The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-02-17
Greer Hidiny.Place.

Charles Adams, Tor nine years watch
man at the Winchester Armory in this
city, died at the residence of DR.. George
Quinn, Chapel Street, Dec. 20. His &C
6uaintances were confident that he had
large sum of money, at least $4,000,
and one of them was sure he had been
in the habit of carrying his wealth be-
meath his belt. Within few weeks of
his death he had been seen to display q
large roll of bills. and he had assured
DR.. Quinn and Mrs. Quinn during his
illness that he had more than enough
| money to supply all his needs and amply
| recOmpense them for their services.
When he died search was made for the
treasure. The room he had occupied
was thoroughly overhauled, but the
amount found was less than a dollar. In
the room where he had lodged previ-
ously was found sixty or seventy dollars
in gold, but nothing was seen Of the
larger sum sought after. It.was known
that he had not been in the habit of con-
fiding his money to the savings banks,
but the banks in this city were visited.
In none of them had he deposits. After
Adams death DR.. Quinn visited a lawyer
and made some inquiries looking toward
some plan for protecting himself legally
in case there should be suspicion of
foul play. This circumstance, with 9TH
er things, led to much gossip, the Coro-
ner held an inquest. There was little
or nothing to indicate anything but death
from natural causes, and the inquest,
although nominally to ascertain the cause
of death, was really to trace the missing
money. The closest search, however,
by Coroner, jury, detectives and report
ers proved fruitless.
After the funeral letters of admins
tratiOn were issued by the Probate Court.
There were few effects to administer
upon-the sixty or seventy dollars, a
gold watch and Adams clothes COM
prising about all that was known. 1t
was announced in the evening papers to-
day that the watch and clothes would be
sold at auction tomorrow night. The
clothes were collected this morning and
taken to the Blair undertaking rooms,
where the appraisers and Coroner Boil
man met to figure upon their value. An
Overcoat was thought to be worth about
two dollars and half. 1t was being
folded up to be laid one side when some
thing rolled out of One of the pockets.
1t was dirty white wooden bag about
six inches long and three inches wide,
with short straps at the side. Mr.. Blair
opened it and found within the rubber
lining a green, greasy cartridge shell,
such as are used in sporting rifles and
are manufactured at Winchester's There
was nothing attractive about the object,
and Mr.. Blair handed it over to William
II. Augur, one of his employees, to throw
away. Mr.. Augur took it one side and |
had the curiosity to pull off the cap. In
side was roll of green paper, about |
large enough to fill the inside of lady's |
thimble. Pulling out the substance, Mr.. |
Augur jumped with surprise in spite of
his sixty years. The roll when unfolded |
was found to consist of five bills, one of |
81, 900, one of $500 and three of 800. |
1t appears that when the undertakers re-
moved the clothes from Adams body |
the bag was found strapped about the |
waist. Some one cut open the bag and
discovered the cartridge shell. It was |
covered with verdigris, and DR.. Quinn |
cautioned those in the room not to
handle it carelessly, for fear of getting |
poisoned. 1t was suspected that Adams |
had worn it for a charm or to ward off |
rheumatism, or something else, and so
it was thrust into the bag again, and |
placed in the coat-pocket. It is supposed
Adams has no heirs, and if none come
forward after five years the Probate
Court will turn the money over to the
State Treasury, and if in thirty years
more no one establishes a right to it it
will become the property of the State
NeD Haven Cor. Chicago Tribune.