Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 131, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1913 — ARRESTED HOUSE ROBBER SUSPECT [ARTICLE]

ARRESTED HOUSE ROBBER SUSPECT

Claud Sigler Charged With Having Entered Fred Phillips’ House and Rifled Bank. • ft.

Claud Sigler, 41 years of age, who was raised in Rensselaer, but who has lived in Monon and Tulsa, Okla., during recent years, was arrested by Officer Critser Saturday night at the depot and in his pockets was found about $lO in small change, including 156 pennies, 47 dimes, 11 quarters and about 45 nickles. He had been suspected of having been the party who ransacked the Fred Phillips’ residence on Decoration Day while Mr. Phillips and wife were in Indianapolis. At that time a bank belonging to Mr. Phillips’ little daughter, and containing over $lO, was rifled and a watch and two rings stolen. Sigler had been working for Phillips tor several weeks, and Mr. Phillips entrusted him with the keys to the house so that he could strain and put away the milk while his employer and wife were absent from the city. Suspicion was directed toward him and the officers detained him at the depot to search his pockets and when the small change was found it seemed strong circumstantial evidence against him. Sigler, however, stoutly asserts his innocence. He has been in Rensselaer for several months and has worked industriously considering his poor health, and is said to have kept his obligations paid and to have lived without any injury to others. A preliminary hearing has not yet been given to Sigler and he is confined in the county jail.

Miss Florence Ryan, of Gillam township, one of this year : s graduates, has gone to her home for a short visit and will then go to Bloomington to take the suipmer normal course, preparatory to teaching school this fall,