A Bold Thief, 1881

KENYON

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 5/15/2016 at 18:32:43

Dubuque, Herald – Jan. 4, 1881

A BOLD THIEF
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Who Ought to Travel
On a Trunk Line
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One of the most curious, and somewhat amusing, attempts at robbery occurred at the house of an old lady named Kenyon, two miles from Millville, Clayton County, and New Year’s Eve. A few days before she had sold some farm products for which she received $80, which she deposited in a trunk which stood at the head of her bed. On the night named her son-in-law was absent, having gone to a ball at a neighboring town, and the door had been unlocked for his return. About 12 o’clock the old lady heard someone enter, but supposing it was her son-in-law, she paid no further attention, until she heard a match strike and by the light discovered that a stranger was in the house. She called for her young son who was asleep upstairs, but he failed to hear. Meantime the stranger seized the trunk in his arms and made for the door. In his hurry the match went out, and he tumbled over a rocking chair and dropped his cap, which he left. He clung to the trunk however, and made off with it. In the morning it was found on the road about 200 yards from the house broken open. The thief got little for his desperate venture, for as luck would have it, the old lady had found a more secure hiding place for the money and changed the location. The thief had evidently knew it had been in the trunk, but was not posted on its removal.