The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-16
A FEMALE SAFEBREAKBR
The Capture Of Mary BraxtOa and
n Valuable Trunk.
a COIOred Woman with n Criminal
Record RObS Mrs. Caroline HOckc-
cIes Found In the Prisoners Pos
session When Taken Into Custody.

Mary Ellen TraAton, alias Mary Jackson
aad Flora Mason. eolored. twenty-eight
years Of age, who has a criminal record
dating back to her girlhood, is a prisoner
at Nc / station, where she is held await
ing a hearing in court tomorrow morning
On a charge of grand larceny. She wEs
arrested about 3 o'clock yesterday after
noon by Detectives Muller and Baur. en-
the complaint Of Mrs. Caroline Hocke-
meyer. Of 719 Sixth Street northwest.
II is thought probable that additional
charges will be preferred against the pris
Oner. The detectives are now endeavorlng
to find owners for a trunk full OF miscella-
neous property valued at several hundred
dollars. which was taken from the Braxton
woman.
While the present charge against her is
simply grand larceny, and the amount in
volved only s65, but the offence which caus-
ed her arrest is safe burglary The woman
is said TO have forced a regulation iron safe
in broad daylight deliberately packed her
trunk. sent II to the Baltimore Ohio
Railroad station. and was about to leave
the city, when her game was baked by
The police.
The BraNtOR woman vas released from
the Albany penitentiary about seven weeks
ago after serving a term OF eight yeacs for
hOusebreaking. Previously she had served
i've Years at the same penitentiary for
similar offence.
When she arrived at her home. Goat
Alley. about one week ago she immediate
ly laid plans for more crime. Aiming her
self with letter of recommendation sup
posed 10 be forged. the woman called yes
terday morning at the home OF Mrs. HOcke-
meyer and applied for work. She pre-
scented the letter Of recommendation and
on the strength of that was employed.
Msr. Hockemeyer naturally felt that
woman so highly recommended was hon
est and she felt no besitancy In leaving
the new servant in charge OF the house.
when she went out. Mrs. HOCkemeyer
discovered her mistake when she returned
home about I o'clock. The new cook had
disappeared as had the cash contents Of
Mrs. Hockemeyer's safe
The matter vas at once reported to the
police, with n description OF the woman.
and her arrest by Detectives Muller and
Baur followed about two hours later Her
trunk was seized at the railroad station
Though the woman denied all knowledge
Of the theft charged against her the stolen
money was found in her possession. Mrs.
Hockemeyer positively identified her.
Hockemeyer showed that the opening Of
the safe would have done credit 10 a pro
fessional OF the male sex. The heavy non
door had been forced in some unaccouutable
manner, and the only tools used were a
Ratchet and a trowel. Bob were found "
ing near the open safe. SiIyerware and
3evelry which might have been stolen from
other rooms in the house were left IN
touched
An examination OF the trunk OF the BraX-
ton woman at Headquarters this morning
brought to light a gold watch, several gold
rings and pins. gold bracelets. and other
jcwelry, together with handsome silk and
lace clothing. fine hosiery. silyeTWare. and
other articles Of value. The silverware in
cluded knives. forks spoons etc. The COL
lection. which is apparently the result Of
several thefts, Is valued at about $400
The BraXtOn woman was again photo
graphed for the rogues gallery soon after
her arrest.