The Delta independent., 1894-01-10
SILVER SNUFF BOX.
It Solved a Mystery and Saved
Paul Kunkers Life.


There is in the possession OF fam
lily in Ashland, Pa" said wcll-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 frightfnl tragedy, and solved
it in time to prevent another tragedy
about to occur rnder judicial sanction.
MANY years ago the farmers OF some
Of the border counties of Pennsylvania
and Maryland had been for n long time
victims of horse and sheep thieves. who
despoilel them of much valuabl prop
erty. A young German named Conrad
Winter, who WAS bound to woman
named Goodwin, of Farliston, Md,
was arrested. charged with being con-
ccrned in the thicving, and he was
convicted and sentenced to six years in
the penitcntiary. This was in 1S4S.
One day in the fall Of 1s49 Mrs. Charles
"copper" "tAS VA . iANi
who lived near P;.rkston, went II that
village to do sons shopping. Among
other things that snc purchased was n
pair of shoes for herself of peculiar
make. When she left the village to
walk home it was nearly dark. She
carried al alpaca umbrella with a yell
low stain on one side of it Her pur-
chases were in 4 paper package. Mrs
Cooper was fond of snuff. and always
carried Il supply in handsome silver
snuff box. which she had had filed 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
bacl: of her head had been crushed ia
by blow with some heavy weapon.
Her umbrella and paper parcels were
missing. us was her silver snufT-boN A
stranger had tramped through the vii.
Iagr in the forcnoon. and it was rcmcm-
bcred that he carried an umbrella and
n paper parcel Efforts were 4; once
made to get trace of the stranger, but,
beyond the fact that persons travelling
over IIe Tbtu btk"ttH IA hHhph 1bJ
York. Pa. had seen two men going 20
ward the latter place in company-cach
with an umbrella. each with n paper
parcel. and each in the iollicst of humor
wherever seen-nothing TO give the
people of Parkston clcw to the
stranger with an umbrella and paper
parcel could be discovered. Then de-
tcctives from baltimore were put on
the case
paul Kunkcl, when he died only a
short time ago in York. aged :? years,
was one of the most conspicuous and
respected citizens Of that city. In ls49
he had been citizen of York for sew
eral years, and was an industrious man
with character beyond r-proach. He
had n wife and three children, and all
were dc~out Catholics. In the fall of
1919 n brother OF his, who had been in
York for some time. made up his mind
to return to Germany. As he intended
70 take the vessel at Baltimore, Paul
accompanied him TO that city, and
after seeing him on board the ship
started to return home on foot- He
left Baltimore carly in the morning. He
carried common umbrella, and had
under his arm paper parcel con-
tanning articles he had bought in Bal
timorc for his wife and children. His
course took him directly past the spot
where Mrs Coopcr's body was found
few hours later in the day. He passed
through Pnrlsston. and mile or SO be-
yond came up with n man who was
sitting by tho roadside The stranger
arose, spoke TO Kunkcl. and rs he
was also n German and travelling to-
ward York. the two walked on together.
ut was not long before the men were
quite well acquainted The stranger
told Kunlsel that his name was Conrad
Winter Uc had an umbrella and n
paper parcel He offered to exchange
the umb, ella he carried'for Paurs Win.
tcr's umbrella, although IL had big
yellow stain on one side, was much
better than his, aud Kunkcl did no,
hesitate TO make the exchange. kunlscl
was q man of jovial disposition. and
Winter fell into his mood. so that every
person they met was amused at their
merry greetings md snatchcs of song.
When they arrived ut York. Winter
said nc would like to remain day or
so in that place before he continued his
Journey, and kuulscl invited him to ae-
ccpt the hospitality of his household,
which he did He was treated with
the greatest kindness ut Kunkel's,
and remained with the family two
days, during which time he created no
little amusement by his persistence in
trading valuable articles from the
paper parcel he carried for things of no
possible value or use to him. He traded
u new pair of womcn's shoes, of odd
pattern. TO Mrs. kunkel for IN old
flannel shirt, nnd insisted on present
Ing KunlScl with silver snuff box
This kunlscl would not accept, nor lot
his wife accept
Two days after Winter went nwny
Kunlscl was followed home from his
work one day by two men. They were
detectives. and they arrested him eli
tho charge Of being the murderer of