Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-11-05

bag and number of sweater coats be
sides $5.75 in cash out of the cast
register.
1t Is thought that the burglars sc
cured more merchandise than above
stated but this is all that can be found
missing at the present time. 1t Is 9
known fact that they secured eight
suits Of clothes but there Is posi-
bility that they secured more. The
only way that it was discovered that
they had secured this number. is that
they left eight vests. 1t Is probable
that they secured more suits but Mr..
Cramblt stated that 1t would not be
known until they had made general
invoice Of stock. The burglars took
nothing but the best and when they
would take down suit or overcoat
that was not of high price value they
would throw it on the floor. They
took the cream Of the sweater coats
and In fact there Is not cheap gar
ment missing It Is remarkable how
burglars could make their getaway
with so much merchandise and 1t is
the belief of the officers that they were
assisted in some manner.
The men We're very bold in entering
the clothing store as the office Of the
Western Union Telegraph Co., is at
the rear of the clothing store and q
night operator is employed at the Of
fee all nightz. The operator was I'M
aware of the robbery. The discovery
was made by Mr.. Cramblit at about
$50 o'clock this morning when he
opened up for business. The floor
from one end of the building to the
other was covered with merchandise
which the burglars did not want. From
all appearances the men took select
stock of goods as nothing but valu-
able articles are missing. The two
trays of stick pins and the six dozen
tie clasps that were secured were all
Of solid gold and valuable.
The Fletcher Robbery.
The burglars entered the Fletcher
Meat Market in a similar manner to
which the clothing store was entered.
They forced in basement door and
entered the first floor by the means of
a cellar door. They secured nothing
but $21 in cash out of the cash regis
ter and nothing else was disturbed.
Although it is the belief of the officers
that both robberies were committed by
the same parties, there is possibility
that the Fletcher robbery was COM
mitted by another party or parties.
Arc Looking for a Butcher.
The officers and sheriffs in the sur
counties are looking for a
man who gave his name as Fred Lester
and who has been in the employ Of the
Fletcher market for the past five days
no I'D
Lester came to work for Fletcher last
week and worked five days. He gave his
name to Fletcher as Fred Lester but
when registering at a local hotel he
registered as w. Good. Warrants are
out for his arrest and when discovered
he will be brought back to the city with
the hope that he can throw some light
upon the mystery. His sudden depar-
ture from the city has thrown the sus-
picion upon him
Police Start Early Search.
Both of the robberies were reported
to the police at an early hour this
morning. Night Captain Jack Smith
was detailed upon the Fletcher robbery
while Chief Fielder directed the search
on the Cramblit & Polling robbery. The
belonging to Goldie Cow
ger and w. II. Rodabaugh Of Agency
were brought to the city at about 7
CLOCK ana put upon tHe tIdil u TIC
parties who entered the clothing store.
The dogs picked up the scent at the
rear door of the clothing store and fol-
lowed 1t for d considerable distance.
They went west from the building
across the Burlington and Rock Island
tracks onto the right Of way of the
They then went to the Cur
ran ice house where they lost the trail.
The ice house was searched by the Of
fcers but without result. The dogs were
a gain taken over the trail and again
went to the ice house where they lost