Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1894-02-22

I
sonally a. an expert sharper.
The next stage in this little drama was
enacted at Detroit, Minnesota, and here
the trail of the movements in this we'll
planned plot becomes faint and only q
part Of the real facts are known to the
public, but we'll known to several indi-
viduals. Among them Is prominent
official of Becker county, Minnesota, who
had interested himself IN the case, and
who undertook to work it up profession.
ally.
Harper is remembered by those who
saw him to have been about feet and 10
or II inches in height. He was dressed
like a German foreigner from the back.
woods. He had heavy black beard
which was little curly. His hair was
also black and shaggy, which was prob
ably wig. He wore black hat with
| very low crown, and left jamestown the
last of Julyfor Detroit, MINI.
The story is related that Mr.. Holt at
Detroit, claimed that Harper could not
speak English but could understand any
thing that was said. There were also
two other men connected with the deal;
one registered as Z. D. Finley and the
name of the other is unobtainahle.
! The sheriff of Becker county, who bad
his attention attracted to the case, is not
entirely familiar with the full details and
what followed the first appearance OF
| Mr.. Holt at Detroit. But he kept an
eye on the developments as they came
about and informed himself concerning
the same as near as he could at the
time. He believed that some
thing unusual was going on,
and in report of the same says that Mr.
Holt first came to Detroit oD the 9th of
July; OF the 29ch he left and returned
again on the Both with the Arizona
miner; that livery team was hired by
Mr. Holt at 8 p. m., on the 3Oth of July,
and at p. m., he and Mr.. Harper drove
out about a mile from town. Mr.. Harper
returns with the team to the barn about
Z p. M, and disappears that same even-
ing. 1t was noticed that Mr.. Holt was
very anxious and nervous about the re-
turn of Mr.. Harper, on the 3lst. The
former left Detroit ut 1 o'clock coming
west to Jamestown. He returned again
August 1st, at 1O:43, this time accompa-
MED by Mrs. Lloyd and daughter, and
all registered at the hotel. The James
town party returned west the same even
ing at II o'clock, and it was reported at
the hotel that neither ate anything dur
ing the day. Mr.. Holt returned again
to Detroit, August I'd, alone. Being
shown room for the purpose OF sleep,
he does not stay there, bnt goes out 90
the piazza and walking up aud down
nervously asks if Mr.. Harper has re-.
turned yet. He leaves again at 4 p. m.,
that evening.
August 2nd, third party turns up 10
the person of E. D. Finley, registering
from St. Paul. He goes to the livery
stable and hiring a rig leaves town in the
direction Harper left when there.
Shortly after dinner the team rented by
Finley was overtaken by the sheriff, Fin
Icy was not driving the team, but the
fourth party spoken OF was and he had
something covered up by the rain-boot
in the buggy. This was about a mile
and a halt from the city. The drive.
seemed excited and nervous as he was
passed. About an hour and a half after
wards the owner Of the livery team, the
sheriff himself saw his horse and buggy
in the brush and thought that something
was wrong, but gave the matter no furth-
or attention until The following day when
he went TO the spot, the horse not hav.
ing been returned and saw the animal
tied in the brush. There was also found
an excursion ticket issued to Harper,
dated at jamestown, August 1st and
torn in three pieces; half gallon Of
liquid, bathing towel, a pair Of stock
ings and hat box. In the evening OF that
day Finley himself returns the team to
the stable. 1t was supposed at the time
connected with an abduction case, but,
Of course, such was not true. 1t ls also
presumed by the Detroit people that
Harper was detective and had disguised
himself. Finley and the fourth party
disappeared and have never been heard
of since. The druggist Of whom the
bottle was purchased by Finley,
says that Finley asked il be
could get it filed with
with distilled water. When told that
they had none he said that any kind
would do. On Friday it is stated that
Finley and Mr.. Holt went fishing to
Long lake, a short distance from town.
Mr.. Holt was also seen at the back OF the
hotel talking with MI. Harper about a
windmill. Mr.. Holt was telling Harper,
who claimed never to have seen wind
mill before, in his life. how it worked.
When Mr.. Holt left he deposited with,
the hotel nrOnrietOr n note tn Mr. Har