Year: 1879

A few weeks since the postoffice authorities
at Sioux City we're Informed by one Of
the leading citizens OF that place that
9 letter directed to bis daughter had been
a diamond ring, precious heir-lc 1m of the
family, had b sn extracted. The letter had
been sent by IT, w Parker, at the latter place.
who had been engaged to the young lady.
Parker arshn II sre young aa wth
ners. He held q sort Of rowing commits
sion for the telegraph company, remaining
at different places only short time. making
female friends In abundance wherever he


went. During his stay at Sioux City he
formed the acquaintance Of the young lady


mentioned. Sho Is spoken Of as q bright in
telligent young girl, to whom the outcome OF


her acquaintance with Parker has been a
source OF much modification and SORROW.


upon his departure the young couple ex-


changed rings, Parker receiving the diamond


ring and leaving a gold one In it's place. His


busincjs called him to several different


reached his Sioux City friends, and their eyes


were opened to his true character. The


young lady became satisfied Of his unfaithful-
ness and returned his ring, with the request
that Parker would promptly remit the dia-
mond.


If unable to keep the love Of the Sioux City
young lady, Parker determined not to come
out Of the contest without some trophy, and
he concluded that the diam ond would satisfy
his uarequited affection. He, therefore, from
st. Charles, penned short epistle to the
young lady. announcing his Willingness to
break the engagement, and stating that he
inclosed the ring. The letter was received,
the impress Of the ring on the envelope, but
the ring was not there. In one corner Of the
envelope was a short cut, showing plainly
that after the sealing Of the envelope it had
been cut open, d hook inserted and the dia-
mond removed. The father Of the young lady
informed the postal officers and the case was
put In the hands Of Detective Childs, of the
weeks for the officer to satisfy himself as to
who was tho thief. The postmasters at the
forwarding and receiving cities and each mail
agent along the route were implicated at frst,
came convinced that Parker was himself
the thief; that, he still had the dia-
mond ring In his possession. Detective
Childs went to st. Charles, and there
remained III disguise, shadowing Parker
continually. At last he found it necessary to
take the postmaster at st. Charles into his
confidence Parker was paying attentions to


a young lady In thatplaca, and through the
assistance OF the postmasters . daughter, the
aid Of the recipient Of Parker's attentions
detective was for the young lady to get Par
ker. If possible, to write her monogram upon
some glass with the stolen diamond, and Sc
cure his arrest with 1t upon his person. Ihe
young lady entered into the scheme ana 81 % eS. s.
hibited an ingenuity In filling her difficult
role worthy Of her teacher, but. despite her
cunning efforts and many devices, Parker
wouldn't exhibit the diamond. He wrote her
initials and other things upon pieces of glass
for her, but never would show the diamond
with which he accomplished his handsome
designs. All the while the young garl showed
no undue desire to see the diamond, and dis
played no knowledge OF his possession OF II
except from his own statement that ne nad a
diamond.


7he detective was now satisfied with the
evidence furnished by his bright young lacy
assistant that Parker was the thief hut the
opportunity had not presented ttSeif 10 arrest
the fellow with the brilliant upon his person.
About this time Parker announced his lnten-
ton Of going to Chicago. Detective Uallds
felt sure that one object Of the thief was to
pawn the ring or have 1t reset to prevent It's
recognition When the young man took the
train for. Chicago, In the same ear, disguised,
was an old man, and behind pair Of darA
m1aoTement + of the thief. When the .wo reached
Chicago the Minnesota detective followed
Parker to His hotel and then informed De-
teetive Stewart, OF that city, also ID the
nostal service, OF his mission, and obtained
his assistance In watching Parker. At the
suitable time after keeding an eye On the
thief for two or three days, the detective
arrested Parker 10 bis room His sufpIlse
knew no bounds, and he loudly protested
his innocence of any connection with the
theft. He said be had inclosed the ring ln the
letter. and supposed that it had been received;
Rnt the officers searched his clothing, ana
there found jewelers. ticket showing Where
he had left the ring with orders 20 reset the
diamond Id shirt-stud. When THIS was
found. Parker at once changed MS protest. snsa
lions of innocence to piteons pleading. Ine