Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-07-08
THIEF CAUGHT
AT OCEAN CITY
Had Stolen Eight Hundred Dol.
lars In Jewels And Money
From IdIewiId Cottage

Sheriff Dale made sensational and
important arrest at Ocean City on the
18th of July, and he and States Attor-
ney johnson soon landed in Jail a hotel
sneak thief who had made arrangements
to get away with $500 worth of jewelry
and money stolen from the room of Mr..
and Mrs. b. G. Simonton at the Idlewild
Cottage.
A. j. Brown and wife. said to be from
Pittsburg, occupied room on the same
floor as Mr.. and Mrs Simonton, Of Bal
timore, in the IdlewiId Cottage. AT the
bathing hour both men went in bathing
and their wives accompanied them to
the beach. Brown remained in the wa
ter only few minutes. When Mr.. and
Mrs. Simonton returned to their room
they found some one had entered it in
their absence and had taken their money
and jewels, consisting of two diamond
earrings valued at $500, diamond ring
valued at 5000. another diamond ring
!
brooch valued at 500 and gentleman
gold watch and charm worth about
1920 Also fifty dollars in money. Mr..
and Mrs. Simonton Immediately made
known their loss, and everybody around
the house got busy to find the thief.
Then it was remembered that Brown
had hurried to his room while the others
remained in bathing. and the porter
also recalled that he saw Brown going
toward the postofiice. States Attorney
johnson had arrived at Ocean City and
was informed of the theft, and he and
Sheriff Dale put their heads together
and did some fine detective work. Mr..
johnson directed search warrant be
issued for Brown and his wife, Their
room was entered and it was thoroughly
searched without anything being found.
Their persons were also searched with
like result. Mr.. johnson having learned
of Browns visit to the postoffice de-
manded that he give an order to have
any mail he had placed therein examined.
Brown thinking the mail had been for
warded, consented. and Sheriff Dale
went with him to the postofiice where
to the surprise and CONSERVATION of
Brown the postmaster. upon his orders,
returned letter addressed to A. J.
Brown, Snow Hill, Md. Sheriff Dale
took Brown and the letter and went be-
fore Justice S. G. Jones. who was hold
ing court in Ocean City. He was re-
quired to open his letter. There were
three enclosures. one envelope inside of
another. the last one containing guam
tity of waste paper. inside of which was
secreted a pair of diamond earrings
which Mrs. Simonton identified at once
as her property. Sheriff Dale then took
Mr.. and Mrs. Brown back to the Idle
wild to make further search of their be-
longings and find the other missing
jewelry and money. He looked in vain,
until Mrs. Brown broke down and pre-
vailed upon her husband TO tell where it
was hidden. He directed the Sheriff to
look in the bathroom under the cottage.
where he would find the stolen iewelry
and money in dark corner. After dill
gent search it was finally located and
returned to the owners, Mr.. and Mrs
Simonton. who then said they were sat
isfed, and did not want to appear against
Brown, but Mr.. johnson said these
thefts had been going on every summer
and he intended to prosecute the case
and convict the thief. Mr.. and Mrs.
Simonton were put under bond for their
appearance in Court and Brown in de-
fault of S25OO.OO bail was brought to
Snow Hill and placed in Jail to await
trial. 1t is thought he is professional
thief, and there is no telling just now
whether or not his right name is Brown
or something else. Mrs. Brown was
released, as there was no evidence that
she had any part in the robbery.
Sheriff Dale and States Attorney
Johnson are being congratulated for
| their fine work.