Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-04-17
Special 10 The Register.

go Thieves-A Strange CriminaI-Who
- He:
So, Special 10 the Register.
ARSERsBURG, April 4.-During the past
three days boy eight years Of age son OF
Mra Melissa Conkle, has been missing
fr2xn his home, and the most rigid search
fuSnished no clue to the fate OF the lost boy.
ans morning, as Sam Cross was at work on
one Of John Bartletts coal bargss he dis.
covered the body of the missing boy, head
downward, in one of the pump boxes on
the barge. 1t is supposed that he had been
playing about the barge and accidentally
fen into the box, which was about
half filled with water. The mother
Of the unfortunate lad is the widow of the
lste James Conkle, we'll known river en-
ssEtSeer. Mr.. G. was engineer of the ill-fated
steamer J. n. Camden, which exploded her
boiler near here about three years ago, and
during his life made many other miracu-
lous escapes from death.
About the time that the remains OF Miss
Ida Ais were brought home from Cincin-
natl for burial, the family here received q
telegram advising them to take the neceS-
sary precautions to guard against body
snatChers' from the latter city, and since
the interment the grave has been guarded
every night, but so far no attempt has been
made to disturb the remains.
The case of the State VS.. Andrew Lightner
has been on trial to-day. Lightner is
charged with stealing wheat from one Of our
Wood county farmers last December. An
account of his arrest was noted by
the REGISTER at the time, and it was gener.
ally supposed that he belonged to band of
thieves who had been robbing the farmers
in the lower end of this county for some
time. Their Idan of operations was TO bore
into the grain bins with a large augur and
draw but few bushels and carry it off and
dispose of it, and repeat the operation at
another time, and perhaps seek new vic
tim. The wheat stolen on this occasion
was traced directly to the prisoners hands,
and although the additional evidence was
cirCumstantial, yet the whole formed
chain OF testimony which was very damag-
ing to The accused. The prisoner was rep
resented by the two eminent legal firms OF
Hutchinson & Nandevort and Leonard 4
Caldwell all OF whom labored hard for
their client, and their efforts were highly
commended by all who heard the case. Col.
J. &. Mcclure, the States Attorney, was
ably assisted by exJudge Loomis. The
Judge made one of the best speeches ever
DedTu III W OOu county NOuIl nt
presence of the wife and children OF
the accused, afforded the occasion for the
usual eloquent appeals for mercy at the
hands OF the jury. The speeches of Leonard.
Caldwell and NandwOrt were eloquent and
at times very touching. The jury retired
at 81 p. NJ, and have not yet agreed upon
4 verdict. LiChtner's confederate in crime
will be tried tomorrow.
Ex.Mayor Remley returned from ClarKs
burg, to-day, where he has been attending
|, S. Court Us Juror. +.
PADKERsDrRG, April l5.-,n the Circuit
Court to-day the jury i'll the case OF the
State vs.. Andrew Lightener, found the
prisoner guilty OF larceny and sentenced
him TO one years confinement in the
county Jail. From all we can learn slight
flaw in the indictment saved Lightcner a
term in the penitentiary.
Warner, the chicken thief, trid to-day
did not escape so lightly, as he received
three years in the penitentiary and this
being hiss his &seG@9sa Sc term q 1t. there Re will add five
credentials will furnish him with free
board at Supt Vests table for eight years.
During our visit to the Court House this
morning We noticed a stranger seated with
in the bar, fine, intelligent looking we'll
dressed gentleman, engaged engaged in
conversation with one of the attorneys, and
we presumed that he was one OF the legal
fraternity. We noticed particularly that
the gentleman bore 4 striking resemblance
to the eminent DR.. Talmage; then imagine
our surprise when Judge Jackson inter
rogated him as to whether he had procured
counsel to defend him against the indict-
mont found by the grand jury of the pre-
sent term of court. He replied that he had
not the means TO do so. Judge
Jackson appointed Hon. John A. Hutchin-
son and w. l.. Cole, ESP, to defend the
gentleman y and the trial set for Tuesday
next, and the prisoner remanded To JAIL
He gives his name as Sherman, and h is
home some where in the New England
States, and claims to be a relative OF Hon.
John Sherman, of Ohio
Arriving here last December, he register
ed at Hills Hotel, and remained in the city
for several days, ostensibly for the purpose
| of selling surgical instruments. One after
noon he visited Or. Clarks room, in Hills
Hotel, and the Doctor being absent, he
appropriated pair OF boots which he
found there, and made preparations
for leaving the city, ana was
about boarding the train when
| Capt. Mehen informed the gentlemen that
| he was wanted down town again. On
! searching him, several cases OF valuable
| surgical instruments were found with his
effects. An account of his arrest, and OF
the finding of the instruments was furnish
| ed the REGISTER at the time, which let to
| several inquirises from parties who had
| missed such instruments, and it is thought
| that those found in his possession were
stolen. From all appearances he is the
last one to be suspected of such crime.
During his stay in Jail, his department has
been excellent, and although an attempt
was made recently by other prisoners 10
break Jail here, he took n" part part IN the mat,
ter. but dc. not divulge the secret to the
c@ftcials OF the prison. +.