The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-07
Proves to Be a Graduate
of Smith College.
Miss B. c. Nealley Rifled the
Rooms of Students.
Possessed Plenty OF Money in Her
Own Right.-Under Arrest.

Northampton, Mass, April THE deep
mystery surrounding the robberies COM
mitted in the rooms of Smith College girls
during the past three or four weeks was
cleared up yesterday. Miss Caroline Belle
Nealley, graduate OF the college last
Juno. was arrested on West street by Chief
of Police Maynard while she was on one
OF her customary thieying tours Of the
houses where Smith students room. She
was taken TO the chiefs oilico and there
confronted with the charges.
For some time she denied all accusa-
tionS, and cody fenced with the chief in
defending herself But she finally broke
down when confronted with indisputable
proof OF her guilt, made full confession
and told the story of her depredations.
Not for long timo has Northampton
been so stirred up over anything as over
these mysterious thefts. and tho students
have worked themselves into a state of
perpetual nervousness for fear that they
were mono OF them safe from the un-
known thief. The officers have been
bafflcd at every point until today, and
their inability 20 catch the thief has led
TO rulnors that the criminal was college
girl that she had been detected and sent
nome, But the strange affair was solved
today.
Miss Neallev is an orphan, whose home
is in Dover " H., where her guardian,
an uncle, now lives. She has plenty Of
money in her own right, and had only
to ask her guardian for II. Since her
graduation she has been in Boston, but
her occupation there is not known, and
the police will not give her address. She
cannot explain her strange propensity To
crime. except To say that she had an over
powering desire for money, and thought
that the easiest way 10 get it was by
a.. a
who, she, knew, had moncysswhich they
left around in their rooms
Her first visit TO Northampton was
made March 2, and she made "A haul of
about SlO0 from several students rooms
and from houses on Elm street. st.
Patrick's day was the date of her second
trip, and March 20 she came up again, each
time securing i'm the neighborhood of $50
Yesterday she made her fourth, and, as
it proved, her last trip and had stolen
nothing when the police caught her
She had visited the Dewy and Dickin-
son houses on the Campus but was bailled
by meeting several of the girls who no.
ticed her strange actions and reported her.
She was followed in her tour of several
hours near the Campus. on Belmont ave-
nue. and Green street, and was met by the
chief of police rs she was walking toward
the city.
lt seems that i'm each OF her trips she had
LETT Boston before "A. m, spent about two
hours in Northampton, and returned to
Boston on the afternoon train. Miss
Nealley is n very bright capable young
woman, and had splendid record i'm
college. She is tall and slender, has dark
eyes and hair, and attractive, though not
"a pretty face, and dresses well. She was
popular among her mates who are greatly
shocked at the revelation.
Her spirit Is completely broken under
the trying ordeal Of the rigid examination
at "a part of which President Seelye was "A
listener. The PRESIDENT Is greatly disturbed
and shocked at the outcome of the affair,
but expresses his satisfaction that IL has
been finally cleared up. After examining
several witnesses and hearing the girls
story, Chief Maynard swore out COM
plaint against her, and she was taken To
the county Jail. She will have hearing
Thursday and will be bound over to the
grand jury.
Her guardian has been sent for, and
she will undoubtedly be bailed and taken
to her home until the time for her trial.
IL Is understood that she will plead guilty
and throw herself on the mercy of the
court.