Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-10-30
PARKERSBURG.
A Prominent Merchants Disgraeeful
Attempt to BlackmaiI Widow
other Criminal News-The River
Road.
Special TO the RegiSter.

NRCttNt W TtS 4teStSst''
PARKEEasrRG, October 2S.-One of the
most psrsitent attempts at blackmaii has
|-irstb been frustrated In this city, and the
guilty party will probably suffer the penalty
of the law. For about three years or more an
estimable widow lady of Parkersburg has
been the recipient of anonymous letters
accusing her of certain shortcomings, and
threatening exposure in case she did not
come down with few hundred dollars.
The letters were written in good German
hand, and all efforts to trace the vile
missives to the author were unavailing.
The lady was almost driven to insanity by
her prosecutor, and nothing was left
undone to ferret out the would.be black
mailer. The postotfiCe authorities were
appealed TO in her behalf but the most
careful watch on their part failed to track
the letters to their source. 4 certain Court
street gentleman was suspected, but later
DEVELOPMENTS proved that such suspicious
were unjust. After all other means proved
futile, the services of Capt JAS r. Mehen
were enlisted in behalf Of the lady, and by
a device, characteristic of his well known
ability as detective, the author the letters
was discovered and when confronted by the
officer with the undoubted evidence OF his
guilt, the gentleman, who by the way is
well known business man of this city, con-
fessed his guilt and Immediately
sought the presence Of the one he
had so grossly wronged, and at her feet on
bended knees with the tears of penitenCe
streaming down his cheeks, he entreated
the lady's pardon and begged her to save
him from public exposure, but it is not
yet known what action the lady will take
in the matter, and it is probable that the
whole affair may be ventilated in the
courts. Until such q step is taken the
names Of the parties involved will be with
held from the public.
Prof Blake, who has been confined to
his room for few days, is able TO be out
again.
The gold watch stolen from the residence
of Walter RaYensCroft few davS ago, was
recovered by Capt. Mchen, from L. ID.
French, drummer for New York jewel
~ firm, who claimed to have purchased it
from man on the train between Athens
and Columbus. The watch was identified
by Mrs. Ravenscraft, and French was held
in bond for his appearance when wanted.
The bail was promptly furnished, and the
presumption is that French has been i'm
posed upon, and that the party of whom
he purchased the watch was the thief who
stole it from the residence of Mr.. Ravens
craft.
Since the good news brought by Senator
Camden in relation to the W., p. & c. r. X.
reached here, our citizens are quite Jubllant
over the prospect, but the people had never
lost faith in the ability and the will OF
Senator Camden. and feel that when the
road is a reality too much praise can
not be awarded to our noble Senator and
his faithful co-worker. Col. Geo. w. Thomp.
son, Vice President of the company, for
their untiring efforts in behalf of this great
enterprise.
Lee G. Reed, ESQ, with T. G. Moffatt Il
Co., of your city, is here on business.
Tom. Nolan, night clerk at Hills popular
Central, is one OF the most accommodating
hotel clerks to be found anywhere.