The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-17
FOUND THE DIAMONDS.
Matte Ayres Arrested For Theft
of $500 Worth of JeweIry.

Matte AyreS was arrested this morn
ing BY the police charged with stealing
$500 worth of diamonds from Mrs. Bob
Shelby two years ago when she worked
for Mrs. Shelby at her home near Tenth
and Kansas avenue.
The stories of Mrs. Shelby and Miss
Ayres do not agree. Miss Ayres pro-
nOunces the whole thing a put up job
while Mrs. Shelby points to Miss Ayres
by announced that a large number of
her. personal effects including $500 worth
of diamonds had been stolen from her
apartments. The theft was committed
with the premises and who ransacked
the rooms in a systematic manner, leav-
ing no trace of the robbery besides the
absence of the articles and jeWelry.
Mrs. Shelby accused Matte Ayres, who
worked for her, of the theft. Miss Ayres
denied it. A search warrant was issued
No clue was found to the diamonds or
any of the effects. The officers on
the case did not believe Miss Ayes
guilty. Mrs. Shelby did not give up.
She employed detective who followed
the woman. Miss Ayres went to Garden
City. The detective followed her and
secured another search warrant and
searched her rooms at Garden City
Nothing was found. Still Mrs. Shelby
was not inclined to give up Miss Ayres
went to Denver.
Mrs. Shelby did not mind spending
money on the case so detectives We're
constantly upon the trail of Miss Ayres.
She was watched continuously. About
10 days ago Mrs. Shelby renewed her
work on the case with increased energy
1t was then found that Miss Ayres " as
coming from Denver back to Topeka
Mrs. Shelby waited for her.
AS soon as Miss Ayres was in To-
peka Mrs. Shelby informed the police
and Chief Stahl and an officer went to
work on the case. They asked the coun-
ty attorney for a search warrant. The
warrant was refused until the officers
thought Miss .Ayres had the stolen ar
ticles. Again the warrant was asked
for and refused Saturday Mrs. Shell
by demanded that the officers make a.
decided move in the case. AS no search
warrant could be secured Chief Stahl
decided to make move without a war
rant.
He went to Miss Ayres' rooms at 22s
not there He went to the restaurant
where she was at dinner and told her
he wished to speak with her. Miss
Ayres and her mother were together.
Chief Stahl informed her that he had
asked for a search warrant to search
her rooms and asked if he could make
the search without the warrant.
Chief Stahl figured it out that if she
had the stolen property she would re-
fuse to allow the search TO be made,
and that if she did not have it she
would consent The other officers
agreed that such would be the case.
Why certainly said Miss Ayers,
you may search my room. -
The officers accompanied Miss Ayres
and her mother to the rooms. Mrs.
Shelby was in another part of the
house waiting for them to arrive.
Go right on and search said Miss
Ayres.
The officers commenced the search in
a rather bungling sort of way. Trey
found nothing.
Let me search said Mrs Shelby.
She dived into the trunk She brought
forth a large plume with a price mark
attached
THAT is mine; it was stolen" said
Mrs. Shelby.
she put that in the trunk herself
said Miss Ayres- 1T was not there be
fore
Yes" said the mother, that does not
belong to rs"
Mrs. shelby continued to search She
found q shirt stud that had belonged to
her husband.
I tell you, gentlemen, she put that
in herself. said Miss Ayres.
I'm take look. said Stahl, and he
rummage through the trunk
Mrs Shelby started in on a wardrobe
and found some lace she claimed and
some handkerchiefs with her name on
She also found the little sack which she
claimed the diamonds had been in.
Behind a picture was found a cigar
case that had belonged to Mr.. Shelby.
and in it a. photograph Of AdE Shelby
and a letter to Miss Ayres.
This is conspiracy said Miss
Ayres. None OF these things belong to
me. They have all been put here while
l was out"
Miss Ayres stills maintains that she
is not responsible for the things being
in her room. and that Mrs. Shelby had
them placed there to get her IN
trouble.
FOR van Ro1o41ro hest r771Ta