The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-06-22
A YORK COUNTY ROMANCE.

4 YORK, at the age OF ~ years, reChlls
to mind the history of a tragedy which
at the time created much interest there
and in Maryland, and OF which he
nearly proved to be victim. The cir
cumstances, as gathered from his son
and neighbors who have known him
for the past forty years, are as follows:
About thirty years ago Paul Kunkle
accompanied his brother to Baltimore,
whence the latter was to sail for the
home of his nativity in Germany. Hav-
ing seen him off Mr.. Kunkle started on
foot for his home in York, carrying
with him an old umbrella. With him
was companion, who left him at Coo
keysville, intending there to take the
train and ride to Glen Rock, his destina-
tion, having become tired of footing it.
Kunkle kept ON his way on foot, and at
Parkton met stranger, with whom q
conversation was begun, which finally
ended in an exchange of umbrellas, the
stranger giving much better one than
that which he received. Together the
two men then kept on their way until
York was finally reached, and the
stranger, who gave his name as Conrad
Winter, persuaded Kunkle to receive
him at his home. Winter remained
with the Kunkles for several days and
had with him a number of articles,
which he endeavored to give or sell to
the family. He offered pair of ladies
chncc IN 1o fnv. Of [,r., Lob
shirts, and the bargain being good one,
as the shoes were quite new, it was
accepted. He offered cap to one of
the boys, but it being too large, was told
to keep it, and also presented hand
some snufEboX to one of the children,
which was likewise declined, on the
plea that the child had no use of it. On
the first morning of his arrival he stated
that murder had been committed in
Maryland, and that the murderer had
not been caught. Soon after his de-
parture 1t was learned that a murder
had been committed near Parkton on
the morning on which Kunkle had been
seen in the place, and detectives, who
NSAO oAASoNJ Oi VIC uiollJ OloOCu iNuii-
kle to his home, where the umbrella
and the pair of new shoes were identi-
fled as the property of a Mrs. Cooper,
the victim. He was at once arrested
and thrown in Jail at York, where he
was kept several months, being finally
taken to Baltimore. Mrs. Kunkle about
that time gave birth to a child. Paul
Kunkle, under the weight of trouble,
became insane, or at least his reason
was so unsettled that he could not give
lucid explanation of how the things
had come into his possession or from
whom he had obtained them. A true
bill was found against him, and several
trials were had, which resulted in his
conviction and sentence to death. The
period of his confinement in the Balti-
more prison was about ten months,
during which time every effort was
made to establish his innocence. Ac-
quaintances from York testified to his
uniform good conduct, but the circum-
stantial evidence of his being in the
vicinity at the fatal time, and the pos
session.of the articles, was too grave to
be overthrown. Being Roman Cath
olic, the Bishop of Philadelphia took
great interest in his case, visiting him
in his prison at York, and, it is under
stood, in Baltimore also. Finally, about
eight days before the time fixed for the
execution, his mind became clear, and
he was able to explain his leaving Balti-
more with one man and his meeting
with the other, with whom he exchang-
ed umbrellas, and described them both.
Officers of the law were put upon the
track, and before long the man with
whom he left Baltimore was found,
who, strange to say, shortly after part
ing with Kunkle, had met with Winter,
and had seen the umbrella, shoes and
other articles. Winters appearance
was described, tallying with that given
by Kunkle, and once more the officers
were successful in their search, Winter
betraying himself by one of those slight
actions which so often lead to the arrest
of criminals when they feel the safest.
During all this time Winter, who was
blacksmith, had kept in his possession
the stolen snuff box, and one day, while
at work at Ashland, pulled it from his
pocket and handed it to fellow-work-
man, who wished pinch of its con-
tents. This workman discovered what
the murderer never had, that the name
of Mrs. Cooper was engraved upon
silver plate within the box. Being