New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-30
FOOLED A CLETER ROGUE
HOW COLONEL J. G CALHOUN RECOV-
Erred HIS OVERCOAT

TIIiEF"S SPIDER, AND WHEN TIE COAT WAS
RETURNED THE MAN WAS "NIPPED."
In the recent records the Detective Bureau
at Police Headquarters there has been no more
interesting or amusing case than one which de-
veloped yesterday in Philadelphia. In which
Colonel John c. Calhoun. If No. 80 Broadway
Colonel Cahoun's overcoat and sn experienced
hotel thief figure prominently. Colonel Calhoun
is a descendant OF the great Southern statesman
He himself is promoter OF mining and railroad
progress.
Tuesday week ago the Colonel went 10 the
Waldorf Hotel. wearing fine overcoat. In the
pocket of which were number OF valuable busi-
ness papers. He left the overcoat for moment
on chair in the hotel Lobby. ard when he looked
for It, Il missing. He reported the robbery
mex: day TO Acting Chief O'Brien OF the Detec-
tive Bureau, at Police Headquarters but received
little encouragement that he would recover either
the garment or the papers Or Monday, however.
the Colonel received letter, headed The COM
mercial Hotel, Meadvle. Penn" and dated the
previous day. Sunday which ran as follows:
/ am given to understand that you lost some
rather valuable papers as well az an oyercoa, the
other evening al the Waldorf Everything VIII be
returned TO you not an iota missing on we RECEIPT
of $50 How and when said money can be safe!y
about tho transfer-depends altogether or yourself
Put al in next Sundays paper signed three
warding some OF your rather lengthy letters to
parties interested in your various promoting deals
w0u the pc present. holders thereof Most respectfully
| yours. a. ~ ~
WENT TO A DETECTIVE.
The Colonel took the letter to Police Head
quarters and asked Acting Captain OSrien's ad-
vice The acting captain thought over the mat
ter for a few minutes. and after ascertalning
that Colonel Calhoun prepared to be guided
entirely by his advice dictated the following ad-
vertisement:
XXx;-Lette. received in reference to oy ,soat
Hotel Viii pay reward asked Please arrange mat
ter Strictly confidential. NM.
The advertisement was duly published on sun
day, and on Monday morning the Colonel received
reply postmarked Philadelphia. 1t directed
the Colonel to take the $3.50 S:45 p. m. train to
Philadelphia. On arriving at the Broad-st. depot
In that city he was to leave the train and walk
10 General McClellan's statue. on the City Hall
plaza and cross to cigar store. where he was TO
purchase a cigar He then 10 return to the
statue and If his arrival was attended by no siis-
picious circumstances the letter writer promised
that he would meet the holder of his overcoat and
papers who would exchangD them for the $500
The concluding portion Of the letter said
have one thing to tell you that l somewhat
indignant about. The coat was very large one
and only fitted one Of hs honest o o., NATURAL sn1as
and pawned 1t. l have, however. been successful
eg the so1 pape4 nne sa 6s
amount So and your fare back and forth from
New-York and stand the loss out OF my own share
mink 1t both fair and square as am not as big
rascal l look. -,
were a wall Street flyer. But please remember what
l now tell you Don't for Gods sake come here
s w'a h ine end II you have Communicated with the
detectives even, in the most remote degree your
nil he fTfIifle ". "A.
POSED AS THE COLONEL.
On receipt of the letter the Colonel took 1t to
his counsellor. Captain OBren. The captain
concluded that in spite of all his precautions
il would not be difficult matter to capture the
thief He told the Colonel To leave the case
in his hands. and the Colonel agreed to do so.
Detective Flay was assigned to the case. He
took the letters and went to Philadelphia, where
he consulted with Chief Of Police Linden. Chief
Linden assigned Detective Charles Keller to
assist Flay. Keller is a large man. and some
what resembles Colonel Calhoun. He went with
Flay to the Broad-st depot where Keller went
inside the platform railing, and when the 4;35
train came In mingled with the passengers and
walked out prominently displaying the white
handkerchief Flay kept him in sight. but no
thief appeared. and the detectives began to fear
that they had been recognized. and that he was
keeping under cover.
on the arrival of the $40 train from Jersey
City the performance was repeated however, ara
when Detective Keller reached McCellan's
dressed elderly gentleman stepped up TO him
"Ah the Colonel believe" remarked the ed
erly gentleman.
Yes sir" replied the detective. Here is
nv card" And he handed card insert bed
John Caldwell Calhoun to the stranger.
We'll. now. you don't look as though you
would fit that coat" the man continued. throw
ing a suspicious glance over the detectives big
frame
81 wear 45-sze coat anyhow" said the sup
posed victim.
The thief seemed satisfied
We'll / guess you the colonel all Ght'
he remarked Il am ready TO do business.
The detective showed a roll OF bills. and the
stranger promptly took Colonel Cahoun's papers
from his pocket and handed them to him.
MARKING Then here are your papers.
AS he did Detective Hay. who had been
standing behind the statue but within earshot,
stepped forward and laying his hand on the
strangers shoulder said quietly: you are my
prisoner
Trapped by thunder remarked the elderly
gentleman. well. I'll give in but. Colonel you
might have played fair"
SAW THE REAL COLONEL
The Colonel smiled and assisted the New
York officer to take his prisone~ to Police Head
quarters There the stranger learned the Colonefs
real identity He gave his name as James Smith.
but was recognized as Charles Ward, an old-tifne
hotel thief and confidence who appears In
the RoEues' Gallery at Police Headquarters as
No l476 He arraIgned In Judge Smiths
court In Phila 1epha yesterday morning, and
was held TO await requisitio-. He is one Of the
leading criminals OF his kind in the country.
NOTES or THE STAGE.
At the Garden Theatre tonight Joseph jefferson
will make his last appearance In THE Cricket
aud end Me