Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-11-15
A MIsER DEsPoILED.
Tortured and Robbed BY a Gang
Of Burglars.
A Quantity of Money and Government Bonds
Secured From the Trembling Victim
Fears That the Old Mas viii
Die Of Fright.
THE DAILY CALENDAR OF CRIME

GINCINNATI, november If.-rOr tWcnty
years Edward Holroyde has lived the life o
hermit in what was once beautiful resi-
dence on East Walnut Hills, suburb ol
the city. In 1899 and 1910 he was the part
ner of John Shillito. A quarter of a CEN
tury ago came the first difference between
the man and wife. With fast-accumulating
wealth he acquired greed for more, and in
an effort to obtain possession of his wife's
property he brought on the first quarrel.
Twice they separated, but again came to.
gether. Then they parted third time and
forever. The wife still lives, only a short
distance from her fsrmer home, but her
husband literally
Retired Into His Shell
and out of all communication with the
outer world. Once day from that time
on until now q man came with supply OF
provisions and the mail, depositing them
inside the deOr, finding there at the same
time, money for the supplies Of the day.
He never saw his patron. Four times in
each year, at arranged periods, he was visit
ed by his agent, Mr.. NJ. H. Coates, whom
he would meet outside the dwelling, and
there receiving briefly his reports, would
issue necessary INSTRUCTIONS and then re-
tire to his residences. Wster 1851 the inter
course which had been carried on with his
wife by letter ceased. Soured by age the
man became miser. Among the ignorant
stories were current that his house
Teemed with Wealth,
that he sat Hloatingly in the midst Of
bonds, coins and silver. Such was not en-.
tirely the case, however, as ascertained the
other night by enterprising burglars, who
searched high and low for valuabies. They
forced shutter and, going up stairs, broke
open the door of the sleeping.room, and
dragged the terrified Old man from his
bed. There were four of the intruders,
three masked, the fourth a large, heavy
man, standing back and giving orders.
Demands for money brought no reply, as
the victim was speechless from fright.
Blows were the next resort and finally
they dragged him through the house, up
stairs and down, from one room 10 another,
beliving that when he reached the apart
ment where was
Hidden the Treasure
he would indicate by pantominei if he could
not speak. From one place he produced a
pock ct book containing S5 or So. Dragging
him on, they stopped in one of the lower
large man, placing his heavy heel on one
of Holroyde's bare feet, gave a twist that
wrenched the large toe nail from its place.
As we'll as possible the men were told to 60
to the closet facing them and look in a
wooden box that was on the shelf In that
receptacle, and under many rags, they
found and secured five 81 900 Government
bonds, which had lain there for twenty
years, the interest as yet untouched, worth
now over $4,000, and 5000 in money.
Having all, he hoped they would now go
away, but he was disappointed. Procuring
newspapers, they lighted them and
Singed HIS Body
his body in several places for further ex-
tortion, but without avail. Giving him a
final beating, they start ted on q ransacking
tour, leaving one of their number TO guard
the miser. What else was secured they
only know, but at all events, satisfied with
their search, they left the premises and
made good their escape. A neighbor saw
a window opened in the old mans house.
This was SC unusual that an investigation
was made and the robbery discovered.
Last night reporter, with lieutenant OF
police and one OF HolrOyde's tenants, Wis.
tied the place. Unable TO get response.
they forced open window, entered, and
made their way to his room. DesolatiOn
was everywhere-rags and dirt and filth in
every room. Until the night previous no
living man or men had
Been There for Twenty-Five Years.
On an old-fashioned four.posted bed lay
the miser, with a greasy quilt drawn up, to
his chin. Staring apprehensiv"ly at his
visitors, he was at last made to understand
that second robbery was not the inten.
ton. From him then, piecemeal, was
cleaned the story as given, his quarter.
century solitude having made him well
nigh forget how to talk. Protfers OF med.
ical aid were beseechingly protested
against, and he begged that he might not
have any more callers.
Drawing down the coverlid to examine
his injuries, one of the dirtiest shirts ever
worn by mortal man was exposed. Orig
inally white, II was now OF n cobwcbby
gray with dirt, and looked indeed, as II
soaked in cold gravy, its thickness with
grease made il cling to his body as If mold
ed on. Once more protfers Of aid were
rendered the miser and once mHrc refused,
and he was left to his memories and his
solitude. Holoryde is about 80 years old.
and is worth from 5000 to $4,000. He
is liable TO die from the shock and injuries
received.