Salt Lake Herald-Republican | 1910-02-18 | Page 2 | Strange Tale of an Overcoat Proves Puzzle to City Judge

Strange Tale of an Overcoat I Proves Puzzle to City Judge HE tale of an overcoat did Ed Mc Me McDonald rc THE T Donald steal it or did the coat steal McDonald Judge Bowman of the criminal divis division divisIon division ion of the city court would like very much to know Testimony offered against McDonald yesterday afternoon pointed to him as the thief while McDonald sworn in his own behalf gave the im mi impression Impression that the overcoat valued at U 5 played pranks with him during Wednes Wednesday Wednesday day afternoons blizzard bUzzard and that he In Instead Instead instead stead of ot being a criminal Is the victim of circumstances The story McDonald was arrested by Officer Lyons late Wednesday on complaint of N Grossman who runs a tailor shop at 34 31 Commercial street charged with the theft of an overcoat According to the story told in police court by Will m Bowell clerk for Grossman the overcoat was hanging on a rack outside the store Mc McDonald McDonald McDonald Donald came along and Bowell said he saw the man nian deliberately take the coat and amid an run north on Commercial street Bowell said he lie gave chase that McDon MeDon McDonald McDonald ald aid fell breaking a window as he lie did and the coat was recovered When McDonald was given a chance in his own behalf he startled the court and spectators by declaring that the wind had to all appearances dislodged the coat from Its hanging place Just as he came along and the first thing he knew was when the coat enveloped him about the neck causing him to fall heavily to the walk in doing which he crashed through a window The TIme case was continued until this after afternoon afternoon afternoon noon to permit McDonald to bring In wit witnesses witnesses witnesses nesses in his own behalf half which he said he believed he could do