The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1881-05-27
A Detectives story.

The wholesale produce and commits
sion store of Mr.. Purvis, on Delaware
avenue, near Vine street, Philadeiphia,
was robbed on the night of October II /,
1865.
The safe had been opened apparently
by false keys, and upwards of $9, 600 in
greenbacks were abstracted. A package
of bonds to the amount $3, 900 more re-
maired untouched.
Two clerks, both young men, usually
slept in the store. August Yerkes had
been in the employ of Mr.. Harrison Pur-
Wis about four years, and enjoyed the
confidence of his employer. Pembroke
Sharon, the other clerk, had only re-
Gently been taken, but the manner In
which he took hold of the business inn
pressed Mr. Purvis so much in his favor
that he predicted successful future for
the young man as very able salesman
and ultimate prominent merchant. Under
this impression he placed implicit trust in
Sharon, and selected him as compan-
ion for Yerkes in the store at night.
Both of these young men were in the
store on the night the robbery occurred; I;
but when the place was opened in the
morning Sharon was missing and
Yerkes lay on the floor near the safe with
severe cash on the side of his head,
which had been bleeding profusely,
Judging by the amount of blood on the
floor.
The unfortunate young man had evil
IDENTIFY endeavored to staunch the blood,
for both his hands were stained as also
were his clothes. By the disorder at the
Office, and the numerous stains both on
the floor and walls, it was evident that
struggle must have taken place.
It was conjectured from this that Sha-
ron, having provided himself with false
keys, had opened the safe AMI had been
surprised by his fellow clerk in the midst
of his work, who in turn dealt him the
blow near the temple, and then, after q
severe struggle between them, Yerkes
Der fled with his booty.
Varnoe, the detective, and physician
were at once sent for, and while DIR. Ed
son attended to his patient, the detective
examined the premises with his usual
carefu1ness, particularly the second
floor, and returning to the lower floor,
found that Yerkes had recovered, and
sat in an armchair with bandage
around his head.
well, Mr.. Varnoe, what have you
discovered?'' asked Mr.. Purvis.
81 find that the robber has been to the
second foor," replied the detective;
possibly he has taken some valuables
from there aswell."
The merchant fastened up stairs, but
presently returned, saying nothing had
been disturbed or removed as far as he
could see.
Whatever his object may have been, I
am positive that he. visited the second
floor after the bloody struggle had taken
place"
Then Yerkes gave the following ac-
count:
He awoke suddenly and found that Sha-
ron had left his bed, and fearing that
some mishap had overtaken him, he Lit
parafine candle by the small gas jet in
the room and began to search for him.
Not finding him on the second floor ,he
descended to the first floor before the
open safe.
They saw each other at the same mo-
ment, and Sharon was spellbound at be-
ing discovered in his criminal act. Then
began the struggle, the evidence of
which was 80 plainly evident. Sharon
being the stronger of the two, soon over
powered his opponent, and threw him SO
violently on the floor that he became in
sensible
Yarnoe listened with wrapt attention
to the end, and then made few notes
in his book, after which he walked out
of the store with his eyes bent on the
floor before him until he reached the
street; then after casting his eyes
searchi1gly around on the ground, he
walked over to the dock and gazed for |
few minutes into the water in a |
thoughtful manner. When he returned
to the store and rejoiced the others in |
the Office, it was with grave counte-
nance.
Mr.. Purvis, the robber has evidently |
escaped by the way of the river, as the I
blood tracks reach to the dock. :"
All eyes were now directed toward the
wounded man, who had suddenly grown
very pale. He opened his mouth as
# to say something, but fell back
in his seat with groan and tainted
away.
While the doctor Vas Supplying restora-
tivee to his charge the detective drew
~. Ruxyis away e the rear 81 ths store