Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1909-06-11

&--r-----rrM ment-tne unlteu
eA1hlAsa'k States secret serv-
ice. 1t was then,
at the age of &C. that he began to
accumulate n rich store of experience
in dealing with counterfeiters, the
arts of burglars and other varieties
of thieves, and the training thus
acquired was destined to be of
incalculable value to him in
after life. He spent nearly two years
as special agent for the government
and was then persuaded to go to
Erie, Pa, where, during his early days
on the lakes, he had made many
friends. Mr. Thomas Crawley was
chief of the Erie police force at that
time and at his invitation Murray be-
came a detective under him.
Shortly after his arrival there
wave of sneak-thieving swept over the
town and assumed very serious proper
tions. Even the furniture of private
houses disappeared as If by magic.
Clothing took to itself wings and
vanished into the great unknown
Ploughs made strange and unaccount-
able exits from the farmers fields
leaving no trace behind. Horses can
tered away unseen by their owners
and their stables knew them no more.
Whole contents of stores were carried
off, and from one of them 30 dozen
pairs of shoes appeared to have walk
ed into oblivion in the full glare of
noon. 1t was all so mysterious as to
be almost amusing-eXcept to the un-
happy losers and the outraged men,
bers of the police force who were to.
tally unable to appreciate the humor
OF the situation.
Finally Murray met farmer who had
seen a fellow drive by his house in a
new democrat" about the time that
Tolwarthy's wagon disappeared, and
the description of both wagon and
driver convinced him that he was at
last upon the right track. Accom-
panied by Crawley and an officer
named Snyder, Murray hired team
and drove along the road the stranger
hed followed with the missing wagon.
For fully Is miles they travelled, stop
ping at every farm, but found nothing
to reward their exertions Deciding to
feed and rest their horses they turned
off the main road and in a secluded
clearing with several acres of pine
woods around it perceived a lone
house.
No one was in sight, but in re-
sponse to hail buxom woman,
about 25 years old, made her appear
ance and inquired if the party want
ed anything. Chief Crawley asked
for the man of the place, saying that
he wanted to feed his horses, The
woman whistled shrilly, and from be-
hind a clump of bushes near the
barn, there came a little weazened
man about so years of age. The in
stant Murray saw the newcomer his
eyes frightened. The boys description
of the stranger who left the ancient
wagon in the shed exactly fitted the
mar who stood before him.
What is your name" Murray asked.
George Knapp" replied the with
cred individual.
Have you lived here long?"
'Me and my wife have been here
about year." was the reply.
SIS that your wife," inquired the de.
tective, glancing at the young woman
who was standing in the doorway OF
the house.
Knapp grinned and nodded assent
He was not disposed to be commune
catIve and his eyes twinkled Gun,
ningly as they met Murray's steadfast
gaze.
The detective yawned and looked
around in a nonchalant, uninterested
fashion. Presently he returned to the
attack,
Have you seen anything of g
stranger driving past here in new
democrat wagon lately?" he inquired
but Knapp shook his head.
81 amt seen anyone drivin' pas
here" he responded, Not likely thai
would either, for there's no place t.
drive to. seem that this is the enc
of the road"
Plainly Mr.. Knapp was armed at al
points against curious seekers for in
formation. The officers proceeded t.
make thorough search of the prem
ises but their explorations of barn
house and outbuildings proved fruit
less. Murray. however. felt intuitivel!
that the willy Mr.. Knapp was not al
innocent as he would have them be
lieve Stroll!ng past the barn an,
surveying the ground carefully the de
tective took Lote of stretch OF clear
cd land running down to the creel
and saw that the sod had recentl
been turned in one or two places
Slight indications frequently lead /
big results and sudden suspicion
flashed acIoss Murray's mind
Knapp" he said pleasantly, "
mean to Try my hand at fishing in tina
creek. Lend me spade"
What do you want with spade
asked Knapp. tightening his lips
ITO dig bait with, OF course" n
Piled Murray readily.
Kuann lnokMd unoaav hut nrod.,oa