The times., 1897-03-25
MRS. B|scH0Ff RELENTED
She Was a Reluctant Witness
Against Alexander Groves.
THE CHARGE DISMISSED
Said She Gave Groves Permission
to Pawn Her Seal Skin Sacque
Two Weeks Before He Took It.,
But Told Him to Wait Until the
Weather Was Warm.

case was tried yesterday afternoon in
criminal court No. 2, before Judge Brad
ley, which resulted in the chagrin of de-
tectiyc at his failure to make a case, and
| a sharp reprimand from the court for his
unnecessary persistence.
the trial in question was that of Alex
| ander Groves, indicted for the larceny of
sealskin sacque, valued at $500, from
Mrs. Mary j Bischoft, at present living at
S13 X street northwest, where the alleged
larceny took place. Mrs. Bischoff was
formerly the wife of the blind organist,
whose skill is admin ed each Sunday, as lie
manipulates the keyboard in one OF the
prominent churches in this city. Marital
troubles resulted in tie professors obtain
ing divorce from his wife some years
ago, and since that event Mrs. Bischoff has
had a home independent of hin,
During the last four years Alex ander
Groves has had a room in Mrs. Bischoffs
home, at S13 X street, ana it was de-
veloped in court yesterday that for land
lady and lodger they got along amazingly
well, and their friendship was so warm
and steadfast that Groves, when he tie
came short of cash, did not hesitate to
request his landlady to pawn her dia-
inonds, sealskin coat and other valuaoles
to Obtain money for him.
It came out during the trial yesterday
that January 26 Groves made u request
of that character, and that Mrs. Bischoff,
appreciating the fact that sealskin III
January is a comfortable garment 10 have,
declined to accede TO the request. March
9, Groves again became in need OF money
and while his landlady was moving To
her present home, he took the cherished
sealskin sacque to a pawnshop and OBJ
tanned loan Of $40 on 1T. He gave
the name of Graves to the pawnbroker
and his address as S17 X street. There
is no such number.
Groves went to Baltimore, and Mrs
Bischoff, as soon as she missed the coat
sent for a detective, and Joseph Barnes
responded TO the summons. Mrs. Bischoff
informed him that she feared Groves had
taken the coat, and Barnes persuaded her
to obtain a warrant for his arrest.
The following day Groves telegraphed
Mrs. Bischoff what he had done, aud she
was ready TO relent, but Barnes pushed
the case after being armed with a warrant
An lnGlCIUieIit was NihisH x
Groves was found at Norfolk, Va, and
brought to this city for trial.
When examined yesterday Mrs. Bischoff
was a very reluctant witness for the iuv-
ernment. She testified that she would not
have obtained Il warrant, but for the re-
quest OF the detective, and further on de-
clared, Il don't accuse Groves now of
stealing the coat, but he took 1t without
my permission. ! gave him permission to
take the coat two weeks before he did, but
said wanted him 20 wait until the weather
became warm
After considerable testimony was given
in the case it was closed and Attorney
Taylor asked Judge Bradley To direct the
Jury to acquit the accused because No evil
dence had been produced to show that the
coat had been taken with any guilty in
tent Judge Bradley replied:
II seenothing in this case but detective
and directed the jury to render verdict
of acquttal.