The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-20
NHO OWNS THE OvERCOAT 4?
PRISONER, DEPUTY SHERIFF AND
TWO OTHERS CLAIM 1T.
Hawkins stole the Coat, Pawned Ii
and the Jafler Secured and Sold II
10 the Deputy Sheriff. and Sever
nj Other Alleged Owners Turn Up.

There Is AZ Interesting story connected
With the identity OF an ordinary-looking
ovsreoat which IS held by the police sub
1ect 10 prcos o. ownership. The police
got x away from the sheraI's otfiSe, and
the sher!f's ofs,ce has been trying to get
Il back. Before the matter is settled il
may get into the courts.
The story. Or at least g part OF il, came
cut Unexpectedly yesterday afternoon at
o'clock in Justice Austln's cour. during
the trial CT George Hawkins on the charge
OF petit larceny. Hawkins has been in the
county jail serving a term for his crtme,
committed at Franklin. Certain articles
alleged to have been found In his pos
session when arrested caused T. J. Har-
Fington, a business man OF Boise Creek,
20 charge Hawkins with theft The case
came up for trial yesterday afternoon be-
lore Justice Austin. Harrington was the
hrst witness. He told how he had seen
Hawkins standing in front Of HIS drug
store. Il keep the drup store locked"
SAID Mr.. Harrington. and open Sit only
when someone desires 10 make a pur-
4 W
iia"k lTls IN froat OF the store someone
entered II by cutting away u panel in the
lower part OF the door. Some combs,
TOOTH brushes and purses were stolen"
Anything else taken?" inquired Dep
u'y Prosecuting Attorney Fulton.
Yes. replied Mr.. Harrington; IAN
overcoat." Then he went on 10 describe
the coat as a blue one. a tritle short in
the sleeves for him. and of a length that
would reach nearly 10 his knees. He de-
scrloed infinitely the lining and name on
the band. A coat was then handed 10
nam and he said It was the one stolen
from aim. Il could pick it out OF fifty"
he added.
Have you any questions to ask the
"ltAeSs! asked Justice Austin OF the
prisoner.
why. the man never saw me in Bo,ss
creek, replied Hawkins. Il was never
there"
L. A. Blake testified that he WAS in
Franklin and saw Hawkins come out of
the side door OK saloon wiki an over
coat on him. IL subsequently turned out
that some money had been stolen Haw-
Kills. was arrested for stealing it. and when
ssaIchsd ne had some combs, purses and
tooth brushes on him
Could you identify the overcoat 80
asked Mr.. Fulton. II think So" replied
kLake. The coat was handed 10 him and
ne said that he believed that was the
one Hawkins had. Hawkins laughed.
Charles Winters. OF Boise Creek. identi
ned hawkins as the man he saw stand
ing In 'front.' OF Mr.. Harrington's drug
store Il am positive il was he" ne
added. because he was a srrangar IN
him. -
Inc state rested and Hawkins took the
stand. He swore that he was never In
Boise, and while admitting that he was
arrested In Franklin with an oyercoat
ana combs, tooth brushes and purses in
MS possession. said that he purchased the
entire lot from IAN OPERATOR al the SIAM
pede tunnel. paying him s.. THAT is not
the coat had at ALL" he continued. 1T
was black and rough
Deputy Sheriff Atwood then asked Jus-
tee Austin TO have Mr.. HARRINGTON try
on the overcoat, as there was dispfta
about il, and he desired 10 have the court
see that IL fitted him. Mr.. Harrington
put on the coat. II certainly fitted him.
Il am satisfied of the guilt OF the prjs-
oner," said Justice Austin but I wish
there was more evidence to connect the
defendant and the overcoat. IF there was
Il more serious charge could be lodged
against him than petit larceny"
AS 10 the coat" said Mr.. Fulton. ct
obtained II from Chief OF Police Reed on
CchOiueN tHl[ ! would return IL 10 him.
| vii. do so. and he can give IL to the
rigbtful owner Capt Sullivan. who had
just entered the court room, took the
coat and walked out.
Then Deputy Sheriff Atwood told more
OF the history OF the coat He said that
when Hawkins was brought to tbs, conn
" Jail the kangaroo" court got hold OF
him and passed Judgment. In order to
pay the fire Hawkins had his overcoat
pawned. County Jaiier Frisman redeemed
the coat ana he. Atwood. purchased II
for g. Then Detective Sam Corbett. OF
the police force. came up 10 the jail and
claimed that il belonged to some ore else.
py saying that the coat could be returned
Corbett set possession OF #.
There appears TO be some Slight mis-
understanding ahout the coat" said Mr..
Fulton. sheriff Meyer has been tele-
ph0n!nE 10 me- during the past two weeks
about the coat"
The story from thu police eide IS briefly
IS follows: \ guest al the New England
hotel had his oyercoat stolen ana he held
James Weir, the proprjeor. responsible
The case was reported 10 the police. and
they claim that the 0Vercoat Mr.. Har-
rington says IS his WAS really the one
that was stolen from the New England
hotel. Mr.. We!- has identified the over
coat, 80 there = apt % be another legal
fight before actual ownership is settled.
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