Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1881-09-07
A DOUBLE CRIME.

sion store OF Mr.. Purvls, on Delaware
avenue, near Vine street, was robbed
on the night of October II, 1865.
The safe had been apparently opened
by false keys, and upwards of $4,000
in greenbacks were distracted. A pack
age of bonds to the amount of $4,000
more remained untouched.
Two clerks, both young men, usual
ly slept in the store. August Yerkes
had been in the employ of Mr.. Harri-
son Purvis about four years, and enjoy
ed the confidence of his employer.
Pembroke Sharon, the other clerk, had
only recently been taken, but the man
ner in which he took hold of the busi-
ness impressed 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 se-
lected him as a companion of Yerkes
in the store at night.
Both Of these young men were IN
the store on the night the robbery oc-
Cured but when the place was open
ed 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 pro-
fusely, judging by the amount of blood
on the floor.
The unfortunate young man had evil
IDENTIFY endeavored to stauuch the blood,
for both hands were stained, as also
were his clothes. By the disorder in
the Office and the numerous blood stains
both on the floor and walls, it was evil
dent that desperate struggle had TAX
en- place. ~
1t was coDjectured from this that
Sharon, having provided himself with
false keys, had opened the safe and
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 severe struggle between them,
Yerkes tainted from loss of blood and
the robber fed with his booty.
Vsrnoe, the detective, and physi-
clan were at once sent for, and while
DR.. Edison attended to his patient, the
detective examined the premises with
bis usual careiulness, particularly the
second floor, and returning to the lower
found that Yerkes had recovered and
sat in an armchair with bandage
around his head.
We'll, Mr.. Varnoe, what have you
discovered p asked Mr.. Purvis.
i find that the robber has beer 20
the second floor replied the detective !;
possibly he he has taken some valua-
bles there as welI.'
The merchant returned, saying
nothing had been disturbed or removed
as far as he could see.
Whatever his object may have been
! am positive he visited the second
floor after the bloody struggle had TAX
en- place."
Then Yerkes gave the following ac-
count:
Not finding him on the second floor
he descended to the first floor, and dis
covered him before the open safe. They
| saw each other at the same moment,
and Sharon was spell bound at being
discovered in bis criminal act. Then
began the struggle, the evidence Of
which was so plainly evident. Sharon,
being the stronger of the two, soon
overpowered bis opponent, and threw
him so violently on the floor that he
became insensible'
Varnoe listened with wrapt atten-
tion to the end, 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 bis eyes
searcbingly around on the ground, he
walked over to the dock and gazed for
few moments into the water in q
thoughtful manner When he return
ed to the store and rejoined the others
in the Office, it was with grave coun-
| tenance
/ Mr.. Purvis, the robber has evident
ly escaped by way of the river, as the
blood tracks lead TO the dock
All eyes were now directed toward
the wounded man, who had turned
suddenly pale. He opened his mouth
as if to say something, but fell back In
his seat with a groan and tainted
away.
| While the doctor was applying re-
storatives to his charge the detective
drew Mr.. Purvis away to the rear of
the store and remained there for half
an hour in conversation with him, and
judging by the frequent exclamations
he must have been greatly astonished
at what the detective told him.
Re-entering the Office, they found
Yerkes still unconscious, and at the
suggestion of Varnoe he was conveyed
in that condition to the hospital
Now, Mr.. Purvis, said Varnoe, you
will please point out to me which are
the clothes usually worn by Mr.. Shar-
on while on duty at the store
Certainly, SIR replied the gentle
man, that is readily DONE and he
went to the closet where the clerks
kept their outer garments and opened
it. He took piece after piece from the
hooks, an exclamation as is Of surprise
escaping him as he did so.
| What is it p asked Mr.. Varnoe,
when Mr.. Purvis had laid the gar
ments on the bed
| why, as ] live, Sharon has not on
ly left bis coat and vest behind, but
also his pantsl' said Mr.. Purvis, with
look of bewilderment.
That is singular remarked the de-
tective, exchanging significant glances
with the doctor; tie more 80 when
you bear in mind that Mr.. Yerkes,
when found had on his coat, vest, pants
and boots, while the robber even left
his boots behind him, pointing TO q
pair beneath the bed.
You will now please see whether
Mr.. Sharon has left anything Of value
in his pockets