Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-10
TOLD ABOUT TOWN.
A Long Sought Offender Re-
turns Home to Die.
RECALLS A MYSTERIOUS FIRE.

hLOduID Il III 1O4OhAVOo 1AGb'
In the Solution of Which His Family suf-
fer Legal Prosecution, But He Remains
silent and Comes Back a Physical Wreck
Two Youthful Ladies Leave Home and
become Book Agents.
In Rock Island home whose sur
roundings have frequently been made
the scenes of suspicion, long
sought-for offender is swiftly nearing
the eternal sleep-the germs of
the dread consumption having be-
come firmly implanted. After years
of disgrace and prosecution to
his family, which in his absence
was compelled to shoulder the bur-
den Of his wrong-doing, dcdging
the clutches of the authorities until
physically broken down, he stealthily
returns to die under the roof of his
heart-broken mothers home. AL
though known but to very few, he
has been home for some time. imne-
diately taking to confinement, from
which it is believed he never can
recover.
The return of this man recalls nu-
merous inexplicable crimes in which
he was suspicioned of implication.
and particularly does it renew the re-
membranes OF the mysterious con-
ilagration few winters ago, when
the contents Of store were destroyed
and the stock robbed. The authOri-
ties suspicioned certain ring OF
which the man was recognized as the
leader. He was Swallowed, and when
within the grasp of a policeman, who
was prepared to place him under ar
rest, he made n desperate dash. and
disappeared. and his whereabouts
have since been unknown until now,
when sickness drives him back. His
mothers residence was afterward
discovered to be the secret deposit
tory of his plumbers, and these goods
which mysteriously disappeared
from business houses were returned.
Evidence sufficient to convict him of
being an accomplish in the store
robbery and fire was also found in
the house, and the matter drifted
into the courts. The man could
never be apprehended, although dill
gent search throughout the country
was made for him.
Indictments were returned against
not only him, but other members Of
the family, who suffered the or
deal of two long trials. while he
remained away silent, their belong
ings being almost entirely squan-
dercd in defense. The proceedings
were finally dismissed against them,
but the guilt was conclusively fas.
tened on the one who roamed the
country.
The matter eventually passed
from public view. Now the long
sought fugitive renews the occur
renee in the community and causes
sorrow to his family by returning a
physical wrcck-his constitutional
weakness being probably due to the
exposure which he subjected him.
self to in eluding detection.
Two Girl Book Agents.
Tho sudden departure of two OF
the city's attractive girls has occa-
stoned much gossip among their
acquaiGtanccs as to the circum-
stances. But the real facts are. they
have concluded to make their liveli-
hood as professional book agents.
Two ladies recently came to Daven-
port. and remained there few
weeks canvassing for literature. They
were DESTROYS of increasing their
working forces. These two Rock
Island girls-one n stenographer in
an attorneys Office and the
other store employe-formed an
acquaintance with them and were
asked to consider the practicability
of following the book agent business.
An affirmative response was given.
and the two made preparations for
their new departure. Onc-the up
town girl-secured the consent of
her parents first. But not so with
the downtown youngster. She
knew objections would arise. and
waived parental c9nsultation. She
manufactured al excuse for remov-
ing her clothes and trunk from
home, telling her parents she was
going to visit ut a girl friends home
for week or so. There was no OBJ
lection to this. She placed her be-
lougiugs in an uptown friends house
until ready to depart. which herself
and friend did few nights after
with the book agents. going to Du-
buquc. Now the down town girls
parents are all broken up over their
daughters deception. Friends of
the girls counseled with them
against going. but the deaf ear was
turned. The stenographer said tina;
she would return il the work was
not As represented. and resume her
old duties without the knowledge of
her employer. WHO'S of on vacatit n