Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-26
NE IS A KING or RocvEs.

DA9utnK C0TeSI bu Oss~"S "
Pierce, Under Arrest in Florida.
A Lakewood CS. - special 10 the New
York World says: The society people OF
this fashionable resort were much In.
terested on Tuesday In the exclusive
story published in the World regarding
the career Of the sneak thief Pierce. now
under arrest In jacksonville. Fla, for
robberies committed In most OF the big
hotels In that State. Pierce alias Harris.
Clark, Decker. and a dozen other names.
IL probably the most unique hotel thief
that ever adopted the calling He Is
doctor. society man, traveller. ana thiet
by turns. He has always hAd two or
more women assistants who could De
palmed on as his wife. sister. cousin. or
aunt as the exigency OF the occasion de-
manded In his business as a profes-
sional thief he also kept horse and car
riage. This gave an air OF respectabiIity
and provided a means OF hasty exit. The
horse and carriage are now at Manches'
ter.
The woman who lived at the Central
Hotel. and who was known as Mrs.
Decker, is stlIl missing. She carried with
her n small handbag. II IL now de-
fnitely learned that the bag was ioadsd
with the plInder that Decker sent from
Florida Deyeetis. McAsahon. OF the
Ponce de Leon Hotel. al 81. Augustine
who ap:I'eG D.ckeT. ohs IN Manchester
to-da,. Before he left the South no
Learned thai Decker had shipped Two
boxes addressed New YORK Both or THESE
boxes were reshipped from New YORK
to Mrs. DIR. Decker. Manchester. De-
tective McAiahob does not Know the eN-
act value OF the bag. Dot he THINKS 'nAt
5000 would hardly cover the goods stolen
and not yet recovered.
OWES HIM A BILL.
DIR. Decker did not tarry very long IN
Manchester, but while he was there ne
made the acquaintance OF Postmaster
Rogers who also keeps general store
DR.. Decker won the genial postmaster
confidence. and owes him quite Dill
Mr.. Rogers has had two attachments
placed upon the Doctors" rig. As the
vehicle was in all probability stolen IL
is not thought the attachments are OK
any value.
What interests the people OF this place,
particularly In Decker Is the star en-
gagement ne played In this SVEN resort
last January He drove into town anu
nut his horse up at the Lakewood STA
bles. He was dressed In the he!snt Vi
fashion. He called at Harrison's drug
store. and asked Mr.. Harrison's advice
as 10 the best place for a physician 10
locate. Mr.. Harrison said he thought
that Lakewood had all the physicians
II could comfortably support on TINS
occasion the Doctor introduced nlmseIi
as DR.. Morgan. He was not at all as
couraged by Mr.. Harrlson's adverse opin-
ion. lie looked around for a suitable
Mace to locate. and settled upon the
Clifton. a clearinghouse near the Lake
wood. <.,.,.,,.
He Immediately attempted a FURIOUS
Irritation with the young women III 'ne
house. His distinguished manners cap
tlypted them. He told them OF MS
studies abroad, and gave the people IN the
house 10 understand that he was pnysi-
clan OF no mean ability. lie praceSeu'
however. merely for pleasure.
Dr. Morgans social career was cur
very short. lie was seen one night by
Manager Sterry, OF the Lakewood. coming
through a door used exclusively by the
servants Of the hotel. That same night
one OF the guests lost a roll OF bills ana
a diamond pin. Mr.. Sterry sent Tor
Pinkerton detective. The day following
the robbery woman came TO Lahe"ooi.
She rode. on the same train as tEe de-
tective. She was met at the depot by
Dr. Morgan. and taken to drive. Then
she returned TO New York This woman
Is the same Morgan subsequently INTRO
duced In Manchester as Mrs. Decker.
The night the detective arrived pr.
Morgan was seen at the Laurel Hotel.
That same night DR.. John Hunt. OF
Camden, guest. was robbed OF 2cO
worth OF jewels. The detective decided
that Morgan was the thief. and started
TO the Clifton to arrest him. Dr.. Nor
gan was in his room when the detective
called. He heard him make an inquiry.
opened his window. dropped his bag to
the ground, and followed it. He walked
around 10 the stable. got his carriage,
and drove of. A week later he settled In
Manchester as a physician. His subse-
quent career has already been told in the
World