Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 252, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 October 1912 — DINES WITH VICTIMS [ARTICLE]

DINES WITH VICTIMS

“Gentleman Burglar” Has Real Sense of Humor. Robs Two Young Girl* in the Evening and Returns to Comfort Them at Breakfast Table in the - Morning. ,' Philadelphia.—“lt’s the people who haven’t any sense of fun that make a success in the world,” sighed George Witson, “gentleman burglar," in his cell at police headquarters. “If you’ve got a streak of humor in d you you’re no good, whether you’re In business or burglary.” And Witson had a personal text to preach from. His. desperate sense of humor had led him to lock a keeper of the New York Tombs prison In his (Witson’s) own cell, while he (Witson) walked out to freedom. And Thursday, in Atlantic City, the same fatal love of the laughable made him call on two eminent young ladieß in the evening, return and rob them at three o’clock In the morning and return again and comfort them at the breakfast table. Witson was strolling down the boardwalk the other day when Miss Lillian Price and Miss Mary C. McKaig of Wilmington were out for a walk. The young women, who come of excellent families, were offended by a flirtatious person, It is said, and Witson went quickly to their rescue. He got the offender out of the way in short order, and the girls gave him permission to call. After a considerate three days had elapsed he dropped in one evening. /They found him charming—a man of culture, of experience, wit,wisdom and courtesy. He left well before the pre-. scribed eleven o’clock, and he left with a cordial invitation to return at his pleasure. About three o’clock in the morning the young women were awakened by a noise in their room. Miss McKaig ran out into the reception hall and was confronted by a pistol muzzle with a masked man behind it. “Please don’t trouble yoUrself,” he said. "I don’t want to harm you. I have your Jewelry and things and 1

won’t disturb you a moment longer." He drove her politely back to bed, and then left —the women don’t know how. In their excitement they called up the apartments of Witson —the friend who had called on them the previous evening. He was out, but when he returned about six o’clock in the morning be called them up. To learn that their rooms had been robbed seemed to throw him into consternation. He

went instantly to comfort them. They \yere all having breakfast together when the detectives who bad been summoned arrived. One of the sleuths seemed to cast an over-inquis-itive eye at the gentleman guest. Witson suddenly remembered he must be In Philadelphia early. He left abruptly. The detectives telegraphed his description on ahead of him and he was arrested as he stepped from a train here.