Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-02-10
yARNOE, THE DETECTIVE.

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
distracted 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 Ierkes had
been in the employ of Mr.. Harrison
Purvis for about four years, and en-
loved 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 busi
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 a companion for Ierkes
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 endcavOred 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, and
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 a severe struggle be-
tween them, Yerkes tainted from loss
of blood and the rObber fled with his
booty.
VarnOe, detective, and 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 Yerkcs had recovered,
and sat in an armchair with bandage
around his head.
'GWelI, Mr.. VarnOe, what have you
discovered?" said Mr.. Purvis.
al find that the rObber has been to
the second floor" replied the detective,
..possibly he has taken some valuables
from there as we'll"
The merchant hastened upstairs, but
presently returned, SAYING that moth
ing had been disturbed or removed as
far as he could see.
"Whatever his object may have
been, / am positive that he visited the
second floor after the bloody struggle
had taken place"
Then Yerkes 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 parafine candle by the small gas
Jet In the room and began to search for
him.
Not finding him on the second floor
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
beirsT 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
20 tho end, then made a few notes in
his book, after which he walked out of
the store with his eyes bent on the
floor before him, until he reached the
street; then, after casting his eyes
searchingly around on the ground, he
walked over to the dock and gaZed in
20 the water in a thoughtful manner.
When he returned to the store and re-
ioined the others in the office, 1t was
with grave countenance.
..Mr. Purvis, the robber has cvi-
IDENTIFY escaped by way of the river, es
the blood tracks reach to the dock"
All eyes were now directed toward
the wounded man, who had suddenly
grown pale. He opened his mouth as
IL to say something, but fell back with
grOan ana tainted away.
While the doctor was applying res
toratives TO his charge, the detective
drew Mr.. Purvis away to the rear OF
the store, and remained there half al
hour in conversation with him, anG
Judging by his frequent exclamatiOn'
he must have been astonished by what
the detective told him.
Re-entering the office, they found
YeIkes still unconscious, and at the
suggestion of Varnoe he was taken &c
the hospital.
"Now Mr.. Purvis," said Varnoe
"will you point out TO me the clothes
usually worn by Mr.. Sharon while OIL
duty at the store"
Certainly, sir" replied the gentle
man, "that is easily DONE" and hC
went to the closet where the clerks
kept their outer garments. He ex
snined the clothing with gasps of sur
prise.
"what Is it2" said Varnoe, whcr
Mr.. Purvis laid the garments Oh til,
bed.
GAS live, Sharon has not only lef
his coat and vest behind, but his pant
as well, said MIR. PurYis, In bewllder
ment.
"Inat is singular" said the detec.
tive, exchanging glances with the ply.
sician. alt is rather puzzling, in fact,
when you bear in mind that Mr.
Yerkes, when found, was fully dressed,
while the thief left his pants bchind,'
pointing to pair beneath the bed.
"YOu will please see whether Mr..
Sharon left anything valuable i'll hi:
pockets"
Every pocket was examined. There
was found a valuable watch and chain
trifle over five hundred dollars in &
wallet, a penknife, pencil memoran
dunn, etc, etc.