Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-16
He Tells His Story of the Searching Of the
Plaintiff to Recover q Napkin Ring That
He Claims He Saw Her Take-He Denies
Several Statements as to Indignities Of
fered Her and Her sister.

slderably from It, Ex-Detective Block testlfled
that Flinders WAS not connected with the police
force at the time Of the arrest of Mrs. Ragland.
He stated that Flinders told him that he had
detected the plaintiff taking some articles in
the store and secreting them, but that she was
too "fy'' for him.
Today's Testimony.
DR.. Irving C. Rose was the first witness
called this morning and testified as to the nerv-
GUS condition Of Mrs Ragland, which, he said,
could be ascribed a. the result of the incident
at the Boston House.
Miss Lille A. Burns, friend of Mrs. Rag
land, testified as to the very excitable condi-
ton Mrs. Ragland was in when she reached
at the store. The summer follow
ing witness believed Mrs. Ragland was
nearly insane as a consequence Of her treatment
at the store. She was better now. but still
brooded over the affair. To Mr.. Davis the wit
ness said Mrs. Ragland had never been Of very
Mrs. Ann O'Hare, the mother Of Mrs. Rag
land, also testified as to the condition OF her
daughter. She explained that before the oc-
currence Mrs. Ragiand was in good health. but
since then had suffered great deal.
Mrs. Ellen Brown testified that a'few DAYS
after the occurrence at the Boston House store
she exchanged some hosiery for Mrs. Raglsnd
at Pearson's store.
Theodore Einiore. an elderly man, identified
a letter written to him by Mrs. Ragland on
January 30. 1891. inviting him to her wedding.
Inc ,s envelope was postmarksd"s p M. January
George A. O'Hare, brother of Mrs. Rag
land, testified that she came to his store on the
afternoon Of January 80, 1891; that she was in a
very distressed condition. and that bis brother
carried her home in a carriage.
Ihos W. Smiley testified that Mrs. Ragland
and her glctar cnlIod OF Nat 81
Museum and that she was in a greatly dis
turbed and nervous state. =, W. t,ia-
BOSTON HOUSE EMPLoYEs rEsTIRY.s =
A. F. Tucker testified that he was employed
at the Boston House on january 80, 1891, and
left the next day because of a difference be-
tween him and the manager. He described the
room into which Mrs. Ragland and her
sister were taken by Flinders as a close
dark one. about six by ten feet with no win
dowE, and used to show of silk goods by gas
light. de saw Mrs. Ragland and her sister
taken into The room and saw them leave it.
They were there quite while.
To Mr.. Davis the witness said he resigned at
the request Of the manager. not at the request
OF Mr.. Hendricks. The small room was one in
which the customers Of the firm we're shown
goods.
Peter C. Trainor. floor walker of the Boston
House. explained his duties and said that Mr..
Flinders had been in the employ Of the firm
about four years, as chief of the secret service
department OF the store.
To DIR. Davis the witness said Mr. Flinders
had been employed by Mr.. Hendricks and that
his duties were many and varied. He said that
the firm now employed about nine hundred
people, and in January, 1884, about five hun
dred The firm had prepared a book defining
the status Of the employees. and in that book
Flinders was designated as chief of the secret
service. He understood that Flinders duties
vva to WIN tho {svp, nd t,as~
To the court the witness explained that Film
ders' duties consisted in OBTAINING people sus-
pected OF shopliftiug and compelling them to
give up The goods they were suspecte Of steal
ing.
ME-. FLINDERS ON THE STAND.
This Closed the case for the plaintiff. and
without making an opening address to the jury
Mr.. Davis called Mr.. Chas. E. Flinders to
the stand. Mr.. Flinders testified that he
had been engaged by Mr.. W. s. Hendricks.
He was private detective. and his duties were
to detect and prevent shopllfting. He usually
went to the store about half an hour
before the store was opened, ana
after seeing that everything was going along
all right would go home for breakfast. After
breakfast he would return and remain until the
store closed. He was all over the building. at
tending to whatever he thought proper TO be
done.
Mr.. Flinders said he had no authority from
Messrs. Woodward 4 Lothrop or from any one
else to make arrests. He never accused
any one Of theft until he mad
seen them in the act He would
not put such persons under arrest. but merely
put them out o: the store. He had been de-
tective for twenty years. He came TO WASH
ington in 1878 and was employed in the re-
demption bureau Of the Treasury Department.
He was there three years. and then engaged
here in the detective business He had never
been a member Of the District police force.
Mr.. Davis sought to show the experience and
Qualifications OF the witness a detective, but
on objection the offer was overruled and an
exception noted.
THE CASE OF MRS. RAGLAND.
Continuing. the witness stated that he had
elected number Of crooks from the store, and
once allowed pickpocket to go ahead in his
work for a moment to show Mr.. Hendricks
how such persons worked. He then elected the
crook. A plat of the store was identified by
the witnesses and 1t was explained that q per-
son. in 1881. standing in the balcony could
easily overlook the silver counter. Re-
ferring to the occurrence OF January 80, 1891.
Mr.. Flinders said he saw Mrs. Ragand and her
sister at the silver counter. He saw Mrs. Rag
land towing with napkin ring;
it, and continued to watch them. Her sister
was walking up and down at the
time, acting as "a STALL for Mrs. Rag
land. moment later he heard Mrs
Highlands sister say. "Now take it," which she
did He walked slowly down to them and
quietly said: BE kind enough to put that
napkin ring back. She smiled and said
'What ring?' He thel touched them on the arm
and said: "Eindly step into this room" Miss
Laura O'Hare began to cry. when be said thai
he didn't want to have a scene, and then Mrs.
Ragland said: ''Yes, let US 60 there. :"
On reaching the room Mrs. Ragland
said: "Now, find it." He examined
the packages and the coats of the
ladies. He did not search the clothing or per-
son OF either of them. He then sent for Ny.
Hendricks, explained the affair to him. and
later sent for Mrs. Young, the
matron, who searched the young women.
He did not remain in the room while the
matron searched them. He stood Just outside
the open door. The ladies gave their brothers
name and asked that he be sent for. Mr..
Hendricks said ne could not send for
him, but offered them a messe niger. He
found three package in possession of Mrs. Rag
land and her sister. wrapped in newspapers
hosiery. toilet bother and stationery. The fol-
loving day witness was told that he was wanted
in the Police Court.
MEETING IN RICHMOND.
Referring to his meeting with Mrs. Ragland
in Richmond IN February, 1892. the witness
said that they met on Broad street and he had
very pleasant ten-minute conversation with
her. She was very pleasant, and asked
him if q young lady clerk did not tell him that
sLa tool ha panEin rir sai6. N