The Stolen Laces

An Episode in the History of Chicago Crime

From the Diary of Detective Dennis Simmons of the Bank Detail of the Central Station

I

Early in the spring of 1872 the boarders at Mrs. Frelinghuysen’s house, on West Adams street, felt themselves constrained to discuss and decide a very delicate question. For some time previous the conduct of Mrs. Alice Claypole had given them great concern. This lady was the wife of a middle aged lawyer of good standing, who seemed devotedly attached to her, and was blind to the many weaknesses of her character, and oblivious of the face that her bearing in male society was a subject of unfavorable comment in the well conducted establishment of the estimable Mrs. Frelinghuysen.

Mrs. Claypole’s flirtations were the talk of the neighborhood, and her bald headed, good natured husband came in for a goodly share of that pity and compassion which the world has ever in store for persons apparently unconscious of their own misfortunes.

“Poor old Claypole” was an oft repeated remark; “some one ought to open his eyes and let him know the full iniquity of his wife’s misconduct.”

But none undertook this delicate mission, and “poor old Claypole” continued to idolize his charming and fascinating spouse—charming and fascinating not only to him, but to some half dozen other gentlemen who were said to languish in the sunshine of her smiles.

Mrs. Claypole, to make matters more piquant and interesting to her fellow boarders, was not a beautiful woman, as the term goes. She was tall and shapely, however, dressed with becoming taste, and carried herself with a stately grace that never failed to elicit remarks of admiration.

Her features were somewhat irregular and heavy in repose, but when she became interested in conversation, or, better… Read More