Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-03-14
A BURGLAR GUEST.

It leaked out at Reading, Pa, Monday,
that a noted New York burglar who stop
ped in Reading that night, but who left
next morning, was the party who blew open
the safe in the mansion of Mrs. Emeline
App, rich widow living in South White
hall township, Lehigh county, the night
before. The stranger had evidently been
employed to do the job, as the safe was sup
posed to contain 10000 in cash and other
valuables Mrs. App had sold some real
estate and received cash payment, cir
cumstance that soon became known. The
stranger was tall, angular man, and wore
wig of long brown hair and an ulster.
He rang the bell Of the App mansion on
Monday evening and was shown into the
parlor. When Mrs app appeared he said
his name was Lawrence and that he de-
sired to see Mr.. App. He appeared greatly
surprised and deeply mortified when told
that Mr.. App had died four years ago.
The stranger then related certain facts of
how he and Mr.. App had been close
friends in the oil regions some years ago ;
how he had purchased al, oil we'll for $780,
600 from Mr.. App, who had paid out SIC, 900
for it, and number of other incidents which
band, but had no means of knowing whether
the stranger was the correct party. He
then went on to say further that five years
ago in the oil regions they had promised
each other that when either party was near
the others home they would hunt up their
residence and make visit; that he had been
to New, York on business trip and was
Just going West, and that he stopped over
to see his old friend App, but was so sorry
he was dead. He shed few tears and the
widow also wept. She believed the mans
story because the incidents be related were
facts.
The servants were ordered to prepare
bountiful supper, and as there were no more
trains to pass the station that night, he-was
invited to remain as their guest until morn
ing, which invitation he accepted. After
supper he entertained the widow with many
interesting stories. He was subsequently,
shown to an upper bedchamber, in which
was large iron safe which usually contain.
ed the cash and yauables of the family.
The safe was locked.
Shortly after midnight the sleeping inmates
were awakened. The building was shaken as if
a powder explosion had taken place near by. No
examination of the premises was made, however,
aud in short time the widow and the servants
were asleep again, they having thought that the
noise might have been caused by the wind. Next
morning servant went to call the stranger for
breakfast, but there was no response. After wait
ing an hour another effort was made, and then
the chamber door was found to be open.
The safe had been blown open and tho floor was
covered with private papers taken from the draw
ers which had been ransacked from top to bottoH. :.
The stranger had mysteriously disappeared, evil
deutly in deep disgust because he had learned to
his sorrow that the 10000 supposed to bo in the
sa fe had been taken to Allentown the day before
and deposited in bank. The robbcr obtained but
a few dollars for his trouble He had evidently
been given the necessary "points" of the deceased
Mr.. App by some one who knew all about him.