The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1893-04-01
4 CAUTIOUS MURDERER.
The Most Skilfully Planned Assassina-
ton Ever Known.

person with money to commit murder in
the heart of great city and keep ont oil
the hands of the police. will recall a
case from my dairy to prove the truth OF
my assertion. 1t was back in the seven
ties when was in command of the Pink
erton detective agency at Chicago. l
finally caught my man, but it was only
by the merest accident. Had he not been
too free with the pen he would still be
enjoying his liberty. The murder of Tom
Venable was one of the most sensational
in the criminal annals of Chicago. He
was killed by Jackson Petit, who disap-
peared from the scene of the crime as
completely as if the earth had swallowed
him. Venable was lawyer of good fam
lily and fair repute as lawyers 60, but as
sharp as a lancet and greedy to boot
among his clients was a wealthy widow
whose ward he loved. Petit was the
widows only son, and though he was up
to his ears IN love with his foster sister
she did not care for him. Widow Petit
died, and her will gave Venable charge
OF her estate, which was to be equally di-
vided between her son and her foster
child, who was then a minor. Soon after
the lawyer married the girl, and between
them they so juggled the securities form
ing the bulk of Mrs. Pettits estate that
instead Of the quarter of million Jack
had good reason to believe would come
to him, on settlement day he got less
than half that sum. Petit showed neith-
er chagrin nor resentment. He was too
proud to go to law, but he had even then
begun planning to kill the lawyer. When
he was caught, Petit told me that even
after no was safe and Venable was as
dead as dried cob his hate was so hellish
that he wished he had to do it all over
again. Petit lived in bachelor quarters
on the outskirts of Chicago. Venable's
offices, on the ground floor, were in the
business part of town. One evening he
was found stretched face down on the
floor of his front Office, his head battered
out Of shape. A blood smeared hammer,
such as PAYERS use, lay near him.
Petit had bought the hammer After
the CRIME not trace of him could be
found. Rich rewards for his capture
were offered. Police of half dozen
states sought him in vain. Then it be.
came common belief that he had taken
his own life to avoid capture. and on that
presumption search for him was stopped.
Yet all the while he was living like lord
in the very heart OF Chicago. Just over
the way from Venable's place was build
ing several stories high. filled with Offices
Months before the murder Petit, under q
false name, hired three rooms on the top
floor, paying years rent in advance.
He told the agent that he was chemist
from an eastern city, and explained that
while he might not occupy the apartments
month all told, he wanted them chiefly
as storage place for a lot Of fragile ap-
paTatus of great value. Petit had insert
cd in the lease clause prohibiting any
but himself from entering the rooms fol-
fear they might injure his costly para
phernalia. New locks were put on, Petit
getting the keys. As soon as "Oscar
Volckmar, Chemist" was gliding on the
outer door, Jack began fitting the rooms
for six, and if need be, twelve months So
journ therein. After carpets, rugs, easy
chairs, a sofa bed, linen, 200 books, cloth
ing and other necessaries were in place,
he began laying in his stores. They con-
sisted of two hundred pounds of ship bis
cult, fifty pounds of Graham crackers,
four cases of preserved beef, in tins; three
cases of soups, condensed; six dozen cans
of fowl, roasted and stewed; one dozen
crooks of ported game; two chunks of
smoked beef, one dozen molks of pate de
foie gras, two dozen cans of oysters, pick
led; one dozen jars of lambs tongues,
picked; three pineapple cheeses, ten
pots of honey, three dozen cans of French
peas, twelve glasses of jams and jellies,
twelve jars of preserved peaches, one
dozen jars of cherries, three dozen bottles
of assorted pickles, twelve quarts of olive
oil to be used in lieu of butter, ten pounds
Of tea, two dozen cans of condensed milk.
1850 Havana cigars, six cases of spark
ling wine, one case of Burgundy, twelve
dozen pints of claret, two gallons of bran
dy, six cases Of mineral water, five gross
Of matches, two boxes of wax candles, a
medicine chest, fifteen gallons of coal oil,
an oil stove, chafng dishes, linen and
tableware.
These goods were delivered at house
Jack had rented in a distant part Of the
town, where he had men pack them in
boxes made for the purpose. It took
him over three months, working at inter
walls, to stock his retreat When every
detail had been attended to he removed
his money from bank, so as to have it by
HIM when he decided it was safe to fee.
While making these preparations he kept
up show of friendship for his intended
victim, visiting his Office every few days.
AS soon as everything was ripe he MUIR
dered Venable, closed the door behind
II ~.