Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-23
1. & 0. MEN IN TROUBLE
Detective Charles Bodkins Arrested
on a Serious Charge.
HIS WIFE'S PLEADING LETTERS,
Crap-shooting at Headquarters Reported to
the Police.
AGENT sHELLHORN RETURNS TO TOWN

/
| Tuesday The DISPATCH published the
story of Harry Shellhorn's troubles after he
entered the employ of Agent Mcclure 3
Law and Order Society. On the heels OF
that sad tale comes another even worse in
which Charles Bodkins. co-laborer of
Shellhorn's, plays the principal role.
Three weeks or more ago the Pittsburg
police received letter from Clarksburg,
W. Va. 1t notified them that Miss Emma
Johnston had disappeared from that town.
The front Office force at once went to work
on the case, but nothing was developed
| until Thurs day night, when Inspector Nc
Kelvey and Detective Shore located her at
house on Third avenue. They learned
that she and Charles Leonard were living
together as man and wife.
Very Different In this Morning.
The two were not in when the detectives
called. nor did they come until about 2
o'clock Yesterday morning. They were ar
rested and taken to Central station, where
the young lady admitted her identity. The
man proved to be Charles Bodkins, q Law
and Order detective, from papers found on
his person.
Miss Johnston is girl of Independent
spirit, and wishing to make her own living
came to Pittsburg in search of work. For
several days she canvassed the city, but
could not find employment It was on one
of these days that Bodk1ns met her, and
penniless, tired and hungry, she accepted
his propositions
Bodkins must, once have been very
different man, from the tone of some Of the
letters found on his person signed by his
wife.
Pathetic Letters From His Wife.
They showed that once Bodkins had been
lavish in his love for his wife and family,
but since he had enlisted with the Law and
Order Society he was fast drifting away
from his home ties. His little babies are
now crying for food, while his faithful wife
is begging for him to renew the love he
once bore her.
In all there were about 40 letters found
on Bodkina The majority were from his
wife, who lived at Holly, Orleans county,
New York. The most touching OF these
epistles is as follows:
HOLLY, n. r,
SUNDAY NIGHT, March q.
reached here last night. On It's arrival there
was not thing in the house from Friday for
the children, and the coal was out Thursday,
let let me MA" haVe Il It. NieS was Seye twice during,
the week and felt terrible. You should not
leave me and the children In such state
not writing in two weeks to see If they were
better since heput on that Jacket. He was
here Friday and brought me Maria's cradle
for the baby. The children are we'll. Harry
some and the babe Will soon walk. 1t has
six teeth. Your father is well. He was in
the village Friday but did not come here.
Maria and Lottie are well.
ic q hoftar mis-
lard's. We have three rooms, kitchen, large
sitting room, but nothing in it, and bed
room. The rent is due tomorrow again, as
he made that arrangement when he let mo
have it and I will have to pay Johnny
Murphy for the coal, and after getting few
things to eat last night, there will not be
day. If it was not for her could not go to
the village ut all. Let me tell you l had a
hard time hunting rooms, the half or them
were afraid to give them, fearing they would
do not sleep in the office. Since you last
wrote where do you room and boardf
Rromised to Write to Mcclure.
II you think that man Mcclure will not
pay you, will write to him and tell him 1
need the money. II it is any kind of regu-
lar office they most always pay by the week,
and you know the children will need some
clothes now, as winter is gone and the old
"duds'' will not be fit to look at on them,
and myself worse than they are. We have
not a stitch to wear to 60 on the street with.
am always left behind, but am still faith
full to you, and the poor, tossed around
babies. I am not feeling we'll myself for the
past week. lonesome and discouraged, but
still trying to keep up on account OF the
three little wanderers.
To- day is long, sad day. Your mother
was here this morning. but not tonight,
unusual, as she always comes.
The poor things are fast asleep while am
writing. They will soon lose sight OF you.
rs now they do not mention your name un-
less get letter, asking if you sent any
pennies for them. Well, this is all
tonight and hoping you will not be so long
again without writing, with love from all
tho children and myself am as ever, |
Your faithful wife. |
ROSE BoDKINs, Holly, n. Y. |
P. S.-Does Mrs. Dropple bother you, or |
have you seen her lately? II she knows |
where you are she will be after you.
Rose.
am writing this with that glass pen. it is |
so good. Rose.
The Mrs Dropple she refers to is the
woman Bodkins and his wife boarded with
before the Department of Charities sent
her out of the city.
A Trifle Shy on Board Bills.
The board bill amounted to $40, and |
never has been paid. 1t is said Bodkins
also owes the 1andlady of the boarding |
house where he kept Miss Johnston.
1