New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-31
THE SAMARITAN A THIEF.
goHN IRELAND ROBBED IN A HOSPITAL

WHEN SUFFERING FROM BROKEN RIB HE is
ASSISTED BY SYMPATHETIC STRANGER
HE COMES OUT OF FAINT TO FIND
THE MAN, HIS WATCH AND sBCU-
RITES WORTH $4,000 GONE.
It s not often that plain every day thief attempts
the role ofthe good Samaritan in order to accomplish
hfs plans. This however, to be the diplomatic
manner I'm which a man Of the "nghtfngered profess
sonp tried to rob John Ireland of No A West Forty
scventh-st Mr. Ireland is the wealthy proprietor OF
the Star Hotel restaurant at No. 81 Uspenard-st.
On Thursday July 49, Mr. Ireland failed TO appear at
his place of business 1t learned that he was suf
fring from broken rib, and that while the surgeons
In the Chambers Street Hospital were caring for him
his coat and walstcoat, containing gold watch and
chain and securities TO the amount Of $4,000 had
teen stolen. These facts did not become public until
yesterday.
by Tribune reporter, but his daughter made the toL
lowing statements
my father had business with hts lawyer ON July
H. After leaving the Office In Cortandtst ST. he hailed
Broadway car TO return 10 LispeBardst., but in al
tempting got the platform he was thrown TO the
ground by passing truck wagon He was assisted 10
his feet by who had the accident and feehhg
no bad effects started to walk up Broadway de
had eone-only short distance when his side began 10
pain him and he sat down upon high stoop.
stranger approached him few minutes later ana ad-
vised him go the Chambers Street Hospital, winch
was not far distant Mr. Ireland remembers him as
a man OF about twenty-seven years old tan, wen
dressed In suit OF blue clothes and having bonue
mustache He accompanied my father to the hospital
attending TO the purchase OF the railroad tickets
Although I understand, that It is the custom 10
ask the names Of those who accompany patents hs
was not done In his and the two passed upstairs
There he was told 10 take off his coat and waistcoat
nag
His watch all right then and the secunuos "oio
In an inside pocket. My father thinks he must nave
tainted while the doctor was examining MS Dioho"
rib for the next thing he remembers is Una. "o "'
living on the couch with the stranger ianhins ni"'
He seems 10 have lost consciousness second une'
for when he was able recognize his attendant ne
found that the stranger his coat ana wastooa' "ero
gone vithtbe watch and chain and $4,000 worth OF
securities.
"Tbe stranger stole them Of course. He was OF
slieber build than my father and could easily nave put
the garments on his own and departed without
a challenge as no one was there 10 watch hil'
Fortunately the securities are valueess TO the thet'
we think Detectives wers informed Of the loss at
once The number Of the watch was secured ana
notice was also sent TO the pawnbrokers AS yet we
have no tidngs whatever. We think that the ohcerS
NJ the hospital should take better care OF the prop
,rty of their patients and make SUCH occurrences III
possible" ..o. ~
te reporter yesterday gave substantially the same
version of the theft Mr.. Ireland no said, came 10
tbe hospital about A O'Clock in the afternoon lie
was accompanied by tall young man. MI. foru al
once summoned Doctor Cole, who was on olSponSAF'
duty, to attend 20 Mr. lreland's injuries. ,ao,,s
The stranger" added Mr. Ford, was aSsluuous
in his attentions TO the wounded man ana NISeo tnc
dispensary every few minutes There were no pa
Hents or attendants about the place Win inc eACrl
ton of self DR.. Cole, his assistant ana the
Mr. ireland remained in the hospital about Two hours
and The stranger about half an hour was as
tonished beyond expression when heard OF the eOD
berry ! informed the police at once, bat u seems
the detectives have had success IN the search ior
fhe man | cannot where we are 10 blame III any
yav II a man under the influence Qt liquor comes
10 the hospital accompanied by any one We ASK nm
his connection with the man, or put him out OF Inc
bmi,dng But in this case, Mr.. ireland looked 70 be
wealthy merchant, who had met with street acc IL
dent and IL did occur 10 me 10 ask the name Oh
his Companion. OF course 10 was the stranger VINO
committed the robbery. could not recognize nun,
although / remember him in a general way Only
saw his back, in fact as he passed In mont OF nj!
Cfhcen