The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-07-10
.Ing separa.ed from 4 BY a hIgh briek

beinb Sepdfaeeo hOh ~ ny n1Bn pIlCh
wall.
These men were standing in the
shadow OF this wall, evidently Convers-
ing in whispers and otherwise acting in
q suspicious way. The boys curiosity
was aroused. and he watched them in
tently for a time, and then commune
Gated his suspicious TO his brother,
the older OF the two, saying that
he believed the men were burglars, and
that mischief was intended. His brother
answered that he had q revolver loaded,
and if another attempt was made to rob
the house, the reception extended the
thieves would be warm.
The boys watched the men a short
time longer and finally saw them walk
up towards Chapline street. They then
went to bed.
1t was splendid night for burglars to
operate. The rain had made things so
wet and disagreeable that people did not
care to be about. The ground was damp,
so that the evil-minded were able to
move about with but little noise. 1t was
very dark and the gloom was made still
denser about the Hoffman place by the
abundant trees.
BURGLARS SURE ENOUGH.
Just as the Hoffman, boys were
about DOING off to sleep the younger
one reused up and declared that he had
heard the front gate creak. Both boys
got up and looked out, but could see
nothing. Convinced that his fancy had
played him false, the boy and his broth
er again got into bed, but they did not
20 to sleep. They lay awake and
listened, and shortly their vigilance was
rewarded by hearing the sound of
crunching wood, as though some one
was forcing shutter.
Now thoroughly aroused, the boys
again got up noiselessly, and stole to the
window. Looking out, they saw the
two men at lower window. The older
boy fired two shots, and the men started
to run around the corner OF the house.
Fastening into another room, three
more shots were fired ut the men, Just
as they Clambered over the brick wall
into the alley.
Running down this alley till they
came to Alley G, they ran south on that
towards Twenty-third street.
It is not thought any OF the shots took
effect. Shortly after the firing and while
those reused were still talking over the oc'
currence, Officer Truschcl appeared, hay
ing been attracted by the shooting. lie
learned the story, and at once sent word
to headquarters, and the night force was
instructed to keep sharp lookout fol
suspicious characters.
SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS SEEN LATELY.
Mr.. Hoffman, told last night, in con.
nection with his sons stories Of the
leading part in the sensation, of an eX'
perienCe that he had Inst Saturday after
noon, which taken in connection
with last nights occurrence, is
significant. He had occasion to go Out
into his stable in the afternoon, and
while there heard voices in n subdued
conversation in Alley @, in the rear. II
suddenly occurred TO him to see who
these persons were, and opening the
same door the burglars had forced last
January, he saw two men standing near
Both were strangers to him. One was
tall, the other shorter. Both were
roughly dressed and wore blue flannel
shirts. One of them had scrap OF
paper in his hands.
Mr. Hoffman, asked them what they
wanted, having his suspicious aroused
by the evident surprise OF the men when
he opened the door.
The taller one answered that he was
showing his friend where the policeman
was killed last winter; his friend had
read OF that affair and had expressed Il
curiosity to see the place,
Those who heard this told last night
were struck by several condolences,
Some expressed the belief that the two
men fired at were the same ones who
killed Glenn last January, for which
crime Christie and Kelly are now in jul,
Others gave utterancc TO the belief
that this second attempt was made by
the confederates OF Christie and Kelly,
in the hope OF throwing doubt on the
evidence against the two men, with Il
view to improving their chances for get
ting new trial.
Mr.. Hoffman, said very positively in
this connection that Kelly and Christie
were the ones who were at his place in
January; OF TINT he felt surej this
second visit might possibly have been
made by friends of the two in Jail,
1t is certainly n singular Coincidence
that second attempt should be made
to rob n prominent citizens residence on
the night of the same day that the two
men convicted OF similar offense, and
in connection with that ofiense, OF the
murder OF an officer, are discov-
cred preparing to escape from
Jail. The question naturally arises, did
not Kelly and Christie have willing and
trusted confederates on the outside who
would have been on hand to assist
their escape at the time set for the
delivery, had not the plan been
frustrated? And failing to meet their
friends, might not these two mysterious
strangers have attempted to carry out
the work their brothers in crime We're
attempting when discovered six months
apoP