Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-10-22
4 Double Crime.

The wholesale produce and commits
sion store of Mr.. Purvis, on Delaware
avenue, near Vine street, was robbed
on the night of October II, 1865.
The safe had been opened apparent
ly by false keys, and upward of nine
thousand dollars in greenbacks were
abstracted. A package of bonds TO
the amount Of three thousand dollars
more remained untouched.
Two clerks, both young men, usually
slept in the store. August Yerkes had
been in the employ of Mr.. Harrison
Purvis for about four years, and en-
joyed the confidence of his employer.
Pembroke Sharon, the other clerk, had
only recently been taken, but the man
ner in which he took hold of the bust
ness impressed Mr.. Purvis so much in
his favor that he predicted successful
future for the young man, as very
able salesman and ultimate prominent
merchant. Under this impression he
placed implicit trust in Sharon, and
selected him as companion for Yerkes
in the store at night.
Both of these young men were in
the store the night that the robbery
occurred; but when the place was open
ed in the morning, Sharon was miss
ing and Yerkes lay on the floor near
the safe with a serious cash on the
side of his head, which had been bleed
ing profusely, judging by the amount
of blood on the floor.
The unfortunate young man had
evidently endeavored to staunch the
blood, for his hands were stained as
well as his clothes. By the disorder in
the office and the numerous blood
stains both on the floor and walls, il
was evident that desperate struggle
must have taken place.
1t was conjectured from this that
Sharon, having provided himself with
false keys, had opened the safe, al d
been surprised by his fellow clerk in
the midst of his work, who in turn
dealt him the blow near the temple,
and then, after q severe struggle be-
tween them, Yerkes tainted from loss
of blood and the robber fled with his
| booty.
Varnoe, detective, and q physician
were at once sent for and, while DIR.
Edison attended to his patient, the de-
tective examined the premises with his
usual carefulness, particularly the sec
ond floor, and returning to the lower
floor found that Yerkes had recovered,
and sat in an armchair with q bandage
around his head.
"Well, Mr.. Varnoe, what have you
| discovered?" said Mr. Purvis.
81 find that the robber has been to
the second hoor," replied the detective,
''possibly he has taken some yaluables
| from there AZ we'll"
huG t1rstairs hI1f
presently returned, saying that moth
ing had been disturbed or removed a.
far as be could see.
"Whatever his object may have
been, am positive that he visited the
second floor after the bloody struggle
had taken place"
Then Ysrkes gave the following ac-
count.
He woke suddenly and found that
Sharon had left the bed, and fearing
that some mishap had overtaken him,
he Lit a parsfne candle by the small gas
Jet in the room and began to search for
him.
Not finding him on the second fooi
he returned TO the first floor, and dis
covered him before the open safe.
They saw each other at the same mo-
ment, and Sharon was spellbound at
being discovered in his criminal act.
Then began the struggle the evidence
of which was SO plainly apparent.
Sharon being the stronger Of the two,
soon over-powered his opponent, and
threw him so violently on the floor,
that he became insensible.
Varnoe listened with rapt attention
% the end, then made few notes in
bis book, after which he walked out of
The store with his eyes bent on the
aoor before him, until he reached the
Itreet; then, after casting his eyes
,earchingly around on the ground, he
walked over to the dock and gazed in
10 the water in a thoughtful manner
When he returned to the store and re-
oined the others in the Office, it was
with grave countenance.
sEMr. Purvis, the robber has evi-
lently escaped by way of the river, as
the blood tracks reach to the dock"
All ewes were now directed toward
ihe wounded man, who had suddenly
Erown pale. He opened his mouth as
f to say something, but fell back with
groan and tainted away.
While the doctor was applying res
.oratives TO his charge, the detective
trew Mr.. Purvis away to the rear of
he store, and remained there half an
hour in conversation with him, and
judging by his frequent e1clamations
ae must have been astonished by what
he detective told him.
Re-entering the Office, they found
Yerkes still unconscious, and at the
mggestion of Varnoe he was taken to
he hospital.
'ENow Mr.. Purvis," said Varnoe,
will you point out to me the clothes
Usually worn by Mr.. Sharon while on
duty at the store?"
Certainly, sir" replied the gentle
nan, "that is easily DONE" and he
vent to the closet where the clerks
sept their outer garments. He e1-
.mined the clothing with gasps of sur
Prise.
"What is it?' said varnee, when
Mr.. Purvis laid the garments on the
>ed.
, Gas live, Sharon has not only lefi
his coat and vest behind, but his pants
=