Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-24
MISS KELL@4ER RELEASED
Strong Plea for LGiacy in Behalf Of an
Alleged Shoplifter.
Personal Bonds aOr Her, Appearance
The Woman DAAies Charge, but
Makes SD al admission.

Miss Annie Kelleher a former resident of
South Carolina, who b almost sixty years
Of age, was today before Judge Kim5all on
the charge Of shopiifting. Although salts
fled. as he said. that the woman was guilty,
Judge Kimball, in response to an appeal
from Rev. DR.. Joseph T. Kelly of the
Fourth Presbyterian Church. released her
on her personal bonds to appear for sem
tence if notified to do so.
The specific charge against Miss Kelleher
was that yesterday she stole a book worth
70 cents and two handkerchiefs, valued at
% cents, from the Palais Royal. Mr.. E. w.
Collins. manager for the store, testified
that his attention was called to the actions
of the woman at the handkerchief counter,
and when two of those articles disappeared
from the place where they had been placed,
he had Miss Kelleher arrested and taken
into his private office. where she was
searched and the articles above mentioned
We're found in a satchel carried by her un-
der her shawl. In the same receptacle there
were found book and a number of small
from Woodward & Lothrop's store.
Mr.. Collins said Miss kelleher expressed
the intention of paying for the book taken
at the Palais Royal, but had not been able
10 see any one to whom she could pay the
money, although there were three or four
Salesgirls at the book counter. How she
came to have the handkerchiefs she was
unable to say.
Detected in the Act.
Mr.. George E. Fowler stated that he and
his sister were shopping yesterday after
noon at Woodward & Lothrops. The at
tention of Miss Fowler, he said, was at
tracted by the strange actions Of Miss KEEL
leher, and they determined to watch her.
Miss kelleher did not, SO far as he knew,
take anything at Woodward & Lothrop's
The accused left that establishment and
went to the Palais Royal, and Mr.. Fowler
and his sister followed her. They saw her
take the handkerchiefs. which Mr.. Fowler
Identified.
Upon taking the stand in her own de-
tense Miss kelleher said that she had no
idea of stealing the book, but she admitted
she could not account for her possession
of the handkerchiefs.
. Rev. DR.. Kelly testified that he had
known Miss Kelleher for four or five years
and had always found her to be Chris
tlan woman of irreDroachabe character
DR.. Kelly further stated that Miss Kelleher
VINO was a school teacher in South Caro-
INA, came to Washington several years
ago. upon the invitation of her brother a
widower for the purpose of looking after
ms nome and little daughter, who was then
between SIX and seven years old. The
brother was at that time employed in the
government printing office, but some time
later lost his position and went to New
York, leaving his daughter in the care of
Miss keileher.
The Struggle for Bread.
The brother has been heard from but
once since his departure, Dr. Kelly said,
and not at all for long time Miss KEEL
leher has struggled hard to support her
little niece with the aid of tine needle and
with having to contend with failing eye
sight DIR. Kelly Eaid that Miss Kelleher
was regarded by him and some of his men,
bers as little eccentric, but he could not
believe that she meant to steal.
BE- Mr.. r. II. Brockway also gave strong
testimony in favor of Miss Kelleher, and,
by permission of Judge Kimbal, the ac-
cused woman again took the stand, and
after declaring that she did not intend to
steal any of the articles found upon her,
said size would not care what became of
her If it We're not for her little niece.
Judge kimhall talked very kindly to- Miss
kelhoher, and, told her that he was satisfied
she was guilty as charged, but would yield
to DIR. kelly's request and grant her mercy.
He then took the action above stated. AS
Miss keileher left the court room, Lawyer
Sillers. who had listened to the hearing
quietly slipped a bank note into her hand.