Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-07-12
MONS. SANCON'S PLOT.

In 1852, Monsieur Paul Sancon was
accounted one Of the shrewdcst and most
successful tinancicrs of France. Hc was
man Of about thirty-fvc, we'll educated
and of respectable family. His wife was
q very beautiful woman, some years his
Junior and reputed to be wealthy. They
had three children, who were being etlu-
Gated in England under the care of Nine.
SancOns maiden sister. Mons. Sancon
lived in elegant style, but without ostcn.
tation or extravaganza, and altogether
within his supposed means. He had
counting room in his dwelling and a con-
fidcntial clerk, and much of his important
business was transacted there
The narrative which is about to be re-
lated begins on the 10th Of November in
the year named.
Early in the evening Of that day, Mons.
Sancon informed his wife that he had i'm
portant business which called him from
home, and would dctain him probably
until midnight. He requested his clerk,
Montalon, to remain at his post until his
return, and about nine o'clock Quilted the
house.
Almost Immediately afterwartl, Nine.
Sancon also left her residence, on foot
Soon after eleven o'clock she returned,
and learning that her husband was still
absent, she retired to her apartment.
Half an hour later, Mons. Sancon ar
rived and went ut once to his private
room. The scene that awaited him there
was tragic one. The clerk, Montalon,
lay on the floor, weltering in blood which
still oo2ed from wound in the throat
and from score of horrible eashcs in the
face. The large safe was open and the
contents were scattered over the floor. A
hasty glance revealed the fact that large
sum of money and valuable securities
we're missing.
Mons. Sancon quickly summoned an
attendant, and dispatched him with in
formation of the crime which had been
perpetratcd to the Chief of Police. In a
short time that functionary and a num-
Der of police were at the house investi-
eating the matter.
A hasty examination of things showed
that at about ten o'clock that night a
stranger called at the house and cnquired
for Mons. Sancon. On being informed
that he was not at home he requested to
see the clerk, and was thereupon admit
ted. In less than a quarter Of an hour he
departed, without exciting suspicion on
! the part Of servant who opened the
door. This man was described as about
forty years of age, with full black beard
and hair, above the medium height, and
inclined to be stout He wore wide
brimmcd, low crowned ltat, capacious
F; military cloak and heavy boots. He spoke
| in a low deep voice, and with i foreign
| accent.
| Examination showed that 100000
francs drawn that day by Mons. Sancon
tor transmission to Movers, for the pay.
! mcnt Of men employed in the construc-
, ton of railroad, had been distracted
from the safe. A large amount in bonds
and securities was also missing, and q
case of jewclry. Of large value, which had
been deposited with Mons. Sancon by s
! General of the army, during his absence
! in the south Of France for the benefit Of
his wite's health, were likewise gone TIL,
whole property distracted WIS valued a
over a million and 4 half francs.
The murdered clerk was buried, and i
was considered best in tho interests o
justice to keep many Of the facts con
ncctca with the tragedy from the public
The whole case was, however, diligentl,
canvasscd by the authorities, and til,
most expert and trustworthy detective
employed to fathom the mystery Of tn
crime
The murder, as already stated, wa
pcrpetratcd on the evening of Nov. 10th
1852. On the 2nd day Of December fol
lowing,a man named Ramon was arrested
for the crime and subjected to examina
ton.
The circumstances which led to his ar
rest were: Ramon had been in the hab!
Of frequcnting low cabaret in the Fat,
bourg st. German, and on the night fol
lowing that of the murder, gave Il suppe
to his friends, and announced that h
had unexpectedly come into possession
Of wealth, and would thenceforwar,l b
above the caprices and troubles of for
tune. When asked to explain, he refus
cd, and sail he knew too we'll the uncer
tain tenure by which most men enioye
the gifts of fortune to say anythin
about it.
; One Of his companions, annoyed b
HIS OcdIluS, AAIN.
you have not made it by the brusl
unless it is one that has a sharp blade O
a trigger"
"What do you mean by that. RI
mon asked, Indignantly.
II mean," replied the man, THAT q
once, according to your own confession
you played the bandit in Spain, and fai
ed, SO you may have played the bravo !;
Paris, and succeeded"
Thereupon Ramon broke wine bottl
over the speakers head, and the polio
were summoned.
The Chief, having heard an account c
what had happened, discharged Ramon
but set spies upon his track. It was dis
covered that he had been poot. hut tia
he had recently purchased residence q
Versailles, and was fitting it up richl,
The chief caused his arrest as related.
When asked to account for his where
; abOuts on the night Of Nov. 10th, he BIZ
came greatly disturbed, and declined t
answer
II will tell you, then,' said the Chic
that you are suspected Of having CON
; mittcd murder and robbery ut the res
i. dence Of Mons. Sancon, on the night i
. question, and your refusal to explai
what you were doing and where you wei
at that time strengthens the suspicion"
MY God! exclaimed the prisoner, I"
, never so much as knew where Mons. Sar
cons house was, until lie ard the accour
OF the crime you accused me Of"
> "Wcll," said the Chief. "you see ju.
the position in which you are-on II,
morning Of Nov. 10th you were a poo
man, and got credit for your breakfast,
} that 500"
. "That is the truth: I remember
, we'll" was the reply.
"Vcry good,'' the Chief continued
next day you gave a supper to yor
friends, and boosted that thcnccforth 70
were wealthy man. am correct, am
not!'
. $50 on, Chief" replied the prisonc
"you have said the TRUTH
Very we'll, thcn,'' tho Chief said, :.
!; will 20 on, You remember you were 4.
rested that night for breaking compal
, ions head with bottle, and that I q