September 26, 1889 — The store house of Mr. Martin Strickler at Leaksville was entered last Saturday night and robbed, and afterwards an attempt was made to burn it, in order to conceal the burglary the safe in the store was blown open, and the work shows it to be that of a professional, as drill and powder were both used with skill.
Every cent of money in the safe, amounting to $25.44, was taken, and also about $10 or $12 in postage stamps were taken from the post office, which is kept in the store. Mr. Strickler estimates his loss of store goods at about $30, but it may be much more, as he of course is unable to note all that is missing.
The explosion was heard by Mr. Jacob Kite, who lives nearby, and he thinks it must have been about 1 o’clock. Mr. S. found an old pair of shoes the next morning in his orchard nearby which he is hopeful may prove a clue to the perpetrators of the deed.
He had heard of a suspicious character — a fellow wearing a plug hat and looking like a city “rough” — who had been seen at several places in the neighborhood the day before, and who, is it thought may have associated with him some “home talent” in the enterprise. At least warrants are out for some very unsavory gents, but at this writing no arrests have been made.
After the robbing an attempt was made to burn the store, but which fortunately failed. The fire was started in the store and left to do its destruction work, and the strangest part of the story is that it burned for sometime, and then went out.
~ From the public archives of the Page News and Courier
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