Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-25
HER BRIDAL CHAMBER A CELL.
An Intended Bride Stole "A Trosseau and
Admitted Arson.

Marie Rosie BahlIck was TO have been
married one day last week. On the dav set
apart for the event she went weeping 10
Chief Murphy. of the Jersey City police.
and complained that she had been robbed
of $500. which she had drawn from
Bowcrv savings bank that day. and
with which her intended husband was
10 have started in business. Sine SAID She
had been employed by Andrew Van Ant
Werp. rcStauraut-keepcr, at No. ~ Non
ticcllO avenue. and that the lost money WIS
the savings of years. The Chief was deeply
affected by the girls story and sent ncr 10
Inspector Bymcs of this city. to whom
then postponed until last night. but last
night Marie occupied "A cell in Jersey CITY
Jail. charged with burglary and arson.
Marie, having determined 90 get mar
ricd. was ~ equally determined upon
making fine appearance. She Was young.
being about twenty-five years old. She
had no money whercWlth 10 purchase %
suitable outfit: but she knew whore there
Were fine clothes that would just suit hcr
She had seen the interior of her mi-tros IS
wardrobe. and had concluded that there
were many articles Of apparel that Woult
add 10 her personal appearance. Marie
knew how 10 enter the Van Antwerp house,
and the desire for handsome trous-eau
Oycrcamc her every scruple of conscience.
Those clothes must bee hers.
Fire was discovered about 3 o'clock in
the morning 10y one of Mr.. Van Autwcrp's
clerks. who slept in the house. The room
was full of smoke and hc WIS nearly ,ui-
located. He gave the alarm aud aroused
all the other occupants. Mr. Van Antwerp
made a search and found smoke coming
from closet in which bis wife kept her
clothing. The door was forced aud the
clothing in the closet was blazing. Tho
fire was stamped ont and MIR. Van Antwerp
on making further examinai on dlscoy-
cred that several of his Wlie's silk and satin
dresses had been stolen.
The case was placed in the hands of De-
tective Hottie. His suspicion rested on
Marie Bablick, whOwas engaged % William
HUFFMAN. q MOntgomery-stree shoe
maker. The detective sOughtthe young man
and found him IN company with Marie IN q
store corner of Grand and State streets.
The young woman wore dress which cor
responded with a piece of goods he had
taken from Van Antwerp- house. lie IN
duced the girl 10 walk with him on the re-
presentation that ne wanted to talk with
her about the recovery of the money that
had been stolen from her in New York.
He walked her past a store where Mrs. Van
Antwerp was waiting, and when Marie
went by Mrs. Van Antwerp recognized tho
dress as one that had been stolen from her
house. The girl was placed under arrest
and she confessed to the robbery. and said
the other goods she had stolen were in the
house OF Mrs. Mary Smith on Grand
street.
The girl made statement and gave as
an excuse for her crime that her marriage
with HUFFMAN had been fixed for last
night, and she wanted some decent cloth
ing to fit her out AS bride. She said she
went TO Van Antwerp's house about mid
night and remained in an alley for two
hours. A pane of glass was broken IN the
back kitchen and she put her arm
through and showed back the bolt.
She crept upstairs nOlselessly, passed
the apartments where the occupants
were sleeping without disturbing them.
and reached the wardrobe. She tied
the dresses in bundle and then
made her escape. For two hours after
wards she walked the streets, and finally
went TO Mrs. Smiths house. She denied
that she had set the place afre, but adj
mitted that she might have dropped a
blazing match in the closet.
The police now believe that her story OF
being robbed in New York was invented
10 gain sympathy and money sufficient to
purchase wedding dress