The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-20
THIEVES RELIEVE
GRESHAM Of RING
Vice-President of Richmond Lum-
Der Company Robbed of $500
Circlet on Pullman.
DIAMOND LOST ON TRAIN
Went to See Postmaster General
Hitchcock Returns to Capital
in Quest Of Gem.

Thieves who make speciality OF
rohhing Pullman car patrons are be-
lieyed to have stolen from Mr.. Thomas
Gresham, viee-president of the West
moreland Lumber Corporation, with
offices In the Mutual building. a large
diamond set In a wide gold ring, the
value of which Is s6eo
Returning to Virginia from the ma
tional capital Sunday Mr.. Gresham
missed the ring and Immediately went
back to Washington 10 make report
to the police there and also the Pull
man managers.
While he is not positive that he had
the ring with him when he entered
the sleeper for Richmond, he believes
he placed IL in his watch pocket. He
was awakened when near his home
by the porter and after dressing miss
ed the ring.
Many Other Robberfes.
The reported robbery follows many
Complaints that of late have been
registered with the railroad by pas
sengers. A gang that has systemati-
cally robbed the sleepers In the Pull
man cars is believed by detectives to
be at work and officers from Rich
/ ksl anu x2AAt4AApkG A4
making q search for the guilty per-
son.
The diamond stolen from Mr..
Gresham Is set In a wide gold ring.
which he had worn for Ave years, and
which he values highly because of as
sociations connected with II. He says
he always exercised the utmost eau
ton against the loss or theft Of the
gem until he boarded train at the
/ Union Station in Washington to re-
turn to his home in Richmond. His
| vigilance relaxed and the theft OF the
| ring was "A comparatively simple task
] for a crook versed in the methods OF
robbing passengers asleep in Pullman
| berths.
| Mr.. Gresham has offered a reward
! Of $50 for the return of the ring. If
| by any possibility he could have drop
! ped 1t out 81 his pocket In Washington
( he hopes that 1t will be returned to
| the police headquarters there and
that he may again secure it.
! Mr.. Gresham Is a friend and former
/ classmate OF PostmasterGe General
Hitchcock and called upon the cabinet
| officer while in Washington. His visit
had no Significance. he simply being
/ in Washington and wanting to meet
his classmate.
Many Cops After 1t.
| AT his ofTices In the Mutual building
"wednesday Mr.. Gresham said that he
/ would not hold the Pullman people
responsible for the robbery. though
he was of the opinion that the ring
was stolen while he was on the train.
He said he had enlisted the aid of the
police of three cities and hoped to
/ find the gem within a few days
A special to The Virginian from
1 IT.
| saying:
II came to Washington yesterday
TO see Postmaster-G General Hitchcock.
with whom | was a classmate while
studying law at George Washington
/ University. and whom / have known
| intimately since college days. / want
| ed to see him on important business.
| but did not learn he was out OF town
until reached hts ONCE.
II then attended to other business
| matters. which delayed me until mid
night. I intended to leave for home
on the 1 o'clock train for Richmond.
and. a. l had nothing to do in the
| interim, hunted up an old friend.
| nearly o'clock then took q taxi
| cab and drove to Union Station. 1t
was between 3 and Z o'clock when I
entered the Pullman and went to
sleep. do not recall the exact time.
Protected the Gem.
"It has been 4 custom OF mine.
| whenever am out late and alone. TO
i take the ring from my finger and
| place II In my pocket. I took this
| precaution. because the stone was
large, white and brilliant. and would
prove an almost irresistible attraction
to a crook.
II think there were few passengers
| In the coach when entered, but the
i porter met me and took my satchel.
was tired and fell asleep in a few
minutes. ! did not awaken until
! felt the porter shaking my shoulder.
| I have offered q reward OF $50 for the
recovery of the stone.s
Mr.. Gresham II member OF the
Arm of Pasehall Il Gresham. Both
members Of the firm are prominent In
social life OF the Virginia capital.
The theft Of which Mr.. Gresham
was q victim bears . striking simiiari-
" 20 a robbery committed on Sunday
1 last in the Pullman which leaves
washington every morning at I
4 o'clock for Richmond. The police and
railroad detectives concur In the optn-
/ ion that the same person or persons
Il committed both robhories, and II b
believed that the solution cf one Of
~ thstn will result ~ the capturs