The Washington herald., 1907-08-17
THIEVES LOOT HOME
Police Find Robinson Resi-
dence Badly Torn Up.
FAMILY ABSENT FROM TOWN
Teacher I'm Catholic University Suf-
fers by Depredatlons-HOuse
Capture of Hunter smith, Who Tries
to Sell GOwns-Others Implicated.

AS the result Of their attempt 10 locate
the owners Of the several dresses taken
from Hunter Smith, the nineteen-y year-old
paroled prisoner Of a reformatory, who
was arrested on Thursday In Baltimore
and turned over 10 the local authorities,
Detectives Burllngame and Weldon, of
the Central Bureau, yesterday uncovered
one Of the most sensational hOusebreak-
ing cases that has come TO light in this
city for some time,
At first. Smith claimed to have bought
the dresses from a stranger on the street.
but yesterday morning he is said TO have
made a confession to Detective Bur
Hngame in which he told that he and
two companions had robbed the house Of
William c. Robinson. teacher Of law and
dean Of the faculty of the Catholic
University, at Z B street northeast
A visit to the house by the detectives
is said to have proven the statement In
the absence Of the owner. the place had
been entered and every room and closet
ransacked. Desks had been broken open,
trunks had their tops wrenched of. draw
ers had been pried open. and everything
which had contained anything of value
had been demolished.
Scattered on Floor.
Articles which the thieves apparently
had not thought worth taking had been
scattered about on the floor, and at the
first glance things looked as if the IA
nous Jack the Slasher," a once famous
Washington vandai. had returned.
From all appearances, and the condition
Of things in the different rooms Of the
house. the detectives were led 70 believe
that the thieves had already made many
trips 10 the place. and had contemplated
making even more. Near an open win
dow. which Is thought 70 have been their
means Of entrance, two suit cases packed
full Of clothing and other articles had
been left IN readiness for another visit
When this state Of things was found
the detectives Immediately communicated
with the authorities az headquarters. and
efforts were started 20 locate Mr.. Robin
son. the owner who left the city some
time ago, accompanied by the members Of
his family. 10 spend the summer in New
Hampshire. Last night a reply was re-
ceived from Mr.. Robinson from Stafford.
\. H., saying that he is I'll. but that his
son would start Immediately for this city
Until the younger Robinson arrives here
and examines the house. the exact
amount OF loot carried Of By the thieves
cannot be ascertained.
Harry william Arrested
Working on information received yes
terday. the detectives made a second ar
rest in the case. The man IN custody,
Harry Wilson. who claims that his home
Is az 323 Seventh street southeast, denies
having been one Of those who broke into
the house.
The police are now attempting to secure
any OF the articles taken from the house
that might have been sold about the city,
In hope OF revealing still further in
formation as 10 the identity Of the third
person who composed the gang that loot
ed the place. The authorities at police
headquarters are Of the opinion that be-
fore the case is settled they viii be able
70 account for several similar robberies
about the city which have been reported
from time 70 time for several weeks.