Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-06
THE SNARER ENSNARED
YOUNG WOMAN ASSISTS IN DE-
lection OF A WASHER.
Advises With Police and Carries Out
Plan Which Results in
Capture.

A bit of white string fut:ering in the
wind yesterday from one of the blinds of
the residence of Miss Martha Childs, No.
221 Harrison street, Anacostia, was prac-
ticaliy unnOticed by the public in general.
but its presence held a significance that
was developed later in the evening under
dramatic circumstances. The huttering
string a signal that served to convey
Information from Miss Chiids to the then
unknown writer of letters of ardent affec-
ton addressed to her and at the same time
notified couple of the officers attached to
the AnaCostia police precinct, but whose
knowledge of the matter was wholly unsus-
pected by the one whose letters had proved
so annoying TO the young lady. The latter
part of last month Miss Childs received the
first of the tender missives. 1t was ad-
dressed to her the fair unknown" and
contained the information that the writer
desired to make her acquaintance. A clan
destine meeting was proposed by him at
thlckly-wooded point along Minnesota ave
nue., near the village. Friday evening at s
o o'clock. white string attached to blind
OF Miss ChildS house was to be the sign of
acceptance, while dark string was to con-
Fey to the unknown admirer a negative an
sWer- The writer conveyed the Informal
ton that he was a stranger in the city, but
would make 1t his object to be In AnaCoStia
at the appointed time.
Miss Childs took counsel with some of the
local police officers, who saw in the epistle
an opportunity to capture a fellow who was
plotting mischief. They considered il prob
able that the writer might prove to be
man wanted in the city for prying about
households a night, and argued that in any
event the fellow was a town Ioafer who
ought to be jailed. Officers T. A Lusby and
j.. +. Reagan therefore advised the recipient
OF the letter to let the white string fy on
one OF the blinds and await developments
- che Tow |J,n
ilrst time, the result being that yesterday
IL brought another eDistle from the I'M
EnoWn, who stated his JOY at seeing the
favorable emblem floating I'm the breeze
He desired TO make sure that there was no
error committed. however. and gave more
minute directions about the meeting in the
evening at s o'clock.
The Scheme a Success.
When that hour arrived yesterday off,
GERS Lusby and Reagan were secreted not
far from the point on Minnesota avenue in
Dictated in the letters. Miss Chfds made
her appearance at the hour named num-
Der of male relatives ACCOMPANYING her,
but remaining concealed In the bushes She
approached the thicket and Immediately the
watchers heard an excited voice inside IN
wiling her to enter. She demonstrated and
while the conversation was going on the
oflcers and the other men closed around
the place with rush. When the fellow
found out that he was discovered he at
tempted to flee toward the river but three
NEIL threw themselves upon him and he
was borne to the ground. There were cries
OF kill him. and beat him." but the
officers marched their prisoner off to the
ponce station without harm coming to him.
The captive had apparently taken meas
ures to disguise himself somewhat He
gave the name of George A. SIMPSON and
his occupation was noted as that of la
borer. After comforting with Lieut.. Nc
Cathran Of the fifth precinct Sergt. Ander-
son fixed collateral at $50. The prisoner
was apparently glad to clear himself so
easily, and sent for his friends who pu:
up the necessary amount 1t was under
stood he would not appear in the Police
Court. The charge was disorderly conduct