Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-01-12
SILVER SNUFF BOX,
It Solved Mystery and Saved
Paul Kunkeps Life.

Paul KunkePs Life.
I'd -
"There is in the possess ion of fam
lily in Ashland, Pa, said well-known
resident of the Lehigh valley, "a silver
snuff box which, although handsome
and valuable, is not esteemed by its
owners so much on that account as for
the manner in which it came into their
possession, and for the remarkable
story connected with it. On the inside
of the lid is engraved the single word
Cooper That word solved the mys-
terry of frightful tragedy, and solved
1T in time TO prevent another tragedy
about to occur under judicial sanction
MANY years ago the farmers OF some
of the border counties of Pennsylvania
and Maryland had been for long time
victims OF horse and sheep thieves, who
despoiled them of much valuable prop
erty. A young German named Conrad
Winter, who was bound to woman
named Goodwin, of Parkston, Md,
was arrested, charged with being con-
cerned in the thieving, and he was
convicted and sentenced to six years in
the penitentiary This was in 1s4S.
One day in the fall of 1s49 Mrs. Charles
Cooper, wife Of q prominent farmer
who lived near Parkston, went to that
village to do some shopping. Among
other things that she purchased was a
pair Of shoes for herself of peculiar
make. When she left the village to
walk home it was nearly dark. She
carried an alpaca umbrella with yell
low stain on one side of it. Her pur-
chases were in paper package. Mrs.
Cooper was fond of snuff, and always
carried supply in handsome silver
snuff box, which she had had filled at
the store on this visit to Parkston.
"Mrs. Cooper did not reach home that
night Next morning search was made
for her, and towari evening, in lone
ly spot by the roadside, covered with
brush, her dead body was found. The
back of her head had been crushed in
by blow with some heavy weapon.
Her umbrella and paper parcels were
missing, as was her silver snuff-box. A
stranger had tramped through the vii
lage in the forenoon, and it was remem-
bered that he carried an umbrella and
a paper parcel Efforts were at once
made to get trace of the stranger, but,
beyond the fact that persons travelling
over the road between Parkston and
York, Pa, had seen two men going To-
ward the latter place in company-ea
with an umbrella, each with paper
parcel, and each in the iolliest of humor
wherever seen--nothing to give the
people of Parkston clew to the
stranger with an umbrella and paper
parcel could be discovered. Then de
! tectives from Baltimore were put or
the case
Paul Kunkel, when he died only 6
short time ago in York, aged 10 years
was one of the most conspicuous anc
respected citizens of that city. In 1874!
he had been citizen of York for sew
eral years, and was an Industrious mar
with character beyond reproach. Hi
had wife and three children, and al
were devout Catholics. In the fall O.
1s49 brother of his, who had been il
York for some time, made up his mint
TO return to Germany. AS he intended
to take the vessel at Baltimore, Pau
accompanied him to that city, an(
after seeing him on board the shil
started to return home on foot III,
left Baltimore early in the morning. Ill,
carried common umbrella, and hat
under his arm paper parcel con
tanning articles he had bought in Bal
timore for his wife and children Hi
course took him directly past the spo
where Mrs. Cooper's body was found
few hours later in the day. He passe,
through Parkston. and mile or so be
yond came up with man who wa
sitting by The roadside. The strange
arose, spoke to Kunkel, and as h
was also German and travelling tc
ward York. the two walked on together
1T was not long before the men wer
quite well acquainted. The strange
told Kunkel that his name was Conra
Winter. He had an umbrella and
paper parcel He offered to exchang
the umbrella he carried for Paul's. Win
ter's umbrella, although it had bi
yellow stain on one side, WAS niue
better than his, and Kunkel did no
hesitate to make the exchange. Kunke
WA a man of jovial disposition, an
Winter fell into his mood, so that ever
person they met was amused at thei
merry greetings and snstches Of song
When they arrived at York, White
said he would like to remain day q
80 in that place before he continued hi
Journey, and Kunkel invited him to az
cept the hospitality of his household
which he did. He was treated wit
the greatest kindness at kunkefs
and remained with the family tw
days, during which time he created n
little amusement by his persistence i
trading valuable articles from tn
/, paper parcel he carried for things of n
possible value or use to him. He trade
a new pair of womens shoes, of Cd
: pattern, to Mrs. Kunkel for an ol
flannel shirt, and insisted on presen
ing Kunkel with silver snuff DO,
|, This Kunkel would not accept, nor lie
his wife accept
Two DAYS after Winter went ava
, Kunkel was followed home from h
work one lay by two men. They wei
detectives, and they arrested him o
y Al. &c lNas, hO -Fls,,-s