The Search for Stolen Silks

Deputy United States Collector of Customs McKenzie and Deputy Inspector Guptill were in Everett today investigating a case of suspected smuggling of a lot of silks valued at $7,000. Although no arrests were made, the case has some unusually sensational features. The suspicions of the officers were first aroused in an effort to recover by search warrant a lot of clothing stolen from Mrs. Delia Brown and her married daughter, Mrs. Toy, who had rooms in the Rucker block on Rucker Avenue. Other residents included L’Abbe de la Croix de Castries and his niece, Mme. De la Chasse, who are cultivated and prominent people of France, the gentleman having been the accredited representative of the French government at the Yorktown celebration. On Wednesday, deputies allegedly forced their way into the apartments and, as claimed, used brutal force, drawing a pistol and handcuffing the Abbe. The friends of the distinguished couple are greatly incensed, asserting that the officers insulted the lady and threw the gentleman to the floor. The Abbe is a retired priest, a descendant of General Lafayette, and a cousin of ex-President McMahon, currently in the area for his health. A woman living in the same building suspected of the theft has reportedly fled and been arrested in Seattle.