The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-08-24
A WEALTHY KLEPTOMANIAC.
The Reason Why Charles J. Preston

The Reason Why Charles J. Preston | Seeks a Divorce From His Wife.
 The Waterbury Republican in it's
 correspondence from Woodbury tells the story of the theft of Mrs. Lulu Norpley Preston, the wife of Charles J. Preston of Woodbury. The Repub- lican correspondent says:
 One of the most extraordinary
 cases of kleptomania has been un-
 earthed in Woodbury. Mrs. Lulu Pres
 ton, 3S, of one of the best families of
 the town, was discovered coaxing
 chickens through a high board fence,
 and this furnishing clue, the cellar
 of her splendid home was found alive | with contraband poultry, one prize Plymouth Rock cockerel walking about
 in proud possession of his new home
 and companions. When the towns
 people began to investigate nearly all the fowls missing for some time in
 Woodbury were traced to the Preston
 domicile. The papers were then made out for the Woman's arrest for chicken
 stealing. There never was a greater
 sensation in the town. The husband
 who was the son of old Bonnet $. Preston, for years the village grocer at Roxbury, waxed wroth.
 l His wife had everything that money could provide why should she steal | chickens?" It was beyond his req son and apprehension. Her little children, now active in the Congrega- tional Sunday school classes, would be disgraced. When the thunderbolt broke Saturday night the woman was over in Hotchkssville attending so- cial function. She was made aware of the steps taken by Wilbur Wells for her punishment. She returned home and fled to her room and refused to be either comforted or interviewed, She was seen yesterday at her home. She is right in the shadow of the home of her accuser, who is caretaker for Dr. Bull. In flood of heat, which would turn a stone, she admitted her guilt She said she could not help stealing. It was inbred in her some way, a failing which might be likened to the curse of drink "The chickens bothered me so,' said she, running here and there about my place, over the lawn, and beds.
 q tried vainly for many days to keep them off, then I caught one or two to keep them as lesson to the others
 q did not mean to steal the chick ems, but before I got ready to return them they had discovered the birds and the hubbub raised, spoiled my plans. I did not need to steal; I have everything that money can buy. There is that dreadful feeling of covetousness which steals over me like genie and | I am powerless." Then she cried bit terly. And do you steal potted | plants from your neighbors, too?" ask | ed the reporter. The question stunned , her, and stammering, she answered.: | My God, do they know that, too?''
 When MT. Preston's father Bennett s. Preston. died several years ago, he left him one-third of a large estate, much of which was invested in New York city. His brother, Bennett Pres ton, was New York broker and with a seat in the Exchange, Another, Ed ward, was town clerk at Roxbury and trial justice there well off and of strict integrity. She had very little means when she married Preston, but she had a superb carriage, a fine figure, was graceful and attractive, and the village belle.
 Late last evening Huntington & War 1er of Woodbury were taking steps to secure a divorce for the injured hus- band, the theft of the chickens being the principal grounds