Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1901 — BOLD ROBBERIES. [ARTICLE]

BOLD ROBBERIES.

Two Residences Entered Show Day—Part of Property Recovered. Show days seem to be a popular time to commit robberies, as many residences are left unoccupied and unguarded on those days. Tuesday afternoon Mrs. Stockton left her residence for a few minutes to step over to her sister’s, Mrs. Jay Williams, who lives next door. She locked the house, but when she

opened the front door on her return she found a young fellow rifling her son Jay’s pockets. He dropped the garments and facing her for a moment, turned and darted up the stairs and left the house by a window, sliding down to the ground by the porch columns. The thief had gained entrance by unlocking a rear door with a key selected from a bunch which he carried. He carried off a gold watch and ring belonging to Jay Stockton and a chain and two rings belonging to Mrs. Stockton. In his flight he dropped one of the rings under the window. The jewelry was taken from a drawer in the sideboard. Officers were at once notified of the theft and,going to the show grounds arrested one of the employes, but he easily proved an alibi and was released. Later the relatives qf the thief, who are said to be quite prominent people, opened negotiations fbr the return of the property, they agreeing to return It on condition that the thief be allowed to go free. Their terms were acceded to and the valuables were returned. The stolen property was worth about S3OO.

County Recorder Robbed. The same afternoon while the family of County Recorder R. B. Porter were at the show some person removed a screen from the kitchen window and raising the window, entered the house. Two or three dollars of Sunday school collections, |2.05 of missionary money, a silver dollar, a gold necklace, a pair of gold And a pair of silver cuff buttons and a gold pm and brooch were stolen. The property has not been recovered or the thief arrested.