100 years ago in the Saratogian

Tuesday, Aug. 20, 1918

Increased police patrols in Saratoga Springs have paid off with the capture of an alleged serial sneak thief early this morning, The Saratogian reports.

James Peterson of Danville VA awaits arraignment on a second-degree burglary charge after being taken into custody in back of the Victoria Hotel. His capture ends a foot chase that began at Frederick Dingman’s house at 139 South Broadway at 5:30 a.m.

“Entering by way of a window from the piazza, [Peterson] found himself in the bedroom occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Dingman,” a reporter writes, “He was quietly at work ruffling the contents of a small desk in the room when Mrs. Dingman awoke and moved in bed.”

The movement startles Peterson, who jumps out the bedroom window just as Mr. Dingman wakes up. The man of the house “seized some scanty clothes” before going out to chase the burglar. Moments later, Patrolman Dorsey joins the pursuit.

Outside the Victoria, Peterson, who is black, bumps into two New York Central Railroad policemen. “Here the negro pulled a knife and showed fight,” the reporter notes, “but he was quickly subdued by the officers, who ‘treated him rough’ before they got him to police headquarters.”

Police superintendent James H. King believes that Peterson is “without a doubt” the person who pulled off at least two break-ins last Sunday morning. “His appearance tallies to a dot with the description given of the intruder who has made an early morning visit to several other houses,” possibly including the Lorman residence at Andrews and Beekman streets earlier this morning.

Peterson’s arrest “would appear to indicate that the new system, made possible through the action of Mayor [Harry E.] Pettee and the City Council, willbring satisfactory results,” the report concludes. The council appropriated $1,500 last week to hire detectives from New York City to augment the Spa City police force during the racing season.

Woman Assaults Dominican Sister

Eliza Smith of Troy is being held overnight in the Saratoga Springs jail after attacking a nun at the Dominican convent this morning.

Smith allegedly “attempted to compel one of the sisters to sign a paper,” The Saratogian reports. When police are called to the scene, Smith turns on them.

“One of the detectives in the case alleges that the woman nearly bit the end off one of his fingers,” a reporter notes. In police court, Smith claims that the officers knocked two of her teeth out. She’s being held without bail pending a mental evaluation.

An August 22 story clarifies that the attack actually took place at the Sisters of St. Joseph convent.