The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-26
SHE ROBBED THE CT AYES.
Wealthy French Woman Convicted
of Stealing from a Cemetery.


OF Stealing from a Cemetery.
From the Ne,c York Star.
Mrs. Emelie Costougary, a woman well
advanced in years, richly dressed, and
wearing expensive diamonds, was arraigned
before Justice Tighe in the Butler street
(Brooklyn) police court yesterday on a
charge Of stealing. She seemed much
ashamed, and bowed her grey head when
called upon to arise and plead to the charge
She is French woman. and lives at No. 1866
Twenty-third street, Brooklyn.
Beside her stood her daughter, a prepos-
sesslng young woman. Like the prisoner,
the daughter was extensively attired, and
wore diamonds on her fingers, in her ears
and at her throat. The presence of two
such women in the police court was un-
usual, and they were the cynosure Of all
eyes,
The charge of theft was made by Special
Policeman Dorney, who had been detailed
for duty at Greenwood Cemetery. He &C.
cused Mrs Costougery of stealing satin rib
bons tied around bouquets laid on new
made graves by mourners. He swore that
he had followed Mrs. Costougary, and
had seen her take a ribbon from one of
the graves. Then he at once put her under
arrest.
81 have not made a mistake" he said,
months the authorities at Greenwood have
been notified that ribbons tied around bou-
quets were stolen from graves regularly.
They put the matter in my hands, and in
structed me to try and capture the person
or persons who were guilty of the theft. l
kept close watch, but l did not catch the
thief. All this time the person doing the
work continued TO steal the ribbons. | YVES
annoyed to think that the theft continued
until my attention was called to Mrs. Co.'S
tougary. She frequently came to the ceme-
terry, and her face, in that manner, became
very familiar to me.
81 watched her closely for some time, but
as | did not see her do any thing wrong,
came to the conclusion that my suspicious
were incorrect. There was funeral yester-
day, however, and when the mourners left
they placed several bouquets Of flowers tied
with satin ribbons on the grave. Remained
close by for number of hours watching the
flowers.
"At $3.50 o'clock Mrs. Costougary came
along. l saw her take one Of the ribbons,
and then arrested her. She was very in
dignant, and protested against her arrest,
but there was the evidence that she had
taken the ribbons In obedience to my
orders. took her into custody despite her
protests"
Mrs. Costougary was asked what she had
to say in reply to the charge. She hung
her head, and in low voice said she had
gone TO the cemetery TO visit the grave Of a
relative, and had no intention Of stealing
the ribbon. She was overcome with shame.
and declared that such an idea never en-
tered her head. Judge Tighe, however,
deemed the evidence conclusive. He
found Mrs. Costougary guilty, and imposed
fine of $40. The money was paid by the
daughter, and the two women left the court
room together.
II feel my mothers position keenly," said
Miss Costongary, land the disgrace is hor-
rible. / do not understand this matter at
all, and there must be some mistake. We
have money. My mother could have all
the ribbons she wants, and there was not
the slightest necessity for her to steal them.
Think of the trif1ing value of the ribbons.
Why, they would not be even worth taking.
Besides, my mother never would dream OF
such thing as stealing. She is the victim
of mistake