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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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The Clare County Press
January 30, 1885

                             A Reverend Thief
                             
                     Detection of a Minister Stealing
                             Money in a Store.
                             
                ALGONAC, Mich., Jan. 26. - For some time
              past C. J. DOWSWELL & Co. general merchants
              of this village, have been missing each day
              a considerable amount of money. The two
              clerks in their employ they considered too
              honest and straightforward to steal, conse-
              quently a watch was kept on the people who
              were seen lounging around the store.
                At last the firm became convinced that
              the thief was the REV. MR. ARMSTRONG,
              pastor of the M. E. church, and invited a
              number of the congregation to visit their
              store and witness his thieving operations.
              Several holes were bored in the ceiling
              above the money drawer, and the committee
              watched with eager eyes. After waiting a
              short time the reverend gentleman was seen
              to approach the drawer and appropriate a
              certain amount of money therefrom. The REV.
              T. C. POTTER of Port Huron the presiding
              elder of the district was notified and
              asked to come to Algonac. A meeting was
              held at the residence of MR. CHARLES
              STEWART, and the REV. MR. ARMSTRONG sent
              for.
                At first he denied it, but finding that
              there were so many witnesses against him
              he confessed and asked for mercy.
                Messrs. DOWSWELL & Co. have concluded
              not to take any legal steps in the matter
              as Armstrong has secured them to the amount
              of $500.
                The firm have no idea how much money has
              been taken, but estimate it at $1,000 or 
              more.
              
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