Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-08-24
LIKES TO STEAL.
Mrs. Hatch a Victim Of
KIeptOmania.
WORKED BOSTON STORES.
Parting With Ill Cotton Gains Re-
vealed the Story Of Her Life.

BOSTON, Aug 24.-In the Lowell general
hospital In the city OF Lowell there lies at
the point of death a woman who, for her
whole life long, has been victim OF klep-
tomania.
Her true name is Mrs. Mary A. Hatch,
but during the 10 years in which she has
been known to the police Of Boston she
has borne numerous aliases, among others
those of Stevens and Hammond. The lat
ter is the name she has most commonly
used
BY birth she was connected with some
Of the best people In the city, and the light
fnc with which she was let of OH both oc-
casions was due, SO the talk at police head
quarters was at the time, to the close re-
lationship which she bore to one Of the fire
commissioners Of that time, whose name
was not given.
She was the wife Of George Hatch, a
printer, who moved to Lowell sew
eral years ago. Mr.. Hatch's reputation
was always Of the best, and there Is good
reason to believe that up to the time OF his
death, which occurred little more than a
year ago, he was In complete
Ignorance OF His wife's Action.
After his death Mrs. Hatch lived alone
for a while until, In June last, tiring of
her solitary life, she was received into
home for destitute girls in Lowell, called
"The Open Door"
From Boston she brought with her an
enormous quantity Of baggage, consisting
OF four trunks, six barrels and several
cases of goods. These, at her request,
were stored in the garret of the Home
There she stayed until her removal TO
the hospital on Aug. 10. She had resisted
every effort made TO force her To work and
was on the point OF being turned out OF
the home when her fatal sickness overlook
her.
She was informed by the physicians at
the Lowell hospital on Wednesday that
the chances for her recovery were ex-
tremely doubtful. She Immediately called
the matron to her bedside and informed
her that she desired to give her all her
property, and bill of sale was made oyer
For n Consideration OF 81.
The matron went To where tho woman
said the goods could be found, and found
four trunks eight packing cases, 1vo bar
rels, two big baskets and several bundles
containing vclvets, silks, handkerchiefs,
jewelry and various other articles.
She notified the police, and the Hatch
woman was interviewed by them. She
confessed that the goods had been stolen
from stores In Boston. She says that some
of the property had been In her possession
the past eight years, and that she had been
accommodating ever since.
1t has Just been learned that she made
number of trips to Boston from Lowell
during the past four months, and IL is
supposed that she is the person who has
been robbing women Of pocketbooks at diff
ferent dry goods stores.
Everything that could possibly be done
for the woman by her relatives TO persuade
her to give up her nefarious work has been
dome and for a time she would obey their
wishes. In short time she would break
out again, and by her daring manner Of
conducting her work she would invariably
eyade the inspectors.
Treasured Her Goods.
Seven years ago, when the first case was
made out against her, she was good
looking woman Of about 90. of youthful
appearance for her age and generally
dressed In the height of fashion.
The most curious fact in connection
with the woman's long career of thievery
appears to be that she has never sold or
even offered for sale any of the articles
which she took from the various stores.
As she told the Lowell officers, and later
Inspector Knox, her collection was begun
over eight years ago, and has been steadily
accommodating ever since and nothing has
been taken from 1t.
The inspector and those who know her
say that stealing has been mania with
her all her life long, ard that she stole not
for the monetary value Of the article, but
simply to acquire.
Inspector Knox returned to the city last
night with samples Of the goods, and to-
day will make another tour of the stores
for the purpose Of having the goods identi-
fed.