Just a little note to let you know I’m traveling this week. I’ve been working on a personal goal to post every day for 30 days and I’m nearly there! I’m scheduling the remaining few posts ahead of time. I’m never sure what my schedule will look like while I’m away and I want to make sure a post still comes out every day. You may notice though that it’s taking me a little longer to respond.
Please leave your comments anyway. They are my favorite thing!
On December 5, 1901, between 5 and 6 p.m., the residence of Mrs. L. E. Carroll was robbed. Stolen items included a purse containing a little bit of money and several articles of jewelry, of sentimental value only.
Mrs. Carroll’s father, Mr. Clark, was home alone at the time. Mr. Clark was immediately suspicious of a man who had appeared a little earlier in the afternoon and pleaded for some food. His suspicions, it turned out, were correct. The beggar who appeared at the door was part of a team. The duo had worked up this ruse as a mean to case the house. Constable Mason and Deputy Constable Ellis quickly nabbed the criminal duo, whose names were Horace L. Kent and Bryon E. Murphy. It’s not clear which man went to the door of Mrs. Carroll’s home and requested food.
Murphy must have been sent to a different prison, but Kent’s mugshot is interesting, don’t you think? He seems to have had a difficult time believing he had been apprehended. His intake data says he was an electrician, and he looks rather shocked!
Let’s hope this incident scared him straight!


Kent and Murphy are pettifogging miscreants by today’s standards.
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I love big vocabulary words. With pettifogging miscreants, you’ve outdone yourself! 😉
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Someone coming to your door to beg for food sounds like a crazy thing to happen but I guess in the old days it was fairly common… I know I’d be suspicious!
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Parking lot begging is the modern trend. It can be intimidating, especially for a defenseless person, to have a desperate looking stranger approach who wants money — cash — for food, gas, a bus ticket, etc.
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Yes, I’ve often encountered that myself. And it is intimidating! But coming right up to your house is even scarier!
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I agree Ruby!!
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Many communities prohibit door-to-door solicitation and has a sign posted that clearly states “NO SOLICITING.” Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop a determined solicitor from “rapping on your door.” The big one in my area are “Window Replacement” and “Roofing” companies.
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And they are persistent. Perhaps a big sign that says “Beware of Snake” or “Mountain Lion Crossing” might be more effective 😉
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