The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-08-12
A FAMOUS ROBBERY.
A MYSTERY JUST CLEARED UP
A Rltchle County Case which Stirred up the
Natiyes-Fine Detective Work Ghosts
and Hob.goblIns Played upon the
supSrstitiOns of the Criminals. '

Special Dfspateh 10 ne IRlel|tgtHar
PARKERsBURa, W, Va, August lion
the 29Ih Of June, Frank Moore, who lived
in Richie county, on Stewards Run, four
miles from Pennsboro, was robsed ol
$4,000, of which $1,000 was in coin and
81, 400 in notes, Moore, who Ia IN old
citizen, having lived in RitChie county for
fifty years past, had the reputation Of be-
ing miserly, grsspiug fellow, 1.-The made
one dollar he saved ninety cents OF 1t, and
1t was known that he had large sums in
his possession, He kept his fortune in o
little oaken box, which he put up into the
loft over his slseplug apartment aud had
the calling so arranged that no trace OF the
conCealment could be seen. From here
the box was stolen, and until Monday all
has remained a mystery so far as the
identity OF the burglars is concerned.
Detective ALI. w, Burnett, the clever
chief Of the Eureka Detective Agency,
arrived in tho city last night, aud from
him the reporter learned the particulars
OF the clearing up oil the mystery, 1t in-
wolves tale worthy OF Eighty dime-
novel romanCer, instead OF a leyel.headed
detectives experience. AS soon as the
money was missed, the old gentleman,
who was almost Crazsd with grief over his
loss, sent Tor Mr.. Burnett and put the case
in his hands, paying his expenses and a
liberal per diem and promising him q $500
reward for the return OF the money, do
at once went TO Richie In the guise OF q
lawyer and pension agent and proceeded
to look up the case. He found that there
was a general impression that old
Moore had robbed himself. But this
in the face OF his employment was i'm.
possible. He learned that the old
man had six sons. Three Of these were
tayorites and three were disliked by tho
old gentleman. They all admitted that
the money had been stolen by some Of the
boys, but there all information ceased.
he tried In every conceivable way to OBJ.
tain clue but every endeavor failed. He
found them very ignorant lot, unable to
read aud write, and apparently willing to
testify 10 anything in regard 10 the matter.
After about three weeks OF incorporating,
he came out boldly and announced his
identity and tried to bluff the SONS, but
here again he failed. They went to Har-
risYille and secured lawyer and prepared
to fghtit out.
DAFFLED BUT NOT DEFEATED.
Bstlled at every point and unable TO Be-
cure any reliable information hO became
more determined than ever to ferret out
the burglar or burglars. He learned that
about year before the boys had learned
that the old gentleman had made will,
and that lie had left three OF them but one
dollar each and that he had wiled all his
property to the other three. He then pro-
ceeded on the hypothesis that the three
sons who had been neglected in the will
had done the esteallng, suppOSiug that they
thought that here was an opportunity to
secure their portion OF the old mans
money, which they seemed to bs in fair
way to loose.
He then resortcd to another maneuver.
he hired a member OF one Of tho families
for Sl00 TO secure him o clue. This he
got when the peTeon he hired informed
him that the little children Of one Of the
men had said that their father had small
box hidden In the woods. He knew now
who could tell him where the money was,
and that the three brothers who were moi
favorites were guilty. He had failed to
bluff them, 80 he had recourse 10 a very
slick way Of Tightening them into return
ing the cash.
THE GHOST RACKET.
He knew that they believed in ghosts,
hob.goblins, fortune telling, dividing rods,
and all the foolishness which has so much
effect upon ignorant minds. He told come
OF them that he had consulted at old color
ed woman who was fortune teller and
that lie would get letter In day or two
which would tell him OF the Lost money.
He received the letter written by him.
self in due time, and read 1t 10 two Of the
guilty sons. 1t reCited the fact that three
OF the guilty sons had taken the money,
that II was hidden In the woods and that
II II was not returned and laid on the
porch oi the old mans house by q certain
time, that lightning would strike one OF
them and that the others would suffer a
horrible death from some disease that had
never been known In these parts.
The letter was listened 10 with painful
interest and consultation OF the guilty
sons followed. One OF them went to Bur.
nett and told him that they thought II he
went away at once that the money would
be returned. This be refused TO do, until
finally at their pleading he consented to
go to Harrisville for 9 day. He went on
Monday, and that night the box ot money
was left on the porch with every cent Of
money in 1t. The return Of the money
caused fever OF excitement In Richie
county. To-day the house was visited by
large Crowdswho wished to see the money,
Burnett has made an enviable reputation
In Richie by his exploit in this famous
case.
nANIISI, NfAGnNE