The Washington times., 1901-08-04
STORY OF A WATCH.
A Timepiece stolen in China and
Recovered in Alabama

a magnificent jeweled watch, alleged to
have been stolen in Tientsin, China, sew
eral weeks age. has just come to light In
Woodlawn, Ala. The watch which is val
ued at several thousand dollars, is the
property of an English officer stationed
at Tientsin, and a former Birmingham
boy is alleged to have made way with it.
The timepiece, apart from its value. is
treasured very highly by the English Of
ficer, because of the fact that it was pre-
scented to him by an English society for
distinguished gSIlantry. Since its disap-
pearance the search for il has been car
ried on in all parts of the earth.
The name of the Birmingham man al
legged to be connected with the disappear
ance Of the watch cannot be learned, as
the postoffice inspector who worked up
this end of the case is very reticent about
the affair, but it is learned that the young
man enlisted in Birmingham something
like six months ago. and that the com
pany to which he was assigned was de-
tailed 10 do duty in Ticntsin. The young
man was matchmaker by trade, and
while in Tientsin with little to do in the
way of military duty he turned his atten-
ton TO doing odd jobs In the way of
watch repairing. He did good work. and
lile DIlCefS, Wen as soon DtEal
giving their work to him. In this way
the timepiece of the English officer came
into his hands. About the same time two
other watches Of unusual value were also
given into his hands. One of these,
dainty umepiece, ali covered with jew
els, the property of one of the English
women connected with the legation, also
disappeared, as did another fine gold
fph he nf wi iS nj
here.
1t is charged that upon getting three
very valuable watches in his hands the
young soldier deserted and took the
watches with him. His disappearance
caused a general commotion. and all sorts
Of agencies were put in motion in order
to apprehend him, but he Is said to have
made good his escape.
Among others who were called to assist
in the effort to locate the missing watches
was u. NJ. Robinson, superintendent of
the mails at Tientsin. He looked over the
records and found that the young man
had forw arded registered letter to
party in Woodlawn. u. S. A, before he
disappeared. This discovery was couimu-
niacted to the chief of poste;fice inspec-
tors in Washington, who at once notified
the postmaster at Woodlawn to hold the
package upon its arrival. He then noti-
fed Paul L. Williams, of Chattanooga.
postoifice inspector for the district, to
take the matter up. Inspector Williams
detailed one of his men to come to Bir-
mingham and look into the case, and this
was done.
Upon arriving at Birmingham, the in
spector went at once to Woodlawn and
called upon the party to whom the pack
age from China was assigned. This party
agreed to go to the postorice with the in
spector, and if the package was there to
have it opened in his presence. The pack
age in the meantime had arrived and
when the inspector and the party to
whom the package was addressed called
Ii was opened 1t contained the English
officers watch.
The watch was taken in charge by the
inspector. who will turn it over to his
chief Inspector Williams will send it TO
his superior in Washington. and that off
Ger will forward it to the United States
representative in Tientsin, China who
will deliver it to the owner.
Tho young man who is charged with de-
sertion and with stealing the watches is
said to be on his way to Alabama-Bir-
Nexys