St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-28
PELEG KENYON's FORTUNE.
The nl-Gotten Wealth that Became the Bur-
den of His Life.


mated, S750,000. Kenyon was bachelor,
lank. keen-eyed and bald, and a typical
Yankee. He died a miserable old miser.
The boast of his life was that he started at
machinist's trade at II years of age, and
at 81 was worth $500 He has lived
alone in the barren Kenyon homestead for
years, an unhappy, friendless old man. AT
his funeral not tear was shed on his bier,
and there was no particularly interested at
tendant save Boston lawyer. Most OF his
property is in real estate and mortgages ID
Eastern Massachusetts, and he left i to the
heir of Henry Henderson, an importer OF
West India goods, who thrived at the HUB
somewhat more than forty years ago.
Peleg Kenyon's mother was hard-hsted
Yankee widow,
HONEST BUT AMBITIOUS.
When her son left the old farm, more than
two score years ago, just the blowing for
oats was about to be begun, TO seek his fortune
in Boston machine shop, the widow was
lad at him. She took hold of the pillow ham
dies herself and told Peeg never to come
back until he had made his pile. Before
month had elapsed he was the butt of the
shop where he worked in consequence of his
frequently and carelessy expressed deter
mination to become rich man within five
years. He was considered cranky. A year
later the gawky stripping was installed in the
great warehouse of Henry Henderson asithe
night Waterman. He also did odd jobs of
repairing about the place. He soon in ra-
tiated himself into the good graces of his
employer by his interchangeable labors and his
faithfulness.
During the six months that followed Peleg
was not idle. He attended closely to his du-
ties, and in his leisure hours he made first
DUPLICATE KEY
to the office, then one to the safe and lastly
one to the cash box inside the safe. From
time to time he would investigate the con-
tents of the cash box, but never finding
more than from 2,00O to $4,000 in it he
bided his time patiently. One Saturday af-
ternoon the house received after banking
hours cash payment of 100000 for crop
of molasses. The money was placed in the
cash box of the office for safety. The safe
was both burglar and fire proof, and the
presence CT trusty Waterman in the build
ing convinced Mr.. Henderson that the great
packages of bills would be as secure there
as anywhere. That night as soon as Kenyon
was left alone he opened the safe and the
cash box, stuffed the bills into his pockets,
locked the doors behind him, walked to the
depot and took the evening train for Put
nam, Conn. At ~ O'Clock he drove up to
the old homestead in Griswold. At the
next morning he was at the Putnam depot
again, but minus the money. Sunday night
he resumed his duties as night Waterman in
the warehouses of Henry Henderson.
On Monday, of course, there was an out
break. Constern alton reigned in the estab-
lishment when the cashier, on opening the
safe at the beginning of business hours,
found
THE CASH BOX EMPTY.
Where could the money have gone to? The
night Waterman was questioned closely. He
knew nothing about it, had seen no one
about the place nor in it, nor had he been off
the premises after dark. Two detectives
were put on the case, and the next day Ken
Won was arrested on suspicion. He stoutly
maintained his innocence, and was reluct-
antly taken to prison and locked up. Mr.
Henderson visited him daily and talked with
him, but Kenyon held an unbroken front for
weeks. Finally the merchant grew desper-
ate. His business was badly cramped by the
found anywhere. No one was suspected ex-
cent. Mr.. Henderson walked into his cell
one day and said:
"Peleg, this thing has gone on long enough.
You stole that money!
"Well, what if 1 did?" coolly reptile,
Peleg.
"What if you didl You scoundrel, why
I'll send you to prison for life.''
mo, you wont, Mr.. Henderson. Massa-
chusetts law provides seven years only for
the man who steals from his employer" Pc
leg replied laughingly.
''You villain What do you mean2" said
Mr.. Henderson,
81 can't earn 800, 900 in seven years, Mr..
Henderson, and you know Pm bound to be
a rich man. Now, I've got that much, and
after I've been punished seven yeaIs for TAX
ing it, it's mine, don't you see"'
The merchant was baflled. No amount of
talk would affect the thief.
THE DETECTIVES WERE BAFFLED.
All their wiles had failed to secure the money.
The Widow Kenyon, too, was baffled. She
was taken to Boston, and with her eyes
streaming with tears she implored Peleg to
make restitution. 1t was without avail.
"You told me to make my pile before |
came back mother," he said, ''and when
come home I'll show it to you -
Mr.. Henderson was disguised. At the end
of a week he offered Peeg his liberty if he
would return the money.
why, want to go to prison for it." was
his answer. II expect to be punished for
taking it."
'We'n give you your liberty and 81, OOO,"
was the merchants next offer.
ON give you 1000 to let me CO. re-
sponded Kenyon.
'I'n make it 81, OOO," said Mr.. Henderson
in dismay.
'And so will l." said Peleg.
The offer to Kenyon was slowly increased
to $4,000, and he as steadily advanced his
offer for liberty to that amount Mr. Hen
dersOn was
NOW IN DESPAIR.
He gave up all hope of getting the money,
and arranged his business so as to do with
out it. Kenyon was not brought to trial.
however, aud two months later Mr.. Hender-
son asked him submissiyely what he would
do.
'If you'll let me go with a written guaran-
tee not to trouble me, I'll give you-all but
s15, 600 Tomorrow said Peleg. blaudly.
Hanged IL | will said the merchant.
Six weeks more rolled bv, and Mr. Hen
derson saw lit to accept the terms of the
shrewG Yankee thief. For $50. 900 he signed
an instrument putting Kenyon out of harms /
way with the lions share of money in his
pockets. Kenyon was released He went at
once to Griswod, crawled under the horse
stable in the red barn at the old homestead.
and drew forth the bundle Of Sl05, 600 in
bills intact He counted out SO, 600. and,
going into the house, said 10 his mother:
MARY, there's my pile
''No good will come of it, my son." she
steruly responded.
Pcleg went back to Boston aud paid over
$50, 600. first investing his own money skill
fully in real estate, mortgages and loans