The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-10-08
BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN
IN CONNECTION WITH BULK.
HARDT MURDER CASE
OFFICER mD1Nas TURNED THEM
OVER TO MYSTERIOUS 1.-TWO
OTHER OFFICERS"
OF ARREsT-NEw DEFECTIVE
IN THE CASE

The sitting Of sill information. such
as has persistently marked develop
ments in the famous Burkhardt murder
case at Martins Ferry nearly two years
ago, features the arrest at Martins
Ferry yesterday morning OF a man and
woman whose names are given to the
Intelllgencer as Pete Nitro and Mary
Panas, and their subsequent confinement
In tho town Jail at Barnesville instead
Of in the Belmont county jail at ST.
Clairsville.
1t Is said that the arrest Of Nitro and
Mary Papas followed the investigations
made in the murder Of Mrs. Augusta
Burkhardt and her daughter Lillian
April II, 1920. by detective who rec
entity made his appearance in Belmont
county and promised that two or three
arrests would be made soon.
Mary papas Is said to be the Same
woman who was arrested shortly after
tho Burkhardt murder and held in the
jails at Martins Ferry and ST. Clairsville
for several months.
Authorities Are Mum
While Belmont county authorities re-
fused to give out any information con-
corning the arrests yesterday, some new
light was shed on the AFFAIR last night
when Night officer Elwood Rothermund
came on duty at Martins Ferry. Rother-
mund, Il developed. had known OF the
arrest Of the pair In Nitro's place In tho
north end Of Martins Ferry. early Fri
day morning. but he supposed that the
arrests, made by John 1ddings. prohipi-
ton enforcement deputy sherif or BEL
mont county. we're for liquor violations
and so reported 10 Martins Ferry police
headquarters.
An Intelligencer reporter succeeded
last night In getting Deputy Sherln 10
dings on the telephone and aucricd MIN
closely concerning the arrests. the IN
formation secured from IddinSs was
vague and portions OF 1t arc very pecu-
liar.
Iddings told The IntelIigencer reporter
that he went first TO Nitro's place Of
business hut found II closed. and went
to Sitro's home where he found both
Nitro and Mary Fapas. 1ddings said
he was on a raid for liquor. and found
n still. six barrels OF mash and some
whiskey. He failed to say whether tho
still, mash and liquor were found In
NItros business place or at his home.
Taken BY Other oHlcerI.
1t is at this point that the statement
OF Deputy Sheriff Iddings assumes
peculiar aspect. Some other officers he
says. came along and took the two pris-
oncrs off Of him. Pinned down to tell
who the other officers were. 1ddings said
that he knew that two Of them were or
f7cers from GAINESVILLE. and the others
In tho party were strangers to him. He
says the two officers In plain clothes
had two automobiles waiting. and that
Nitro was placed IN one Of the automo-
hIles and Mary Papas in another. and
whirled away.
How does II happen that the other
Officers appeared on the scene at such
an opportune time" Iddings was asked.
Didn't they know that you were there?
Deputy Sheriff Iddings did not answer
this question clearly. He said he had
heard, however. that Pete and Mary
we're wanted In connection with the
Burkhardt murder.
II didn't know until today 1ddings
said. that the prisoners were taken to
GAINESVILLE" ...
Sheriff Not informed e..
Sheriff Dick Lynch, over the telephone
last night, told Tho IntelliSencer that