Morning journal and courier., 1891-12-11
ATTEMPT AT BLACKMAIL.

ATTEMPT AT BLACKMAIL. The Scheme Devised by Sidney Coe | and Wife to Extort Money From l Prominent Citizens - An Attempt Made Yesterday to Entrap James ID. DeweIl-Sergeant Cowles Imper- sonates MT. Dewen and Captures the Conspirators.
 A very clever capture in the annals of the local police department was effected last evening by Sergeant Cowles, assisted by Officers Hackett and Goode. They landed in police headquarters Sidney Coe and his wife, both colored and who reside at 2S2 Davenport avenue, on the charges of blackmai and conspiracy.
 For some time past the Goes have been extorting money from various prominent citizens whom they have entrapped in their snares and who sooner than be an- noyed have each paid to the conspirators sums of money ranging from sS00 to $500. The total amount thus realized is said by persons in position to know to amount to several thousands of dollars.
 The plan pursued by the conspirators has been to write to various wealthy and prominent citizens and under the gu1se of charity or some other subterfuge get them to call at the house of MT. and Mrs. Coe, and then, when the victim was securely landed within the house where, by the way, Mrs. Coe was always found alone, the husband would suddenly dash in and in an infuriated manner make threats of vio- lent nature against the victim, and finally demand considerable sum of money as a balm for his wounded feelings, which, in every instance, the unfortunate victim has paid.
 The latest attempt made by these eur- scrupulous villains was to ensnare in their clutches the well-known wholesale grocer of this city and esteemed citizen, James D. Dewell. For some time past letters have been written to MT. Dewell, asking him to call at the house. but for 8. long time he paid no attention to any of these commun- ications. Finally, few days since, the matter was brought to the attention of the police department and Sergeant Cowl es was detailed upon the case. The sergeant at once hit upon the plan of impersonating MT. Dewell, and being about his build was able to make up so accurately that it was not easy to distinguish the difference between the two men.
 Wednesday afternoon the following let ter written by Mrs. Coe and addressed to J. D. Dewell, State street, head of Grown, was received by Superintendent of Police Treadwell Smith.
 3s2 Davenport avenue, Dec. g. 1891.
 do hope you will come and see me tomorrow evening at 8 o'clock. am alone in a very quiet place. Yours etc., EMMA l.. CoE.
 It was now time for action and Sergeant Cowles decided to attend to the appoint %1xv # H.E2 o3o10ob 1oc ing Sergeant Cowles, made up to repre- sent MT. Dewell, presented himself at the Coe residence on Davenport avenue and was promptly admitted by Mrs. Coe, who escorted him to her bedroom, where she she seated herself on the bed, the supposed Mir. Deweu seating himself on rocking chair near by.
 Hardly had five minutes elapsed when Coe dashed into the room and saying: q know you, J. D. Dewell," demanded 8 large sum of money, threatening unless it was forthcoming to have the supposed Mr. Dewel arrested and his actions shown up in the newspapers.
 Sergeant Cowles, acting well his part, tried to beg off but without avail, Coe still continuing his demand for hush money and threatening in addition to exposing the supposed MT. Dewen to shoot and cut his wife. He also stated that he had re- turned from New York in hurry, having been informed that the rendezvous was going to take place by one of his friends.
 About this time Sergeant Cowles, having ascertained all that he desired to know, gave the signal to Officers Hackett and Goode, who were stationed outside within easy hailing distance. Both the officers rushed upon the scene and arrested Coe and wife and Sergeant Cowles as well, Coe nj, hot ha ha to1yo ole
 The patrol wagon was hastily summoned and Coe and his wife taken to headquar- ters. In the meantime the supposed MT. Dewell managed to break away from the officers and ran up Davenport avenue, fol- lowed by several boys. and were all anxious to capture the escaping prisoner.
 Coe has worked for MT. Dewell and was we'll acquainted with him in consequence. The present wife is Goes third matrimo- nial venture. It is thought by the police authorities that Coe and his wife have been working the scheme for some time. About three years ago Coe, the police say, was the recipient of $15, 900 in consequence of the death of sister, but he has managed to go clean through it, and it is thought has for sometime been existing by means of the tactics just disclosed.
 The police department are jubilant over the capture, Sergeant Cowles is certainly deserving of much credit for his excellent work in so successfully carrying it out. The prisoners remained all night in bliss full ignorance of the identity of the sup posed MT. Dewell, nor will they learn it until Sergeant Cowles takes the witness stand in the city court this morning. Wedding at Whitneyville. Last evening at the residence of MT. and Mrs. A. A. Lyman at Whitneyville Rev. MT. Cutting joined in wedlock MT. Elias B. Sears of New York and Miss Clara M. Lyman. The brides maid was Miss Lillian Belcher and the best man MT. J. D. Merwin of West Haven. There were more than fifty pres ent and many beautiful presents were made to MT. and Mrs. Sears. After a honeymoon of two weeks the newly welded couple will take up their residence in New York.
 At Humphrey Street Church.
 "The Family Album," consisting of 8 series of interesting tableaux and dia- logue, was given by the young ladies of the Masters Workers society at the Hum phrey street church last evening. The playing of the H. H. s. Banjo club was much enjoyed, as were the recitations of Miss Minnie Kay. The whole affair was 8 perfect success and devolves much credit on it's author, MT. Parsons, and on it's managers. One of the most pleasing fea- lures of the evenings entertainment was solo by Miss Grace of Portland, Me-, whois making an extended visit in this city. This was her first public appearance and she will undoubtedly become quite fsvorite in musical circles this winter.