The Washington times., 1911-08-31
DETECTIVE DOUBTS
GIRL NOW HELD IS
CLEVER GEM THIEF
Washingtonian Sees Maid
Suspected Of Robbing
Miss Adams.

Identification of the young woman
held at New Haven on suspicion of
being Mary Muller, cleverest Of ser
vaut-girl thieves is still a matter of
speculation.
Detective Henry Pratt, who went to
the Connecticut town last night, tele-
Eraphed to Police Headquarters today
that he was not at all sure the "sus-
pect' is the woman the police want.
He declared that he believed the wrong
woman has been arrested, and that his
belief is strengthened by comparisons
he has made between the woman her
self and the description furnished the
police by Miss Mary B. Adams, of 1921
New Hampshire avenue, from whom
Mary Muller stole 5000 worth OF jewels
March p.
Methods Similar.
Notwithstanding the doubt which
exists in Detective Pratt's mind,
Captain Boardman, chief Of detec-
tives. still is firm in his belief that
the right woman has been rounded
uo," and says he will not agree to
have the woman released until Miss
Adams has seen her.
The woman held on suspicion Of be-
ing Mary Muller is known as Fannie
Bartholf. she was arrested with
man companion shortly after a rob-
berry which bore all the characteristics
of Mary Muller's work. The similar
ity between Fannie Bartholfs way
of working, and the methods adopted
by Mary Muller, made the police sus-
picious. Both Fannie Bartholf and
the man were held today for the
action Of the grand jury, according
to Detective Pratt.
Miss Adams and Mrs Merrtman, who
also lost several valuable pieces OF
jewelry at the time of the theft, are
in Baf Harbor, having recently gone
there from Prout's Neck, Me-, where
they have been spending the summer.
Early this morning Captain Boardman,
chief of detectives, received a telegram
from Miss Adams saying that she could
not get to New Haven today. She said
that she would return to Prout's Neck
tomorrow and asked that a picture of
the woman under arrest be forwarded
to her. She made no mention when she
would be able to go to New Haven.
Robbery Daring.
Captain Boardman has already mailed
by special delivery a copy of the pho
tograph OF the woman under arrest in
New Haven which reached there today.
lie has telegraphed Miss Adams asking
her when she will be able to reach New
Haven.
The robbery of jewelry valued at
5000 from Miss Adams home last
March was one of the most daring
that has occurred in this city for years.
On March 20, Miss Adams went to an
employment agency In search for
maid. Mary Miller had made applica-
tionat the agency but a short time be-
fore. Miss Adams liked the appear
ance of the young woman and accord
ingly engaged her.
The following day Mary Miller be-
gan her duties at the Adams home. She
appeared to be a willing worker and
Miss Adams felt greatly pleased with
her
The following day Miss Adams and
Mrs. Merriman, her house guest, left
her home about ( o'clock to make some
calls. The new maid said that during
their absence she would clean and polish
the toilet articles on Miss Adams dress
ing table.
The police believe that few minutes
after Miss Adams and her companion
had left the house Mary Miller started
her stealing operations. Valuable jewels
were taken from the dresser in Miss
Adams room and from a Chinese caOi-
ret in which a number of valuable fam
iiy heirlooms were usually kept. Mrs.
Merriman's room was also ransacked.
Still. dressed in her regulation maids
uniform. Mary Miller is alleged to have
then left the house and hurried to
nearby drug store, where male COM
ranion was waiting for her in an au-
tomobile. All trace of her was lost
from that time until a letter telling OF
the arrest of a woman supposed to be
her was received by the police yester-
day.