Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-12
RESIDENCES OF w. B. BoNNIFlELp
sR. AND cHAs. WALSH FURNISH
SPOIL FOR THIEVES
WEDLEY BROUGHT HERE
Believed That Man Arrested at Dayen,
port is Responsible for Both Crimes
Much Of His Booty is Identified
Police are investigating.

From Mondays Daily
AS the latest developments In
the Wedley case, Chief Harmon
this Afternoon telephoned the Dav-
export police to send all Of the
jewelry seized in connection with
Wedley's arrest to Ottumwa The
police chief thinks now that near
" all the jewelry found was taken
from the two Ottumwa houses
that were burglarized.
Booty from the house of two Ottum-
wa families is contained in the lot
which the Davenport police found III
possession of George Wedley, the col
ored man, whom they arrested Friday
evening.
Chief Harmon has discovered that
the part of the spoil which was found
IN the express packages and which the
davenport police seized in the express
office there, was taken from the resi-
dence of w. B. Bonnifeld, ST., corner
OF Second and Jefferson street. The
Bonnifield family have been away
from Ottumwa for about three weeks,
visiting in the south and until check
was found in the pockets of one of
the coats contained in Wedley's swag
the local police were uniformed that
there had been burglary.
Upon the finding of the check, Chief
Harmon at once made inquiries and
learned that the family had been away
for the period stated. He Immediate
ly caused an Investigation to be made;s
and found that the house had been en-.
tered and rifled, though everything
had been left in comparatively good
order
w. B. Bonnifield, Jr., was in the
house last Thursday for short time,
but did not notice anything amiss.
However the burglary took place be.
| fore that date as the goods had then
! been shipped from Ottumwa to Daven.
port
Walsh Home Entered.
This morning it was discovered that
the house of Charles WALSH on East
Fifth street, had been entered and rob-
bed.
| Like the case of the Bonnifield home
| it is impossible to set the date of the
robbery, but 1t is known that it occur
ed within the last three weeks. The
house has been unoccupied since be-
fore Thanksgiving the lamily having
been visiting in Chicago. However,
three weeks ago, j. b. Maxon was
| in Ottumwa on business and went to
the house. At that time everything
was in perfect order.
Yesterday afternoon, Mr.. and Mrs.
| Walsh arrived in Ottumwa and going
to the house found everything in con-
no tvnr
side boards and dressers, and the
having been rumaged
Articles Stolen.
Among the missing articles are a
number OF napkin rings, sealskin
cap, berry spoons, a collection Of
souvenir spoons, all of the plated ware
such as knives and forks, lady's comb,
a brooch given to Mrs. Maxon before
her marriage, carving set, set Of
cameo jewelry, consisting Of seven
pieces, heavy plain gold ring and
belt buckle. Other articles may be
found to be missing as the investiga-
lions have not been completed.
Many Of these articles are believed
to be represented in the jewelry which
the Davenport police found. Several
napkin rings are contained in the list
of spUils which bear family names
belonging to the Maxon family. Other
pieces of the Wedley booty have been
mashed and mutilated in the effort to
sell them for old gold, SO as to make
them almost unrecognizable.
Captain Evans only brought back to
Ottunwa that part or the spells con-
tanned in the four packages seized at
the express Office. This is all, or near
ly all, believed to have come from
the Bonnifield residence Among 9th
ef things 1t contains suit of cloth
ing, an overcoat, sealskin coat,
set of silver mounted brushes, combs,
mirrors, ETC., as we'll as silks, towels,
clothing, skirts and other articles of
value.
May be Work of Gang.
The police both in Ottumwa and IN
Davenport believe that Wedley's oper-
atoms have been extensive and are in.
clined to believe him part Of gang
of thieves. Whether or not his alleged
operations have been carried on single
handed or with the aid of pals they
are not yet ready to state
Wedley may have his hearing this
afternoon or tonight The local color
ed people who were arrested Saturday
morning the nome of Ralph Nash ON
South College street, from which house
the stolen goods were shipped, will
have hearing on the charge of keep
ing or being in disorderly house to-.
day or tomorrow morning. No other
charges have been lodged against
them, but their connection with Wed.
ley and his alleged thefts are being
Investigated.
A Fruit Growers Express car stand
ing in the lower Burlington yards was
robbed during the night last night of
a case Of oranges. The police
believe the robbery to be the work of
some boys or youths.
G.. "A. Tierney, drunk, got ten days,
Ben Johnson, same, three days, and
Andy Johnson, another, paid SIS.
James Dawson vag, will have his
trial this evening, while William Loane
4, ,1<.s,r, 4