Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-29
A SLIPPERY {" MIG"
Detective Donaghy Of Philadelphia,
Tells the Journal About Pitts.
Says He Has al Last Discovered the Parties
Who Stole the $500.


by Journal man, to whom he relate,
the story about Pitts, alias Brown, VIII,
was lodged in Jail few days ago on in
formation from Philadelphia, that he wa
wanted in that city on charge of obtaining
money which he knew had been stolen.
The beginning Of the story dates from
November 81, when the house of Mis-
Annie Brooks On South Broad street
Philadelphia, was set on fire in the ell, il
a room that contained two trunks il
which Miss Brooks had $4,000 in notes
and $500 In gold. The fire was very
slight and the damage very small When
the firemen arrived Miss Brooks requested
that they would not disturb anything and
that she would clean away the rubbish,
the fire having been extinguished with
but little trouble. She soon discovered
that the money that was in the trunks
had disappeared, but kept quiet about it.
Mrs. Pitts, who had been in the employ
Of Miss Brooks about 10 years had gone
away, having borrowed from her SO.
Miss Brooks did not make any COM
plant until about two weeks ago, when
she went to the mayors office and told the
story. Detective Donaghy was assigned
the case and has succeeded in placing
under arrest all the parties that have been
implicated in the crime
After the fire was set and the money
stolen Mr.. and Mrs. Pitts fitted in very
fine style a house in Philadelphia that
had 13 rooms They had handsome lace
curtains, Brussels CARPETS, and the best
of furniture. Here they lived in the
greatest of luxury for several months, I'M
til they got wind that the detectives were
on the track, and then they took sudden
departure. Perhaps it would be well to
mention tho fact that previous to taking
up their quarters In the house which
they had SO finely equipped they took a
trip into North Carolina, where Pitts says
he was born. While there they took their
friends by storm with their array of snowy
dress and splendor, living almost equal
to that of the most aristocratic families.
Detective Donaghy Investigated the fire
and soon came to the conclusion that it
was somewhat crooked in its origin. 1t
did not take him long to decide that it
must be some one that knew the premises
we'll that set the fire. Suspicion soon at
tached itself to Mrs. Pitts and he at once
began search for her. Mrs. Pitts and her
husband had been very familiar with a
man and woman by the name of Doug
lass, and when they learned that the de-
tectiyes were on the trail for them they
left Philadelphia for small town in the
suburbs After passing while here they
departed for Hartford county, Maryland
and took up quarters in the negro huts
and still kept on the lookout least the
officers should steal down upon them when
they did not expect 1t.
The trail was scented and the detective
was soon on the way for the county
named. He found man who had hauled
them to a certain place some distance
away. Somehow the folks received infor-
nation that the detective was on the way
there and when he arrived found Doug
lass and his wife, but Pitts and his better
half had fled One had taken one road
and the other travelled in the opposite
direction The detective found that Pitts
had q 500 bill changed at one of the rail
road stations not far from the place where
he had been staying and had purchased
a ticket for Maine. This was the last that
the officer learned of Pitts, until he was
kind enough to write for his trunk and
then he was located and arrested in this
city.
Mrs. Pitts, who was also bound for
Maine was not so successful in making
her escape ana was caught in Harrisburgh,
by the detective taking train and travel
ing in the opposite direction to her, which
resulted in their meeting in the city
where she was arrested. 1t was last week
that she was arrested and is now in jail
with Mr. and Mrs Douglass at Philadel-
phia.
Mrs. Pitts had purchased some very
elegant costumes, one of which was pink
silk dress, covered with rosettes. To
match the dress she had pink slippers and
stockings, and flashy hat of the same
color.
Pitts was also bound to put on style
and had bought very fine gold headed
cane and fine wearing apparel When
asked why the lady from whom the money
was stolen did not make complaint before
the detective said that she gave as the
reason that she was afraid that people
would laugh at her
Detective Donaghy had with him the
requisition papers for the removal OF
Pitts from this State to Pennsylvania.
Governor Cleaves being in Portland he
was Obliged to leave here for that place,
Yesterday morning, to see the Governor,
which he did returning on the evening