The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-05-01
/ Office
| BURKE
| BUILDING
LIVELY TINE IN SIMPSON.
The Women of That Village create
a Scene in Chasing Bold Thief,
Who Flees, Panic Stricken, to
Justice's Office.

There was q lively scene enacted III
the village of Simpson yesterday-lhe
livelicst that has ever been Witnessed
in that part Of the county-wheh u
thief, who failed to make away WIN
his booty. was chased by fully a half
hundred of the women of the settle-
ment until, pnnic-stricken. he sought
refuge IN the office of Justice-of-the-
Peace Lynch. the identical place
where the revenge seeking women
sought to round him up.
The luckless individual gave MS
name as w. Siff, and his residence as
Olyphant What the initial w. meant
tho man refused to divulge ana nc
wasn't pressed for an answer as JUS
tice Lyach was impressed that the
name he gave was fictitious.
Sjtf was seen about the village early
in the forenoon, acting as 1t ne was
trying to locate some person. ABOUT
room, one of the women of the place
rushed from her house ana loudlS
alarmed her neghbors that her mousse
had been robbed. The stranger was
observed some distance from the
house. hurrying along the roadway.
9'hc women who were attracted py tne
Nailings OF the one whose mousse was
,rthcd. Mrs. Jacob coplicllis, suspect
cd Sirf aud with one impulse bounded
after him. Siff broke into run, roll
lowed by the cnragcd women, and
cnorus OF imprccations. Some OF the
mans pursuers were as fleet of foot
as he, and these speedily gained on
MIN. AS the pursuit continued the
rage of the women grew, and they
gave vent to their feelings in loud
~
almost every house until there were
fully half Il hundred in the chase.
Sin was almost paralyzed with fear,
and when he neared the office of JUS
tice Lynch he summoned up his cour-
age ana hope and flew across the
friendly threshold. He dropped into
chair painting and almost exhausted
while the women crowded about ges-
ticulating wildly. their voices uniting
in IL chorus of threats in their own
tongue.
The women had due reverence fer
the Justices court and dassted from
laying violent hands on their victim.
When they regainad their composure,
one of the PARTY explained the circum-
stances of the chase and demanded
the return of the stolen property. Stiff
hadn't all of the booty in his possess
sion. for during the flight and just be-
fore he reached Justice Lynch's office,
he slackened his speed and turning on
his pursuers. hurled a portion of the
stolen money at them Later this
portion of the booty was recovered.
Siff also gave over a silver watch
which he snapped from a chain that
tangled from the vest in which the
tfmepiece rested. He said nothing
about the watch until confronted with
the vest and the chain that suspended
from the button hole.
Siff was fearfully agitated and looked
imploringly to the justice, who though
he assumed as grave a face as possible,
found it difficult to restrain himself
from indulging in a hearty laugh over
the humorous features of the unusual
situation which confronted him.
The frightened Siff was willing and
anxious to make amends. and the wo-
man whose home was entered seemed
satisfied with the restitution of her
property. and the charge which had
been entered against him was with
drawn on his paying the costs.
Siff was released and hastily with
drew from the village and from the
scoWls of his determined captors. The
triumphant women returned To their
homes. and the village regained its ac-
customcd quiet and tranquility.
Siff watched his opportunity to enter
the 'amphclfS home, for he selected
tho noon hour. when the men were at
work. lie also appeared to be ac-
uuainted with the habits of the people.
for he went directly to the trunk where
whatever valuablcs are in these houses
are usually kept