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Title
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A Case of Stolen Property Unearthed.
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Source Type
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Newspaper.
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Author
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N/A.
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Publisher
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The New Orleans Bulletin.
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Publication Place
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New Orleans, LA.
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Publication Date
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December 30, 1875.
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Transcript
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A Case of Stolen Property Unearthed.- It will be remembered that at various times during the month of September, 1875, numerous burglaries were committed in this city, and among the many the residences of Mr. Cuggy, No. 388 Magazine street; Samuel Bell, Esq., on Camp street, and A. H. May, Jr., on St. Charles street.
In the early part of October a noted burglar arrested Taylor Harris, alias Zach Taylor, was in a room on Basin street, and all of the property that had been stolen was recovered, with the exception of a pair of solitaire diamond ear-rings and two valuable gold watches, that had been taken from Mr. Cuggy's residence on the night of October 1st.
A few days after the arrest of Taylor Harris, he sent a note by a messenger to Mrs. Cuggy from the Parish Prison, where he was confined, stating that he wished to see her immediately in reference to the property stolen from her on the night of the 1st of October.
Mrs. C called at the Parish Prison and saw Taylor Harris. He confessed of having entered her house in company with two other men, and of having stolen therefrom two gold watches and a pair of diamond ear-rings. He said he was sorry for what he had done, but that he would tell her where they were. He said that the next morning after the burglary he had disposed of the property to Mr. Geo. Ritter, a well known jeweler, at 177 Rampart street, for $55.
Mrs. Cuggy repaired to the jewelry store and found two of the watches that had been stolen from her house in the showcase. She walked into the store and asked Mr. Ritter if he had a pair of solitaire diamond earrings for sale. He answered no, but that he would receive some in a few days. Mrs. Cuggy then went to the First Municipal Police Court and made an affidavit against Mr. Ritter, for receiving and having in his possession stolen property.
A search warrant was issued and placed in the hands of Detective Cain, who, in company with Mrs. C., went back to the store, and when they got there they found that the watches had been taken out of the case and others placed in their stead. Ritter was arrested and subsequently released. On the 10th of this month Capt. Malone, Chief of Detectives, received the following note from Taylor Harris:
PARISH PRISON, NEW ORLEANS, LA. To Capt. Malone: Mr. Ritter, No. 177 Rampart street, you give me $55 for the two gold watches and the diamond earrings which were sold to you by me for the amount, on the second day of October, 1875.
Signed: TAYLOR HARRIS.
Witness: W. NICKOLL. Clerk P. P.
New Orleans, Dec. 10, 1875.
Capt. Malone called on Mr. Ritter the next day after receiving this note and informed him that if he did not return the property that he would be compelled to make an affidavit against him. Ritter did not deny having the property, and asked that a few days be granted to give an answer about it. The captain waited on him until Tuesday morning, and as he failed to come to an understanding he made an affidavit against him for receiving and having stolen property in his possession.
The warrant for his arrest was placed in the hands of an officer, who arrested Ritter at his store yesterday morning, and lodged him in the Central Station.
Mrs. Cuggy, making her affidavit, called on Mr. Ritter in reference to her property, and he told her that if she hadn't been so quick about making the affidavit and having him exposed in the papers, she would have recovered her property.
