The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-12-07
A DOUBLE CRIME.


mission store of MIR. Purvis, Della
ware avenue, Philadelphia, was rob-
bed on the night of October II, 1865.
The safe had been opened appar-
emily by false keys, and upward OF
$500 in greenbacks were abstracted.
A package of bonds to the amount
of $4,000 more remained untouched.
Two clerks, both young men,
usuallp slept in the store. August
Yerkes had been in the employ OF
Mr.. Harrison Purvis about four
years, and enjoyed the confidence
of his Employer. Pembroke Shar-
on, the other clerk, had only re-
Gently been taken, but the manner
in which he took hold of the busi-
ness impressed Mr.. Purvis SO much
in his favor that he predicted sue
cessful future for the young man as
a very able salesman, and ultimate
prominent merchant. Under this
impression he placed implicit trust
in Sharon, and selected him as COM
panion OF Yerkes in the store ut
night.
Both OF these young men were in
the store on the night the robbery oc-
Cured, but when the place was
opened in the morning Sharon was
missing and Yerkes lay on the floor
near the safe with q terrible cash on
the side of his head, which had
been bleeding profusely, Judging
from the amount of blood on the
floor.
The unfortunate young man had
evidently endeavored to staunch the
blood, for both his hands were STAIN
ed, as also were his clothes. BY the
disorder in the Office, and the nu-
merous blood stains both on the
floor and wall, it was evident that
n desperate struggle must have
taken place.
1t was coniectured 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
pie, and then after a severe strug-
gle Yerkes tainted from the loss Of
blood and the robber fed with his
booty.
Narnoe, the detective, and a ply
sician were at once sent for, and
while DIR. Edison attended to his pa
tient the detective examined the
premises with his usual carefulness,
particularly the second floor, and,
returning to the lower 1oor, found
that Yerkes had recovered and sat
in an armchair with a bandage
round his head.
"Well, Mr.. Varnoe, what have
you discovered?" asked Mr.. Purvis.
II find that the robber has been
to the second fioor," replied the de-
tective; possibly he has taken
some valuables from there as well. I"
The merchant fastened up stairs,
but presently returned, saying moth
ing had been disturbed or removed
as far as he could see.
Whatever his object may have
been, 1 am positive that he visited
the second floor after the bloody
struggle had taken place.
Then Ierkes gave the following
account:
He awoke suddenly and found
that Sharon had left the bed, and
fearing that some mishap had over
taken him he lit paraifine candle
by the small gas jet in the room
and began to search for him.
Not finding him on the second
iloor he descended to the first floor.
aud found him before the open safe.
They saw each other at the same
moment. and Sharon was SPELL
bound at being discovered in his
criminal act. Then began the strue-
gle, the evidence of which was SO
painfully evident. Sharon being
the stronger of the two soon over
powered his opponent, and threw
him SO violently on the floor that
he became insensible.
varnoe listened with rapt atten.
ton to the end, theG made few
notes in his book, after which he
walked out of the store with mis-
eyes bent on the floor before him
until he reached the street; then, af.
ter casting his eyes searchingly on
the ground, he walked over to the
dock and CARED for a few moments
into the water ia 4 thoughtful man
ner. When he returned to the store
and rejoincd the other ia the Office
- gas with grave countenanee.
Dir. Purvis, the robbcr has evi
.1ently escaped by way Of the rivcl
s,s the blood reached to the dock
All eyes were ROW directed 10 III.
wounded man. who had suddenly
grown pale. lie opened his mouth
- IL 10 say something, but fell bach
in his seat with 4 gFoan and tainted
away.
Mhiie the doctor was 6pplyin,
restoratircs 10 his charge The de
tective drew Mr.. Purvis away TO th,
rear Of the store and remained ther,