Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-12-28
WILSON won A BIRD.
The Body was Snatchcd, and HOW There
is Talk OF Legal Proceedings.

TEESVis UOiS "A DEEtDs
The Body was SnatcHcd, and now Ther,
is Talk Of Legal Proceedings.
| If some Of the farce comedy
writer's Of the present day viii
come 10 Corvallis while the in.
cident is young, they can secure
the material for a play which
will bring them laurels. IF the
principals in an affair which
transpired Christmas Eve can be
induced to enact upon the stage
their performance of thai occa-
sion, we will guarantee auditors
a cure for dyspepsia. Here are
the "ifs,' now for the 'ands"
and "provisos:''
At the outset, to avoid incit-
ing a moral wave, let us state
that the game of chance known
as ''rafling" has been given an
honored place in the moral code
by DR.. Parkllurst and Bishop
Potter. Devotees are immune
from social ostracism. The sim
pie innocence of The pastime,
however, does not detract from
its fascination. So, when it was
announced that a turkey rattle
would occur at place of emin-
ent respectability Christmas Eve,
sundry citizens of prominence
availed themselves of ''chance."
It occasioned no surprise when
Attorney E. E. Wilson, remark
able for his dexterity with the
ivories, won a bird. With that
eaution developed by virtue of
his profession, Mr.. Wilson, sunk
his winnings, so to speak, in the
secret archivesof his office in the
Zierolf building under look and
key, and yielded again to the
temptation of CHANGING another
throw. Returning an hour later
le was horror stricken at the
discovery that his bird had flown. |
careful and systematic search
in his finding a turkey,
bearing striking resemblance
% his lost fowl, lying in state at
he Commercial restaurant. Man
ger Chipman protested that the
bird was the property of Attor-
ley J. N. McFadden, bSt Mr..
Wilson was obstinate and bore
lis prize off in triumph to his
lone on College Hill. He had
ust completed the task of dress
tg and preparing it for the oven,
Vhen a heavy rap sounded from
he door. The visitor proved to
'e Walter Brown, who demanded
is turkey, taken by Mr.. Wilson,
e Immediately returned. The
ttorney apologized, disavowed
ny criminal intention, and as
ured Mr.. Brown that his prop
rtv would suffer no violence.
In the meantime another par !,
= of body-snatohers had been az
7ork. George Jacobs turkey
ad been surrepticiously re-
ioved from the person of James
'lunkett, who had been en-
rusted with its safe keeping.
IT. Plunkett is a stranger in
but his description of {
ne purloiner of whom he had
often glimpse, tailed closely +!
nth the general makeup of Mr.. !
wilson. That gentleman was {
caring the Commercial with I
lie turkey, which by the way q
as really his own, Under his G
rm, when George Jacobs !:
ounced upon him. The attor- j
ey offered strenuous resistance, {
ut George and the turkey soon y
isappeared. in the darkness. 5
he remainder of the night was I
,ent in securing search war
Lnts and inspecting stolen tur- 5
eys. While the number of the
tier and the parties implicated
said to have been shocking,
[r. Wilson failed to identity -
is property. A sequel which i
,ntained honors for E. E., is 1
id to have transpired last 2
ight. $