The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-19

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Tho original charge sworn to by Mr..
Lallance, accused him Of stealing seven
ty-five gross of pens and seventy.hve
gross of pearl buttons, these goods hav-
ing been missed by tho firm under cir.
cumstances which led to suspicion Of
Houser. These goods were not found
in the house, however.
ARRAIdNED AGAIN.
Mrs. Houser, the prisoners mother,
accompanied him to Squire Caldwell's
Office. 1t was explained that his wife
was sick.
At the Office Mr.. Joseph Boil, Of the
Logan Drug Company, Mr. Lallance,
Mr.. McCammon and others identified
goods. The cigars. hats, shoes and
many other articles still remain uniden-
Mrs. Houser, the mother, deposited
with Hon. G. w. Atkinson certificates
OF deposit for $500, and indemnitied by
this deposit, Capt. 6. W. Robinson be
came surety on Houser's bail bond Tor
that amount.
Hon. G. W. Atkinson had been en-
ployed as the prisoners counsel IN the
meantime, and he waived preliminary
examination and the bail was made to
read forfeitable ii he did not appear at
the next term OF tho Circuit Court of
Ohio county, to answer to an indict-
ment TO be found by the grand Jury.
The case before o. S. Commissioner
Campbell was setfor a preliminary exam
ination at 10 a. m. today. Mr., Atkinson
told an INTELMaENoER reporter last
night tthat tho preliminary hearing would
be waived and bail given for appearance
at the U. s. court to answer to the ind
ing OF tho grand jury. Commissioner
Campbell said, however, that he might
feel obliged to hear a part OF the evl-
dence, to make up his mind whether
the bail ought not to be increased to q
larger sum than 81 900.
THE PRISONER SEEN.
In the office of Justice Caldwell last
night an IxrE1LIaExcER reporter talked
to Mr. Houser and his counsel. Houser
had little to say. His only attempt at
excuse or palIiation has been, II don't
know what made me do it"
MIR. Atkinson said: 1--WE want all
these goods identified and claimed:
Harry wants to mako restitution OF
everything he has taken so far rs it can
be DONE"
Tho surprise and mysti6cation of
everybody who heard Of Houser's down
fall was complete. He was much liked
everywhere, was trusted by everybody
to nm unusual extent, and bad tho con-
fidence and regard of the community.
If he had an enemy anywhere 1t was
never known.
So high was the esteem in which he
was held that it was at once suggested
upon his arrest that he was .kleptoma-
MAC. Tho circumstances of tho case,
the lack OF motive, the unreasonable
character Of tho thefts, thetfact that all
the proceeds were boarded, tendtto SUBJ
stantiate this theory.
Mr.. Houser was one of the u Republi-
can aspirants for the mayoralty nomi-
nation at Saturdays primaries, and re-
ceiyed very respectable support, cur
rying the First ward. This fact was
the first to be commented on in connec-
ton with the sad end OF his business CO.
reer in Wheeling.
He was, as already stated, n leading
Elk, and as secretary Of the local lodge
it was his duty to collect tho dues of
members. These were turned oversto
the treasurer at each meeting. however,
and it is thought he has not kept any
money belonging to the lodge.
He was also high in the order.of
Knights Of Pythias, and as q member of
tho a. 0. U. W. was popular and prom
inent.
Hc is about forty years old, and q son
OF the late Cletis Houser, formerly o
prominent German citizen of Wheeling.
THE FIRST DISCOVERY.
Tho first thing that centred and crys-
talizod the rather vague suspicion on
Harry Houser occurred on Saturday.
Several traps were set by the postofice
authorities for him, but heevaded them
all.
On Saturday Lieutenant Walter Ter
rill, Of tho city police forco, who had
been asked by Otho Heiskell. who runs
tho Mcclure and Windsor hotel news
stands, to investigate and find who was
robbing his cigar cases, was concealed
beneath the counter at the Hotel Wind
sor when Houser, who was suspected,
camo in to collect the mail. Mr.. Heis-
kell mado an excuse and left the stand,
and Houser reached in the case and ex-
tracted nineteen Garcia cigars.
When he started out Terrill called
him back and Heiskell confronted
him. He accused him OF stealing
in alI at divers times $40 worth
Of cigars, and demanded that epay
him $40 TO cover the loss and $40 to be
paid to the officer, on pain of eXposureI
Houser paid him the $50.
This money Harry told Captain
Robinson was part OF that obtained by
him from the sale of stamps, but he at-
forwards made affidavit for Mr.. Heis-
kell that It was his own money, earned
otherwise.
There are reports that several people
in town bought stamps at less than the
legal rates, from Houser. II go they
also can be indicted, as this is an offense
against the law.
Tho way he worked the stamp racket
was to receive orders from people on
his boat for so many, and deliver them
on the next trip. How he managed to
steal in such u wholesale way can only
bo Conjectured.
CONDENSED TELEGRAMs.
Fire in Brooklyn yesterday destroyed
tho wholesale grocery Of VIM. 3. Jor-
pnna nnd three tenements, entail ling q