New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-27
EXCITING CHASE OF A THIEF.
HIGHWAY ROBBERY IN MADISON AVENUE.

AN Ex-coNvIcT sNATcHEs A PURSE FROM
YOUNG WOMAN AND Is RUN DOWN.
Miss Bessie Mead the daughter of Mrs Emily G.
Mead, widow, proprietor of boarding house
at No. 10 East Thirty-second-st.. was the victim
Of a daring highwayman in Madison-ave between
Fiftyfirst and Fifty-second sts in broad daylight
on Saturday. The robber is notorious thief and
ex-convict, named Charles Curtis. alias Scatter
good, alias Gallagher, age thirty, of No 3S4 East
Fifty-fourth-st., who has already served two
terms in State Prison for burglary. lie only
gained his freedom last Thursday, after serving
hve-year term for burglary committed on
First-ave, near SiXty-seyenth-st, in 1886. Cur
tiss picture is in the Rogues' Gallery.
Miss Mead, twenty-five yeafs old. had been on a
visit to friend in Fifty-second-st near Madison
ave-, and was slowly walking down the block in
Madison-ave. between Fifty-frst and Fifty-second
sts., waiting for a car to come along at noon-time
on Saturday, when she heard stealthy footsteps
behind her. She paid no attention to them. The
next moment Curtis brushed against her and
snatchcd her alligator-skin pocketbook, contain
ing S5 CO. out of her right hand and dashed
across TO the east side Of the avenue. Miss Mead
for second appeared dazed, but recovered her
senses. She ran after the rObber, screaming at
the top of her voice, Poce!' and Stop thief.
Her cries rang through the neighbOrhood, and
were heard by two grocery clerks and butcher,
who were coming along III their delivery wagons.
They jumped ont Of their wagons and joined in
the chase after the fleeing higlwayman. Curtis,
seeing the men coming toward him at Fifty
frst-st turned into Park-ave and ran south.
He was feet-footed, and before his pursuers, who
now numbered seven men and Miss Mead, reached
Fiftiethst. Curtis ran across the bridge at Forty
into
When the pursucrs arrived in front of the
stable they could see no sign of Curtis After
a thorough search they found him seated in
carri,se, pretending to be asleep He was dragged
out to the street. although he demonstrated with
them for having awakened him.
What do you mean By pulling me up from
my sleep" he said in indignant tone of voice.
You robbed this lady," said one Of MS S,ptors,
pointing to Miss Mead and continuing All she
wants is her poclyetbOok. If you return II, you
can go your way. We are positive that you
are the thief"
Curtis, seeing that he had failed to throw them
off the track, then pulled out the pocketbook and
handed it to Miss Mead His captors released
their hold of his collar and be walked hurriedy
away through Forty-ninth-st toward lexington
ave- Before he had made more than a dozen
steps, Miss Mead, seeing that the men intended
to allow the robber to escape, said: go after
him. l will prosecute him." They at once
started off on a after Curtis who, seeing
them coming, shot away at rapid pace.
just at this time Detective Shelley, Of the
Fifty-frst-st. squad, on his way home to
his dinner lie reached Forty ty-ninth-st. and
LeXington-ave. as Curtis was coming along on
a run, followed by the men and Miss Mead. At
single glance Shelley recognized Curtis as u
ief XUhO ho IN nriSO
and caught him by the collar, remarkins at the
same time: What! At it again"
And caught" answered Curtis. He was then
led TO the police station, where lac was locked
up for the night on Miss Mcads complaint.
Yesterday morning Miss Mead appeared at the
YorlIville Police Court and made an affidavit of
larceny from the person against Curtis.
When Justice McMahon beheld the prisoner he
said Have not had you before me in Jeifer-
son Market Court tor hand-shalting ?'
No; never saw you before. I'm not hand
shaker" he replied.
We'll, what have you to say to the charge
preferred against you ?" asked His Honor.
L had been drinking and did not know what
was doing. | would rather have chopped on
my clear Senses" replied Curtis.
lie tells me that he has wife and three
children" said Miss Mead Il sorry for
them, and i don't to have him sent to
prison."
L sympathze for his family but I have no
sympathy for him" said the Judge to Miss Mead.
He then turned toward Curtis and SAID "NOu
are committed for trial in the Court of General
Sessions in default of $4,000 bail"