The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-24
BURGLAR AT HARRISON'S
PORCH CLIMBER ENTERS EX-PREsI-
DENTS HOME on DELAWARE ST.
Obtains 81 Gold Watch Belonging 10
Mrs. Harrison and n Few Dol
lars i'm Money.

Another porch climber" almost as dar-
ing as the one who annoyed the police so
much a few years ago, has been operating
in the northern part OF the city. Last
night ne entered General Harrison's resi-
dence. 674 North Delaware street. and car
ried away Mrs. Harrisons gold watch and
a few dollars in change. which was taken
from Il purse kept in the drawer of her
dresser. Shortly before IL o'clock. when
they were about to retire. Mrs. Harrison
discovered that the watch had been taken
from her dresser After searching for il
few moments she decided that ii had been
stolen. The General looked about the prem
ises to see if any traces of burglars could
be found. His search was rewarded when
he entered his study. small room over the
front hall and facing on Delaware street.
There il was the housebreaker had en-
tered by forcing up window that opens
above the broad veranda. Once inside the
Generals study it was an easy matter for
the fellow to slip into Mrs. Harrison
boudoir. which opens to the left, off the
main hallway. Going down stairs the Cen
eral discovered muddy footmarks on one
of the large pillars that supports the
veranda, the south side of the house.
1t was plain the man had climbed to the
veranda at that point and then gone
around to the window of the study From
the fact that there had apparently been no
attempt made to ransack the house, the
General is of the opinion that the man
became frightened off by some sign of dan
ger. There was one thing that aroused
some apprehension that the man might still
be in the house. That was the fact that
the window which had been forced open
had been let down after the man entered.
This might indicate that the fellow had
closed IL after entering IN order not TO eX-
cite the suspicious of anyone passing the
house The window is in plain sight from
the sidewalk The police were notified at
once. in order to make sure that the man
was not in the hous,, il was Thoroughly
searched, but no intruder found.
During the evening General and Mrs.
Harrison Were in the lower part of the
house. They were alone most of the time,
though w. IL. IL. Miller had made a call.
They heard no suspicious sounds. and. of
robbery was committed 1t seems some
what strange that the porch climber was
not observed, as the grounds around the
house are fairly well lighted from two
electric lights-one at the corner of Home
avenue, little above the Generals house
and the other a block further down the
street. For the most OF the evening it was
raining. however, and but few pedestrians
were out. Porch climbers" are said to be
very quick and agile. so that but Il moment
OF TWO would De all the time required 10
reach the top of the veranda.
Sergeant Corrigan went to the house and
was given all the information possible. The
watch was gold hunting case timepiece
made at Tiffany's and was marked on the
outside with the monogram, wv. +. D..
inside was the inscription, Walter T.
Dimmck, from his father" Attached to
the watch was a ladies' gold chain. espe-
cialiy dear to Mrs. Harrison because IL had
belonged TO her mother. For the recovery
of the two General Harrison has offered a
reward of $50.
\ While the General was talking to re-
porter from the Journal Mrs. Harrison
came down stairs, exclaimng that she had
heard a door softly closed, and asked her
husband to again search the premises,
house thoroughly. There's no one here
But. taking candle. the General started
to the upper part of the house again. the
reporter accompanying him. The garnet
was searched. but after poIing around in
Vulnerable cases and boxes there, nothing
was found Coming TO the living rooms on
the second floor Mrs Harrison persisted in
having her husband look through unused
rooms across the hall from her boudoir.
Mrs. Harrison did not seem afraid. but was
a trifle nervous. An inside door found
standing open in the attic may have blown
shut. something else may have caused
the noise Mrs. Harrison thought she heard.
While General Harrison was at Washing
1t was occupied at that time by Mrs II. s.
Fraser. All of her jewelry was stolen
This is the first time that L have ever
been burglarized," said the General good
humoredy.
While occupant of the White House Cen
eral Harrison discovered an intruder in the
house and took active part in capturing
him and turning him over TO the police.
His physical strength, which is unusual for
a man Of his age, served him well at that
time.