The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1894-04-25
CHARGED WITH BURGLARY.
A LOCAL SENSATION THAT WAS A
BIG SURPRISE.

ton on - SERIOUS OnaT&c--HAs
Hope He Can Prove His Innocence.
Last fall Mr.. +. W. Leben came to
Dawson from Albany and opened bak-
cry and confectionery store.
He was ayoung man of genteel appeal
ance, pleasant address and a sociable
disposition, anil soon made friends If
almost everybody and did a thriving
business He took an active interest in
church affairs and rapidly worked him
self into the good graces of the commun-
ity.
OF late, however, Leben has been con-
nected with one or two supclous at
fairs, and yesterday he was brought to
Dawson by an officer of the law to an
swer to charge of burglary.
For some time Leben has been claim
ing to be detective connected with
Cincinnati agency, and his first crooked
ness came to light in the recovery of a
bicycle which had been stolen from Mr..
r. O. Price. month or more after
it was stolen Leben proposed to
utilize his detec i've qualities and reeov-
err the wheel for SIS He was employed
by Price, and next day announced that
he had located the wheel and the thief at
Waverly Hall, in Harris county, forty
miles from Columbus. He took the first
tain to Columbus, and promised to
wire Price as soon as he 'uld 60 to the
Harris county village ana back. Fifty
five minutes after the train was due in
Columbus telegram was received from
Leben saying he had both the wheel and
the thief. The train to Dawson that
night brought Leben and the wheel, but
the pris ,ner was missing, the embryo
detec i've saying that he had escaped.
Mr.. Price paid the SIS reward. and, not
being entirely satisfied with the affair,
began an investigation himself. He
soon foun that several conflicting stO
| ries had been told, and accused Leben of
taking the wheel and hold ng it for re-
ward. Lehen Indignantly denied the
charge when confronted with it, and it
was agreed that he put the money that
had been paid him as reward into the
hands of third party to be held until
he could establish his innocence of any
connection with the disappearance of the
bicycle. The next day Leben left for
Elberton TO accept position he had Sc
cured there, and nothing more was said
done about the bicycle.
The bicycle transaction caused Chief
Savage to think that the young baker and
confectioner might have had something
I'd do with the robbery of Cheek Bros.
music house three weeks ago, and the
officer. began some go I'd detective york.
The chief soon learned that Lebea had
shipped box of goods to A. j. Grant,
Columbus Ga. The goods were billed
by the railroad agent as pillow sham
holders. Mr.. McGrady, of Cheek Bros.
music store, went up to Columbus Sat
urday to make an Investigation at that
end of the line. He found the box at
Grants place of business. 1t proved to
contain several musical instruments
which Mr.. McGrady identified as a part
of Cheek Bros. stock, and they were
taken IN charge by him and shipped to
Dawson. Grant said the box was ship
ped TO him by Leben.
The chief of police at Elberton was
wired to arrest Leben and hold him on
the charge of burglary. The Elberton
officer wired back that Leben was in
jail and would be held.
Saturday night warrant was sworn
out for Leben charging him with bur
glary, and Chief Savage left for Eberton
on Sunday at noon for the prisoner.
He returned with him on the o'clock
train Tuesday morning.
Chief Savage said that Leben would
not talk about his troubles but very lit
tie. He said he bought the instrume ats
which had been recognized as belonging
to Cheek Bros. from a stranger whose
name he did not remember.
Mr.. Rollins, brOther-in law of Leben.
was here from Albany vest erday
TO look after making bond for the un-
fortunate young man. The bond was
fixed at $500, $500 for burglary and $500
for the bicycle escapade.
Mr. Leben's friends were shocked Vrhen
the charges against him were Laade
known, and they hope that he Will be
able to establish his innocence.
Mr.. Leben has a young wife who
has made many friends in Dawson,
and they deeply sYmpathize with her in
the trying ordeal that has come upon her.