The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-08-11
Mr.. NUSSER'S
SAD PLIGHT !
Troubles Brought on BY Reversals Met
In Business.
HELD PRISONER IN THE LOOKUP
A Charge of False Pretenoe is Made Against
Him by Mrs Gallagher, of Kappa
hammock Nobody VIII Furnish
Bail For the Former Prom
inent Grocer.

IL Will no doubt De surprising To many OF
the HERALD readers to learn that William
II. Musser, at one time a prosperous grocer
of this town, is under arrest. He arrived
in town from Philadelphia last night in the
custody of Constable Matt. Giblon, of Justice
Toomey' s court. The arrest was made ON a
warrant prepared by M. NJ Burke, Esq,
substantially as follows, on oath of Mrs.
Mary Gallagher, of RappahannOck That
one W. II. Musser, on the 27th day of April,
1896, obtained from Andrew Gallagher, hus-
band Of deponent. $3.50 upon the representa-
ton that he (Musser) was then the owner of
real estate at Pottsville Pa; that the said
loan was to be applied to the payment of the
property Upon this representation of the
ownership Of said property the loan was
made. Deponent further AYERS that the said
statement and representation by the
said Musser as to the ownership Of the prop
erty was false and was made for the purpose
of obtaining the said money and defrauding
the said Andrew Gallagher, husband Of this
depOnent, of said sum, as the said Musser
was not the owner then Of any realty in the
borough Of Pottsville to the best of de-
pOnents knowledge and belief"
Constable GiblOn spent too days in Phila-
delphia trying to locate Musser and finally
found him at Camden, N j., where he was
working as a salesman in large department
store. The arrest was made by shrewd
piece of work on Gibbons part As Musser
was in New Jersey he was outside the iuris-
dictiOn of the process the officer
had in hand aud Giblon doubted
that extradition proceedings could be
maintained on charge Of false pretence.
The only course left open was to get Musser
inf, De-, ID 10 1. L
such way that Musser's visit to the state
should be voluntary. Giblon entered the
store at Camden and purchased some under
wear. Musser waited on him. Giblon told
the salesman that he had warrant for
his arrest. Musser almost tainted when
he heard this, but quickly recovered
his self-possession and told the officer
bluntly that his Pennsylvania warrant was
no good in New Jersey. GibOn said he
knew that, but extradition proceedings
might make it good. Giblon further stated,
however, that he had matters nicely ar
ranged so that Musser could give bail with
out coming to Shenandoah and thus save
much Inconvenience. He told Musser that
John A. Reilly, of Shenandoah, was in Phila.
delphia prepared to go security fol
Musser's appearance at the Pottsyllle court
when the dinner hour arrived started across
the river fol Philadelphia. The proprietor
and employees of the Camden store are prob.
ably still awaiting his return from dinner
and mystihed over his non-appeaance As
soon as Musser landed in Philadelphia Con
stable Giblon placed him under arrest and
brought him to town. Musser waived hear
ing before Justice Toomey last night and
aA Ng 10 %
town in search of bail, but none of the many
merchants aud Others he called upon would
help him and he was committed to the
lookup. He is still there hoping that some.
one will furnish bail and save him from
Imprisonment in the Pottsville Jail until the
trial of the case in September, or until a
settlement can be effected. If somebody
does not go to his relief by tomorrow morn
ing he will 60 to jail.
Musser says he is indebted to Gallagher
for but $3s, as he paid Sl1a on account of the
loan in cash and goods from his store. The
accused was formerly held in high esteem in
this town and vicinity, but during the later
days of his business career here his friends
fell away fast. For five years he was
manager of the VIM. Penn store
and then came to town and opened
a BlbLNAy w tNAlN0loHip win 1lbllalAliA
Beddall under the firm name of Mussei
& Beddall. About eighteen months age
Musser bought out Beddall for $500 Sub e
quently, it is alleged Musser got cash loans
aggregatiug $500 from Beddall and it is OF
file with cash loans from Daniel Knelly and
Mrs. Mcdonald, widow of the section watch
man who was killed on the Lehigt
| Valley railroad several months ago, the
loans amounting to 500 and $50, respectively
They were left with long string of unpaid
accounts when Musser was closed by the
Sheriff last spring. Musser says all his
troubles are due to his inability to make
collections on his store accounts He is an
unmarried man. After the Sherifrs sale
Musser went to Philadelphia and soon aftel
secured the position at Camden.
The accused man takes his position will
great comp,acency and frequently becomes
numerous when discussing it. Some of hi
old acquaintances are inclined to believe tha
his mind is slightly affected, but there il
very little sympathy for him Some wer,
inclined to take compassion upon him, bu
most Of these turned the other way wher
more was learned of Mussers numerou
unliquidated loans. Before becoming man
ager of the VIM. Penn store Musser was EN-
ployed as salesman by Stawbridge 4
Clothier.