The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-12-16

After an absence of five weeks Mr..
Pennell returned to his charge, and
Mr.. Smith went from Brookvilie to a
small village in Maine, where he had
engaged to preach for short time, he
said.
There was wide and deep regret
at his departure, and now few of the
church members especially those who
had joined under his administration
freely expressed their wish that the
clay preacher" might continue to sub
stitute for the regular pastor, who,
such remarks reaching, deeply
grieved.
Finally matters settled into their
former channel and moved on peace
fully for the greater part, though not
without an occasional disturbance
such as the parish had not known
prior to the advent of Mr.. Smith.
Toward the close of September
panic was created in the place by the
rumor that the bank had been bur-
glarized to the amount of nearly $780,
O0O-a rumor that proved true.
The day that this announcement
was made Mr.. Smith again came to
Brookville to obtain the ring, WHICH he
had thought it best should remain In
the safe while he was away.
Despite the gloom of those who
had suffered by the burglary, they
were glad to see him and, learning
his loss, were so sorry as to almost for
get their own.
Though the intrinsic value OF the
ring was considerable, valued it
chiefly because it had been in our
family so many years-handed down
from one to another generation" he
said; "but my loss does rot deserve
mention with that which some of you
have experienced. 1t does make me
feel personal interest in the affair >
this to the directors and depositors-
"and would suggest thatyou at once
telegraph to New York for Mr.. -,
one of the most expert detectives in
America. I regret my inability to re-
main and learn the result Of your in
vestigation. If you succeed in re-
covering the stolen property, I shall
appreciate your kindness if you will
express the ring at once to me at
Rochester, New York"
Mr.. Campbell promised to do so.
Mr.. Smith thanked him and was gone.
The detective named was summoned
by telegraph and within II hours ar
rived in Brookville Tohim the pres
ident stated all the facts in the case,
of which the officer made memoran-
dunn. Then, as ip verifcation of these
statements:
"The door of the bank was locked
when you reached it?" he said, inter
negatively.
sIt was," returned Mr.. Campbell.
"The safe was also locked?"
"Yes."
sThe windows were fastened as
usual?"
"They were"
"Who knows the combination that
you use on your lock to the safe?"
"No one but myself" ;"
"Have you ever committed Ito
paper?"
'I have, and the paper is now in q
sealed package, held by my attorney
and to be opened only in case OF an
illness-that renders me unconscious
or my death.
"Do you know that the package has
never been tampered with"
81 suppose that it has not. Will
learn shortly" and he wrote note
which he sent to his attorney.
''No suspicious person has beer
seen in the village recentiy?"
"Not that am aware of"
The officer began his examination
of the premises, frequently referring
to his memoranda. Meanwhile q
sealed package was handed to Mr..
Campbell, who, opening it, said:
"The paper is here, unmolested.
care you sure that You have never