The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-02-06


disappearance. February the mother
went back TO Cleveland and sprung
the idea that she believed her boy
murdered and his body placed under
the new city hall. She further an
nounced that she would have the eel
lar dug up in an effort TO locate the
body.
February Mrs. Mercer interviewed
Detective SHIRLEY and arrangements
were made for digging up the cellar
February Mrs. Mercer failed TO get
the consent OF the police to do the ex-
cavating, but on February (Wednes-
day. the work was begun at an early
hour and at 1910 O'Clock the work
OF the searchers was rewarded by the
body being brought to light.
Immediately the police OF this city
were communicated with and told TO
PICK Stanley up as a suspect and hold
him. The local force worked upon
the case. hnding the young man at
his home shortly after midnight. he
having returned home from a local
theatre. The officers went to his
room where he lay sleeping, and
without even the slightest motion 10
resist he was arrested and taken TO
the city building by Detectives Has
tings and Minard.
Parents Worry
Confident that their son, Norman Stan
ley, Is not guilty, and that he knows
nothing OF the death OF Robert T. Mer-
Ger OF Pittsburgh Mr.. and Mrs. Column
bus b. Stanley OF 2jO1 Eoff street, this
city, spoke sorrowfully of the notori-
ETY. that the family has been given.
last evening when interviewed by an
Inteliigencer reporter. The mother,
old and gray. sat in a large arm chair
and spoke sorrOwfully OF her son and
OF his trip back TO Cleveland In the
custody of an officer OF that city.
Feeling that her boy Is innocent.
she discussed the painful story OF tho
death OF Robert r. Mercer. and the
sorrow that has been caused the
mother Of the deceased timekeeper.
whose body was found buried beneath
the new city hall in Cleveland We'd
nesday. In speaking OF the case she
almost wept as she discussed the feel
ing OF that mother who has lost her
son, realizing herself that her boy has
been drawn innocentlv into the affair.
Mother Talks.
Norman. she says. knowns
nothing OF the case "a he never
discussed Il excepting 10 say
that he saw Mr.. Mercer about
O'Clock on the night he was last
seen. Norman said that he saw
him az the building when he was
making his rounds AZ that time.
bui never saw him again.
My boy came home 10 visit
US shortly afterWard. but re-
turned TO Cleveland where he
remained until about a week and
half ago. when he again came
home After he went back 10
my daughter. who lived there
Willie there. the search was ms
tituted for the finding Of Mr.
Mercer. His mother was in
ClAaland. looking for him and
Norman visited her az the hotel
kss 90 al
GUESSED the disappearance with
her.
- know that Norman knows
nothing about the case He
spoke 81 seeing Mr. Mercer
several timos. and will tell that
20 the officials In Cleveland lie
has been staying here with us
waiting until he should report
for work IN Pittsburgh for the
stuart Company lie received
telegram the other DAY from
them and was 90 have gone there
10 work tomorrow ! don't think
that Do can aid much In the mys-
terry. hut I know that hc will tell
them what he told U.S.
Has Confidence.
When she finished talking she look
cd go The reporter with that kind
honest. mofhtfly eXpr ssiou that car
fl"d with 10. The impression that -he
The father known fo bis ucirhhors
ae ON honest working man. said very
little. appearing to br suffering in.
toru1lly from the nof.rIofy brought
upon DIS son and Fam IE THROUGH tho
reports ihaf have been circulated. and
appeared fr hn worried about The boy
who was then. .n tho custody of Hn
officer bound for Cleveland to d.
questioned REGARDING the crime Tor
which su rirIOu ie cast ON him ffI.
appearance was hear. feudIur De-
could hn plainly seen that hr was ur
der % great strain brought about b..
WORRY
The family bears I good name. Tho
son. Norman stanley has always been
looked upon OIL. 8 modest and honest
young man Ilis companion. in fhi.
c.fr have Away been 0f the beet. and
or ro time during bis residence Iu
This rfE. was no ever uspocfDd rf he IT.
inr connected with anything except
InE flHf which was right NeiEhhurl .
OF fhe family rNprcft.l flo belief tHafi
ho o. iu MOI way connected with the
crime and that Or hn knows anything
Ur Will toll aIl willingly