Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-17
A DETECTIVES STORY
Mr.. Flinders Subjected to a Severe
Cross-E1amination.
T H A n KIN RING
He Insists That He Saw Mrs. Rasland Take
1t, but 1t Was Not Found on Her-Other
Witnesses Give Their Testimony in the
Case.

After Tue Stars report of the trial of the
suit of Mrs. Fannie c. Ragland against Messrs
Woodward Il Lothrop, the proprietors of tn,
Boston House establishment, 11th and F streets
and W. S. Hendricks, their manager, ant
Charles Z. Flinders, the private detective EN-
ployed by them, for false arrest, closed yester
day afternoon, S. H. Edmonston identified
plat of the store and explained that from tn,
balcony and the superintendent desk a goot
view of the silver counter could be had.
Resuming the stand Detective Flinders ex
planned his duties and said that he never acted
on the reports of others in apprehending sus
pected shoplifters. The purchase check in
variably inserted in goods purchased at the
store was not found in the package OF station
cry bought by Mrs. Ragland and her sister
Mr.. Davis offered to place in evidence a copy
of such check, but on the objection of Mr..
Hamilton. first, that it would tend to prove
nothing in the case on trial, and, second. thai
such checks are often thrown away by the pur-
chaser, the offer was overruled, and after Mr..
Davis noted an exception the witness was
turned over to Mr.. Hamilton for cross-exami-
nation.
FLINDERS cRoss-ExAMINED.
To Mr.. Hamilton Mr.. Flinders stated that be
was tried in the Police Court on a warran,
charging him with assault upon Mrs. Ragland.
Upon Mr.. Davis objection the witness was moi
allowed to state what the result Of that trial
was. He did not leave Baltimore because OF
any criminal charge or indictment. He had
been criminaily indicted here thirty-two times
in connection with McElfresh, McDevitt and
others, he believed.
Mr.. Flinders stated that he had never re-
ceived $4,000 from a party alleged to have
robbed the National Metropolitan Bank. He
had received about $3.50 from Mr.. Geo. Ii. b.
ito forr %, 20 kax
stolen from the bank. Witness believed that he
was indicted because it was alleged that he had
received the $50. 900 said to have been stolen
from the bank His employment in the Boston
House had been maze by Mr.. Hendricks, the
firms manager. In his duties about the store
he was left to do as he thought proper. He
had never had any one suspected of shoplift-
ing searched. He had made no effort to
find Mrs. Young. the matron. who searched
Mrs. Ragland and her sister. He had taken
parties to the room previous to that to be
searched. il necessary. Such things were re-
ported to Mr.. Hendricks. He had also talked
with the firm concerning suspected parties he
had taken to the small room. When he first
saw Mrs. Ragland toying with the napkin ring
he did not know that the clerk was not at the
counter.
WHAT EXCITED HIS SUSPICION.
Sand the fact" remarked Mr.. Hamilton,
''that you saw Mrs. Ragland holding the napkin
ring up in plain view of every one alone served
to excite your suspicions?''
"les. sir. it did" replied the witness.
Continuing, Mr.. Flinders said he heard Miss
Laura o. Hare tell her sister to take the ring,
and the clerk at the ruching counter near
enough to hear her. He then saw Mrs. Rag
land place the ring in her bosom. At the time
Miss o. Hare had placed herself between her
sister and the clerk at the ruching counter. He
did hear cit her If then, mo.
take THE one. Those we have selected are the
prettiest."
The witness said he did not know the value
Of the ring nor did he know what became of it.
Mrs. Ragland never denied taking, only de-
MED having it. He said the ring was not found
upon the ladies or in the room or where they
had been standing. He shook their skirts.
with their permission?" inquired Mr.. Ham,
ilton.
mo. SIR" replied the witness.
.You examined Mrs. Highlands pocket?''
"Yes. SIR"
with her permission?'
''She held it open for me-"
And their skirts?'
mo, SIR"
"You saw Mrs. Ragland place the ring in her
bosom?"
"Yes, SIR"
"Then you made her bosom the first point OF
attack?''
"Oh, you drew the line at skirts and
pockets?''
IL did not search her bosom"
Nou took the two young ladies into the
room. shut the door and examined them, and
they made no protest?'
Mrs. Ragland said, Never mind. He can't
find it,
Continuing. the witness said neither Mrs.
Ragland nor her sister requested him to send
for their brother or for their pastor, Father
Ryan. They did ask him to send for some one,
and he volunteered to send for Mr. Hendricks.
DID NOT THINK HE HAD MADE MISTAKE.
He heard the ladies ask Mr. Hendricks to send
for their brother, George O'Hare. 1t did no,
occur to witness that he had made a mistake
when he discovered that they were the sisters
of Mr.. O'Hare. They had three separate pack
ages. hosiery, toilet bottles and stationery. He
did not say in the Police Court that there was
but one package. He was told at the Boston
Variety Store that the bottles had not been
"Who told you that9'' inquired Mr.. Hamil-
ton.
"Mr. Adams"
''He told you that they had not been sold
there?"
"Yes, sir. 1 mean that day."
But you said just now that they had NOT
been sold there at all. did you not?'
swell. mean that MIR. Adams told me that
they were not sold there that day."
oh. that is what you now mean to saw.
is it?'' ''
"Ycs. SIR"
The witness said that Mrs. Ragland did NOT
appear to be angry, and that her sister only
objected to being searched after the matron
came into the room. He denied witnessing
the search made by the matron but said he fell,
sure that it was not as thorough as it might
have been.
The cross-examination of the witness had not
been concluded when, at 8 O'Clock, the court
adjourned until 10 this morning.
THE TESTIMONY TO-DAY.
When the case was resumed this morning the
court room was crowded to its utmost capacity.
Detective Flinders resumed the stand and Mr.
Hamilton continued the cross-examination
The witness said he probably detained Mrs.
hagiand and her sister after they and the room
had been searched but said he could give no
reason Tor doing so. He had taken other sus-
pected persons to the room, but had
near searched them. He took the lady's pocket
book and examined it. He could give no idea
OF Its size or contents. He could not begin to
recollect all the ladies said while in the
room. 1t was very ordinary oc-
currence for him to detain ladies'
in the room. He often did that. He had no
police authority for so doing. He never so de-
tanned parties unless he caught them in the act
He had detained as many rs $50 in that
way. He understood Mr. Hendricks and
the hrm were aware of such acts on his mart
and he had never been reprimanded by them
for so acting. he was acquainted with Adolf