The Morning Press
Bloomsburg, PA, Tuesday, April 15, 1919
A Can of Gold Found in Safe of Joseph Carl
But Amount Alleged to Have Been Stolen from Safe
Now Almost Doubled.
Clues Still Lacking
Members of the Family More Convinced Than Ever He was Murdered
With the family more than ever convinced that Joseph Carl was murdered Saturday night at his home on River Hill, further evidence tending to corroborate this theory was discovered yesterday when it was found that the amount of money missing from the safe is between $500 and $600, almost double that amount that it was first supposed had been stolen. Both the daughter, Marcella and the grandson, Orval, who resided with the aged man, state positively that he had more than $500 in bills in the safe a few days before the shouting and an investigation conducted yesterday has not disclosed anything tending to show that he had disposed of the money.
Another fact that leads to the mystery surrounding the fatal shooting and which many argue points to the fact that he committed suicide is the finding in the safe of a can of gold coins, aggregating almost $300. The coins ranged in value from $2.50 to $20 pieces and were stowed away in a leather pocket book, which had been placed in a tin baking powder can. The can was found in the back of the safe, and was hidden by a number of documents and drawers of the safe. The missing bills were kept in a prominent place in the safe where they could, easily have been found by anyone bent on robbery and it is the belief no further search of the safe was made as nothing was disturbed.
The shooting has created a sensation in this section and was the talk of town and vicinity yesterday. Mr. Carl was one of the most prosperous farmers on the South Side and is worth many thousand dollars. The fact that he carried a large amount of money on his person at all times was generally known and that he was murdered for his money is the opinion of the family. They place no credence whatever in the suicide theory and without exception declare that his death was inflicted by some person bent on robbery. Opinion on the South Side and in Bloomsburg is divided on this theory while others declare it to be a case of suicide.
No evidence whatever was discovered yesterday that would lead to the identity of the murderer although a thorough investigation was made by the sons of Mr. Carl. The State Police were notified but had not arrived yesterday. It is thought several police will call at the scene of the shooting today and make an investigation of the circumstances.