Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-12-18
DAILY SHORT STORY
The Murphy Murder Case
1Original.1

it would have led him back to the
mines. Meanwhile we had posted men
on the hilItOps on either side and know
that he didn't get out that way.
HIM! Keep up your efforts to find
him. Search every bit of territory where
he may possibly be-
Tom Murphy had been murdered
down in the mine in IL pocket where he
had been alone with Jim Dugan. Du
gan had succeeded in getting out, pass
ing men who had not yet heard OF the
murder. 1t was this knowledge of the
time of his exit that enabled his pursu-
ers tn know of the possibility of his
movements.
Dugan was not found, and after sew
eral days search it was believed that
he had got out of the valley. His wife
declared that she knew no more of his
whereabouts than those who were hunt
ing him. The matter was left with the
police and all effort abandoned.
A month after the Murphy murder,
as Il gang of men Were quitting work,
Hans Schmitt remained behind, and,
going To Il heap of coal near by, he be
gan TO turn over loose pieces with his
pick. As soon as his companions had
gone up in the cage he suddenly
stopped. listened and hearing the
sound of single pick, went toward the
worker. Presently. putting out his
light. Schnitt moved more stealthily,
pausing now and again to listen, start
ing ut some sound in Il distant part of
the mine and, when assured that there
was no one near moving on again. At
last, coming near the place, Il sort of
pocket. where man was working
alone. Schmitt stole up behind him.
raised his pick and was about to bring
it down on the skull of the victim
when suddenly II hand graSped the pick
from behind. At the same moment n
voice cried:
jacob
The workman turned. the light in his
hat revealing Hans Schmitt standing
with his appraised pick. \ moment
later the man behind. moving from the
shadow cast by the would he muir
derer, was also recognized.
Carl Foegel"" exclaimed the work
man. What does this mean"
THAT had | not been OH the watch
and saved you YOU would have been
murdered
Schmitt. loOSening his hold on his
pick, made Il move to get away, but
Foegel caught him around the waist,
and Jacob Schu1ter pinioned his arms.
In this condition they dragged him TO
the foot of the cage and gave the sig
nal for il TO ascend. In ten minutes
more they had their captive between
them in the office of the superintendent.
Had it not been for Foegel. said
SchuSter. this man. Hans Schmitt.
would have murdered me. l was doing
some extra work alone. Schmitt crept
up behind me and raised his pick 10
strike when Foegcl held it,
How did you happen to be thereE
asked the superintendent of Foegel.
Before 1 tell my story" said Foegel,
Il would like to have Schmitt's room
searched"
The superintendent ordered the
search made, and in few minutes the
searchers returned with some money
and a watch that had belonged to the
murdered Murphy.
How is thisE' said the superintend-
ent. surprised. This man was not
suspected of killing Murphy. Jim Du-
gan did that job and proved that he
had done it by running away"
"Shall tell my story said FOegel.
Yes; proceed
"On the evening of Murphy'S murder
was working with my gang when
felt thirsty. and. going for some water,
L saw man ahead of me, skulking
along as though bent on some villainy.
l kept back, following him to where
Murphy was working. and saw him
raise his pick and strike Murphy. For
moment l was paralyZed and gave
him time to rob the body. l then rushed
forward. but not before the murderer
had gone. L lifted Murphy up and
saw that he was dead. 1t then oc-
Cured to me that if found there with
the body / would he suspected of the
murder. especially as L could not iden-
tify the real murderer. so 1 got out
As 1 was leaving 1 was seen by man
who was passing the place"
The superintendent looked dazed.
my good man." he said. ''how long
since you began to work here?"
"Since the day after the murder"
Take him away" said the superin-
tendent. Hes gone daft
Zone moment" continued Foegel. 81
have been watching many men, in
Guiding Hans Schmitt, and today when
the men quit work and he did not go
with them L believed he was bent on
mischief. l strayed behind, followed
him and this time prevented Il MUIR
der
But the Murphy case
after Murphy was murdered 1 went
to my home, shaved off my red beard,
changed my hair to black with some
hair dye belonging to my wife and put
on old clothes that l hadn't worn for
a year. / then came to you and en-
gagged TO work under the assumed
name of Carl Foegel"
You are
'Jim Dugan.'
well, upon my word!' exclaimed