The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1915-03-29
HdHiesburg Women
Face Shop Lifting
Charge in Jackson
MRS. J. G. WILLIAMS AND MRS. W.
W. cox ARRESTED IN DE-
PARTMENT STORE.


the police court of Jackson today, on
the charge of shop-lifting. They were
arrested Saturday night while going
through one of the biggest department
stores in the capital, but later were re-
leased on bonds furnished by the hus-
band of one of the women.
| The women were Mrs. ]. G. Will
liams, whose husband was killed in
railroad accident about a couple of
years ago. and who, until a few days
ago. lived in Hattiesburg; and Mrs. W.
w. Cox, the wife of former violnist
at Hattiesburg moving picture thea
tre.
The husband of Mrs Cox is now EN-.
p1oyed in Jackson moving picture
theatre Until few few days ago, she
visited Mrs. Williams in this city, and
it was only last week that the pair
went to Jackson.
From Jackson, today came the fol-
lowing account of the arrest
ut was case of beauty in distress
at police headquarters, for surrounded
by policemen and her accusers, Mrs.
Williams broke down, cried and swore
that she would commit suicide.
"T tell you this is terrible" she
cried, and | only took the old things
from the store in spirit of fun. l
was in a joking mood, and l can't tell
just what prompted me to do it, but
l did take few things from the store
in my hand few days ago, and put a
kimona in my muff while l was in the
t store.
d Came From Hattiesburg.
e According to the story told by Mrs
:. Williams, she is friend of Mrs. Cox
g and came here from Hattiesburg q
t week ago to visit her in her apart
ments at No. 623 North Congress
street. She told reporter that hel
husband formerly was travelling
salesman for the Firm Lumber Com
e pany, of Hattiesburg, and was killed
n by a railroad train two years ago
d She said her father and mother Mr.
5 and Mrs. Vickers, reside on Walnu
d. Street, at Hattiesburg.
e "The woman is rather pretty, a de
+? cided brunette. She was neatly at
tired, and carried a large muff, wear
n ing furs at the neck.
, "The husband of Mrs. Cox is a VI
o. olinist, and when officers told him o
the detention of his wife at headqual
ters he seemed deeply distressed. H
10 Immediately arranged cash bonds fo
the prisoners, and they were allowe
- to depart, but instructed to return fo
trial in police court.
Suspicious circumstances caused
. clerk in the Union Department stor
to keep an eye on the two wome
when they entered the establishment
&C. When he saw them enter rear rool
oi he was careful to scrutinize thel
III closely when they emerged. Just
OIL wee bit of a kimona could be seen
IN the muf carried by Mrs. William
ne Police headquarters were notified an
ch sent officers to the store. The wome
ne were escorted to the police static
III after Policemen Tom Moore, Fair
lih and Drummond, armed with scare
warrants, went to the Cox apartment
IN and searched the room occupied
ge Mrs. Williams. In trunk several g
on ticles were found, including one ca
tie two corset covers, two China 81
waists. The value of the stolen ar
uc- cles is about $40.
or. Mrs. Williams was all tears as 8
talked of her arrest She said, amo
other things:
. Treated As Common Thief.
. "I just don't know what to
. There is SO much red tape down he
. it seems, and they treat me like / "
. a common thief. Why l didn't me
. to do any harm. just took the thin
, . in a joking kind of way. If b
r . been common thief l would ha
/ . been so smooth they could not ha
| q detected me- &
! . "This is the first shoplifting case
. q several weeks, and 1t created gr
: . deal of interest among the mercha
t q last night. So
d : "Mr. and MRS., Cox have been h
q = about month. coming from Gre
; = Vile, it is said.""4e ,s, ,..l ..,