The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-11
FOES THAT CAN'T BE FOUND
Strange Persecution by Unknown Per-
sonsOfa Family Residing at MapIeton.
House While Detectives Are Or Watch,
but the Authors Can't Be Caught

A rather unusual case of persecution Is re-
ported from Mapleton, just north of this city.
The family OF Fred n. Robinson, book-keeper
for Gordon g. Kurtz, of this city, who reside In
Mapleton. the victims. Beginning with the
middle of last summer, and continuing up to the
present time, the family have been greatly an
moved by secret enemies who have stoned their
house. and several occasions have also as
sailed Mr.. Robinson while he was returning
home from this city at night 1t Is even stated
that Mr.. Robinson was shot at night just
after he had crossed the Fall creek bridge.
But the main feature of the persecution has
been the number of threatening letters which
have been received by all members of the fam
lily from these unknown scoundrels. Mr. Robin
son says he has City more of these snissives.
The matter has been placed in the hands OF
detective Grady. who is endeavoring to dis
cover the disturbers The only way in which
the persecution can be accounted for is
that young man in the neighborhood,
who had offered attentions to one of
the young ladies in the family and had been
given to understand that his presence was OBJ
jectionable, has turned against the family and
is. with associates, carrying the pres
ent Ku klux plan of annoying them. The Rob-
insons are not the only persons who have
suffered, AZ TWO yonng men named Blue, living
in the neighborhood. and intimate friends of the
Robinson family, have been stoned on two or
three occasions.
Sergeant Bruce formerly detective on the
police force, first called into the case several
months ago by Mr.. Robinson, after the annoy
ances became so frequent that his family were
afraid to remain at home without protection.
After working the several days and
watching the house at night, Mr.. Bruce began
to suspect young man who lived near Broad
Ripple and, for the purpose of getting &C.
quainted with his handwriting, addressed
o letter to him, written on Bates
House letter-heads. telling him that he was
agent for certain publications, and
asking the suspected young man TO forward the
names of several reputable citizens in that part
of the country The young man answered the
letter the next day. and Mr. Bruce thought he
detected slight resemblance of his writing to
that of the anonymous letters. His suspicious
were still more aroused when the suspected
young man called one of the Blue boys in
few days and told him that mis- Bates
House scheme wouldn't work. Mr.. Bruce
evidence to make arrost whom he was re-
moved from detective duty. Since that time he
has done work on the case 1T 10 very re-
markable CASE said he to Journal reporter
last night, "and some things occurred that puz-
zled me. The family of Mr.. Robir son claimed
taat an the anonymous letters were
thrown into the house through windows,
and through TIE trarsoms over the doors.
They were never able to any
one leave them, and that was what worried
them most Several nights while / was in a
fence-corner within full view OF the house, the
family came running out excitedly with another
note that had been put over the transom. The
notes all of threatening character. and
have yet over fifty of them in my possession.
house, when was in full view
of all the entrances, without me
seeing them is more than I can understand.
One night left Lon Klingensmith to watch the
house During the early part of the night
considerable snow fell. After it had ceased
showing a cry came from the house that a
note had just been handed in. saying
that one OF the members of the
family absent from home had been killed.
Klingensmth was positive that no person had
been near the house, and &c prove it he took
lantern and went entirely around the house
with the family. The snow had not been dis
turbed and there not track of any kind to
be found. There was the note, though. and how
Ait came there was too great mystery to solve"