Evening star., 1907-10-16
RARE CUR|OS STOLEN
Bold Robbery at House of Mrs.
Edward F. QuaItr0ugh.
TIME OF THEFT UNCERTAIN
Police Say Crooks Must Have Used
Wagons and Ladders.
ALSO OPERATED IN DAYLIGHT
Fixtures Other Than Those That Ap-
peal to Art Connoisseurs Were
Not Disturbed.
TIME OF THEFT UNCERTAIN
ALSO OPERATED IN DAYLIGHT


and carried into effect, the value of the
property stolen being placed at between
500. the amount named by the police. and
5000. the amount suggested by the owner.
Inc large double dwelling. 1901 F street,
at the corner of 10th and F streets, owned
by Mrs. Edward F. QuaItrough, wife of
Commander Qualtrough, United States
Navy, supervisor of New York harbor
was entered by thieves some time during
the past year and robbed of rare and an
cient bronze chandeliers, statuary, vases
and other articles of considerable senti-
mental value. The house was last occu-
pied 10y Assistant Secretary of State
Peirce about one year ago, and was un-
furnished at the time of its despoliation.
Cannot Be Replaced.
The articles taken away by the burglars
are said to have been rare and of styles
and designs that cannot be replaced. Mrs
Qaultrough stated today that she could
therefore only fix the value of the stolen
according TO an interested real estate
man, was not commercial but could only
be fixed as Curios and relics of the past.
The list of missing articles was given as
follows.
1t was also said that the services of
the massive bronze pieces. Another sig
nihcant thing was the fact that the fix
lures had not been torn from the wall,
or knocked off, but had been carefully
unscrewed from their fastenings, evil
IDENTIFY by expert workmen in that line
of business. 1t is also said the men
must have employed ladders in the work
of removing the heavy chandeliers from
the ceilings.
Four massive bronze vases on parlor
lights: one large bronze figure of a wom
an holding lamp which was placed at
the head of the stairs: one bronze shelter
figure, in niche. holding lamp; two heavy
bronze chandeliers in the drawing room,
another in the dining room, and one in the
library; a,so ten or twelve bronze chan
deliers of ancient designs in the rooms
upstairs.
1t is the opinion of the police that the
thieves Were art conno!sseurs. and knew
full well the value of the pieces they car
RED away. for they did not disturb any of
the fixtures in the house but the rare
bronze pieces. A modern wrought-iron
chandelier in the main hallway which is
Of uncertain value and nickel chandeliers
in some of the halls and bedrooms, also of
uncertain value, were not disturbed.
Probably Acted Boldly.
1t is also believed that the thieves acted
boldly in removing the stolen goods from
the premises, as Mrs. Qualtrough gave 1t
as her opinion that the plunder would
make two or three wagonloads. 1t Is
thought the crooks deliberately backed
their vehic.e into the rear alley and thus
removed the articles without exciting sus-
picion, as gasftters had been employed
there last spring making repairs and put
ting in new globes, etc.
task of removing the bronze pieces
was accomplished, ii is believed, last sum
mer during the vacation perloo. Wheh
many householders were away from town
Much repairing of dwellings inside ana
out is done during ttat period, and a
wagon removing the chandeliers, statuary,
etc, would not have attracted any par
ticular attention at that time.
In this connection ii is recalled that
up-to-date crooks have in many recent
cases successfully robbed houses in the
bold and open manner described. Ihelr
very boldness insured their success, IL Is
said.
Ideal Location for Robbery.
The location of the building is said to
be an ideal one for such robbery. II
is situated on a terrace. and the nearby
dwellings are surrounded by broad lawns.
Along the rear yard which extends along
10Th street TO an alley is high brick
wall completely conceaiing from view on
the street the interior of the yard. The
alley wall is about twelve feet high and
entered by a small doorway. 1t is be-
ueyed the goods were removed to the al
lev through this entrance, which Is almost
completely secluded.
The house was built and furnished many
wears ago by Mrs. Qualtrough's grand
father, Robert Leslie. a prominent citizen
of Maryland and had been occupied as
home Of the family fully fifty years, only
having been rented In recent years. the
last occupant being Assistant Secretary
Peirce of the Department Of State, as
stated After the building had been previ-
ously occupied by the French legation
the heavy old mahogany furniture OF an
tique design was disposed of.
Mrs Qualtrough yesterday afternoon
discovered that the place had been robbed
although she said the police and real
estate firm had been aware of 1t three
months. but had failed to notify. her.
No Definite Clues.
Detective Cox of the third precinct and
HEADQUARTERS Detective Barbee are work
ing on the case this afternoon, but as
vet IT is not believed they have found any
definite clues Ii is the opinion of De-
tectiye Cox that the robbery was com
m!tted about three months ago.
He said the doors and gate had been