Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-02-12
4 DOUBLE CRIME.


avenue, Philadelphia, was robbed on the
night OF Oct. II, 1865.
The safe had been opened apparently
by false keys and upward of 5000 in
greenbacks were distracted. A package
of bonds to the amount of $1,000 more
remained untouched.
Two clerks, both young men, usually
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
Sharon, the other clerk, had only re-
Gently been taken, but the manner in
which he took hold of the business i'm
pressed Mr.. Purvis so much in his favor
that he predicted successful future for
the young man as a very able salesman
and ultimate prominent merchant. IN
der this impression he placed implicit
trust In Sharon, and selected him as
companion of Yerkes in the store at
night.
Both Of these young men were in the
store on the night the robbery occurred,
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 evi-
IDENTIFY endeavored to staunch the blood,
for both his 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 must have
taken place.
It was conjecued 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.
Varnoe, the detective, and physician
were at once sent for, and while DR.. Ed
son attended to his patient the detective
examined the premises with his usual
carefulness, particularly the second floor,
and, returniDgeto 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.
"I find that the robber has been to
the second foor," replied the detective;
possibly he has taken some valuabies
from there as well"
The merchant FASTENED up stairs, hut
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 &C
count:
He awoke suddenly and found that
Sharon had left the bed, and fearing that
some mishap had cvertaken him he lit
paraffine candle by the small gas-iet in
the room and began to search for him.
Not finding him on she second floor he
descended to the first floor, and found
him before the open safe. They saw
each other at the same moment, and
Sharon was spell-bound at being discov-
cred in his criminal act. Then began
the struggle. the evidence of which was
SO plainly evident. Sharon being the
stronger of the two soon overpowered his
opponent, and threw him SO violently on
the floor that he became insensible.
Varnoe listened with rapt attention
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 be-
fore him until he reached the street
then, after casting his eyes searchingly
on the ground, he walked over to the
dock and gazed for few moments into
the waterin thoughtful manner. When
he returned to the store and rejoined
the others in the Office it was with grave
countenance.
"Mr. Purvis, the robber has evident
~ escaped by way of the river, as the
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 if
to say something, but fell back In his