The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-02-22


There arrived from Santa Fe, New
Mexico, last night, by the Atchison. To-
pcka and Santa Fe Road, says the Kan
sas City Journal. two men who were
pointed out To q Journai reporter as iii
subjects for an item. The reporter en-
tered into conversation with the larger
and older Of the two men aud found out
that his name was Henry III. Ashton,
and that the young mans name was
Harper. Both We're from Montreal,
Canada one a detective and The other
a prisoner. Ashton was the detective.
and the story be told was a. follows
Ia june, 1877. the Bank OF Montreal was
robbed Of $4,000 by George Harper,
Priv ate Secretary 10 the President. He
was q young man Of splendid connec-
tons, but was addicted 10 strong drink,
and had been on a big spree at the lime
the cash was missed. He entered the
bank the morning Of the rob
berry, and passed through the counting
room into his office, and was at work
there, when Ashton, the detective, en-
tered 70 talk 10 the President Of the
bank about the theft. The detective had
said but a few words when
Harper got up and left the room, and
calling a carriage, drove to the railroad
station, in time to catch a fast train for
the South. He was missed in a short
times suspected Of being the thief, and
Ashton put upon his trail. He was first
tracked 10 Chicago, aud from there 10
San Francisco. The detective was only
three days behind him at Frisco, but
there he lost the trail, and was on the
point of returning East when the news
was received that a young mar answer
Ing Harper's description wa living at
and throwing his money about
with a libcrality Of a "Monte Christo.n
The first steamer for Panama carried
out an old bald-headed man as a pas
senger, who was none other than Ash
ton, the detective. On his arrival at
Panama, it was as~certained that Har-
per had left for the City Of Mexico, Oct.
l3th, in the company Of a young En-
glish nobleman, with whom he became
acquainted on the steamer between San
Francisco and Panama. The detective
followed the pair, it being much easier
now, as there were two men in the par
~ he was after, and Harper had given
lp all idea OF anyone being on his track.
p young men spent ome time in
visiting the different towns and
lilies, and at last started
Tor the United States by stage,
expecting to spend the winter in Den
fer. Ashton followed them with the in
Of a blood hound, ana on the 10th
u January arrested his man in Il house
II prostitution az Santa Fe, New MeNi-
q. A more surprised individual was
lcycr seen than Harper when Ashton
in and clapped the darbics on his
wrists. lie gave up AT ace and said he
would 20 back To Canada without the
ormality Of e~xtradition papers. When
rrcsted Harper had upon his person
'33, 200 in cash, the balance OF the
mount stolen having been s~qaundcred
q the eight months, since he ran away.
ashton felt highly elated over his cap
IRE, and related the story Of the case
nd final ending with delight. lie kept
continually in sight and retired
} sleep every night hand-cuffed to the
r%isoner. When the pair left the cars
lst night the prisoner was leaning on
10 arm Of the detective, and in that
walked through the crowd and en-
red the North Missouritrain. Harper
a young man only % years OF age,
nj has a lovely wife and three beauti-
Il children in Canada. His punish !
tent will be from 10 TO 20 years iii !