West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-09-03
CAPTURED HIS NAN.
The Store Of VI. w. ssoch Of RowIes-
burg Robbed Again and the Tenth
Burglar Behind the Bars.

We had been wondering for some time
why Shoch's store al Rowlesburg had not
been robbed lately. II used to occur an
nuaily and some times oftener. This time
II came ata very opportune time. and the
burglar was brought over yesterday while
the Grand Jury was In session In good time
TO indict the fellow. so that he can be tried
this Court and sent right on TO Moundsvilic
promptly. w. w. Shoch Is one OF the most
ingenious men In the county and his store
at Rowlesburg Is bnrglar-proof. through q
system OF electric wires. batteries and
alarms devised and arranged by MIR. Shoch
The store is located at the end OF the town
near the railroad bridge in an Isolated DO.
sliion. and looks tempting to ramps and
strange burglars who are not posted. but
no local talent is fool-hardy enough 10
tackle the combination for "Shoch's Sure
Capture for Burglars" Is well known all
over this section OF country. and all the
ten victims we're imported talent. MIR.
Shoch's residence Is located some little
distance below the store and every win
dow and door OF the store has an electric
connection with an alarm right by Mr..
Sboch's bed. and when anyone opens
window or door Of the store. the alarm goes
on. and In less than minute the burglar
gets Shoch from which he does not soon
recover. MIR. $. has a walking arsenal all
ready. rugged up in a sort of combination
burglar suit. with gum boots and hat at
tached TO II. hanging right by his bed. so
that lie can jump right into Il and fasten IL
with two or three buckles as he gets out of
the house quicker than any freman's suit
ever invented. Among the equipments in
this burglar proof rig are six big revolvers.
The only time MIR. Shochs burglar trap
failed oil him was one Sunday night. after
he had set the combination every night for
GOO nights and caught nothing. So he con.
Guided not to go to the store to make sure
OF his connections as usual. and OF course
burglar broke In that night. and as he
was heavily armed. as was found out after
wards. MIR. Shoch considers Il very lucky
after all. as somebody would probably
have gotten hurt.
Tuesday night OF this week, at o clock
In the morning. just when every honest man
Is supposed TO be sleeping the soundest,
Mr. Shoch's alarm aroused him and sent
him to the store. He cautiously patroled
around the building looking for confeder.
ates outside. and finding no one. went
over to the engine house where the helpers
are always on duty to take trains up the
heavy grade both ways from Rowlesburg,
and got Pat Graney and Jim AMMAN. two
b. x o. engineers, and giving each good
revolver from his walking arsenal. sent one
on one side and the other on the other side
oil the store. while he would 90 in at the
front end. He knew his daughter. Miss
Nellie. was guarding the other end OF the
store next TO the residence with a good
gun. When he started in at the front. the
burglar started to get out at a window, and
was discovered and held up by Amman.
whiie Shoch went in and captured and
searched him The fellow had on an old
kaki suit aud claimed he had seen service
in the Philippines. He was loaded down
with sS pocket knives and q watch chains
that he had taken from the showcases and
had them In his capacious pockets. He
also had FIVE good suits OF clothing laid out
to take. and had been ransackIng around
Tor reyolvers and watches. as some good
ones are kept In the store for sale. but they
we're locked up. He had sirewn fine ties
and furnishing goods generally over the
floor and tramped on them. and did con.
siderable damage. When arrested he
claimed he was hungry and hunting some
thing TO eat. but had not touched the cakes
and bread In a big showcase He was
searched and Il. &. o. pass between Cum
berlsnd aud Parkersburg found, and other
papers. showing that he was a fireman for
the b. & o. and able 10 make SIS per month
aud still wanted to steal He was identi-
fed as James Wilfong. from Randolph
county, and has reward standing for his
capture and return to Oakland Tor stealing
a horse OF ]. j. Ashby. of CrellIn. about six
months ago He escaped from the Oakland
jail through the assistance Of his sister
from the outside. He is only "a or a3years
OF age. and seems to want to pose as bad
man. He was given hearing before Ius
tice John w. Carrco. OF Rowlesburs, who
sent him TO jail here. He was brought over
by Mr. Shoch and Charles Wheeler and
indicted by the Grand Jury same day.
This morning he came into Court soon after
the Grand Jury reported and confessed
guilty and sentenced to the penilentiary for
two years Now IL he could be railroaded
right on TO the Pen. such promptness may
have a good effect.