The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-26

be the case. because his wife was not only
dead hut buried at that date. Further in
veStigatiOu proved that the sister OF Mrs.
Eliza Wilson NEE Eliza McClean), whose
name Is Esther Mclean, who had been with
her sister at the time of her death. had stolen
the bank book and, with her know edge Of
her sisters affairs, had gone to the bank.
where, VeTsOuatiug The dead woman, she had
forged her name and secured the money.
Wilson and his wife had been keeping a
lodging-Eouse at al Fourth street. while
the sister, Esther, had been working about
the cry a a domestic.
The bank swallowed the bitter pill. TealiZ-
ing that II had been SWlndied by a sharper,
paid Wilson the Sl0lj g. which the Probate
Court order called for and then notified
Captain Lees Of the fraud. They described
the woman who had sWindled them. De
tective Dan CCff-y was put on the case and
began hunting up Miss Esther Mclean.
He soon found that she spent most II her
time, when at leisure, with an cid lady who
keeps i0dElE[,- house on OTafreli street,
between Mason and Taylor The detective
began 70 watch the block aud Gay after day
he saw a young woman 20 into the old
lady's house whose appearance tailed
loosely with the description of the gill
Esther except that she had fiery red hair
and was decidedly chic. while the woman
wanted was described by her acquantauces
as beng very Sedate 10 manner and dress
ing remark BY plain Finally Detective
Coffev called al the old lady's house and
asked her something about her young
friend, Esther Mclean. Tie old adv said
she knew nothing about the girls where
ab0uts and the Ted-halred damsel, who was
present at the interview. VOlun teered the
information that she had heard that
Mss Mclean had gone East" The de-
tective took more than good look al the
red-haired girl Of sporty tendencies and
came TO the conclusion that the flaming hair
was a wig. He went away apparently sat
isfied. but Tuesday night unexpectedly
called at the lodging house and asked 10 see
the red-haired girl
The andlady said the red-haired girl was
out, but the detective nae caught glimpse
Of tie flaming hair as the street door was
opened. and he pushed his way into the
house. He then went into a room off the
hall. where he found the young woman he
was looking for hidden behind a lot of
dresses in a closet. Dragged into the light
the young lady was requested TO remove her
wig, and after much persuasion did SO, and
MISS Esther Mclean stood revealed. Size
had spent portion Of tie money she had
obtained from the bank in buying & natty
hat, Eobbv cloak and dress or TWO and
the very red wig.
Once discovered Miss Esther Mclean adj
United that she was the woman who had
drawn the money from the bank, but re-
fused 10 say word more, She was taken
to the City Prison, locked up, and yesteT-
day two charges, one Of forgery and one of
false peTsonstl0D, were placed opposite her
name. When seen in the prison Miss Nc
Clean positively refused 10 be inter viewed.
She was not only uncommuuicatiye, but de-
flant. and shaking her flaming wig at the
reporters told them that she had nothing TO
say 70 any one but her attorney, and then
refused to name her legal adviser
I've done what was right The money
was as much mine as hers" snapped Miss
Mclean finally, and then she refused 10
even answer any question addressed to her.
The bank proposes to punish the young
woman, wig and all, ana Coffey says he'll
never again believe in appearances.