The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-08-27
A QUEER LITTLE GIRL
Who Is Blanche Bell or
Lura Shope, from Des
Moines?--- Her Queer
Tale.

puUllSneU exclusively Lne SLOry OIL llo uc-
tention at Police Headquarters Of a pretty
fourteen year-old girl, who claims to hail
from Des Moines, Iowa, pending an in
vestigation of rather peculiar story.
AS stated yesterday the girl arrived on
late train Monday night, and remained
until morning; then, leaving a basket
containing some clothing she went out
and returned an hour of two later, not
seeming to know where to go. Detective
John Brown questioned her closely, and,
not satisfied with her story, sent her to
the Grove street police station, where she
was searched by woman inspector.
The search resulted in the flndin G of a
large silver watch with heavy gold chain
and a lady's pocket-b book, containing
put in possession or telegram which
Aug. a5, 90
Conduct I'd S.
A little girl named Blanche Belle is on No. 8
today. She had a through ticket from Des
Moine5. via. G. & N. W., G. & A.. N. Y. z. & o.,
and Erie to N. Y, and after conductor Of Co. A.
ticket out Of window. Bring her through.
This was placed in the hands of Detec-
tive Brown by the conductor of the train
which brought her to Jersey City. The
girl was sent to Police Headquarters,
where she Is held at present awaiting
Moines, to whom Inspector Lange, as
Acting Chief, telegraphed Immediately.
The Des Moines Chief of Police ordered
her held until his arrival, without com
municating any further particulars.
INVOLVED IN MYSTERY.
W. g. 81 81 r..l, -
her name, or TO divulge anything more
than the fact that she had been induced
by man named John Bell to steal the
watch and a bag of money from a family
named kemps with whom she was living,
and run away with him, he deserving her
before she reached this city, involved the
affair in a mystery which Inspector Lange
has been endeavoring to unravel by sharp
questions.
She is dressed in brown silk, neatly
booted, and shows evidence of good
training. The Inspector took her home
last evening. She played and sang for
him. Subsequently she admitted her
father, George w. Shope, No. 500 N. E..
Sixth street, was cashier of the Grand
Avenue Savings Bank. Her step-father
and her mother, she said, were on a
six months visit to friends in Pittsburg
and Ogdenburg, Pa. She had been left
in charge Of a family named Kemps, the
head of whom, G. w. Kemps, Seventeenth
and Walnut streets, was SUPERINTENDENT
of large brick making establishment.
A few days ago, while alone In her new
home, n man about thirty-five years of
age. of light complexion, entered the
house, and at the muzzle of a revolver Or
dered her to show where the money was
kept A fair was going on at the time,
and the city was full of strangers. Fright
ened half out OF her wits, she led him to a
closet containing small bag of silver
dollars and the watch. which she had in
her possession when arrested. Pointing the
revolver at her again the man ordered
her TO ''pack her duds" and follow him.
She did SO. and they proceeded to the de-
pot, where the man purchased two tickets
for New York. At jamestown the man
handed her one of the tickets, the watch
and IS in silver, and then disappeared.
Prior to this he had told her that his name
was John Bell, and that he lived on Sew
enth street, Jersey City.
SEVERAL PUZZLERS.
Inspector Lange, while half discrediting
the main feature of the story, is inclined
to believe since the reception of the tele-
gram from the Chief of Police in Des
Moines, that the balance of her story is
straight But the TACT that she should
give her name as Blanche Bell to the con
| ductor of q western train. and that the
mans name was John Bell, is puzzler.
From the youthful appearance of the pris-
| oner it is scarcely suspected, should there
| be man in the case al
all. that he meditated upon anything be
| yond theft. At the same time this
| strengthens the main feature of her pc
| culiar story. 1t is a significant fact, how
ever that few dime novels were found
| in the basket containing her clothing
| and when hearing that the Chief OF Po
| lice of Des Moines had ordered her to be
| held she asked if she would not be al
| lowed to take q peep at New York before
| she was sent back to Des Moines.
| When the girl left the depot yesterday
morning she applied 10 several persons
| for employment. Among these was {
\ Mrs. Crozier. of Jersey avenue, whose
| husband is sexton of the Park Reformed
| Church. Mrs. Crozer took the girl in
| and gave her her breakfast. She visited
| the girl at Police Headquarters this
| morning.