The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-01-28
A CHRISTMAS ROBBERY


AT Last Comes to LIGht-Partners in Crime
Split Upon Each Other and an Honest
Man Gets His Due. 30. ..
In Squire DAyis's court yesterday af'
ternoon peculiar case came up, which
bids fair to be the means Of returning
to a needy man a sum Of money which
disappeared under mysterious circum.
stances.
For months past John Cooper, the well
known blind man, has b4en occupying Q
room at the Wheeling hospital. Friends
had interested themselves In his case
and got up rattle for gold watch, the
proceeds Of which were turned over 70
Mr.. Cooper. The latter added to the
sum his last earnings as contractor for
lighting the city oil lamps, the total
amount he then had on hand being
Sl66. Early in the evening on the
day before Christmas he decided to 90
out awhile and breathe the fresh air.
Mr.. Cooper first took the precaution to
place the money in his inside vest
pocket. He strolled out TO the front OF
the hospital and stood for awhile at the
gate, After spending short time there
he retired. On awakening the next
morning his first thought was for the
money he had placed in his pocket the
night before. Not finding 1t, he ex'
amined every nook and corner OF the
apartment, but after a long and truitlest
search came to the conclusion that the
pccketbook, with It's contents, had been
stolen.
To say that the unfortunate man was
frightened, Is putting II mildly. The
sum OF money his friends had generous
| ly raised for him, his little earnings, al
he had to depend on, had been swal
lowed up in moment. Although need
ing the money, he concluded to say
nothing about his loss, suspecting Ger
tain parties, whom he did not Wish u
EXPOSE to shame.
Matters went on thus for some time
and Mr.. Cooper bad eventually made W
his mind that he and his money hac
been parted forever. Last Monday nigh
he was informed that two men wished
| to see him on important business. ant
stepping TO the door, was confronted b.
two Italians, who proceeded 70 unfold
tale that their auditor could scarcely
credit, having already made up hi
mind as to the identity OF the partieI
who had appropriated his sayings.
Il seems that while Mr.. Copper wa
standing at the hospital gate, on Christ
mas eve, three Italians passed up Mali
street. They noticed Mr.. Cooper an'
remarked a poCketkook lying at his feet
One Of their number, Leonard Nicola bl
name, Jagged behind, and as soon q
Cooper turned back 10 the hospital
snatched the pocketbook and made OF
The others followed, and by threat
, Of "bloTing" on him induced hin
to agree to divide the money with them
They bad patiently waited for Meol
to complete his share of the agreement
but the latter not coming to time hi
} friends despaired Of ever receiving thei
share OF the swag and so gave away thei
partner. One OF Mr.. Cooper's visitor
claimed to be one of the witnesses an
was eager to have his faithless conrad
punished. Upon extracting promis
| from Cooper 10 pay them $50 for the re
covery OF the money the dago detective
departed. The overjoyed victim imme
diately hied to Squire Dayis's and swor
out warrant for Leonard Nicola, VIII
: was arrested and held in 81 900 bail til
IL O'Clock this afternoon. Subpoena
we're issued on the witnesses.
When swearing out the warrants
Cooper detailed to Squire Davis tn
various denominations Of money hi
pocketbook contained at the time Of tn,
robbery, namely, two twenty dolla
bills, six tens, thirteen fyes and on,
one.dollar bill. When searched in jli
Nicola had Sl50o his person, in demon
nations Of six twenty and three ter
dollar bills. An attachment warrant
was issued on Jailer Dimmy, instructini
him TO hold the money.
At the trial this afternoon some rare
testimony may be expected.