Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-26
K-P0CKETS BUSY.
ECHOES FROM THEIR DAYS WORK
AT NEWPORT NEWS.
SEVERAL RICHMOND PEOPLE VICTIMS.
Mr. Edgar Allan Loses Considerable
Money, and Nearly $4,000 of Notes.
Mr. NunnaiIy, of Manchester, Rob-
bcd-Ofher Sufferers.

| The day on which the Kearsarge and
! Kentucky were launched was a gala one
| for the light-fingered gentry, who seem
| to have congregated at Newport News
and reaped a harvest from the patriotic
citizens of our country, who assembled
in the thriving seaport town to witness
the novel sight of twin battleships being
| given TO the care of the waters.
| The patriotic fire that burned in many
a man Thursday was almost extinguish-
| ed when he reached for his pocket
| book on the homeward trip, or let his
| fingers carelessly fall over that portion
of his vest where his watch chain was
! wont TO dangle.
Many gentlemen who suffered at the
hands of the small army of pick-pockets
are too modest TO complain, and the pub
lie will never know of their loss,
MIR. EDGAR ALLAN'S LOSS.
Mr.. Edgar Allan was one of the
heaviest losers. He was relieved of
pocket-book containing $3.50 in negoti
able notes, $I5 in bank notes, and a coin,
not of much intrinsic value, but which
he priced very highly, and would not
have parted with for a hundred times its
real worth. The coin was one given an
old darby woman by General Custer, in
exchange for some cakes. 1t fell into the
hands of Judge Witt. and the latter pre-
scented it to Mr. Allan, who served under
General Custer.
The notes cannot be used by the party
Ntrbl hnY, Ono or
one for $500, and the third for SO.
Mr.. Allan think the pocket-boo'l was
taken from his hip pocket while he was
endeavoring 10 climb up TO some planks
In order to gain a good view of the
launching. The ladies in his party had
already gained the place of vantage, when
Mr.. Allan prepared to follow them.
Several men surrounded him, and two of
them attempted to assist him. They
iostled him about considerably, much to
his discomfort, and the only satisfaction
Mr.. Allan now has in his loss is that
he caught one of the men by the nose
and pulled that organ severely. Mr.. Allan
yesterday wrote a letter to the Chief of
Police Of Newport News, reporting the
loss of the pocket-book.
HANDSOME DIAMOND STUD TAKEN.
a well known gentleman Of this city
wore a handsome diamond stud in the
bosom of his shirt when he left Richmond
for the scene of the launching. When he
was boarding the train for the return
TRIP man rushed up to him in the
crowd, and placing his arm on the chest
of the Richmonder, as though to hold him
back. shouted, make way for the ladies',
please" The gallantry Of the Richmond
citizen, of course, caused him TO comply
with the request. Five minutes later,
however, he discovered his loss and had
the entire time occupied I'm the home
ward journey in which to think the mat
ter over. This genteman's son found
that an attempt had been made TO take
his watch. The breaking of the chain,
however. saved the timepiece.
Mr.. Woodson Nunnally, of Manches-
ter, suffered the loss of his pocket-book
which contained. among other business
papers, two negotiable notes Of over 500
each He took prompt steps 10 prevent !
their payment or being traded in.
HER PURSE WAS GONE.
Mr.. John a. Thompson. who runs one
of the elevators at the City Hail. under |
took the care of his daughters pocket
book. which contained 81, two rings and |
several receipts When the venerable /
gentleman had secured a seat in a coach, |
ready to make the homeward trip, his !
daughter asked for her purse. The old |
fellow reached for his left hip-pocket. |
in which ne had placed the pocket-book, |
and his countenance was sight to see
when he discovered that the purse was
no longer there.
One of Mr.. James w Blanton's sons
is minus watch as a result of his trip.
Young Mr.. Blanton, accompanied by an
elder brother and his sister, witnessed the
of the vessels. and enjoyed the
day thoroughly. On the way home the
brother fell asleep in his seat
in the coach, and when ne again opened
his eyes and began to look about him
he discovered that his handsome watch
no longer licked in his vest pocket.
There are many cases in which the
got in his nice work Thurs
day. but the victims are not inclined TO
talk about their loss. They may feel
better when the day arrives for the next
launching, but il is safe to say all un-
necessary articles will be left at home.
and their purses will be placed in the
inside pocket of their vests.
Thanks to the efficient police force Of
Richmond, and Sergeant Tomlinson's
officers. there is TO such
wholesale thieving in this city upon occa-
;ions of great gatherings