The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-17
ROBERT LINCOLN'S BUTLER.
HE ACCUSED HIMSELF OF R0RBU6
MRS. BRADLEY MARTIN.
The London Police Did Not BELIEVE lHlA,
and by Minister 1dneoin's Request Ne
Was Re'essed-ressra ssss PlAee, lie Uss
comes Melancholy and KllIs HinssiE.

The london Police Did Not Relieve Hlu,
snd by Minister liseoin's Request Ne
Was Reaessed-Lcssre nss rlAee. He 1ss
comes Melancholy and Kiils HiassiE
LONDON. Dec. administer Lincoln. some
time ago. engaged as butler at the American
Legation an Enelishmnn named John Thornp-
son. The references given by Thompson were
first-class. He had been assistant butler at
Woddesdon Manor for Baron Ferdinand Roth.
schild. In that place he Ind given complete
satisfaction. fact which would have recon-
mended him to any house in England. and his
certificate OF character showed that he was i'm.
plicitly trusted in household where iewelry
is a conspicuous feature. Minister Lincoln
was pleased to be able to get butler Of unex-
ceptionable character. and reposed tho same
confidence In Thompson that his former EN-.
ployer had.
About month ago Mrs. Bradley Martin. the
American society leader. was guest OF Mr.
and Mrs. Lincoln. A valuable diamond spray
was missing during Mrs. Martins stny. It
was IN article OH which Mrs. Martin set much
value. apart from It's intrinsic worth. which
was largo. as indicated by the reward OF f5OO
which abe offered for its recovery. A most
minute search was made throuCho the lega-
ton. but no trace OF the Jewel was found The
butler WIS not suspected, and no one thought
OF asking him any questions.
Grent was the surprise. therefore. OF Minis.
ter Lincoln, when. about n week after the loss
OF the diamond spray. Thompson went to
Scotland Yard and confessed that lie was the
thief who had taken Mrs. Martins iewelry. and
Tint he felt It n duty to surrender himself for
punishment. and that ever since the robbery
Sotwithstanaies the o eomrossiom the police
aiiogether coherent. He could mi. Or did not,
there was n natural British reluctance t. he.
lieye i possihls that u British butler; with
can; Tho police Thought it much more likely
tnne he hn w. Kns serset ad ey
ton thr !" 6e sey shsd for sS
did not consider that thsra was eyidehcs to
snIt. could no, be taken buck Into tbs services
4, at a onsrap q %sns Ssx
an English house seryant without character a;,
DERIVED ed SI his means of
pioymrnt. but WAS unable to secure any en-
H"sw srdsn care reson wick Is JIG
haunt OF the aristocratic demi.monde. In;
making a living. he seemed to become more
ri IN thu aran nn s sSs %sr
can Legation with his employment In Onslow
Gardens.
On Tuesday evening he said to nis wife: II
nm feeling tired. think will lie down." He
then went UP stairs. fcw moments after his
cion that something was wrong. She rushed
up stairs. Tho blood WAS flowing from n hor-
was still hacking away. as II determined to
make sure work Of it. AS she ran toward him
her. ind In q few moments he was dead.
>, Public opinion incllnos to, ,ths. heltee thet
jewel. and that sis conduit al tke time q the
confession which the police thought pointed
to insanity. was really the eSpressioneof the
plating his. guilt and consequent loss Of
character. The theory ia that. after years OF
tempted by Il gang u burglars engaged IN .
snneri2r Iine Of robbery and that after tAkne
he repented Of bis dishonesty