The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-11
\ LONG CHASE.
he Police Do some Clever Work in a
Robbery Case.

- u
Robbery Case.
The Horseshoe dry goods store. at the
)rner OF Washington street and Occi-
entail avenue, has been the victim or
ries OF systematic robberies extending
ger period of two months. How much
uff has been taken is yet unknown,
IIt a wagon load has been discovered
ncealed in d closet in the basement of
g building, and with the arrest of Her
an Went and Clarence Sheldon, COM
mmonly called ''Peg-leg," one OF the
ost notorious characters in the state,
ore property has been brought to light.
he credit Of working up the case be-
lgs to Detective Jack Williams and on
r Barbee, who have been putting small
les together for a long time. with
al result most satisfactory.
bout two months ago one OF the Ner-
ants patrolmen came upon a man near
e Oregon Improvement Company's coal
mixers. The man ran and dropped
bundle containing some clothing.
mich subsequent developments proved
ne from the Horseshoe store. The
oprietor. L. Hoeslick, commenced TO
X over his stock, and 10 his surprise
| scOVered Oyercoats. silk shirts. shoes
q neckties were missing. Day by day
| n more discoveries were made, and the
, reliant became exceedingly solicitous
discover who had inaugurated this sys-
n OF free trade at his expense De-
| tive Williams and officer Barbee had
-ir suspicious, but no proof They
tched. One night Williams saw Mark
rphy, a young. but exceeding clever
II. in the variety district, with good
king overcOat. Murphy was arrested.
when he was examined II was found
q he had a whole outfit, including a
Diver. from tho Horseshoe store Muir
was sent up for petit larceny and the
rch went on. The fact that Murphy
s landed" seemed 10 stop the thleying,
as day after day rolled by Hoeslick
{ on discovering more goods missing
would open bxes that were apparently
right. only to discover that their con-
= had vanished. Detective Williams
mined the store very carefully. but
q not End a satisfactory expia nation
ow an entrance was affected. There
a trap door leading 10 a vacant base
l. but he was not sure that was used
Of the fastenings was broken. but the
r was in place Finally. while investi-
1g this basement. a closet was opened
in II was discovered a stock Of dry
Is and shoes that would have set up a
try store in business. The goods had
there some time for they were quite
sterday morning Williams and Barbee
ut sight OF "PeE-ieg'' Sheldon steal
along on one Of the dark streets in
lower end Of town. They followed
and soon witnessed a meeting be
n him and Herman Wendt. known IS
bicycle thief These two worthless slid
the Pacific house. and while Williams
we'd them Barhee stood ou watch.
awhile Williams located the yoang
IN room ~ and called out. omen up,
Ion 7 want 20 see YOU" A moment
-e there were voices In fhe room but
all was silent. sheldon opened the
and Williams asked him who was
him. "No one" replied Truthful
nee" Then Williams called up
30. who stood guard while Williams
match ard looked behind the bed
detective had 20 laugh for there on
1oor. his long legs riding from
-. was Herman Wendt The detec-
made him get up and IN company
"Peg-leg.' 20 70 the police station.
IL was discovered that Weudt was
out from head % foot. not EXCEPT
IS necktie- with goods that came
the Horseshoe. sPsg-Ieg." how
had been 20 cute. and had on only
~ clothes.
ans went ont 70 Werdt's home
Columbia. and told the boys father
suspicious. Mr. Wendt said ne
Herman was a had boy and stole
He had no objections 10 the de-
examining his room. IN Heru8n's
was found several coats, vests and
clothing which correspon8ed with
escrfption az that taken from the
shoe.
the Intention % the police % try
for burglary but as 70 "PeR-leg"
z probably Ne turned loose. unless
-er evidence can be obtained against