The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-20
STOLE MONEY AND DIAMONDS.
j. H. HINES USED CLEVER TACTICS
TO ROB HIS EMPLOYER.


Another Room He Robbed a Blu
reau-Left the City in a Hack and
Took "a Train at Four-MiIe Hill,
But Was Arrested Further On.
Was Mrs. TomIinsOn's Agent for a
RenOvating Concern.
After burglarizing Mrs. D. B. Tomlin-
sons residence, No. 1872 Abercorn street,
of valuables amounting TO some $500, j.
H. Hines, who was connected with a rem
ovating establishment in the city, made
a desperate effort to escape by the Florida
Central and Peninsular Railroad, but was
captured yesterday at Denmark, about
eighty miles from Savannah, in South
Carolina. Detective Martin Scully of the
city force was sent by Chief McDermott
for the man, and will return with him
this morning.
The story of the affair discloses a well
matured plan on the part of Hines to lob
the place, as was evidenced from the sys-
temaue manner he employed in getting
away. There was business relation sub
slsting between Hines and Mrs. Tomlinson
by reason of her recent purchase
of the affairs of the renovating
company when it was operating in South
Savannah. The owner of the business,
G. f. Shelton, arranged for its sale to
Mrs. Tomlinson, and as she was not ac-
quainted with the details of operating it,
she had to employ some one. Shelton
stated to Mrs. Tomlinson that Hines had
been in his employ some time, and re
found him an exemplary young man and
an aggressive hustler for business. He
advised her that none better could be OBJ
tanned to take charge of the business than
Hines, and on these representations, she
closed the trade. paying 500 for the plant
and placing it in Hines charge. AT mat
time the concern was in South savannah
but on taking charge Hines moved 1t TO
the corner of Oglethorpe avenue and west
Broad street The trade, however, was
only contaminated two or three days ago.
In order that Mrs. Tomlinson might De
kept thoroughly versed in what was go
ing on. Hines paid several visits to her,
exhibiting the books and advising with
her as to prospective orders. OoserVant
in his manner it is thought he succeeded
in locating the bureau drawer in when
Mrs Tomlinson kept her money and other
valuables as is apparent from the adept
way he got the things and escaped unno-
ticed. Going to her residence about l
o. clock, Hines pretended he was there for
the purpose of getting her advice as TO
certain work which was to be finished by
a certain hour if accepted. He claimed
he had not the funds to buy necessary
canvas to be used in the work and asked
Mrs Tomlinson to advance that amount
This she did unhesitatngly, taking her
purse from the drawer in Hines pres
ence and unconsciously exhibiting other
bills and the diamonds She replaced the
purse, and locking the drawer, put the
key in her pocket.
While apparently everything had been
given Hines which he called for, still he
tarried. He pretended to be sick and
when asked if there was anything he
wished, said ne thought some lemonade
would alleviate his distress. Without any
suspicion as to his purpose In asking for
something which would necessitate her
leaving the room, Mrs. Tomlinson excused
herself and went to a rear room where
the lemonade was prepared. In the mean
time, however, Hines put aside the dis
tressful look he assumed and, got the
money. They key TO the drawer in which
it had been left was with Mrs. Tomlinson,
but lower drawer had a key in it which
he successfully used in unlocking the
one above He got a gold watch and
chain, valued at $125, a diamond pin at
S65, a diamond stud at $25 and $50 in cash,
all of which was taken out in less than
two minutes. The drawer was closed and
the only thing which would have attract
ed unusual attention outside OF examn-
ing the inside, was the key that had been
taken from below.
Presently Mrs. Tomlinson returned from
the rear only TO find Hines still suffering
intensely. The soothing lemonade was CIV
en- him, and after drinking it with consid-
cradle relish, he drew a few long, reliev-
ing signs and left. Mrs. Tomlinson under
stood he was going direct to do the work
for which he had borrowed the s..
Mrs. Tomlinson re-entered the house and
was not long finding out that key was in
the drawer containing the purse. On ex-
aiming she found she had the right key
in her pocket and did not understand why
another key should be there. On opening
the drawer she found the purse lying open
and at once understood Hines had taken
the money She was somewhat excited at
the moment and started in the direction of
the renovating shop with the hope of over
taking her agent, who had exceeded his au-
thority. She caught sight of him leaving
his boarding house near the corner of
Oglethorpe avenue and Whitaker street
but on account of the distance she was not
positive it was Hines. She hurried on there
and inquired for him, but was told he had
just left. She started again, and a short
distance away was called and told Hines
was in the house She returned only to
find it was another party, and this delay
threw her off the track. She continued on
to the shop, however, and was told there
that Hines had just gone. Being determin-
ed in her efforts to catch him. she went to
the Central railroad depot and reported the
matter to the police.
II was known by Chief McDermott that
Hines would take the first train, and he
accordingly placed a detective al the Cen
trail and Plant System depots also send
Ing one to Southover junction. Detectives
Shea and Scully, who went to the Central
Railroad depot, learned that a man an
swering Hines description was at Four,
Mile station, on the Florida Central and
Penlnsular road awaiting the outgoing
train. Detective Scully started there on
a bicycle, and while he scorched with the
wind the entire way, he did not get there
before the departure OF the train. Chief
McDermott was notified, and through the
railroad officials arranged for the CON
ductor to point Hines out to an officer at
Denmark, where he was arrested
When advised that Hines was captured
Mrs. Tomlinson said she would spend
many times what she lost in order to bring
him to justice. He came here from West.