The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-07-09
A YORK COUNTY ROMANCE.

/ The recent death of Paul Kunkle in York,
at the age Of 20 years, recalls 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 a victim The
/ circumstances, 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 ac-
companied his brother to Baltimore, whence
the latter was to sail to the home of his na-
tivity in Germany. Having seen bin of, Mr.
Kunkle started on foot for his home in 1urs,
/ carry ing with him an old umbrella. With
him was a companion, who left him at Cock
eysville, intending there TO take the train
and ride to Glen Rock his destination, hav-
/ ing become tired Of footing it. kunkle kept
on his way on foot, and at PaTktOn met
stranger, with whom a conversation was be
gun, which finally ended in az exchange Of
umbrellas, the stranger giving a 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 per
suaded kunkle to receive him at MS home
Winter remained with the kunkles several
DAYS and had with him a number of articles,
which he endeavOred TO give OF sell 10 the
family. He offered pair of ladies' shoes
in exchange for one Of kunkle'S shirts, and
the bargain being good one as the shoes
were quite new, it was accepted. He offered
a cap to one of the boys, but, il being too
/ large, was told to keep il, and also presented
a handsome snuff-hoX to one OF the children,
which was likewise declined, on the plea
that the child had no use for it. On the first
morning Of his arrival he stated that muir
der had been committed in Maryland, and
/ that the murderer had not been caught soon
after his departure II was learned that m ur-
/ der had been committed near ParktOn on the
morning on which kunkle had been seen IN
/ the place and detectives, who were already
/ on the trail, traced Kunkie 10 his home, where
/ the umbrella and the pair of shoes were iden-
tilted as the property of a Mrs. Cooper, the
victim. He was at once arrested and thrown
in Jail at Y Ork. where he was kept several
months, being finally taken TO Baltimore
Mrs. kuukle about that time gave birth To
/ child. Paul kunEle. under the weight OF
/ trouble. became insane, or at least his reason
+ was so unsettled that he could not give lu-
I cid explanation of how the things had come
into his possession or from whom he had OBJ
T tained them. y true bill was found against
+ him, and several trials were had, which re-
suited in his conviction and sentence to
death. The period Of his confinement in the
Baltimore prison was about ten months, dur
ing which time every effort was made 10 es-
tablSh his innocence. Acquaintance from
York testified to his uniform good conduct,
but the ciTcUmStantial evidence Of his being
in tine vicinity at the fatal time and the pos
7 session of the articles, was too grave TO be
overthrOwn. Being a Catholic, the Bishop
/ of Philadelphia took great interest in his
case, visiting him in his prison at \ Ork, and,
. it Is understood, at Baltimore also. Finally,
about eight daVS before the time fixed Tor
7 the execution. his mind became clear, and he
was able to explain his leaving Baltimore
with one man and his meeting with the other,
with whom he exchanged 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
parting with kunkle, had met with Winter,
and had seen the umbrella, shoes and other
"
tallyinC with that given by kunfel, and once
more the officers were successful IN their
search, Winter betraving 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 a
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 il to a fellow-workman, who wished
a pinch of its contents. This workman dis
covered what the murderer never had. that
the name of Mrs. Cooper was engraved upon
a silver plate within the box. Being familiar
with the incident, he at once informed an
officer, who made the arrest, and upon trial
Winter was convicted and condemned Paul
kuuEle was saved
Upon the scaffold Conrad Winter confess
ed his guilt, stating that when young he had
been bound to a Mrs. Goodwin. residing near
ParktOn, who had compelled him to steal
sheep for her benefit Upon one OF his eN-
peditiOns he was captured and sent 10 the
pententaUy for his Offense, and while there
SwOre his revenge upon his mistress should
be death when he was released. Upon the
evening OF the murder he was walking along
the road swinging light switch, when be-
fore him he a woman whom DE took to
be Mrs. Goodwin. SeiZIng a stone, heavy
blow crushed her skull and she fell dead.
Upon turning her over and seeing her face
he found that he had killed the wrong wO-
man, it being Mrs Cooper. Drawing her to
a fence corner he covered her with brush.
took possession OF the shoes she had lust pur-
chased from the store, with the other arti-
cleS. and made his escape, meeting kmkle
and casting suspicion upon him as stated.
Mr.. kunkle has lived TO a good old age in
the community, respected 10y all, the dark
cloud of suspicion once resting upon um
having fortunately been cleared away.