and he
| had no notion whatever of departing from the
| custom this year.
THE ROBBERY.
Jim hardly knew how he was going to raise
the required funds, but he soon learned where
the camp treasury was located. 1t was in Cor
fields wagon, and last Wednesday he had an
excellent opportunity to avail himself Of the
knowledge He promptly took advantage of
this opportunity and secured $55 He did so
well the first day without being caught that he
thought he would try it again the next day. He
did SO and that time he secured S675. With
$3.50 OF his employers money he was fully salts
fed to take his chances. That was Thursday
afternoon and he disappeared from the camp.
HIS mysterious disappearance was followed by
an investigation. Then it was that Corfeld
| flrst discovered the robbery. He fastened to
the second police station and notified the
police. Telephone messages giving descrip-
tion of the negro were sent in all directions,
Il fha off md
crossed into Virginia.
THE PURSUIT.
At Alexandria he saw some policemen and
says he talked with one OF them. He pur-
chased new clothing, lived well and then went
to Portsmouth. Va. Corfield had no idea Of
trusting to the good luck of an officer arresting
his man, so he went directly to Portsmouth
himself in pursuit of Jim. There he told the
police of his misfortune and went out in search
street with the crowd OF Christmas shoppers
when suddenly his eyes fell upon the fugitive.
THE CAPTURE.
Jim saw him too and turned his face, but
Corfeld touched him on the shoulder and said:
"How are you?"
Jim was so surprised that for a moment he
could scarcely speak. but he finally managed
to say that he did not feel very well.
"What did you do with the money!" the
negro was asked
After some hesitation he said he was robbed
Of it in Alexandria, but Corfeld did not believe
that story, and so he placed him under arrest
Without the assistance of an officer Jim" was
taken to the mayors office, where over eco
was found on him.
Detective Raft, having been notified, went
there with Police Court warrant. He had 80
requsition, but the warrant was good AID
jim was given O free trip back to this ciFy.
Then the previous order of things was reversed
and the gipsey came with him. His cloths z
and presents purchased with the stolen cal b
were also brought back.
Judge Miller yesterday afternoon held the
prisoner for the action Of the grand jury a d
committed him to Jail in default of 81 600 bail