Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-15
w A N 7 Ed A Rim &c
A Young Man Tries an Old Game on a
Jeweler
Well-Known i'm Alexandria - Caught
With the Diamond in His
POcket-His Denial.

There was an unsuccessful ottampt made
yesterday afternoon by a young man nam
ed w. L. lidwell OF Alexandria to rob
Fred H. Cole. the jeweler at No. 400 It'll
street northwest, bat MIR. Cole became sus-
picious Of his good customer just in time
to save the loss of q diamond ring worth
$1c6. The man who made the bold at
tempt to rob the jeweler wac arrested and
relieved Of his valuable plumber, and now
he is locked up on a serious charge. His
manner of operating was repetition of
the game Of changing packages, which has
been successfully played in all sections of
the country. kidwell, who is a cookbook
ing young man about twenty-five years old,
called at the store about noon and asked to
he shown some diamond rings. He picked
out a ring, offered check in payment,
changed the boxes ard left. The jeweler.
however, was suspicious, and no sooner
had the customer left the store than he
opened the box, only to discover that there
was nothing in it but some paper. Rush
ing from the store he saw KidweI hurry
ing down 9TH street, and on his complaint
Policeman Dyer arrested him. He had the
diamond ring in his pocket and the officer
locked him up.
The prisoner lives in Alexandria, where
he has wife and child He says he lives
at No. 22B South Washington street His
father, who was an engineer on the Rich
mond and Danviile railroad. was killed
several years ago, and the son was en-
ployed by the same company. He left that
employment and came here with the in
tention OF buying cigar store on G street.
so he says.
This morning the prisoner was measured
and photographed for the gallery. He de-
MES that he had any idea of defrauding
the jeweler. The boxes, he said, he got
from a friend who is in a jewelry store in
this city.
Known I'm Alexandria.
Young Kidwell is we'll known in Alexan-
dria, having moved to that city some five
or six years ago. in the employ of the r.
ard D. Railroad Company. He was en-
ployed by them up to about nine months
ago. He has always borne a good repu-
Ia ton here but has been considered little
off as dresser, always wearing the ex-
IRENE fashions and strutting around as
though he owned the town. He married
the daughter of Mr.. Robert N. Crook and
lived with his father-in-law at No. 226
South Washington street. He has never
been known to do anything crooked before.
He is said to have lost his position in the
r. and D. service on account of being too
fond Of gambling. Some months after be
lost his position he opened cigar store
in Washington, but was not very success
full. Some six months ago Kidwell appear
ed with a handsome diamond ring on his
hand. and. on being questioned, said he
had bought it on the inStallment plan.
1t was learned in Alexandra. this after
noon that young kidwel has been acting
in a peculiar manner for some days past,
cursing and swearing about the house. and
at one time threatening to kill his wife.
1t is also said that his wife's family will
not employ a lawyer to defend him, as they
sa5 they would rather for him to go to the
penitentiary than come back to the house
again.
Mrs Kidw,!l will II is said annly for a
divorce at once If her husband is convict
ed. and this can be secured without trouble
under the laws of the state of Virginia
upon a husband being convicted of felony.
kidwell ran away with Miss Crook about
four years ago and married her against
| the wishes of her parents.