Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-28
KIRK SHELLEY IS
BURGLARS VICTIM
Masked Man Holds Him Up at
Gums Point; Gets
Large Sum

AT the point of a revolver, q mask
ed negro held up and robbed Kirk
Shelley, Steelton hotel proprietor,
or large sum of money in his home
late Saturday night. A man who gave
MS name as Tesley Paschal, was ar
rested yesterday afternoon by the po-
lice and is being held pending an in
vestigation.
The amount of money which Mr..
Shelley was compelled to hand over
10 the burglar is not known, but 1t
Is said to be more than $1,000.
Ihe negro was hiding in a small
room adjoining the barroom of the
motel. When Mr.. Shelley came from
ms nome upstairs to turmoil a pump
which was not adjusted properly be-
iore ne retired, the burglar flashed Il
searchllght in his face, covered hlm
with gun marched him upstairs,
compelled him. to hand over his
money bag and fed.
The robbery was unknown TO
members of the family. Mrs. Shelley
had gone to the third floor to retire
FEW minutes before Mr.. Shelley ha
sone to the first floor. This was un-
usual. as Mrs. Shelley is wont to stay
with her husband on a Saturday
night until the business of the day is
Strengthened out Other members of
the family had retired earlier.
Mfr. Shelley's Story
In telling of the robbery, Mr..
Shelley. said: Il came up from the
bar room shortly after / o'clock
after bidding goodnight to some
men that l had been talking to and
the employees that had been work.
ing there. The money bag with the
days cash in it l threw on chair
near my desk, and went to the next
room to get an orange before l re-
tired.
While l was peeling the fruit I
heard the beer pump, which circu-
lates the drink to the bar, running.
This l knew had not been turned
off. l went down to the bar room
on the first floor and turned on the
lights IN the room. 1 walked be-
hind the bar to the adjoining room
the rattle of some bottles but think
Ing 1t was some house kittens
thought nothing of it."
Throws Flash Light in Face
Il turned on the dim light in the
small room and proceeded to turn
the pump switch off, when a masked
negro flashed a strong search light
in my face. In his other hand he
held large revolver close to my
nose.
II told him he didn't want to
shoot me, in a natural tone of voice.
Fle replied in a whisper that should
not talk and do as he told me. He
asked me where my money was
and I told him upstairs. At the
point of the gun he backed me
through the room into the hall lead
ing upstairs. He compelled me to
unlock the front door leading from
the hallway into the street. All the
time he was close to me, holding the
gun in my face. talking in whispers.
Wanted All Money
Following his orders / went
quietly up the steps and at the top
turned on another light in the hall.
He said he wanted all my money.
L put my hand in my pocket to get
out some money 1 had with me and
he gripped my hand, pulling it out
of my pocket determinedly. I sup
pose he thought I had gun and
was trying to get 1t.
He ordered me to get the money.
l told him that the door leading
into the room opened hard, and that
l could not push 1t open. He threw
his body against the sliding door
and forced it open with a crash.
In a few seconds later handed
him the money rather slowly, getting
a good look at his face, and he fed.
1 did not follow him.
THE noise he made by jamming
the door at once attracted the at
tention of the dangerous watch dog
OFT the next floor with Mrs. Shelley.
The guardian Immediately dived
down the steps to my assistance my
wife said. She screamed, knowing
at once that something was taking
place out of the ordinary and the
dog returned to her, as he is her
protector.
"I jumped through a door into
the next room. I Immediately went
to the front window, raised 1t and
cried for help at the same time try
ing to see which way the robber
went. He did not go down the street
and my view up street was obstruct-
ed.
Ncighborhood Aroused by Cries
THE neighbors heard the cries
of Mrs. Shelley and myself and in
short time the entire community
was aroused. The police were poti-
fed and came in few minutes.
Justice of the Peace Stees was one
Of the first men to arrive and we
at once went to Harrisburg to watch
the outgoing trains to Hagerstown
and other southern cities. We did
not see any negro that would answer
to this description"
Mr.. Shelley in his story told ofl
ar attempt of a man to enter his
home on the preceding night. Hel
said: when my daughter, Phoebe,
left the watch dog out the back door
on Friday night man was stand
ing thare. He fled through the
yard, the dog at his heels. He man
aged to get away from the dog att
the rear of the property. The dog
was called back after much effort
as he becomes furious when stran-
gers come about the house.
The intruder had forced the cell
lar door open and was evidently
about ready to go into the cellar.
Or Saturday I had new locks and
hooks placed on all doors and win
6ows."
Mr.. Shelley was unable to give
any idea how the burglar entered
the building. His version was that
he was in the place of business early
in the evening and concealed him
self unnoticed to anyone