Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-01-02
THIS THIEF
Was CLEVER
Residence of fJeweler Henry Rempe Robbed
Tuesday,

The residence of Henry Rempe, the
Jeweler, was robbed Tuesday under
most peculiar circumstances. The thief,
who was a consummate actor, by ruse
was able to disarm suspicion and sue
ceeded in gaining permission to enter
the house when he proceeded on his
mission Of robbery unmOlested The
details of the affair, which follow, may
serve to put others on their guard, if
the thief has not already numbered
them among the victims Of his cleverly
laid scheme.
About half past two o'clock Tuesday
afternoon a man of about medium
height and build, dressed up to repre-
sent lineman, appeared at the back
door of the Rempe residence, stating
that he had been sent by the superin
tendent of the Standard Electric Light
company to change the feed wires,
which enter the house at the second
story. The wires were too heavy and
he said he had orders to remove them
and put in lighter ones. To accomplish
the work it was necessary for him to
reach the veranda at the second story in
the rear and he asked permission to go
up stairs. Others employed with him,
he said, were working on the wires in
the alley. The fellow was so plausible
and his story was such likely one
that Miss Annie Freeze, the girl en-
ployed in the family, unhesitatingly
admitted him and showed him the way
up stairs. Reaching the room above,
which was the one occupied by the girl
he took off his overcoat and in a very
business-like manner proceeded to in
spect the wires, Miss Freeze then pro-
ceeded to Mrs. Rempe's room in the
front part of the house and informed
her of what had occurred.
Mrs. Rempe did not altogether like
the procedure and few minutes later
paid visit to the girls room. The fell
~" was bAcH uONA SudlAo tanning Will
Miss Freeze. A few minutes later he
stepped out doors and calling down the
alley feigning to address some one in
waiting there, informed him that he
had changed his mind and would not
alter the wires until Wednesday.
Mrs. Rempe who had business down
town called in her husbands store and
informed him of what had occurred.
Mr.. Rempe called up Superintendent
George NJ. West by phone and asked
him whether he had authorized any
change in the wires in his house. Sup
erihteudent West was greatly surprised.
The man was not in his employ and no
change of wires was contemplated, as
none was needed.
At this point it became clear to Mr.
Rempe that his house had been at the
mercy of robber and he hurried home
to see what articles might be missing.
1t seems that the thief, who no doubt
discovered that Mrs. Rempe was in the
front part of the house, proceeded no
farther than Miss Freezes room. The
booty he here secured well repaid him
for his visit He had ransacked the
drawers of a bureau and stolen pocket
book containing $25 belonging to Miss
Freeze and representing her savings
during many months of faithful service.
Whether the clever thief operated
anywhere else in town has not been
learned. He disappeared after leaving
Mr. Rempes house. The police have
been keeping a sharp lookout about
town, but the thief had ample time to
escape and it is scarcely likely that he
will be apprehended.