The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-11-23
Safe Robber Arrested.

inent part, John Ellsworth, of Philade
phia, who robbed the safe of Schuyle
Rainier at Florence, on November 5, wa
arrested In Chicago on Tuesday, by De
tective Ellis h. Parker, of Mount Holly
Sheriff Worrell took very prominen
part In bringing Ellsworth to justice
Letters were received which were signe,
with initials only, but they contained in
formation that seemed to call for atten
ton. Owing to their anonymous charac
ter the authorities were not inclined tt
give them much consideration. On tn,
Friday prior to the arrest lawyer named
Kohn called on Sheriff Worrell. He sale
he represented August Won Demel
whose initials had been attached to the
letters sent to Burlington county. Vor
Demel claimed to haYe had previous
knowledge of the robbery and had gone
so far as to apparently assist Ellsworth in
committing 1t. He had grudge against
Ellsworth and desired to get even with
him. In the conversation Kohn reported
several things to Sheriff Worrell, the re-
suit being an engagement to meet in
Philadelphia the next morning.
The same evening on which Kohn had
visited the Sheriff's office, Mr.. Worrell
went to Philadelphia and had conference
with city detectives On Saturday the
Sheriff went to Philadelphia, taking the
brace and bit left at Rainier's house by the
robber. Mr.. Kohn took the Sheriff to the
pawn shop where it was said the tools
were bought and found that part Of the
story correct. the purchase having been
made on the fourth of November about
three o'clock, the price paid being $1.0O.
This was just as Won Demel had stated.
Following this Mr.. Kohn read to Sheriff
Worrell from a long roll of manuscript
the story told him by Won Demel. When
the name of Ellsworth was read, the
Sheriff at once recognized 1t as that of a
man who was In the Jail when he took
charge of the institution. Ellsworth was
serving term for robbing a house at
Medford, and in the cells on the corridor
he occupied were men who knew Rainier,
and from whom he got information re-
garding the latter. So well satisfied was
the Sheriff that he was on the right track
that he telephoned to Prosecutor Akin
son and that official went to Philadelphia
and after careful sitting of the stories it
was decided that quick action must be
takeh. On returning to Mount Holly the
necessary papers were executed and de-
tective Parker was sent to Chicago for
the prisoner.
Waving all formalitY of requisition,
the prisoner was landed in the county jail
on Thursday. In less than an hour after
his arrival, Ellsworth. at his own request,
was taken into court and In answer to the
charge against him he entered plea of
guilty. He was remanded for sentence.
This proceeding clears all suspicion
that rested against William Hamilton, the
Florence farmer who was arrested for this
crime, and which was brought about by a
singular case of mistaken identity. The
robber resembles Hamilton In appearance,
and In the direction of the latter's home
Ellsworth unconsciously went with his
booty.
Since the robbery various statements
have been made as to the amount Of cash
that was taken from the safe. Ellsworth
got 1t all. and he says there was just
$2,O7O.
The first person who called on Els
worth after the latter had pleaded guilty,
was the man first accused. The prisoner
told Hamilton he was sorry for the dis
grace which he and his family were COM
PEELED to suffer for a crime of which they
are entirely innocent. The conversation
which followed brought tears to the eyes
of both men.
Relieving my mind of heavy burden
and having enjoyed the best nights rest
since committing this robbery, / feel
good" said Ellsworth on Friday.
''After my discharge from this jail
year ago." continued Ellsworth, II made
up my mind to lead better life. sought
the aid Of Christian friends and they
gave me assistance, but fate seemed to be
against me. Somehow could not make
ends meet, my wife and children came to
want and l decided to rob some one. /
had heard about Rainier while In jail.
''In order to carry out this idea sue
cessfully selected the old farmer, know
ing he was very rich man. went to
his farm several weeks ago to size up the
situation, and while there | met Miss
Jane Nixon, the aged housekeeper, and
also had q talk with Rainier. He found
me asleep in the barn. had preference
for cracking the safe In the daytime, fear
ing that some one might be seriously in
jured If the job was undertaken at night.
The pinch of poverty worried me, and
decided that Rainier had just little too
much money. However, he will get most
of it back again"
During a conversation with Prosecut-
or Samuel A. Atkinson the prisoner said:
''There is no man who can get this money
but your detective, Ellis 81. Parker. He
was smart enough to capture me and he
is the only man who knows where it Is
After the arrest had been made In Chi
cago, Parker searched the room occupied
by Mrs, Ellsworth. In one of her stock
ings hidden under a pillow he found
nearly $S4, which was all she had.
"Did this money come from the Raj
nier safe 2" asked Parker.
Eyes," she answered.
"You can keep it then, replied the de-
tective. II will not take your husband
away and leave you and your two chill
dren destitute"
"The horrible picture of fear on the
face of Miss Nixon when told her to go
up stairs" said Ellsworth. twas a sight
that will never leave my memory. and
not for all the money in the county would
put woman in that position again"
While on the journey from Chicago to
Mount Holly, Ellsworth asked that his
handouts be removed for a short time.
Parker consented to this, but before the
irons on his wrists were unlocked, the de-
tective shackeled the robbers feet. my
God, Parker" said Ellsworth, ''you act
toward me as If was a murderer. You
can ask Jane Nixon and she will tell you
told her that would not harm hair OF
hor haod .,