Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-03-08
WOOL THIEVES.
TWO BROOKE COUNTY MBN STEAL TWO
BAGS PULL
And Are Landed in Jail by the Police for The
Trouble-An Excellent Piece Of Work
BY the Officers

For several months past the residents OF
the vicinity Of Wellsburg and other points
along the river above this city have suf-
fered from the raids of thieves, whose pet
plumber seems to have been wool and pelts.
On two or three occasions the police OF
this city have been called on to lend their
aid in tracing up these rascals, and yester-
day their services wsTe again brought into
requisiliou.
Some time during Wednesday night the
barn of Abraham West, on Buffalo Creek,
Brooke County, was entered by thieves
and two large sacks of wool removed from
the building to a skiff which had been
moored in the creek Just in the rear of the
barn. TIE thieves pushed off with their
booty, and about daylight pulled in to the
wha-f at this city. They removed the
wool during the morning to the warehouse
of Horkheimer Bros where it was pur-
chased by Mr. HOrkheimer who paid the
men S32 80. it being, as a matter OF course,
supposed the men were the rightful own
ers.
shortly after this transaction was con-
su mated. Mr.. David Brown, the Wells
burg merchant, who had been notified Of
the loss OF the wool by Mr.. West, tele'
phoned to the Mes3rs. HOrkheimer, and
was informed OF the transaction they had re-
Gently bad. Mr.. Brown was convinced
he was on the track Of the thieves, and at
his request the police were notified. OH
GERS Shorts and Carney took hold Of the
case. aud armed with description FUR
nished by Mr.. Horkheimer they started
ont. Proceeding to the house of i'll fame
kent by Annie Klein, on Twentieth street.
officer Shorts arrested an old man named
Fred Gravis, and lodged him in the lock-
M The officers then took look through
the Second ward, and soon arrested Park
Stewart as the second party wanted. Both
men we're taken to the City Hall, where
s.. 10 was found on Stewart and couple
of dollars in change on Gravis. Stewart
had been seen with roll of billsin the Sec
ond ward, before his arrest, but gave 1t to
some one TO keep for him. Later this
money was recovered.
The police notified Mr.. Brown of the ar
rest. and then proceeded to the wharf,
where the skitf used by the two men, and
having wool sprinkled over its bottom,
was found. Two pairs of oars, an over
coat, saw and an empty sack were also
captured, and all the stuff taken to the
City Hall.
Mr.. West came down from Wellsburg
on the afternoon train and swore out
warrant before Justice Davis for the two
men. They we're arraigned before the
Justice shortly after FIVE o'clock, and
after little skilful maneuvering both
plesd guilty to the charge made against
them. The Justice at once held them in
default Of 81, COO bail each for the Brooke
County grand jury.
OF the money paid them by Messrs.
/ HOrkheimer, a total Of little over nine
/ teen dollars was recovered.
When Stewart was arrested in the Sec
ord Ward a well known Wheeling thief,
who was with him, took to his heels and
ran off 1t Is suspected b. the police that
the three, with probably some others, have
been engaged in systematic stealing along
the river towns. Gravis, who is about six
ty years Of age, is said to OWL a junk-bOat
and TO have been involved in several af-
fairs OF q questionable nature, but out Of
which he managed to wiggle Stewart is
said to be well connected III Wellsburg