Confessions of a California Cop

The following story is provided by Carol Allen

I have to admit that I was one of the thieves who took mementos from the Appleton house some years ago. It was probably the last time I was in Appleton and I think it was about 2002 or 2003? Uncle Joe was with us and the old homestead was abandoned and in bad shape. My brother Jon discovered that they had tried to dig a basement which was unsuccessful and now full to the top with black stagnant water. Jon said they must have gotten into the water table and no doubt that hole was full of rats and snakes as well!
Well, the house looked sad and empty and we all peered into the windows from the front porch. I went around back and found a window already broken next to the back porch door. I reached in and opened the door and my burglary was complete. I was in. I walked to the front of the house through the country kitchen and noticed the floor was sagging in the middle! EEEK! To have fallen through into that black water still gives me the chills. I opened the front door and invited all the family in to visit for a spell.
Most of the house had been "updated" with paneling on the walls and new hollow doors where the old walls and doors once stood. I know the pastor and his wife probably worked very hard on the renovations and now the old house was strangely odd and quiet. But upstairs in a bedroom was an untouched area. The old plank door had been removed and replaced but the old door was leaning up against the wall-no doubt ready for the junk heap. I took out my handy Swiss army knife and a few screws later-the doorknob was removed and in my custody. I think this is the same room where an unidentified sister of mine peeled a large piece of wallpaper from the unpaneled wall. (There are rumors that she will write more on this later.)
By the time I left the scene of the crime, other thefts were taking place...someone took the well pulley from the porch, someone else took a piece of wallpaper and a piece of floor tile, and someone even backed up their vehicle and took a huge paving stone(s) from the walkway! (Editorial Note: I did not participate nor was I present at the burglary, but somehow I ended up with one of these stones. Hmmm!) Uncle Joe said that he remembers Lattie hauling those stones by oxcart from far, far away. I locked up the house and we fled the scene of the crime.
I still feel a little guilty at my leadership in this day but I knew that the items we pilfered meant nothing to the owners of the house. I wonder, does anybody even know if it is still standing and occupied or if the Kudzu vines have taken over and started bringing it down to the ground?
Well there, I have confessed. I will retire from my job in a few months so don't anybody get any ideas of turning me in to my superiors-they won't care as I am soon to be out the door-eastbound through the houses for the last time!