The work progresses--Eugene Pearson's early life--On the trail of
Newton Edwards.
In the meantime operatives Manning and Jackson had been untiring in
their efforts to obtain some traces of the robbers. They had found a
number of people who recollected seeing two men, answering the
description of the suspected thieves, who carried a valise between them,
but beyond a certain point all traces of them stopped. It seemed that
the ground had opened and swallowed them up, so effectual had been their
disappearance.
While thus engaged, operative Manning received instructions to keep a
watchful eye upon young Pearson, and also to make quiet and judicious
inquiries as to his habits and associates in Geneva.
The result of these inquiries was most favorable to the young man, and
under ordinary circumstances would have disarmed suspicion at once.
During the progress of this search after truth, operative Manning had
preserved the utmost good feeling and cordiality in his dealings with
Eugene Pearson, and had succeeded in establishing a friendly intimacy
with him, that would have allayed any fears which the young man might
have had, as to the opinions entertained by the detectives with regard
to himself. Mr. Pearson was very positive that one of the robbers was
the same man who had left the valise at the bank during the afternoon,
and, after learning that Manning had paid a visit to Miss Patton, he
stated his belief that this same person had called at the bank a few
weeks before. He could not remember the name he had given at that time,
but thought he had inquired as to the financial standing of several of
the business men of Geneva. During all these interviews Mr. Pearson
displayed the utmost willingness to assist the detectives in their
investigation, and with a frankness that was refreshing, answered every
question that was put to him as if with the earnest desire of
facilitating their labors and contributing to the accomplishment of
their success.
Eugene Pearson was a young man, it was learned, who had first seen the
light in the little town of Geneva, then a straggling little village
with none of the pretensions it now presented. His parents were most
exemplary people, and his father at one time had been a wealthy grain
merchant, but during one of the financial panics that swept over the
country, he was unfortunate enough to suffer embarrassments which
stripped him of his fortune and left him penniless in his old age to
begin again the battle of life. At the present time, he was a
benevolent-looking, intelligent old gentleman, who occupied the
honorable and not very lucrative position of postmaster of Geneva, from
the receipts of which, and a few other interests he was enabled to
maintain his family in comparative comfort.
Young Pearson had grown to manhood surrounded by the refining influences
of his family, and, save for a few months spent at a business college
in a neighboring city, had always dwelt in his native town. Among the
residents of Geneva he was universally respected and admired. Possessed,
as he was, of more than ordinary intelligence, and evincing good
business qualifications, he had occupied his present position in the
bank for several years, and at the time of the robbery, arrangements
were being made for his promotion to the position of cashier, owing to
the contemplated retirement of Mr. Welton, the present incumbent. His
personal habits were unexceptionable, so far as known, and every one
with whom John Manning conversed upon the subject, were loud in his
praises. In the social circles of the town, he was an acknowledged
favorite; he was a fair musician, was a member of the choir in the
leading church of Geneva, and a teacher in the Sunday-school. His
handsome face and pleasing manners gained for him a host of friends, and
his companionship was eagerly sought by the young people with whom he
associated. The young ladies were particularly partial to his society,
and it was stated that he was engaged to be married to a beautiful young
lady of the town, whose father was one of the wealthiest men in the
country round about. At the bank, he was held in high esteem by both the
officers and directors, and Mr. Silby's affection for him amounted
almost to the love of a father for a favorite child. From infancy to
manhood his name had never been associated with aught that was injurious
or degrading, and among all the young men of Geneva, Eugene Pearson
stood highest in public esteem and general favor.
The result of these inquiries were not calculated to strengthen the
doubts which had been formed of young Pearson's participation in this
robbery, and yet the suspicion remained unchanged, and we determined to
await developments before yielding our opinions to what seemed to be a
pressure of circumstances.
In the meantime, William had not been idle in the city. Ascertaining the
name of the firm for which Newton Edwards was traveling, and determined
to satisfy his mind upon this point, he dispatched an operative to the
business house to which he had been referred. The result of this inquiry
was that Mowbray, Morton & Co., the firm with which Edwards had at one
time been engaged, stated that he had severed his connection with them a
short time before, and since then had done nothing for them, but had
been traveling for another house on the same street, and they believed
he was the junior partner of the firm. Inquiry at this house elicited
the information that Edwards had retired from this firm, and had
connected himself with a large eastern house, which dealt extensively in
fruits and a general line of groceries. At this place, however, several
items of information were gleaned which were of importance. The
gentlemen connected with this establishment were very well acquainted
with Newton Edwards, of whom they spoke in the highest terms. He had
been in Chicago during all of the week previous to the robbery, but had
left the city on Saturday, stating that he intended to travel through
Wisconsin and Minnesota in the interest of the new firm which he
represented. He had not been seen since, nor had they heard from him.
Finding that the gentleman who furnished this information was an
intimate acquaintance of Edwards, the operative next inquired as to his
family connections and his place of residence. On these points he was
fully informed, and he cheerfully imparted the desired information.
Edwards, it appeared, had been married recently to a lovely and
accomplished young lady from one of the outlying towns, and since his
marriage had been residing with the husband of his sister, a gentleman
named Samuel Andrews, who resided at 29 Logan Place, in Chicago. Edwards
also had a brother who was married, and who lived in the city, and the
location of this gentleman's residence was also cheerfully furnished by
the merchant.
Upon returning with this information, the operative at once reported to
my son William, who decided upon an immediate course of action.
Directing the operative to inquire for tidings of Edwards at both of the
places named, he indited a telegraphic message to the chief of police at
Milwaukee and Minneapolis, for the purpose of ascertaining if Edwards
had been at either place since leaving the city. He described the man
fully, stated the name of the house which he represented, gave the
fullest particulars as to his identity, and then requested to be
informed if he had made his appearance in either of these cities.
To all these messages the answer was received that Edwards had not, as
yet, arrived, although the chief at Milwaukee stated that he had met a
friend of Edwards, who informed him that he had received a letter from
the young man dated four days prior to the robbery, stating that he
would be in Milwaukee in a few days, and that he would be accompanied by
his wife. As yet, however, he had not arrived, and nothing further had
been heard of him.
This was a corroboration of the first suspicion regarding Newton
Edwards, and was convincing of the fact that he had not done as he had
informed his friends that he would do. William was convinced, therefore,
that he was upon the right track, and impatiently awaited the return of
the operative who had been sent to the residences of Edwards' relatives.
The detective delegated for that purpose proceeded to the locality to
which he had been directed, where he found a comfortable-looking,
well-kept brick dwelling-house, and upon a metal plate upon the door, he
noticed the name he was in search of. Ascending the steps, he rang the
bell, and shortly afterward was ushered into a handsomely furnished
parlor, where he was greeted by a pleasant-faced lady, who announced
herself as the sister of Mr. Newton Edwards.
"Is Mr. Edwards residing with you?" inquired the detective.
"Not now," answered the lady, "he was here until Saturday last, when he
left, saying that he was going to Milwaukee upon business. I have heard
however, that he was in town on Sunday last, but that I am not sure of."
"Did his wife go with him?" now asked the operative, hoping to obtain an
interview with her, if possible.
"No, sir," replied Mrs. Andrews, with an air of sudden coldness and
reserve, which was not lost upon the watchful man before her. "Mrs.
Edwards left on the same day, in company with her brother, who has taken
her to his home; I do not wish to allude to this matter, but I am afraid
my brother and his wife do not live happily together."
"Have they separated?" asked the detective, in a tone of solicitude.
After a momentary hesitation, the woman replied: "I am inclined to think
they have. Newton has not been himself lately, and has, I am sorry to
say, been drinking a great deal. This naturally led to harsh treatment
of his wife, and I presume she wrote to her brother, and on last
Saturday he came and took her away."
Finding the lady indisposed to furnish further information, the
detective took his leave.
At the second place he received much the same information, and
concluding that he had exhausted this matter, he started to return to
the agency. At this latter place, however, he had casually inquired for
the name and residence of Mrs. Edwards' brother, and on learning that,
had concluded his visit.
Everything thus far had favored a belief that Edwards was concerned in
this robbery. His leaving home a day or two before the act was
committed, his quarrel with his wife, his statement made to friends that
he was going upon a business trip, which it was evident he had not done,
his strange appearance at Newtonsville and Geneva on the day the robbery
took place, the fact that his personal appearance agreed perfectly with
that given of the robber, by eye-witnesses to that event, and his
mysterious disappearance since, all went to prove beyond question that
Newton Edwards was the thief, and that decided steps should be taken to
discover his whereabouts.
Leaving William to devise a plan to accomplish this much-desired result,
we will return to Geneva, and watch the movements of John Manning and
Howard Jackson.