New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-17
HE ISACLEvER HOTELTHIEF
MR. "EDER" AT THE GILSEY WAS MR..
"GLENNON" AT THE BRUNSWICK.
AN APPEAL FOR MERCY MADE USELESS by A
RECOGNITION IN CoURT-BETRAYED DY

AN APPEAL FOR MERCY MADE USELESS by A
RECOGNITION IN CoURT-pETRAYED DY
FOOTPRINTS IN THE DUST
One OF the best specimens OF the hotel thief Is
tall portly. responsible looking. mddIe-aged man.
whose short-cropped !ron-gray hair heavy black
mustache. keen blue eyes and military carriage
sometimes suggest memories OF Gettysburg To the
police he IL known Peter j. Elder. But this
name Is evidently assumed. and his distinguished
presence and natural refinement OF manner make 1t
evident that he had occupied good social
position. The methods which brought him before
Recorder Smyth in Part III Of General Sessions, on
Monday, while by no means original snow
thorough acquaintance with the business or ROBBERY
On January 3 Mr.. Elder" entered the Gi.sey House.
and registering from New-Jersey, engaged room
No. 800. in the annex. He carried light overcoat
and valise The hallboy who took him to his
room noticed that the valise was empty, and shook
1t in way calculated to attract the attention OF
the clerk, but failed
In Room $40, adjoining Mr.. Elder" was Herman man. G
Leonard. a manufacturer. of Denver. MI "Eder,
left alone in the room. at proceeded to bust
ness. First ascertalning that Mr.. Leonard was
and the... stepping OUT Of the window to the IRE.
escape. opened the window OF Mr.; Leonards room
yer toilet and minor articles Of jewelry worth h
in all about $50. to reward him for his trouble and
lie remana% S 1T the ' Soe going in and
the same as other guests and taxing careiuI n0te
OF tHOSc WHO wore JeWcTy Out Hc NJ W.
Their opportunity Of pecuation until Mr. Leonard
returned about midnight and discovered the Inert
Detective Caravan attached 10 the hotel the next
morning made examination of the hre-escape,
which carries an accumulation OF dust Outside SD,
Mr. Leonards window he discovered that the dust
had been disturbed by footmarks that led TO MIR.
Elders room. Caravan stood in the Office wa CHI
ing all the exits until "Eder' came down the ee-
vator valise in hand. and overcoat on his arm.
Then he started to stroll out. Canavan stopped
him and I'D him to the office. where the bag was
opened. In 1t was NJ. Leonards property.
Canivan took his prisoner TO Jefferson Market
IDolip ylhp Ter
ned for trial. Somehow the case escaped the notice
OF the police court reporters. and on Monday NJ.
Elder" was tried before Recorder Smyth and con-
victed OF burglary in the second degree Ambrose
H. Puroly his coun se. made emotional appeal
for mercy. telling in broken accents how his client
had yielded temptation and fallen. when James
Morrison. the chief clerk at the Brunswick stepped
forward and identified the prisoner as man who.
under the name of Giennon. had in the same way
stolen property from a room at that house ON
hearing this Recorder Smyth suspended sentence
until Friday to afford opportunity for the produc
ton OF further evidence.
subsequent investigation goes to show that other
hotels uptown have been victimiZed by the same
man Of property worth several hundred dollars and
l. likely TO receive the heaviest punishment al
by law