The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1877-10-26


as securing. Things were mixed In
the effice of the Land Department
at Washington. Parties appeared
with original patents from the gov
eminent, of which no records could
be found. Pages were
CUT FROM THE RECORD
books of many county throughout
the country, and in short the
TITLES TO WILD LANDS IN TEXAS
were in q muddled condition, for
which no plausible explain Etlon
could be given.
The attention of Governor Hub
bard of Texas being called to the
matter, about one year ago, he took
immediate steps to ferret out the
causes that led to the confusion,
when, to his surprise, as well as
others associated with him,
MOST GIGANTIC swINDLE
was unearthed, in which the State
of Texas and the government as
we'll, were deeply interested. The
authorities at Washington being in
formed of the state of affairs, Spec
ial Agent Foster, on the part of the
department of justice and post-of-
flee, was detailed to look the matt er
up. Arriving at Kansas City about
one year ago, he soon obtained a
clue, that has since been closely fol-
lowed, resulting in the simultane-
I-Ous arrest to-day of no less than
sixty different persons, in differen
parts OF the country, connected
with the gang.
HOW THE ARREST IN KANSAS CITY
WAS MADE.
Day before yesterday there arriv.
ed in our city Col. John P. Cole.
man, Special Detective Chiles and
Lieutenant j. E. Lucy, armed with
requisitiOn from the governor o.
Texas for their arrest.
Little did Geo. Miller think, 81
nine O'Clock yesterday morning, al
he sat in the Pacific house, and MOI
a suspisiOn had Ham and Stevens
az they sauntered down toward The
post office arm in arm, that at slev
en- O'Clock they would be heavily
ironed and on their way to Texas Il
answer 10 crimes that may perhaps
send them to the penitentiarY fOl
years.
Accompanied by Deputy Marsha
AgDew the three arresting officer
met and seized npon Ham and Ste
vens, as they approached the en-
trance 10 the post office, causing n
little surprise among the bystand
ers, who saw two we'll known citi
zens thus assaulted. Proce edins
with their prisoners to the Pacifi
house, Miller was soon found.
hack was called, and the trio hur
ried to the depot, where they werI
placed aboard q train, and left th
wondering crowd behind. Rumor
of the arrest and the causes thereo
were soon town talk.
There are some forty Indictment
against Ham, Stevens and Miller
on the part of the stale of Texas
The government has several Others
and finally the post Office depart
ment follows with severe penaltie!
TOR violation of post Office laws.
ia quite probable that they will b.
able to procure bail, but will be i'm
mediately re-arrested on the oihe
charges. There is q determination
to hold them close prisoners, ant
there seems not the shadow o
doubt but the cases will be made t,
J stick when brought to trial, as tn
detectives engaged in The WOr
have strong proof against them.
AHoRRID RESULT
of The workings of this nefariou
public property In various parts o
the country, 1t is not believed tia
the chief operators in Kansas Cit
knew that they were suspected, bu
other members of the gang mus
have bad an inkling OF. it, In th os
sections where their plans were be
ing unearthed, and things wer
found to be getting too warm fo
them, no less than -,fe .s-..--I-l -
THIRTEEN COURT HOUSES
have been burned in the last year {
destroy evidence that could b
brought against them. Startling 8
This statement may seem, the evi
dence will be brought forth at, tn
proper time. Taken altogether,
has been the deepest scheme of vii
lainy that has been brought t
light for many a day. The partie
!, 10 this extensive swindle were res
,, dents of some thirteen differer
states, Kansas City being the pin
cipal headquarters, and j. r. Han
the chief. New Orleans and Ind
annapolis are also mentioned as bG
3 ing prominent points o. operatio
in Texas lands.
: PERSONALITY OF THE PRISONERS.
J. r, Ham has resldea in Kanss
City number of years, is marie
and has an interesting family, VIII
will suffer deeply at his disgrace.
Ed. l.. Stevens is also an old res
t dent, we'll connected and married
His many friends having expresse
, q wish that the Journal shouI
, ''draw it mild" and smooth owe
. his case, as they believe he Wa
/. more sinned against than SHINING
, 1t is left to our readers to So
, whether q man with thirteen aliase
=. can be expected to be innocent {
2 participation in this terri IDLE crime
Geo. w. Miller, a gambler b
profession, is single man, and AZ
ted the part of banker to the 9th
> ers at times when they needed NOR
lCys AA6I yOoE no LIS G6dO
, quaeters at Indianapolis. running
> 6On-tOn saloon on Washingto
street. Since his return to Kanss
City, he has occupied rooms at 81
Main street. OF late he has mad
frequent trips to various parts {
: the country, always taking . trun
with him, whether his stay was {
be for one day or q week.
FAITHFUL OFFICERS.
Governor Hubbard, of Texas, d.
serves the thanks of the entire con
d munity tor the activity displaye
: in putting q stop to this big swini
= ling scheme. 1t will not only hay
q tendency to check the hoW {
2 land buyers TO that State for som
+ time to come, but will cast q clou
s upon all property until q complet
research of all the records effectin
titles can be made.
Al Special Detective Foster, who q
r ted under the direction of Pos
: Master General Keys and the De
8 partment of Justice, is also deserV
ing of praise for his untiring al
forts during the past year. Nj
/