The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-25
HE GOT HIS MONEY BACK.
A Negro Robbed OF $500 by His Young
Nephew.

A Negro Robbed of $500 by His Young
Nephew.
The police of Raleigh did splendid
piece of detective work this week.
The remark applies especially to Of
ficer Matt Thompson, who had charge
of the case. though he was ably assisted
by the other members of the force.
Last Thursday afternoon the house Of
Nelson Williams. colored man living
near DIR. Lewis farm. north of this city,
was entered in the absence of the family
and 300 in bills and gold and silver
coin stolen. The bills were in an old
shot bag, thrown into a box in closet,
and the coins were in a black pocket
book. kept in the pocket of an old coat
hanging in the same closet.
The robbery was not discovered until
next day. and it was evident at once. as
nothing else had been disturbed. that the
money had been taken by some one ia
miliar with the premises, and so Nelson
at once suspected Henry Williams, an
eighteen-year nephew.
He had nothing more than susp-
cion, however. and with that he at once
came to Chief of Police Mullen. The
chief put the case in the hands of Of
fcer Thompson. who has made great re-
putation for working UP difficult cases.
To Mr. Thompson Nelson told all he
knew of the robbery and of the boy he
suspected as having committed it.
Among other information elected by
the policeman during this interview was
the fact that Henry Williams is a good
for-naught, who tolls not neither does he
1.,,t f., th. rri
been spending his time with woman
of had character in Sawyer's bottom.
With this clew the officer went to
work, for long experience has taught
him in running down criminals to al
ways first find 1.-THE woman in the
case" Acting on this principle. within
three hours after he had taken the case,
Mr.. Thompson had recovered $3.50 of the
stolen money. 1t was found in the wO-
mans house, wrapped in a handkerchief
and hid behind a box. The woman de-
MED knowledge of its presence, but said
Henry gave her $40 the night before
which he took back that morning when
he went away.
No further trace of the boy could then
be found but yesterday morning he APP
peared at his mothers house in Oberlin.
Nelson and the police had for two days
been watching for him and at once Mel
son started to the house to arrest him
AS he did so the boy ran into the garden,
and when arrested he had no money on
his person.
Finally, however, he confessed that he
had the money when he saw his uncle
coming, and that he hid it in the plowed
ground of the garden. The police hunted
for it in vain, so yesterday afternoon he
was taken to the place handcuffed. He
immediately scratched UP the stolen
purse. In it was $50 in gold and 81 in
silver.
Besides this 81 was paid for a pistol
and $50 was given to one of the boys
friends and $40 to another.
The boy was given a hearing by tho
mayor yesterday afternoon and was sent
to Jail to await trial at the next term OF
court.
Nelson Williams is an honest, hard
working man. He was for anany years
pressman for the News and Observer
Immediately after he recovered his
money yesterday he took it to the Raj
eigh Savings Bank and deposited it,. He
now asks the News and Observer tt
thank the police force for him for their
arduous labor in his behalf.