Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-10-08
MRS. FoRD's DEMAND.

Mrs. Loretta Small Ford, Mr.. Frank
E. Anderson, her lawyer, and Mr.. Sam
Stern, the Jefferson Ward politician
ard pawnbroker, were the characters
that figured in a lively scene in Mr..
Storms pawnshop on Main street Thurs
morning.
The mayor of Jefferson Ward" was
chatting in his place of business with
Messrs. Dare Cornell and John Brophy,
both prominent members of the John
w. Daniel Club, of which Mr.. Stern is
president, when Mrs. Small-Ford and
Mr.. Anderson entered. Both the lady
and gentleman were unknown to the
pawnbroker.
Mr.. Anderson asked for Mr.. Stern,
and upon being assured that the gentle
man to whom the inquiry had been ad-
dressed was he, the lawyer asked to
see some jewelry, and other valuables
that had been pawned, it is alleged,
some months ago, by Stewart Ford, to
the value of about S175.
The pawnbroker Immediately sur
missed the identity of his visitors. He
had been expecting some one to call
aud redeem the hypothecated property.
Some days ago Detective Aleck Tom
linson called on him and asked if he
had lot of jewelry and other articles
of value that Mr.. Ford had pawned be
fore separating from his wife. The pawn
broker told the officer at that
time that he had the goods
and would be glad to surren-
der them to the owner when he should
be ready to redeem them. From the
conversation that ensued MIR. Stern
understood the detective to say that
Mrs. Small. Ford claimed the articles as
hers and intended to pay the money
due on them and recover them. He
heard no more from Sergeant Tomlin-
son and when the couple applied for
the valuables yesterday he concluded
that they had come with the pawn
tickets to take the goods out of pawn.
He, therefore, produced some of the
pieces. Mr.. Anderson then announced
that the property belonged to Mrs
Small. Ford and had been pawned by
her husband without her consent. He
demanded that the yaluables be deliver.
ed to the lady. Mr.. Stern refused, say
ing that they would not be surrender
ed until the pawn tickets and the
amount due on the pawned property
should be forthcoming.
"Do you know who I am ?" said Mr..
Anderson. II am Mrs. Ford's counsel,
and demand that property. tits hers
and was stolen from her."
II don't care who you are," retorted
the pswnbroker, snatcbing some of the
pieces out of Mrs. Small-Ford's grasp.
''You can't have these things until you
bave paid for them and shown the
tickets"
A spirited argument, in which all
participated, ensued.
"I'll give you "a hours to return that
property to Mrs. Ford" said the law.
yer holly.
pawnbroker, with equal warmth,
you'll have the same chance of getting
it either way"
After making repeated demands for
the restoration of the goods Mr.. Ander.
son and Mrs. Small-Ford left the place
greatly chagrined.
The incident in the pawnshop attract
ed the attention of a number of people
and occasioned quite stir in the neigh
borhood. Mr.. Stern when seen by
State reporter declined to talk about
the affair for publication. Sergt. Tom
linson stated to the reporter that he
learned some time ago that the valua.
bles had been pawned with Mr.. Stern,
and he informed Mrs. Small. Ford of the
fact. Mr.. Ford still retains the pawn
tickets in his possession. He pawned
his watch and diamond pin with the
broker about two weeks after his mar
risge.
Mr.. Anderson and Mrs. Small. Ford
intimated to the pawnbroker yesterday
that they would force him by law to re-
store the property to the lady. AS the
law does not recognize that man can
steal from his wife, however, it is not
probable that they will swear out
warrant against Mr.. Stern. 1t is claim.
ed that the articles were pawned by
Mr.. Ford without the knowledge and
consent of his wife, Richmond State.
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