The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1885-10-23
ON HIS TRACK.
A Chance Discovery Which Led
to Important Results.


over twenty years ago. said MIR. Whit
mire, detective. with whom ! recently
had an interview. was on the police
force Of New York. One summer
night few minutes past twelve was
pacing my beat in a quiet part Of c.
street. when man called from a sec
ond story window;
II say. sir, are you policeman"
Yes" said. whats the mat
tcr?'
II heard heavy jar in Mr.. Brad
lcy's house, next door. and he may
have fallen and hurt himself. lie just
came in few minutes ago. II ! were
you I'd ring the bell"
Mr.. Bradley was wealthy old bach
clor who had lived entirely alone for
years in an old-fashioncd brick house.
His riches were 4 subject for frequent
gossip, and II was saii that in his
house. to which no outsider was ever
admitted, he kept a lot Of silverware
and money rang the bell. but there
was no response.
.'Are you sure you saw him 20 IMP"
asked
Yes. sure OF il. He hadn't been in
half minute before ] heard a heavy
fall. have heard nothing since
There must be something wrong
said, after ringing the bell second
time and receiving no response. tried
the door. but il was locked.
elf were YOU would force the
door" suggested the man at the win
dow.
~ don't like to do that. Is there any
other cntrancc?'
Yes. that alley just beyond the steps
leads TO back yard. but the gate il
probably locked. As well as the rear
door.
~ will 20 and sec. said I; and walk
inn up the narrow alley l discovered by
the dim light Of the strcct-lamp nearly
opposite that the gate was wide open.
looked in. and perceived that the rear
door was also open. and faint light
shonc out. All was perfectly quiet.
returned 10 the street and said to the
man:
''The gate and back door are open.
Come down and wen 90 in.
In half a minute he joined me on the
Sidewalk. when recognized HIM as an
acquaintance named Henry Collins.
'Ah is that yon? didn't know you
lived here. said
Yes. and didn't recognize you when
first addressed YOU
s'Wcll. there may have been foul
work here. said /; 80 we'll 90 in. Y
We went into the yard and entered
She house The rear room had cyi-
IDENTITY been used for kitchen; and
guided by dim light we passed into a
narrow hall with stairway. Near the
street door was an old table, on which
was a lighted candle that had burned
20 within an inch OF the candlestick. Al
the foot Of the stairs lay Mr.. Bradley,
quite dead, and frightful wound upon
his head convinced me that he had been
murdered
AT my request Mr.. Collins hurried
away TO the police station 10 notify the
Captain. while made an examination
Of the premises. A number Of drawers
in the sccond-story back room had been
broken open and ransacked. and on the
floor lay half Of fresh looking news
paper. Knowing that the old bachelor
was not in the habit Of spending money
for newspapers, IL struck rue that the
rohbcr might have had IL in his pocket,
and probably used the other half To
wrap up some Of his plumber. leaving
behind him, in his hurry. what might
prove most valuable clew. there
fore folded up the fragment and put il
In my pocket. A moment later Mr..
Collins returned accompanied BY SOW
cral officers and surgeon.
TO make this part Of the story brief,
will state that the usual formalities
followed, the body being handed over
20 the Coroner, and the case was put In
the hands Of detectives. | 1t first IN
tended to give up the bit Of newspaper
] had picked up. but had some ambi.
ton 70 be detective myself. and con-
cludcd to keep II, Mt least q day or two,
70 see II could find clcw from II. II
was lucky did.
sOn the following afternoon, while OF
duty, and walking around in ordinary
dress, paused opposite wcil-known
hotel 10 watch some painters who were
at work on a scaifold under tho caves,
and my eyes happened to light on q
man who sat by 4 third-story window,
apparently packing valisc. The win.
dow was open, and, Is he lifted some