Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-03-31

DOoy OF the murdered man. which lay
where it had fallen, to the door leading
to the hall.
1T is eighteen feet from the door to
the body" said the detective.
-IAdeedl Judging, then, from the po-
sition OF the body and the relative loca-
ton Of the wound, l should say that he
was shot by some one who stood at the
door and who discharged his weapon
while his victims back was turned. The
shot entered at the base Of the skull,
answered the surgeon.
THE impossibility of suicide may be
regarded as positively established, he
added
The police sergeant was now sworn,
and he related what discoveries had re-
suited from the investigation which he
had made the preceding night, in COM
pany with Paxton.
He did not fail TO dwell upon the cir
cumstance Of Stuart Harland's dlsap-
pearanee from the house, a few moments
before the discovery of the crime, ac-
eOrding to the statement of Judith
Kredge.
To hear him one would have supposed
that he had taken the lead in the inYes-
tigation of the preceding night, and
that he deserved all the credit for the
discoveries then made; Paxton said
nothing, however, but sarcastic smile
Mr.. Garrison was next sworn, and he
testified that John Oakburn was an ex-
eeedingly eccentric man, excessively
frugal and economical. That he sup
posed in the course of the years he had
been in his service, the old cashier must
have accumulated a modest competency,
though he was never known TO specu-
late, and that Oakburn was always ex-
tremely retieent regarding his personal
affairs.
The broker further stated that the
aged cashier had a hobby for collecting
ancient coins and weapons, which he
kept in his little safe. Also that the de-
ceased was a-precise and very method
ical man in all he did, that he kept his
correspondence and papers carefully
filed away in his safe with his collection
OF ancient coins and weapons.
When Mr.. Garrison's testimony was
concluded the coroner summoned Marion
Oakburn and Judith Kredge, and the
two women entered the office a few
moments subsequently.
MariOn's face was lividly pale, and
there was an expression of mental suffer-
ing and anxiety upon her features.
The coroner addressed the cashier
daughter, stating that he deemed it
necessary to examine her fathers private
/ safe and Marion assented, saying in
/ conclusion:
I think you will find my fathers safe
| key on his person"
The pockets OF the victim of the mys-
| terious tragedy were accordingly
! searched, and the key, of which he was
/ in quest, was found by the coroner, who
/ forthwith opened John Oakburn's safe.
| All present inspected the contents Of
/ the dead mans private -strong-bOx" with
/ considerable curiosity.
| II contained n large and M douhf
valuable, collection of ancient coins OF
/ all nations, arranged in admirable order
and numbered and labeled with an ex-
/ actitude which told Of the owners pre-
else and methOdical ways. There was
also in the safe a collection OF small
weapons. There were pistols, pOniards,
stilettOs, yataghans, Maylay creeses,
and the like. Besides all this, y COM
apartment contained the private papers
of the deceased, letters, papers of bust
ness, bills recelpted and other dOcu-
ments
There was no money in the safe.
The coroner examined the papers and
then submitted them to Marion, who
also looked them over carefully.
Among all the documents no certif-
cate of stocks, no deposit receipts, or
that John Oakburn possessed any money
or property was discovered.
Paxton was on the alert and nothing
escaped him.
He made a mental memorandum OF
the contents of the murdered man 8 safe
and, when Marion had concluded the ex-
animation Of the letters and papers il
contained, he came to her side and said
in low tone.
4 am very much interested in this
case, Miss Oakburn, and mean to sus-
tain my opinion that Stuart Harland is
innocent, which you heard me assert
last night. l know you share my Opin-
ion, and if you will permit me to lool
over these papers and letters you viii
perhaps enable me to make some ad.
YantageOUs discovery"
You are at liberty to examine my
fathers papers, though do not thinl
you will find any clew to the ASSASSIN
here. But I trust you may prove Mr.
Harland's innocence, of which there car
be no doubt" replied Marion, and sh,
surrendered the letters and papers from
the safe to the detective.
The documents were spread out upOI
a desk in the rear office and the corone
was examining one of Mr.. Garrison
clerks In the outer offlee to which Ma
rion, who seemed deeply interested il
all the proceedings, now repaired, thu
leaving Paxton alone.
He subjected the murdered mans pa
pers to a most critical inspection. Let
ter after letter was examined witt
interest, and in an old file of CORE
spondenee the detective found one par
tieular letter which seemed to fasten hi
attention, for he read 1t over twice yer,
carefully.
Then, casting a glance at the doc
leading to the outer office to assure him
self that he was not observed, he slipped
this particular letter into his pocket.
The end entirely iustifies the meani
in this case; desire to retain this let
ter, and yet I do not wish to call an
ones attention to it as yet, he thought
After he had examined every lette
and paper he replaced them all in tn,
safe, and then turned his attention Z,
the collections of weapons for a moment
He discovered nothing further OF In
terest. and so he entered the outer office
Meanwhile Mr.. Garrison's clerks con
firmed the evidence by the broker. anC
Judith Kredge was examined. Her evi
dence differed not materially from tn,
statement she had made the preceding
night. Marion also related how she haS
discovered her father.
The detective heard Mr.. Garrison
whisper to Marion after she had giveI
her evidence.
The broker said:
Are you informed regarding you
fathers financial affairs? Do you know
where the money he must have saved Il
deposited or how it Is invested21
mo, sir my father seldom spoke o
the matter. supposed, though, tina
he had accumulated modest fortune
for he used TO say that he soon meant u
retire from business and purchase
beautiful country residence where h,
could raise his own fruit and flowers. H,
was very fond OF Horticulture and hord