Sandbagged in Severy

[W. Gray]

Eureka, Kan., Nov. 27—W. H. Orvis, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Severy, Kan., was found dead in bed yesterday. Foul play is suspected. Mr. Orvis was sandbagged and robbed of $6,000 in Government bonds a few months ago. Subsequently some one gained access to his room at night and left a note telling how the bonds could be recovered. Mr. Orvis followed directions and recovered his property by the payment of a sum of money. It is now thought he was murdered in order to prevent exposure of the parties who robbed him.

New York Times, November 28, 1895.


One definition of sandbag is "a small bag filled with sand and used as a weapon in the same way as a blackjack." I was not aware of that.