The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-20
| AM A THIEF, HESA|D.
Stole on the Way to His
Dying Mother.
Stole, too, From House of SCarlei
Where He Was Spending the
Hours Waiting for His
Train.
Especial to News and Observer

Especial to News and Observer
Durham n c., Feb. ia young White
man, well dressed and refined looking
who gives his name as w. T. Howard
and Ell1in his designation, is in Jail here
a self-confessed thief caught with stolen
goods in his possession. In his pocket
he had letter from a sister telling him
to hurry home in Elllin from Oxford, that
his mother was dying.
Howard was arrested by Sergeant Aid
ridge and Officer Weatherspoon as he was
getting ready to board the westbound
passenger hain which passed here about
4 o'clock this morning. At the hearing
before the mayor this morning Howard
was sent over to court under a bond of
S10o, which he could not give and went
20 ia:i
The prisoner reached here yesterday af-
ternocn. While waiting for train that
would carry him to his dying mothers
bed he paid visit to the home Of Rena
Hail. a woman of i'll repute. While there
supper time came and the Hall woman
and her companion, another woman, went
out to supper, leaving the stranger in
the sitting room. Soon they heard him
leave and an investigation proved that
he had taken with him purse, some SIS
or $40 in money, watch fob and l9cket,
knife and pair of gloves. With a very
accurate description of the man, furnished
by the woman, and d list of the goods
stolen the officers began to watch all
trains and incidentally to keep lookout
for the man In town. Their wdtchfulness
was rewarded when the early morning
train arrived and they found this man
ready to get aboard He was soon iden-
titled as The one who had visited the Hall
house by the two women who were wait
ing.
When arrested the man protested his in
nocence in very vigorous manner. He
said that he was going to his dying moth
er's bedside and showed letter in sup
port of his claim. If he missed the train,
he said, he could not get to her in time
to sec her alive and finally after the Off
GERS had taken him in custody he said
that the city would have to pay and pay
largely for OBTAINING him. In the search
of his clothes and effects the officers found
S13.56 in cash, pair of gloves that were
identified by the women, pocket book,
also identified. But the watch fob could
not be found and the stranger said that
they were mistaken as to the gloves and
that the money was his own. once in
the guard house the officers began thor
ough search, and after taking off the
mans shoes the fob was found in his sock
Then and not until then, did the stlan-
ger admit his guilt. In doing this he told
the officers that the watch fob and gloves
were the only things taken; that he did
not get one cent of money. At the trial
this morning he said that he was not
guilty but after an examination of the
witnesses tho mayor sent him over.
Howard will not make a statement. It
Is presumed, however, that inasmuch as
he had less than $14 in his pocket when
found and that his tickle. only read from
Oxford to Greensboro, he stole the money
in order to get to his home at Elkin. He
is neat looking, pale faced young man
almost a boy in appearance, and is prob
ably twenty-five years of age. When he
was searched this morning and the stolen
goods found his lips quivered and ewes
filled with tears as he said: II will fell
you the truth now 1 did steal the watch
fob and gloves but no more. l did NOT
intend to steal then he stopped and
evidently thinking of home and mother
said, more to himself than to the two
officers and newspaper men, well"
guess ] can get to her.