The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-11-22
TOO CONV|V|AL STRANGER
Kerr's Pleasant Evening
Marred By the Loss Of
His Watch.

A man who refuses to give any descrip-
ton whatever of himself was arrested
this morning at 2 o'clock by Patrolman
Howell of the First precinct police sta
tion. He is now at Police Headquarters
He is charged with robbng Charles Kerr,
of No. 194 Claremont avenue, of a gold
watch and $50. Kerr was also detained
until this morning when the case came up
in the First Criminal Court before Police
Justice Hoos.
Kerr was under the influence of drink,
and was held as a witness. The man ac-
cused of robbery was held for the Grand
Jury. Mr.. Kerr got his watch and money
and went home to think the matter over
He believes that he was the victim of
an old confidence game that is usually re-
sorted to when impoverished gentlemen
who live by their wits meet farmers
adorned with chin whiskers
Mr. Kerr was in New York City last
evening and he stopped to get a drink
He found himself in front of bar beside
gentlemanly, well dressed man who
needed a light for his cigar. The usual
tongue of fame was at hand but Mr..
Kerr's cigar glowed fiercely and the
pleasant stranger was accommodated
The stranger then felt under obligations
and suggested that they drink together
The ydid so. Then Mr.. Kerrs new found
friend learned that Mr.. Kerr lived in
Jersey City. Strange indeed the stranger
also lived in this city That meant another
drink and in a few miutes tie pair talked
like long lost brothers
Mr.. Kerr became indiscreet in his talk
and he found an interested auditor Soon
the stranger knew good deal more of
Mr.. Kerr's business than was good for
Mr.. Kerr. The pair then decided to go
home.
Mr. Kerr's friend probably thought the
job would be easier in this city. AS they
stepped from a Pennsylvania Railroad
ferryboat, about one O'Clock, they were
linked arm in arm, keeping up an ami
mated conversation. The two went into
a saloon to have a last drink together
before Mr.. Kerr took his car. Then the
stranger suddenly remembered an old
friend who was engaged as a bartender
s'up the street"
"He is in hard luck,'' explained the
stranger. used to have lot of money,
but horses and women broke him and now
he is handling wet goods A good wellow.
You'll like him.
1t was agreed the pair should go "up
the street" They then went to Coolihan's
saloon, at Green and York streets John
Crofey was behind the bar. The stranger
friend who was forced into the mixing of
drinks by horses and women was not on
duty.
They had several drinks anyhow. Mr..
Kerr was rather happy by this time and
it was about two o'clock. He was also
very careless. The bartender was called
to the rear of the saloon and he left the
two men at the bar. Suddenly he heard
a scuffle, something dropped, a door
slammed and a voice said "Stop thief"
Crofey ran out into the saloon and found
Mr.. Kerr on the floor. He rushed to the
door and yelled after the fleeing man.
John Holmes, of No. SO Montgomery
street, was on his way home
He saw the man running and heard
Crofeys yells. He went toward the stran-
ger and punched him in the face. The
pair became mixed up in a scuffle and
Sergeant Howell appeared in time to sep
arate them. Holmes told of the yells,
Crofey told of Kerr's accusations and
Kerr told the whole story.
He said that the stranger threw an
arm around his neck and plucked his
watch from his vest pocket and his wal
let from his hip pocket Both men were
taken to the station house. Nothing was
found on the stranger so Sergeant Howell
and Partlman Chinery went back to the
scene to investigate. Crofey handed
them Mr.. Kerr's watch and wallet. He
said ne found them near the spot where
Holmes and the stranger were scuffling.
The police are unable to osidentify the
stranger, but he will be looked UP in the
police records of number Of cities and it
is unlikely that he will be able to conceal
his identity long.