The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-11-02
Mysterious RObberies.

Mr.. John w. Sandyridgc, who resides
few miles south of Smithville, Mo-, on thu
Mississippi, related last night to BULLE
TIN reporter the facts with reference to a
series Of mysterious robberes which have
been III vogue in that locality for several
| months past and which baffled the best de.
tective talent to be had in Memphis and St
Louis, and the manner 10 which the
scoundrels were finally brought to bay and
captured.
Houses were entered in broad daylight,
drawers, trunks, chests, everything over
hauled and ransacked and articles of value
carried away. The strsngest part of the
whole affair is that not person was ever
seen by anyone engaged in the "looting,'
and no one was suspected.
A female detective from Kalamazoo,
Mich, Mrs. Jerry Mcpherson, we'll known
to the authorities of the larger cities. of
Michigan, was finally induced to take the
matter in hand, having been solicited to do
so by William B. Mcpherson, her brother
in-law, who was one of the main sufferers
from the robbers, to ferret out the mystery.
She arrived there, on Monday last and
worked 10 such advantage that a minister
named William James wins reported to the
authorities as being probably implicated
and Mrs. Mcpherson swore out a warrant
for his arrest. His incarceration created
the widest excitement throughout the
country and when it was known that he
had confessed everything, the excitement
was almost paralyzing. Among others I'M
plicated are John Harris, lawyer, vii.
liam Craighead, assistant postmaster, Will
liam G. Musser, druggist, and James
Sloan, painter.
Preacher James became at once very
penitent, and located great deal OF the
property in an old abandoned well, some
thirty feet deep, about mile from the
town, where it at one time supplied TIE
wants of the inhabitants of log house,
long since destroyed.
Officer Owens, James Wilder and Depu.
ty Sheriff Milan, visited the well in compa.
ny with James, who procured ladder
from dense underground near, together
with dark lantern, and descended, follow
ed by the party. A strange sight greeted
the eyes. AT the bottom, nearly thirty
feet, excavations had been made on two
sides, describing two large rooms eight
feet high by about fifteen square, we'll
braced with long scantling. From the cen.
ter piece was suspended coal oil light
which the prisoner ignited, throwing a
bright glare on the strange scene.
The room YVES floored, contained com
mon mating, and furnished with beds,
bedding, chairs, table, sideboard- in fact
everything for comfortable living. Strewn
about were evidences of robbery. Pack
ages of dry goods, boxes of provisions,
boots and shoes, bats and caps, with
plentiful supply of coffee, sugar, ETC., in
original packages In the sideboard was
found Watches aud various articles of jew
elry, most Of which has been identified.
Some of the packages of groceries contain
ed partially obliterated marks of St. Louis,
Cincinnati aud New Orleans houses. Two
wagon loads Of stolen property was finally
ashed out Of the well after great exerton.
The excitement is intense, although no
indication Of violence is manifested. The
property recovered Is valued at two thous-
and dollars. Those arrested have all borne
uuapproachable characters, and Rev. James
has had charge Of the church Pineville,
two miles back, about two years. lie was
noted for his great piety and his attach.
ment to the church. His congregation was