Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1901 — Two Houses Robbed Show Day. [ARTICLE]

Two Houses Robbed Show Day.

The residence of Mrs. Stockton on North Division street was entered by a sneak theif Tuesday afternoon while Mrs. Stockton was absent at her sister’s, Mrs. Jay W. Williams.’ On returning home (she found the theif ruagming about but as soon as he saw her he ran ujistairs aud escaped from an upper window. The alarm was given and a fellow belonging to the Wallace show was' arrested, but proved to be the wrong party. Later a clew was struck which threatened to lead to gratifying results, it is said, and the property taken, a watch and two valuable rings, was returned with the understanding it is alleged that no further efforts would be made to run down the theif. R. B. Porter’s house was also entered the same afternoon while the family was at the show and a few dollars in cash and some jewelry taken, also a pair of trousers belonging to Mr. Porter. This property has not been recovered at this writing and perhaps it was the work of some other party. Later: Constable Vick and Wm. Childers followed the show to Monticello, but the culprit eluded them and they went on to Goodland Thursday, where they arrested Fred Lacken, who gave his age as 23 years, and Brook as his home. The show people said that he had no connection with them in any way, and it seems he was simply following it up and robbing houses during the families’ absence at the show. When arrested he was wearing R. B. Porter’s pantaloons and cuff buttons, had Mr. Porter’s knife in his pocket, and his feet were encased in Jay Stockton’s patent leathers. He was brought here and lodged in jail, and will take a trip to Michigan City, no doubt, when court meets. He is a brother, i| is said, to the boy living with Judson H. Perkins, east of town.

Constable Vick says there was a big crowd at Goodland show day. One driver of a show wagon was arrested there for robbing buggies and will probably be brought here and put in jail; one lady had her watch snatched from her belt, but we did not learn whether the thief was caught or not. f There were, perhaps, a number of other cases of robbery and several fights took place. Altogether it was a great day for Goodland.