Dolly Agnew's Diamonds, Scalped Tickets, and a Seattle Arrest
Arrested in Seattle with William Woodward for larceny, Dolly Agnew told a Portland deputy sheriff a story of diamond theft, a Chicago father, and train tickets turned into cash in Tacoma.
Tacoma, March 24.—Special.—A Portland deputy sheriff who was in the city today says that Dolly Agnew, the woman arrested at Seattle several days ago with William Woodward for larceny, has a history. She asserts that she is the daughter of a well-known Chicago politician, whose name she does not give, and that her passion for stealing was the cause of her fall. Some months ago, according to her story, she was arrested at Portland for stealing diamonds, but secured money from her father and 'squared' the trouble. Her father at the time sent her money and tickets on which to go home. She came to Tacoma, scalped the tickets and proceeded to enjoy the proceeds in her own peculiar manner.
“She came to Tacoma, scalped the tickets and proceeded to enjoy the proceeds in her own peculiar manner.”
The paper frames Agnew as a specimen of fallen womanhood, but her story also shows a woman navigating police, family money, and ticket scalping across the Northwest. Today's coverage of retail theft and fraud still often personalizes and moralizes the accused; Agnew's own account, if true, is a reminder that the printed version was only one side.
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