Evening times-Republican., 1903-12-01
Arrest of Miss Jessie cheadle-Miss
Hill. Who is Well Educated and a
Prominent Sunday School Worker,
Showed Rare Taste in Her Selection
of Plunder-Took $1,000 in Money.
Special 10 Times Republican.

Cedar Rapids, Dec. IA sensation
| was caused here last night by the ar
rest of Mrs. Anna Hill, good looking,
we'll educated young woman, on the
charge of shoplifting and theft OF
money amounting to over $1,000 from
the Taft store Because of Mrs. Hill's
prominence, the case will attract a
good deal of attention. Mrs. Hill was
a teacher In a Sunday school and a
delegate to the recent Y. p. g. c. Z.
convention at Denver. Goods to the
value of 5000 were found in her poses
sion and she has acknowledged to hav-
ing taken $1,000 In money.
Jessie Cheadle, aged IL, another clerk
at the store, Is also prisoner on the
same charge. About $25 worth OF
goods were found at her hor,e and the
amount of her money peculations is es-
tlmated at about $500. Both women
have made confessions to the police,
which they declare are full confessions
Mrs. Hill declares that che had con
federate" IN Miss Cheadle. Miss
Cheadle declares that she was lied up
to IT. by Mrs. Hill.
The police were called upon last ev-
ening and Captain MCGUIRE with Day
Jailer Cunningham went to the house
where the Hills had two rooms at 720
First avenue and made thorough
search. Among the most valuable OF
the things he found was a bank book
showing a deposit In Mrs. Hills favor
OF s2S7 with the Cedar Rapids Loan Il
Trust company. One of the entries
was made November 5 and was for
$1S7. There was also some small
change, two trunks, two telescopes.
square grip and a bag. Captain Nc
CURE made hasty examination OF the
contents OF some of these and found
that some of them were filled with the
most costly kind of dry goods, silks and
laces, ribbons and trimmings, art goods
and lace collars, enough to start a
small store. All these things were
taken to the police station.
Arrests Made.
In the meantime Captain Kroulik had
been to the TAFT store and arrested
Mrs. Hill. She was taken to the sta
ton and at once examined. For
time she was cool and confident and de-
clared that her conduct at the Taft
store and elsewhere was above the
shadow Of suspicion. But finally after
being confronted with some unde-
niable evidences OF her guilt. she
broke down and finally confessed. She
said however that she had bought some
OF the things from Jessie Cheadle, an
other clerk. and that Jessie must have
kept the money. Captain, Kroulik then
went to the store and arrested Miss
Cheadle. A search warrant was also
secured and at the Cheadle home, 223
Seventh avenue. the officers found two
voille dresses, with some silks and
laces. and other articles, the whole
valued at somethinA like s25. Miss
Cheadle admitted taking things for
herself but denied that she had taken
any things for Mrs. Hill or that she had
sold her anything. She said that Mrs.
Hill had lied her into It"
MIR. Hill was also taken to the police
station and questioned but the police
are thoroughly satisfied that he is guilt
less and that he did not know OF his
wife's many thefts. The articles which
she stole were practically all for her
self. with the possible exception Of
pair or two Of stockings and she kept
all the stolen property under lock ana
key where her husband would not be
likely to ses It. He broke down and
wept bitterly when informed OF his
w;fe's misdoings. They have been
married about three years. His former
home was In Robinson, IllA and Mrs.
Hill formerly lived at Hudsonville. Ill.
Her relatives now live at West Union,
Ill.
The Plundsr.
There have been many exhibitions OF
stolen property at the police station
but there never has been one which re-
vealed such exquisite taste on the part
OF the thief a. that which was dis
played last night when the contents OF
the grips and telescopes were spread
out on the door and checked over, piece
by piece. by Mr.. Taft and John Bridl.
Mrs. Hill 10 evidently woman of rare
refinement and discrimination. She
had taken only the very finest OF the
silks and ribbons, the most tasteful OF
the art goods. the daintiest note pa
per and the most alluring personal con-
veniences and adornments.
For time the police were puzzled to
know what Mrs. Hill had done with all
the money which she Is supposed 70
have taken. But 1T developed late last
night that she had some deposits at
some Of the other banks in the city.
Mr.. Taft said late last night that he