The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-09-15
WORK OF A THIEF
RESIDENCE OF PROBATE JUDGE
 PITTS ROBBED.
About s7b in s2 50 Gold Pieces secur- cd by the Burglar-No One At Home at Time of
 His Entrance.
Adyertiser Bureau,

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 Selma. Sept. 14 During rainstorm early last night a thief entered the residence of Pro- bate Judge P. H. Pitts on Broad street and got away, with about $15 In cash No member of the family was at home at the time of the robbery and It was not discovered until several hours lat- Carolina. The house is now occupied only by pr. W. Mclean Pitts and Arr thur Pitts.
 It is thought that the thief knew that there was no one sn the mousse and during the rain storm which passed over the city about 7.30 ociock, he went upon the front porch or the residence and forced an entrance through one of the front windows After gaining an entrance into the house he passed on to the room oc- cupied by Dr. Pitts. In that room ne made systematic search ana fouho many articles of value.
 Before Judge and Mrs, Pitts left the city several weeks ago. Mrs Fitts gave Dr. Pitts pacxage containing many valuable pieces of old jeweiry which had been in her family for a great many years. Dr. Pitts was ask ed to place this package in q safety deposit vault but he neglected to do so and instead laid in on the top sheil of his wardrobe. When Dr. Pitts re- turned to his room after the rainstorm last night, he found this 1ewciry spread out upon the floor of his room. the thief having found 1t but evioent- ly became scared and left in burry. Whether any of the pieces are miss ing can not be told until Mrs. Pitts returns home.
 In Dr. Pitts room the thief also discovered another package which ne took with him in his hurried flight from the house. For some time when ever the opportunity came his way. Dr. Pitts, has been securing $2. 50 gold pieces. Each one he secured he placed in his collection. These gold pieces, 1t is said, were in small purse wrapped up in paper. This purse, containing between thirty and thirty five of these coins was stolen. But little else of value 1t is thought was taken by the burglar.
 After the rain had subsided pr. Pitts went home and Immediately ar ter entering the house discovered that d thief had paid a visit The police authorities were at once notified or the robbery and hurried to the scene, but could find no clue.
 That part of the city in which is located the residence of Judge Pitts has frequently been visited of late by thieves. Some months ago J. C. Adier,s residence was entered and a nuhmber of diamonds and pieces of iewelry were stolen. Since then the residences of H. .Frolich. Rudolph Richards, and S. Wolf have been en- tered.
 Chief of Police Walters this after noon arrested Cater Woods. negro who during the day had spent several of the gold pieces stolen from the res | ffa Tac Oh negro confessed to having entered the house With his capture the nlagni- tude of the robbery grows and it is now believed that the money and jewel ry taken will amount to nearly $l,500
 When Woods was arrested by Chiei Walters several of the $2.50 gold pieces were found on him. and during the af- ternoon about eight of these pieces which he had spent wer located. Or him also were found three diamond rings and three gold watches. Two oi these watches weer taken from the Pitts residence last night. and one from tht Wolfe residence which was robbed las Saturday night. The negro also had ( pocket book bearing the name of J. w Davidson. This pocketbook was stoler from the latter's residence severa years ago At the time considerable money was stolen from Mr. Davidson'l home.
 To Chiel Walters this afternoon Woods admitted that he went into thu Pitts residence last night. but said tha he had partner whom he picked uI on the streets. and whose name he doe. not know The police believe otherwis' and tomorrow by different processes wil try to make him divulge his accom- plice's name.
 It came to light this afternoon. wher the diamond rings were found on thu negro. that several pieces of valuable jewelry had also been taken. but wha Is actually missing cannot be deter l mined until Mrs. Pitts returns. | is known that a diamond brooch. val ued at about $500 is missing. To thu police the negro talked freely of th' robbery. but could not be induced tC tell, the name of his pal. Woods hal been living in Selma for the past year taking occasional trips to Birmingham and Mobile. He came to Selma from Summedfeld. where his father and mo ther now live. While he only confessei