Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1900-01-29
FAMOUS MEN! ROBBED
THOSE WHO HAVE HAT, THEIR
POCKETS PICKED.

kets PIcked-And Even Russell
Sage Has suffered-A PIekpoeket to
n. r. H. the Prince Of Wales.
Until the circumstance was recalled
by brief dispatch from Indianapolis
the other day. nearly every one had
forgotten the theft of Benjamin Harri-
sons diamond-studded watch. worth
more than $1,000. and given to him by
the Senate on the expiration OF his
term as member OF that body. The
tlmepiece was stolen about five years
ago. but Just how and by whom does
not appear to have been made public
AS yet. though a crook named Wilson,
under arrest at Knoxville, Tenn, on
q the charge OF burglary, has been try
ing to arrange for its return 10 the
iOWher.
should he recover the watch, the
loss Of which WAS real grief TO him.
the former President VIII be luckier
than have some other eminent per
sonaFes from whom yaluables have
been stolen. Chauncey NJ. Depew's
pocket was rified OF his watch one day
away back In the COS. and he never
got IL back. Depew was done up by
\ regularly organized pocket-pioking
mob He had been invited to join
a yachting party at Philadelphia and
was standing on the platform OF a
horse car on his way to the COrtlandt
street ferry. AS he once told the story.
he was thinking a good deal more
about the pretty girls who were TO be
members OF the yachting party than
OF his immediate surroundings. when
there was commOtion among the
passengers Just as the car was passing
ing Union Square The rumpus was
made by two or three men. who sud
denly seemed moved to get out OF the
car in great haste. AS they passed
Depew they jostled him and hustled
him so much that he thought them real
rude Desiring 70 know the time soon
after. they had jumped on he felt for
his watch. Then he understood the
haste aud rudeness Of the men. for
his pocket was empty.
Thomas Bracket Reed was de
spoiled OF a tne watch. said 10 be
worth $3.50 OF more a few years ago
by q pickpocket az a political meeting
addressed by the great man from
Maine The story goes that this meet
Ing was held IA Cooper Union. IN New
fork City. but thHts only a detuil
Anyway. the audience was large and
tnthusiastic- and Mr. Reed who was
the chief speaker OF the evening. Gov
cred himself with glory. as he always
does when he has a chance. After the
speechmaking was finished and most
OF the audience had gone home few
remained. ostonsibly 10 shake hands
with the star OF the evening. and Mr.
Reed shook hands with several Nat
~ n r4.H
were OF the friendliest when he went
away from the hall. but they under
went a severe revulsion an hour later
when he discovered the loss OF his
watch. Il Is said that he then declared
Dc would never enter the hall again,
and that he has kept his word
The most wholesale lifting Of
watches from men OF some prOmin-
ence in New York vas managed a few
years ago at a meeting OF the New
York conference Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. They were shillful.
too. FOR though half a score OF clocks"
were taken from the eminent clergy
men present. and as many leathers"
by which the pickpocket means poe
ketbooks-nOthing amiss was discov-
cred tin after the dismissal OF the au-
dience. then Il was too late TO do any
thing.
Prom the other side OF the water
comes the story OF how the Prince Of
Wales was robbed by the most sue
cessful. most famous French pick
pocket whose name was never written
down In the books OF the Paris police.
Nobody has heard that Russell
Sagc's pocket ever was picked. and II
probably never was. for he doesn't
look like man who would carry
enough money in his clothes TO make
II worth while. Mrs. Sage was robbed
IN the street once. however. though
her pocket wasn't picked. like many
women. she habitually carries her poe.
textbook in her hand when out walk
ing. and the thief who robbed her had
only to grasp the book 20 get Il. She
was luckier than either Mr.. Harrison
or Mr. Depew. She cried out at once
there was a long chase. the man was
caught and the pocketbook was recov
cred What was better from Mrs
Sage's, viewpoint. he was tried and
sent to prison. Another man was put
behind the bars for stealing from N,
Sages He entered the Sage house
while dinner was being served anC
stole. a lot OF clothing. including one
OF Mr. Sages celebrated suits, strang'
% Say.