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John Dempsey's Case
(DAILY NEWS, AUGUST 24,1883)
Milestones Vol 22 No 1 Spring 1997

Some time since we made notice of the arrest of Mr. John Dempsey, of Beaver Falls, for having in his possession a watch belonging to another person, which he had received from the store of Mr. J. D. McAnlis, and from the information given us, we made a statement which Mr. Dempsey believes is unjust to him. He had also given us his side of the story, which in justice to him, we herewith give in substance. He was requested by a man by the name of Smith, to go to the store of Mr. McAnlis, and get for him a watch he had left there to have repaired, and gave him $5 to pay for the repairs. Mr. Dempsey had seen the watch, and knew about what it looked like, and thought he would have no difficulty in identifying it. He went to the store and selected a watch which he thought to be the one, which was given him by a lady in attendance at the store. He was not entirely sure of it being the right watch, but took it to Mr. Smith, who not satisfying Mr. Dempsey that it was his, he kept it and went to the store to return it but found it closed, and then carried it home with him. The next evening he returned the watch. He states that it was not his intention to wrong anyone, but simply to do a favor for a friend, and when he found it was not the right watch, he returned it as soon as he could. In asking for the watch, he stated it was for Smith, but did not give that as his own name. He also states that he did not turn his back on the officer when he attempted to look in his face. He expresses his confidence in being able to show a good record at the proper time and from his statement, he is certainly not a thief, and we hope he may be able fully to exonerate himself before the court, where his case comes up in September. The NEWS will not knowingly and willfully injure any man, and if we have treated Mr. Dempsey unjustly, we are glad to correct it, but the fault is not ours.