The times., 1898-11-10
BOARDINGsHoUsE ROBBED.
strange Boarqer Disappeared ms Did
Many Other Things.

Strange Boarder Disappeared ns Did
Many Other Things.
Boarding house sneak thieves have been
operating withs unusual success through
out the city for several weeks. and the
latest victimss are recorded with the po-
lice as Mrs. w. S. Wise, the keeper of
a boarding house at No. So7 H Street
northwest. and some of her boarders. in
cluding Josiah L.sVale, an attorney, with
offices in the Atlantic Building; William
V. Beasley, an employe of the Govern
ment Printing Office. and Miss May Lar
kin. 500
The identity of the thief is not known.
but he is described by Mrs. Wise as of
medium height and build dark COM
piexion, and black hair and moustache.
His methods of procedure are common
to professional sneak thieves. He secured
clothing, money! and jewelry- The police
have been notified, and are on the look
out for the man.
Mrs. Wise. when seen yesterday. stated
that at about g o'clock Monday evening
she met the man at her door. He wanted
to rent, a room,5 He was informed that
there were no single rooms vacant. where
upon he said he had friend who would
share room with him. II he could have
an option on the. vacant room he would
seek his friend and return later TO COM
plete arrangements. He did return later,
but stated thai, his friend could not move
until the next day. He asked If he could
occupy the room for the night alone, and
he was given the desired permission upon
payment for one nights lodging.
1t was then s o'clock, and the man in
formed Mrs. Wise that he would go to
the theater and return about midnight
and requested key 10 the front door
He was told that the key hung just inside
the outer vestibule door and was used
by all living In the house. This satisfied
him, and he departed.
AT what hour he returned to the house
is not known, but before Tuesday morn
ing he had succeeded in ransacking three
different rooms. securing his booty. and
making good his escape.
The first intimation of a robbery was
! revealed when Mr.. Beasley missed his
overcoat. Miss Larkin then found her
trunks open and the contents strewn
about the floor. A pocketbook containing
a few dollars and several valuable papers
was missing. Another trunk, which con-
| tanned a larger sum of money. had not
been opened. Mrs. Vale discovered the
loss OF a pair of diamond earrings which
had been left on her dresser. Nothing
else had been disturbed.
Suspicion first fell upon a servant, but.
after mature consideration, the fact that
the new roomer had not appeared was
remarked, and his room, upon investiga-
ton, was found to be empty. That he
had occupied the room during the night
was evident because of the disarranged
condition of the bed. Mr.. McNary, an
other boarder, who is employed in
Schmidt's jewelry store, then recalled
passing a strange man on the stairs. Mr..
| McNary was on his way to his room
after breakfast, and the man was going
down stairs on his way out of the house.
These facts changed the aspect of
things, and Mr. Beasley at once proceeded
TO detective headquarters and reported
the loss of his overcoat, together with
the other thefts. Detectives Muller and
Bauer were detailed on the case, and
started TO work on the very meager de-
! scription of the man TO attempt TO locate
him.