Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-04-23
Thief ABSOLvES
CONVICT OF THEFT
Collects $1,000 in LansdaIe
Home and Writes Earl An
trim Is Innocent
3 OTHER PLACES ENTERED

LansdaIe, April %. - After looting
the home of Harry Richardson. 100
Susquehanna avenue, Lansdale, Of Lib
erty bonds, war saving stamps, jewelry
and money totaling $1,000 the thieves
scrbblcd note which they left on Mr..
Richardson's desk down stairs.
The note said Earl Antrim. serving
a four years sentence in the Mont
gomery. county Jail for burglary in
Pottstown. is not guilty Of the offense.
The note adds: please notify Potts
town burgess"
yours truly. Robert Brown, New
York city,"
Six $50 Liberty bonds, $50 worth Of
war saving stamps, two breast pins, one
diamond and platinum a pearl necklace
and about SO in cash were stoleh from
the home Of Mr.. Richardson.
Other Homes Entered
Three other Lansdale homes were
entered early yesterday morning. The
loot from two amounted to about $500.
At the third home the thieves were
scared away by the furious barking of
a bull terrier.
The three other homes entered were
those Of Frank Cowen, 600 Columbia
avenue; William y. Brand. 431 Main
street, and II. L. s. Ruth. Main street.
1t was at the Ruth home. which Is
one OF the largest at Lansdale, that the
thieves were frightened away by the
barking Of the dog after having entered
the house. II. l.. s. Ruth is president
of the Citizens National Bank He
and his family were awakened by. the
barking. They heard noise down
| stairs. All the lights were switched on
Then Mr.. Ruth went down to inveSti-
! gate. A window which opens to the
! living room had been forced open and
there were mud tracks on the rug. How
ever. nothing had been touched. Solid
silvcrware was in open view in the
dining room.
Porch Climbers at Work
| At the Cowen home In Columbia
avenue. the thieves entered the house
through window in the second story
after climbing to porch roof Mr..
Cowen was sleeping in the room which
| was first entered. The contents of his
trouser pockets and a stick pin we're
taken. The amount Of money taken
Is not known. The thieves entered all
the bedrooms and ransacked drawers
but took nothing else.
The Brand home in Main street was
entered through a sitting room window
! which was jimmied The entire house
was searched. The loot consisted of a
| $50 Liberty bond. small amount of
change and box of cigars.
Charles Eiler. chief Of police of Nor
ristown. was communicated with and
questioned regarding Antrim who the
note says is serving a Jail sentence for
an offense he is not guilty Of. The
NOrristown chief said Antrim was ar
rested at Pottstowu by the PENNSYLVANIA
state police, charged with burglary. He
says Antrim pleaded guilty to the
offense at the present term of the Mont =
gomery County Criminal Court and was
sentenced.
Eiler says few days ago n note
containing Ike information was found
by walters. Funk, of Boyertown. In
his hat.
The Norristown police chief saws he
believes the circulation of these notes
IS propaganda and is an effort to have
, Antrim freed. However. !. B. Steven
son, detective. who is working ON the
Lansdale cases. said there may be
grounds for the belief that the thieves
who entered the I.ansdalc homes are thC
ones who committed the burglarips for
which Antrim is convicted.