The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-09-24
Speedy 'CycIer Saves Hundreds
From Drinking Poisoned Milk.
AN AWFUL PLOT FRUSTRATED
BY THE QUICK ACTION OF A
MAN-PARIS GREEN IN A MILK
MANS CAN SET DOWN AT THE
DOORS OF HIS MANY CUSTOM.
ERs-THE SUSPECTED FIEND IS
UNDER ARREST.

Shamokin, Pa. Sept. 23.-With hun
dreds of lives trembling in the balance,
George Sober mounted Il bicycle, and af
ter an-eNciting run of six miles, reached
here from Shamokin township in time to
organize body OF men. who ran from
house to house warming people not to
drink the mornings supply of milk de-
livered by the Sober brothers. A tiend,
prompted by revenge, had roured lot of
paris green into the milk cans, in addi-
ton to feeding the Sobers' cattle with tie
deadly stuff. Two of the cows died ms
the bcyclist sped on his Grand
Isaac Lepply was arrested this evening,
charged with the crime, and when i'm
Justice Rowe's Office crowd of excited
people were only restraine from doing
him violence by the advice of those who
wanted the man to have fair trial be-
fore the Northumberland county court.
The Sober brothers have--a fine herd of
thlrty-thtee cows, and milk from their
dairy is sold exclusively to local custom
ers. AT 3 O'Clock this morning the fam
lily arose and began the days work On
going TO the barn they found the wagon
shed in state of wreck. Five sets of
harness. all cut into shreds, were scat
tered about. A lap robe, whip, horse
blanket and several sets of fly nets were
similarly destroyed. The dashboard of n
buggy WAS smashed in, and the bolts of a
milk wagon and two spring wagons were
removed There were many other eyi.
dences of destruction. Further exami-
nation revealed that the two best cows on
the farm, each valued at $15, were dyiap
from poison. Paris green in great guam
tity was found in the managers mixed
with wheat bran. There was every indi-
cation that the outrage had been com
rod lax-
the place.
Lewis Sober, by the light of n lantern.
found fresh footprints around the build
Ing. and upon taking up the trail he was
led 20 within 100 Yards of Butcher Leroy
Cherry's place. In Mr.. Cherry's en- ploy
was Isaac Lepply, who was discharged
last spring by the Sobers for alleged
theft, and suspicion was at once'directed
toward him. Mr.. Sober went to Shamo-
kin to swear out II warrant for Lepply's
arrest, riding with Ellwood Hepuer, the
driver Of the milk delivery wagon, who
Was starting on his rounds.
Some time after Mr.. Sober and the
driver had left on their trip those en-
ployed about the dairy began to clean the
empty cans. as is customary, for the next
mornings milking. On taking of the
strainers they found paris green beneath.
They at once realized the deadly peril OF
the customers, and dispatched George
sober on his bicycle to Shamokin. The
young man rode ut II breakneck speed,
and was nearly exhausted when he
rea"hed here. Fortunately no one had
used the milk before he arrived, but
many narrow escapes were reported.
AS soon as the customers had been
warned Mr.. Sober secured the services of
Attorney Gillespie, and they went to
Justice Rowe's Office, where information
against Lepply WAS laid on the charges
OF larceny, felonions attempt TO commit
murder with paris green, administering
poison to cows and malicious mischief
Warrants were placed In the hands of
Constables Gottshall and Klinger, who
arrested Leppy in corn field The
prisoner declares his innocence.