Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 August 1901 — Two Residences Robbed. [ARTICLE]

Two Residences Robbed.

While the circus was in progress Tuesday afternoon, some fellow or fellows took advantage of the absence of the families and entered several houses for purposes of robbery. Mrs. Stockton’s residence, on Division street was one of these. The thief got away with a gold watch and chain, a diamond ring and a plain ring, all belonging to Jay Stockton, except the diamond ring which belonged to Mrs. Stockton. The thief was seen and indeed chased out of the house. Tn the evening Jay found him near the circus tents, wearing the stolen articles. Jay made him deliver up all except the clothing, but he needed that so bad he let him keep it. The thief is said to be about 21, and a brother of an> orphan boy who has his. home with a Rensselaer family, and whom he has occasionally visited. He claims to have been with the circus for some months, He is also said not to be very bright, mentally. Mr. Stockton did not have the fellow arrested he is supposed to have left town. At about the same time of this occurence, some one broke into the residence of R. B. Porter, the county recorder. They took some $7 or $8 in cash, mostly Sunday school and missionary money, and also a gold necklace, breast-pin, sleeve-buttons, and some other similar articles. It is suspected that the same party that entered the Stockton house, did this job, also. A circus employe or follower was arrested in the evening, on suspicion of being the robber of the Stockton house, but was afterwards released.