The Sophie Lyons Case

Now tbat the nortorious Sopbie Lyons bas been convicted and sentenced to the workbouse for a term of years, it is fout justice to the offlcer wbo worked up the case whicb led to her arrest to rneution the following facts: Ia the first place it is well known that this woman bas time and again completely covered up her tracks, and by "standing in" with the offlcers managed to escape from the meshes of the law, altbough arrested at different times and oh different charges. The crime for wbich she bas at last been. convicted and sentenced was committed on the fair grounds in this city during .the last county fair. When Mis. Cornwell's watch was stolen chicf of pólice Clarken was imraediately notified, and was soon on the track of the supposed "crook." Heflearned at the express office that a small package had been sbipped to De troit by a stranger, to one Mis. Smith. A. telegram was seut to tlien chief Rogéis to bold the package. Offlcer Clarken was soon after advised to coiné to Detroit with the necessary papers for the ed p'irty was tben in the city. He. went down on tlie afternoon train and in company with two policemen visited the residence of "Sopbie" and arrested her for stealing the watch. From the time of the arrest until the deleudant was held for trial, Mr. Clarken was engaged in accumulating evidenco which enabled prosecuting attorney Whitrnan to present the facts in the case which resultcd in the convic tion of Mrs. Lyons in the circuit court. Tue Free Press in comineuting on ,the trial says: Tnefact that a check has been put at lsst upon the career of the notonous "Sophie" Lyons merits more than passing notice. For many months this adroit adveuturess has been the terror of half a dozen cities. This bas been due, not so tnuch to the magnitude or number of the crimes wilh which she has been connect ed or in which she bas borne a principal part; though in both these respecta she has enjoyed an unenviable reputation. She lias been ch'efly obnoxious, however, because of her apparent immunity from puuishment. Olten arrested, she bas managed as often to slip through the meshes of the law until the public - especlally in Detroit, upon which of late she has iuíiicted her presence - began to believe she had some charra against detectiou which rendered pólice and prosecutors powdrless. Naturally, when the charni is broken, and the adventuiessthief is at last behind the bars, the public iuquires how it was brought about. In replv it is only necessary to say that it was due to the efficiency of two Washteuuw couuty officials, aud one of them the chief of pólice of this city.