The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-19
WAS A PRONOUNCED CROOK.
Exploits Of ]. B. Pelber in RichmOn'
and Petersburg.
STOLE A YOUNG LADY'S RIH(
And Sold 1t for se.oO-After Committing
Many Petty Thefts Here lie Went to
Petersburg, Where He Relieved -
Joweller of s400 Worth OF Gems.

The exploits OF Fritz Miller alias j. II
Felber, both In Richmond and Petersburg
in the last three weeks prove him 20 bt
a crook OF the most pronounced type
and he Is row being anxiolsly sougai
after by the police OF both cities. as wei
as the guardians Of tho peace Of WASH
ington and New York, TO one of which
places he is thought to have fed.
CAME TO RICHMOND.
About thTeo weeks ago Felbcrs, as hi
then called Himself, arrived in Richmond
and engaged board at 1i0 north Eighth
street. where he represented himself az
a physical director. and led those VIII
whom he talked 10 believe that he had
been selected TO take the place OF Mr..
Anton Schatzel. who for long time
past has had charge Of the Y. NJ. c. A,
gymnasium. and who recently resigned
his position there.
Feber stayed in Richmond for somt
time. He made himself very agreeable al
his boarding-house. and paid hts board
right along until toward the end OF hi.
soJourn. lie made the acquaintance OF
a young lady who lived a short distance
from where he was stopping, and as Ia
had great deal of spare time on hii
hands, was quito frequently In her com.
pany. The evening before fclbcr left
Richmond he called to see this young
lady. He said nothing whatever 10 hei
about his iI pending departure. Indeed,
on the contrary, he assured her that he
intended to live and die In RichmOd.
As Felber was leaving ho playtully took
from the young lfCy's hand massi'd
gold ring. saying that he was going to
wear IL a while for her. She made
play ful effort to recover her property,
but Felber had so completely gained ner
confidence that she saw him wear II
away without any misg,yinsS
STOLE 4 RING.
As later &pyclCpmcnts showed, Felbet
had ado w As mird 10 leave Richmond,
but old not have the necessary funds to
enable him TO do 30 In style. lie. there.
fore, took the ring around 70 Samuel
BaChraChs and disposed Of 1t to him for
$3.50 lie returned 10 his boarding-housc.
got his supper. and retired. When the
household aWoke In the mo-aing the star
bOarder was gone. With him went, In
edition 10 the proceeds trom his TAR
friends ring, razor when belonged 10
one of the bcaTders at ll9, also a clock
and geld zen. the property OF a colored
JeWeller named Payne.
Mr.. A. Nendlinger. the well-known and
reliable tailor on Bank street. had "A mar
row escape from being ylctiml2ed by Eel
ber That gentleman called on him during
the early part Of his stay here. and had
his measure taken for $50 suit OF clothes.
When the suit was finished Folbcr ten
dered Mr.. Wendlinger in payment a
did not like the appearance OF the check,
and refused To sW0p a good suit OF clothes
and $3.50 in cash for "nshy-looklns
check.
FOUND IN NETERsBURG.
Some days after the departure Of Eel
Der, q gentleman VINO boarded Ia the
same house with him. had occasion 10
go over TO Petersburg, and there met
Felber. He Immediately taxed him with
his unseemly conduct while n Richmond,
and uphraded him especially for having
behaved so badly about the gold ring OF
his young lady friend. Feiber denied alt
allegations in toto, and declared that the
ring he sold Bachrach was his own per-
sonh property.
Later in the day this gentleman again
came across Felber in the jewelry store
Of Mr. a. ID. Harding. one OF Petersburg
most prominent dealers IN the precious
metals. Felber begged the gentleman not
20 say anything 10 Mr. Harding about
his shady doings I'm the capital city say
ing he had good position In his store,
and did not want to lose IL.
Upon his return 20 Richmond. this gem
tleman went at once 10 the young lady,
and told her that he had discovered her
quondam admirer I'm the Cockade city,
where he held a position OF trust In a
tewelry store, TO the great peril OF his
WROTE TO PETERSBURG.
The young lady lost no time in writing
to Felbcr but enclosed the letter To Mr..
u,
turn II over 10 his employe.
As later events proved. Mr.. Harding
did this. and took Felher 10 task about II.
Tho latter in his frank ingenious man
ner denied the charge. and agreed 20 go
10 Richmond with Mr.. Harding and prove
that he was not Felber. who was accused
OF so many crimes, but was really Fritz
Miller. an upright and most estimablc
young man.
Just after receiving this letter Mr.. Hard
In trD1 a ffIorhnna
Richmond telling him that his wife was
very sick. and he must come over nj once.
lie at once took the train for this city,
leaving his business in charge or Felber
Before going however he arranged with
his clerk 10 come over Sunday. and clear
up his besmlrched escutcheon.
DIDN'T SHOW UP. gt
Felber told Mr.. Harding that he would
meet him between 3 and o'clock sun
day afternoon at ll9 north Eighth street.
and az the appointed time the latter
gentleman showed up promptly ar tho
hoarding house and inquired Tor him,
but found that he had not been bere
nor had he been heard from: lie I'M
meiiately bethought him OF his precious
stock AT home under the sole super
vision Of Feibcr. and made haste 10 the
train He hurried back 10 petersburg,
and found AIS fears but 10 well founded.
Felber, or Miller, as he knew him. was
gone accompanied by rings. diamonds.
and watches. 20 the value or at least
500.
The ring which Harding sold TO Bach
rach has been recovered by the police
OF this city, and is now at the Office or
the Chief OF Police. where the young
lady can obtain II upon payment OF 81 80.
She, however. is unwilling 20 pay this
amount. and declares that as the ar
ticle was stolen goods. the pavnbroker
should lose what he gave for H..
]. II. Felber alias Fritz Miller Is de-
scribed as n well-knit smooth-faced fei-
lou With keen dark hves He ALWAYS
dresses neatly. in dsik clothes and
wears n silver badge on his vest. lie
sneak with a strong German accent.