The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-22
THAT MYSTERY,
No Important Developments inthe
Case of John Rogers.
PAIR OF FLoATERS MAY SOLVE


Saturdays I%ntelligencer gave the on
" comprehensive and complete story
of the river house-boat mystery that is
pnzzling the local police, 1t was through
the 1n"telllgencer's exclusive Informal
tion of the starting OF John Rogers"
and two other peddlers from Steuben-
Vile, the previous Saturday. that Rog-
ers was forced 20 make his first admis-
sion-an admission that formed his con-
fesslon that he had lied to Captain
Bennett when ne told him repeatedly
that he had had no companions on his
trip down the river between the two
towns. Just as he had falslied when he
told the chief that his boat had been
sunk.
On the strength OF the developments
brought about by this papers enterprise
in giving to Its readers all the facts
that could be obtained in connection
with the mystery. Rogers has been sent
to the workhouse for thirty days. Here
he will remain while the police continue
their efforts TO unfold the details Of the
crime they are certain has been COM
mitted. Keeper McGannon, Of the work
house. has been given instructions BY
Captain Bennett, to keep a watchful
eye on Rogers. This is the only pre-
caution needed, as Rogers would not be
able to make an escape as easily as
prisoners provided with two good legs.
The story told tho Inteliigencer Fri
day night by Rogers. to the effect that
his two companions left him at Bril-
liant after a quarrel that was not n
fight, Is not believed. The clrcumstan-
tial evidence already accumulated in
the case points In an entirely different
direction. The conclusion that will be
arrived at by those following the sever
al developments in the case Is that
Rogers did away with one or both of his
companions and then deserted the
boat. Not only the developments, but
the mans conduct Justify this suspl-
clon.
The little sIx-by-ffteen house boat
that figures In the case, caught by Ed.
Blatner. near the LaBelle landing, FRI
day morning. was an object Of general
curiosity yesterday, and Il was visited
and Inspected BY hundreds of people
during the day, many OF whom took
away scraps from Autographs with blood
spots on them and other articles a rel
les.
An I%ntelligencer reporter and others
made a close examination of the boat,
with the result that the belief that q
crime was committed IL stronger than
before. At the lower end of the little
craft, the corner post supporting the
roof of the cabin has been knocked
away and on the gunwale about three
inches from where II was fixed, there
are spots that are believed to be blood.
This would lead one to suppose that a
body had been cast Into the rlver-or
that n struggle had taken place aft and
one of the participants was thrown in
to the stream while alive and strug-
Cling.
The police had no further develop
ments to give out late last night, but
the case Is being worked up by the Of
flcers as well as possible under the cir
cumstances. Chief Bennett says he
will be surprised II the public is not
soon Informed OF the finding OF one or
two floaters in the river that will turn
out to be the bodies OF former occu-
pants of the h%ouse-boat.