Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1909 — MRS. IMES RECOVERS PURSE AND WATCH [ARTICLE]

MRS. IMES RECOVERS PURSE AND WATCH

Mystery of Masonic Hall Deepens with the Recovery of Everything but Small. Purse and $32 in Money.

Mrs. WIHls J. Imes has recovered her large pocket book and her gold watch and chain, which had been missing since last November, but the sm-U purse whieh contained $32 was net recovered, and the mystery deepens and it is now certain that the money was stolen and the puree and the other contents hid by some one who attended a meeting of the Ladies of the Eastern Star on the night that the purse was first missed. . The pocket book was found by Mrs. June Hinkle in the property room in the Masonic hall Friday evening. Mrs. Imes and Mrs. Hinkle and others were engaged in looking for a large star that had become misplated end Mrs. Hinkle ran her arm under some steps* in the property room and seated, holding aloof the purse. Mrs. liicW at once that it belonged to Mrs.

Imes and ran into the main lodge r.*om where several of the ladl< • were sealed, holding aloof be r»;w Mrs. Jmes opened it and found hex watch and chain and several other Articles, including the case' in which she kept her eye glasses. The small uurse and the, money, however, were not there. But she was ovei joyc d to recover the watch, whieh was a present to her and which cost $72. It is now certain that some one who attended the meeting of the Eastern Star lodge or who’ had access to the hall after the same was closed the night the money was stolen is .the guilty party. Various clews weie followed and parties were lyuier suspicion, but there was no positive proof. Both Mr. and Mrs. Imes are so happy at the recovery of the watch that it is probable no further effort will be made to locate the thief.