The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-23
BOY SNEAK THIEF.
Numerous Reports of Visits He
Made to Houses on the Chill"
Was Caught Once, But
Allowed to Escape.

The article in Saturdays Tribune on
the operations OF the boy sneak thief
on the "hill' has brought to light a
number of instances of similar cases,
and points to the conclusion that work
was planned on a wholesale scale and
carried out in a systematic manner. 1t
is also evident that the boy, or, more
likely, boys, are abetted by older per-
sons, for in two instances the young
intruder, after getting away, was
driven off in a carriage and in one in
stance he was seen to Join a crowd of
men in an alleyway.
This latter incident was noted at the
residence of William Hanley, 533 Mon
roe avenue, The boy was discovered
pushing his way into the house unan-
nounced, and, when held up by one Of
the servants. blandly inquired, "Is this
where DR.. Barnes lives?" The circum-
stance was rather suspicious to the
people In the house and the boy was
watched. Instead Of going towards DR..
Barnes residence, as per directions, he
went around to the rear and was short
ly afterwards seen walking hurriedly
away with several men.
DRIVES OFF IN CARRIAGE.
At M. H. Holgates residence, 91S Vine
street, where news of the boys game
preceded his visit, an effort was made
to capture him, but he ran out of the
house, and, jumping into Il carriage,
was quickly driven away.
Rufus j. Foster, of 539 Clay avenue,
who is lying abed with broken leg,
was surprised, upon awakening from
a doze, Friday afternoon, to see a
strange boy in his room. which is on
the second floor. He called for a SER
want, but before a response came the
boy had made his escape.
Mrs. Alfred Hand was reclining on a.
couch in a ground-foor room of her
nome, at sos jefferson avenue, reading
a newspaper. Her pocketbook. contain
ing a considerable amount of money,
was left lying on a nearby table. She
happened to fall into a doZe, and on
awakening found her pocketbook open
and the money gone.
Richard j. Matthews, OF 44O Wyoming
avenue; John A. Mears, 43l North
Washington avenue; +. r. Sweet 500
Jefferson avenue; Mrs Ida NJ. Albro,
Sl0 Jefferson avenue; f. l.. Peck. 7S5
JEFFERSON avenue; Claude c. ConklinE,
646 Quincy avenue, all report visits
from boy who forgot to knock, and
who, when surprised, would make it
appear that he had gotten into the
wrong house.
Mrs. /. A. Allabach, OF 532 Vine
street, near the library, is filled with
vain regrets since last Thursday be-
cause of lost opportunities. She had
been in the kitchen in consultation
with the cook that afternoon. and,
upon going TO her chamber on
the second floor, was surprised to
city. A lady on Vine street. near the
library, is filed with vain regrets since
last Thursday because of lost oppor-
tunities. She had been in the kitchen
In consultation with the cook that af-
ternoon and upon going to her chamber
on the second floor was surprised to
see boy standing near her dressing
table. She Indignantly demanded the
cause of his presence, and he FASTENED
10 assure her that he was looking for
Mrs. Dickson. His mother, he eX-
planned, worked for that lady and he
was sent to her home for some shoes
she desired to give to his little brother.
He must have entered the wrong house.
HAVE THE YOUNG VILLAIN.
His story was not believed, and he
was Immediately taken to the kitchen,
where, with the assistance of the cook,
a thorough examination was made OF
his pockets. Nothing was found there
in, but the lady remembered having
left sums of money in different places
in her chamber, together with her jew
els, fastened upstairs to investigate
while the boy walled and protested his
innocence in the grasp of the irate
cook. The valuables were found un-
touched, and, after still more vigor-
ously questioning the culprit, who gave
his name and address and swore SOL
emn oaths that he was a very good
boy, he was allowed to go.
In her search the lady had not for-
gotten that she had just placed a five
dollar note in her pocket book, which
was thrust in the pocket of her seal
skin coat on the bed in the guest cham
ber. She saw that the pocket book was
in the same place and did not examine
it's contents, believing naturally enough
that 1t had not been meddled with.
That evening she was at a church en-
tertainment and had taken special
trouble to give the portmonnaie into
the safe keeping of a friend, as later