The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-01
FARMER wAGNER's MONEY.
An Old Man Who Finds No Safety for Hi
Wealth in Banks or Feather-Beds.

Wealth in Banks Feather-Beds.
Bradford Pa, Special.
About two miles west of Bradford, ss the eros
flies, in a bend of the public highway, lies long
narrow, rambling and weather stained farm
house. 1t stands by itself, solitary and alone
For over thirty years it has sheltered Farmer
Lambert Wagner and his gray-haired and portiy
spouse. The old couple, who are childless, lived
happily enough until the oil fever swept like a
cyclone through the beautiful and picturesque
valley, transforming the quiet rural landscape
into veritable forest of oil derricks, with here
and there cities of massive, red painted oil tanks
The farm of Farmer Wagner was underlaid
with the rich oil-bearing rock, so much sought
after. Numerous wells were drilled, and IN a
short time the farmer and his wife had so much
money that they hardly knew what to do with it.
Father Lambert thought that banks were new
tangled concerns, and would not trust his for
tune in the strong vaults of the local banks
Instead he hid the money in ut-of-the-way
places in the cobwebbed rooms in the old farm
house.
When he awoke one frosty morning he found
his faithful watchdog lying dead in the door
yard The chest of drawers in the bed-chaim-
Der was found on the floor, its contents being
scattered all over the room. In the spare bed
room adjoining the feather bed was found cut
OPEN Upholstered chairs had their cushions
slashed open Everything in the old house
seemed topsy turvey. When Farmer Wagner
had figured it out he knew that the robbers had
secured over s., 600 in gold silver and green
backs. This was about three years ago. About
eighteen months ago burglars again paid their
darklantern respects to the Wagner home
stead. This time they secured nothing for their
pains.
Il fooled them this time" gleefully exclaimed
Farmer Wagner II put all of my money and
my wife's in the Tuna Valley Bank"
He might as well have left his wealth, which
cost him so much anxiety, hidden in the musty
and deserted rooms in the old farmhouse, as the
bank few months later became hopelessiy in
solvent and was compelled to close its doors.
Recently the receiver of the defunct bank paid
small dividend Mrs. Wagner sold slice of
the farm for $780, while Farmer Wagner realized
similar sum from the sale Of some live stock.
Farmer Wagner again had his old antipathy
against the banks, and the money was kept in
the house Last Saturday night Farmer Wag-
ner and his wife sat down to a smoking supper
which was served on long table in the antique
kitchen. The proprietor and superintendent of
neighboring briekyard happened along just in
time to receive an invitation to sit down and
take a bite.
After the meal was over, Farmer Wagner re-
membered that the horse had not been fed, nor
the barn-docrs fastened. He lighted the tallow-
dip in an old tin lantern. and tried the handle of
the door leading from the kitchen into the sit
ting-room. To his surprise the door refused to
| open.
''and I'll go round the back way and fix it"
Mrs. Wagner, who was washing the supper
dishes, was startled when few minutes later
the door with the supposed defective bolt was
burst open. A gray-haired old man with
blanched face and tottering limbs staggered into
the room. 1t was Farmer Wagner.
my GodI" he cried, wildly wringing his hands;
WE'VE been robbed"
Mrs Wagner tainted, but soon came to. Then
a search was made. Through an open window
the chill night air found its way into the bed
chamber. "The feather-bed is gone" walled
Mrs Wagner, land mine money! Mine money
is gonel" Out upon the sward and within few
feet of the window were piles of feathers The
tick was cut into ribbons. Within the feathery
bowels of that bed had at one time reposed a
canvass sack containing over $500 in gold and
greenbacks Now it was gone. In the adjoining
apartment geese feathers covered the floor. The
bed tick had also been cut open my money
too, is gone" groaned Farmer Wagner. Why
didn't put it in bankT
Every room in that long, rambling old house.
exclusive of the kitchen, had been visited. Sofas
and upholstered chairs we're cut open, bed ticks
slashed and ruined, bureaus, closets and trunks
Fansaeked and household goods scattered in all
directions The thieves secured fully 81 600
There were brand-new $40 gold pieces, bright
faced Bland dollars and crisp bank notes issued
OIL the personal account of Uncle Sam. With
all their searching the robbers failed to secure
all of the hidden wealth of the Wagners.
Last Thursday night Mr. Wagner was aroused
from his sleep by the savage barking of his dog
He turned over and went to sleep again. On
Friday night he thought he heard footsteps and
voices on the porch outside On Saturday night
he knew that he was robbed. Hereafter when
he has any money he will lock it up in bank
vault.