Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-07-03
P|CKPOCK[1S ARE BUSY
Light Fingered Gentry Begins Its
Work Among the Carnival
Crowds.
Mt. Pleasant Man Relieved Of
$4,000 at Union Station.
Other Cases.
Stoddart House Guests Robbed
---Holdup Case Takes Pc
culiar Turn.

carnival, We're reported to the polio
Wednesday evening. The pickpocket
who are in the city awaiting u chanc
| to operate, found the first favorabl
| opening Wednesday, when the excur
sion from the north brought a grea
many strangers to the city. The uniol
station platform Wednesday evenin;
seemed to be a favorite point, also tn,
Stoddart House, three different victim:
suffering there.
Mr.. W. S. Mitchell, of Mt. Pleasant
a travelling salesman in the employ o
j. w. Edgerly & Co., wholesale drugs
of Ottumwa, was the heaviest losel
as the result OF the shrewd work O.
the lighttingered men. Mr.. Edgerl,
was in the act of boarding the lowe
Central train north, shortly after i
pulled into the city at o'clock. There
was a large crowd waiting for the
train, making 1t an ideal place fol
pickpockets to operate. The mer
showed their cleverneSs, for they go
into Mr.. Mitchelrs side trousers peck
ct, and had his wallet before he was
scarcely aware that he WIGS being
robbed. The purse contained $156.90
$50 of which was company money.
The scheme of the men was cleverly
worked and showed that they We're old
hands at the business. They boarded
the train before the awaiting passen-
gers had chance, and then allowed
those getting off to pass out their way
AS the rush into the cars began, the
men gesticulated wildly and exclaimed
to each other that this was the wrong
train, and to get off. They pushed
thru the crowd of people boarding the
car, operating with ease. Mr.. Mitchell
was an especially easy victim, because
he had his hands full. He thinks that
he can identify the man who robbed
him. and remained in the city over
night to assist the police should an
arrest be made.
The robbery was reported to Officer
Clark Immediately after its occurrence,
but the men were nowhere to be found.
Mr.. Mitchell thinks the men had been
following him. and We're aware that he
had some money on his person.
7. j. Spindler, of Albion. was also
q victim of the piclpockets at the same
time. Fortunately. however, he had
but 20 cents and a ticket to his home
in his purse.
Another case of piclspocketing is re-
ported the police by George w. Wood
ruff well-known former Marshall
town resident, but now of Mason City.
~ ;,, oft
Wednesday, in company with his SON
in-law and daughter, Mr.. and Mrs. w.
l.. Sundell, of Mason City, and in going
up town took a street car at the station.
The car was badly crowded and Mr..
Woodruff stepped to the front platform
with the motorman. He says he does
not know when or how he was
touched" but when he got off the car
he was minus his purse, which con-
tanned $50.
Hotel Guests Suffer.
John Sanders. foreman of the En-
pire Laundry, who lives at the Stoddart,
suffered $50 loss of clothing and wear
ing apparel while absent from his room.
No. II, located on the third floor of the
hotel. Mr.. Sanders did not miss his
until Wednesday night at 10
o'clock, when he went to his room to
retire. He noticed at once that some
one had been there before him, as the
bureau drawers We're standing open and
gave evidences or having been ram
sacked. The thief had taken his time
10 investigate the contents of the room,
md had helped himself to whatever met
MS fancy. In fact, he had made a
change of clothing. even to
socks, and had carefully hung his old
,lothes in the closet where he secured
he newer garments. AS a result of the
aid Mr.. Sanders is loser of a good suit
# clothes, an Overcoat. several shirts, |
Collars. some underclothing, handker- |
hiefs and socks. also an umbrella. He
-alues his property at $50. The matter
vas reported to the police this morning,
tut there is no clue to work upon, as
he man was not seen to enter the
DOM.
A fruit three man named Brown liv-
ng at Columbus. o., who has been
topping at the hotel for two or three
.eeks, was relieved of a good gold
watch, chain and charm while asleep.
IT, Scott Shllson, of Mason City, who
7as occupying a room at the hotel,
lille asleep was robbed of between
% and $50 in cash.
Worked Check Racket.
l