The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-14
.ANUNLIKELY STORY
Told by a Suspect Arrested by
Chief Clemans Yesterday.
MAY Be ONE. OF THE ROBBERS
Who Committed the Brutal Assault
on the Brothers Papc on Short
Creek Rcccntly-CloscIy Questioned
by the officers, he Tells Tale That
is Received With Doubt--IIc may be
Identified This Morning.

A young man under suspicion of hav-
ing had u hand in the brutal assault
and robbery of the Pape brothers on
Short creek in this county recently may
be identified as one Of the men wanted
to-day. So far the case against the
young man Is not strong but to-day's
developments may strengthen it.
Chief Of Police Clemans learned from
a reliable source that stranger was In
hiding at Hissom's island in the Ohio
river, opposite Woodland, Marshall
county, about twenty-three miles be-
low the city. This information reached
him yesterday morning, and he lost no
time in following up the clue, being
urged on, doubtless, by the hope of cap
turing that reward OF $500 offered for
the arrest and conviction Of the men
figuring in the Pape assault and rob-
berry.
Accompanied by Police Lieutenant
Eddie Nlichaels, the chief boarded an
Ohio River train yesterday morning,
going to Woodland, and thence to His
SONS island, where he encountered lit
tie difficulty in capturing the man they
were after, who gave us his name Dam
lei McCreaggan. The man was brought
to the city and placed In the city lock-
up. Late in the afternoon he was in
terro6ated by Prosecuting Attorney
Meyer and Justice of the Peace Greer,
but he insisted from start to finish that
he knew nothing OF the Short creek az
fair.
McCreasgan's story in effect was that
he worked last winter in furniture
factory at Smithiield, Pa. He left that
place, he said. through having figured
In drunken quarrel, but in which ne
claimed he had done nothing wrong. He
said he feared being implicated In the
affair on account of something he had
said about woman who lived with one
of the PERSONS who fought. From
Smithfleld, he said. he went to Pitts
burgh and was employed at the Nation
al hotel as Il fireman. Here he was dis
charged and came across the country,
striking the Ohio river at Stcubenvillc.
According to his story, he walked down
the river. encountering no trouble until
he reached Martins Ferry, where 1t
seems he was arrested as 4 suspect in
the Glenn's run robbery, which occur
red only two days before the Short
creek affair, and in the same part of
the country. After being detained 4
short time ne was released, and walked
down the river through Bridgeport and
Bellaire and to Hlssom's island. where
he became acquainted with the young
man in charge of Mr.. ]. r. Hissom's
farm on the island.
Here. 1t Is alleged. he went into hid
Ing In the willows whenever there was
any chance of his being seen by stran-
gers. Even when train passed on the
Ohio River road or n steamboat went
up or down the river, he would seek the
willows. 1t is said. He also asked for
copies of the Wheeling papers giving
accounts Of the Short creek robbery.
and this Is what aroused suspicion and
led to information being given Chief
Clemans Of the strange visitor at the
island.
|. McCreaggan's valisc contained rag
Sed coat that exactly tailed with the
description given OF the clothes of one
OF the Short creek robbers, and in
height the young man answers to the
description of one OF the trio. The coat
is discolored by blood or furniture stain.
II McCreagganS story is straight this
stain may have been received at the
furniture factory at SmIthlield, where
he says he was employed in doing
staining. Or the story may be an eff
fort 20 explain away the tell-tale stains.
a chemist was engaged last night to
determine whether the discoloratlon
comes from blood or furniture stain.
This morning. Deputy Sheriff Lyle
will bring from Short Creek man who
saw the three men supposed to have
been guilty of the robbery and assault.
He saw these men lettering near the
mouth OF the creek short time before
the robbery. II he Identifies McCreag-
gan rs one of them It will contribute
| materially to the web of evidence which
the authorities hope to weave around
| the young mon.
Squire Greer held McCrcaggan, pend
ing further Investigation.