The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1877-02-22
MORE DEVELOPMENT.
The Pre-Arran.ssssent OF Lappin's E.
cape, and Few Facts In Connection
Uith the Taa~

The Pre-ArraH.ss.sent OF Lappin's Es.
cape. and Few Facts In Connection
WITH the Case.
1t is understood by every one that the es-
cape of Sam Lappin was prearranged, and
that he was not aided by outside friends
alone, but BY prisoners and court house
officials. Those who seem to have been the
most efficient were Jake circuit, the then
iailor. and Bob OieIl, a prisoner. circuit
was arrested and is now under bonds for his
appearance to answer a charge of aiding
prisoners to escape. Bod Odell is under
the same charge and until recently was
confined in the county Jail. The trial of
circuit has been put over two terms on ac-
count of an "absent witness" who is one
Afford, of Great Bend, who was
in the jail at the same time,
but who wac insane covering
the time OF Lappin's escape
The material witnesses for the State sgainst
circuit are T. H. c. Dodd and Bob Odell.
Vance, county attorney, says that the testi-
mony of both Of these witnesses 10 abso-
lutely necessary to convict, and the testi-
mony of one wit out the other would be of
no avail. He also says that the testimony
of Mrs. Lsppin can be dispensed with.
Upon Tuesday of this week Odell was ad-
mitted 70 bail in the sum of five hundred
dollars upon his own recognizsnce on mo-
ton Of County Attorney Vance. Almost
every one who knew anything of the case
readily saw that there was some kind Of a
job on hand, the exact character of which
was not apparent. Mr.. Vance says that
Odell Is the main witness in Orcutt's case,
and that he was clammering for a
trial. and that conviction was GER
tain and Odell would have to
90 to the Penitentiary. That
result being attained he would not be a
competent witness, therefore his only chance
was to let him go free upon condition that
he would return when wanted. Mr.. Vance
says that he has no idea that Odell will re-
turn to testify sgainst circuit, which virtu.
ally ends the case against that party. Now,
it looks n If there was "nigger in the
wood pile" Odell's conviction was sure.
He even wanted to plead guilty, but was
denied the privilege, and now be is free and
40 is circuit. Ga the night of the day that
Odell was released from Jail, he lost one
hundred dollars, and still had in his possess
sion large amount of money. When he
was taken from this Jail to the Lawrence
Jail, he was searched, and forty five dollars
were taken from him, all the money he
had. He has been in jsi. since and has not
lawfully earned one cent, but he comes out
of Shawnee county Jail with several hun
dred dollars in money. The questions
would naturally arise, how and from whom
did he get this money? Willie Weymouth,
who has been in the court house a great
deal, says that he wrote several letters for
Bob to parties in this city politely request
ing them to come down" with money, and
that the parties written to, responded
promptly. Weymouth refuses 10 divulge
the names Of the parties so blsckmailed.
The job has been pretty well planned
and carried out by slow degrees. The
Blade commended that the search for Lappin
was farce, and that the arrest Of
Orcutt was also farce, and the
recent proceedings sustain the
position of the Blade Mr.. Vance is very
touchy on the subject and does rot like TO
talk about it. The fact against him is that
he turned Odell loose when he had him
foul under pretext that he wanted him to
testify sgainst Orcutt, whom he did not
have foul, and as above stated he does not
believe Odell will return. This is how the
matter stands at present.-Blade.
This man O1ell was arrested in this city,
few days ago, On charge OF brutal
conduct, and was released upon the pay
ment of his fne by the L. S. Marshal, Char
lev Miller