A Thief’s Tall Tale in Court

Charles Stevens, charged with burglary, was bound over to the superior court yesterday by Justice Neagle. Early yesterday morning, Stevens and a pal stole into the Pullman house, at the corner of Front and University streets, and were ransacking a room when discovered by a guest. They took to flight; Officer W. A. Cover saw Stevens run into an alley and gave chase. Stevens attempted to fight, but surrendered when faced with the officer's revolver. On the stand, Stevens claimed: 'Your honor, you all misjudge me. I was protecting myself from a thief at the moment I was accused. A man stopped me on the street and said: "Hold up your hands and give me your money, or I'll shoot your head off!" I commenced to lick the other fellow, and grabbing my gold watch from my pocket, he ran into the Pullman lodging house. I went in after him. I was in the act of choking him when a gentleman rushed in and hollered "thief!" I ran like a whitehead to get away.' Stevens could not furnish bondsmen and went to jail.