The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-15
Officers in PIatt Murder Case
Still Baffled.
But Are Looking for Clues to
False Friend.
DISCUSS SUIT CASE.
Now Believe That 1t Was Only
Blind.
Not a Tangle Clue Unearthed in
Three Weeks.

only one that seems to command re-
spect is that the murderer of the aged
Hebrew merchant was some person
with whom the man held a close ac-
quaintance.
For two weeks the police followed
the theory that Platt was murdered
by a chance highwayman for his sup
posed money. But slowly the bottom
fell from the plot, the two weeks were
gone and no results were OBTAINED.
Even today a few stubborn officers VIII
insist that Platt's supposed fat pock-
etbook attracted attention OF u stranS-
er who stealthily entered the store and
bounced upon the man in an unguard-
ed moment. But these persons forgot
to reckon with the situation. A strang-
er would have stolen the valuable
watch and chain and two rings. They
could have been easily melted ana
would have brought more money than
the person took from the dead mans
pockets. Cd
One day a week ago, some one toun9
a suitcase filled with underwear ana
socks in dry goods box. 1t was be-
lieved the goods came from Piatt S
store. There was a new pair OF SHOES.
Immediately there was a clue that
that promised quick reward. But I'M
agine a murderer who presumably
killed for gain, taking S4 worth OF
clothing, carrying it away from the
dead mans store in broad daylight ana
passing UP" $500 worth of jewelry that
Imagine the real murderer stealing ms
way through the alley with a bungie-
some suit case filed with winter I'M
derwear for his own use, Wnen at any
moment the grip itself might cause
his undOine Then ten days later I'M
agine this same cunning slayer finding
his way through an alley TO the rear
of q wholesale house, where he deposit
ed his spells. Yet for more than TWO
weeks such were the clues obtained
r,..1 c0fti CRIME.
officers were free to admit that such
a clever piece of work could battle the
entire police force.
F3ut Platt was a clever Jewish mer-
chant. He was unusually SUSPICIOUS
A chance customer always bore watch
ing in the opinion of the little old man.
He did not form friendships with undue
haste. To be sure Platt was on tne
alert to sell goods but he dld business
with both eyes open. For seven months
he did business at the same stand. Not
a day in those seven months did ne
miss the same car to his store MOI
day did he fail to return promptly al
z o'clock His habits were regular.
When he left the store for moment
instinct told him it was wise TO LOCK
the shop. He cooked and ate in his
little store. Each morning he brought
his noon lunch when he came to work.
His habits were easily studied.
1t was just L o'clock the AFTERNOON
of February %, when Platt was last
seen alive by his fellow merchants. Inc
sun shone and the weather was warm
AS was Platts custom on such occa-
sions he enjoyed a few minutes OF
fresh air before lunch. He stood on
the sidewalk in front of Henry's store
and joked with Henrys clerks. he
mentioned the brand of weather ana
said that his rheumatism performed
better on such days than when the
wind and snow came down from Gar
field park Then the old man laughed
and sauntered back to his store. Pro-
badly 80 minutes later he was MUIR
dcred.
There is not one chance in one hun.
dred that a customer or stranger
could enter the store in that time ana
not receive Platt's undivided atten-
ton. He was never too hungry TO
keep on the lookout. Sometimes peo-
pie moved things when one wasn't
looking. This was maxim Platt new
er forgot. But a friend didn't bother
Platt in the least. He went quietly
about his duties and let the friend
make the most of it. There were not
many such friendships, to be sure, but
in the seven months Platt had been
located across the river, he formed
several such relations with people
with whom he was thrown In contact.
Platt had just drawn his chair up
beside the goods box near the little
gas stove. His hat was still on his
mead. with MS DdCk To tie LLOhd 0OCAs
he opened the little lunch which his
daughter had prepared that morn
ing A friend entered the store. He
possibly joked Plat about his late
lunch and the little Hebrew grunted
back his recognition. Between mouth
full, PIatt tried to be sociable. Then
suddenly, almost before he was we'll
under way with the lunch, something
blunt and heavy caught Platt at the
base of the skull The little old man
grasped his head, rose from the chair
in a half conscious condition, and be-
fore he could make an outcry another
blow struck just over the ear. He
fell at full length on the floor. His
eyes were closed, but Platt was still
breathing. He attempted to rise from
the floor, although the blood gushed
from the wounds on his head. Fran
tically the assassin rained a dozen
blows on the merchants head. Platt
had ceased breathing. His muscles
relaxed. Then the body was dragged
behind the counter. The front door
was locked. The slayer searched the
pockets. He took the little chamois
bag containing the coin collection
Then he took the combination bill
book and coin purse. After covering
the body with clothing. he went to
the back room examined his spoils
and dropped the chamois bag with the
little gold coins. Like the watch and
chain and two rings, they might cause
trouble
Doubtless the murderer was disap-
pointed with his harvest. But the
crime was committed and he walked
through the low door at the rear of
the store and disappeared down the
alley. Seven hours later. when it was
known that Piatt was murdered, 200
persons swarmed into the little store.
There were a hundred chances to
steal small articles and disappear. In
the search someone probably found
the bag OF coins. They neglected to
report their find. AS days passed
and the newspapers printed a descrip-
ton Of the collection. the coins burn
ed the finders pockets. Then he re-
turned the money piecemeal.
Just three weeks ago today, the