Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-10-19

NO. 247.
miscellaneous.
CHASED AROUND raE GLOBE.
ARREST OF NorEp CRIMINAL BY \
PINKERToN DETECTIVE.

There is my man in the corner of the
car. "What that well-mannered individ-
ual with handouts on ?'
Yes, he is the man. and doubt If ever
a fugitive gave an officer longer chase"
The above conversation occurred last
evening on the incoming passenger train
of the Atchison. Topeka and Santa Fe
road, between one of Pinkerton's shrewd-
est detectives and Times reporter, who
boarded the train ut Lawrence. No one
10 look at the detective casually. would
take him for the human sleuih hound that
he Is, but n second glance at his face, and
a look from his cold gray eyes works won-
ders. and it is seen that he is up TO
snuff
The man he had in custody was W. r.
Ransom. formerly the trusted cashier of
prominent wholesale silk house in New
York. who, in June, 1879, embezzled over
500. 200 from the safe of his employers
and took passage for Europe. A clue to
his whereabouts was ascer;ained soon af-
ter his flight. and when he reaches New
York on Thursday, it ran be truly said
that he has been chased around the world.
lis he such a desperate man that you
must need have him handcutled ?'
ale escaped once from an officer by
jumping from n passenger train, and |
don't want him to do SO again"
Have you any objections To telling
some of the mans wanderings."
mo, not at all but he can do il bet
ter"
The prisoner was then introduced. and
on his going into an apartment of the
sleeping car 1.-THE darbies" were taken
from his wrists. and his story was rs fol-
lows:
THE causes which led TO my leaving
New York need not be told suffice it that
a woman had something to do with it. and
when boarded the Bothnia one Saturday
in June of my last year. | thought was
going away forever. My identity was
carefully protected while on the water. as
pretended to be cripple and always ap-
peared on deck with cane. On landing
in the old country | went directly To Lon
don and deposited certain funds at
weIl-known banking house, and settled
myself to await quietly the arrival of
friend from America. My boarding
house was not far from the celebrated
Scotland Yard and one day In August
ran across a little notice in paper which
stated that was supposed 10 be in Lon
don. and that the detectives were on my
trail This startled me ut first. and after
waiting six weeks left for Paris. intend
ing to remain there awhile. In crossing
the channel saw family had known in
New York, and did not dare 90 to Paris.
so waited day or two and then went to
Spain. but rs could not speak Spanish.
made my way to Greece, where my French
enabled me to get along. At Athens |
found files of the New York Herald, and
was again startled by reading Il telegram
from Paris that the people had seen ON
the boat crossing from Dover, had given
me away. and that an officer from the
United States was after me.
"Did have much money? Yes. | had
quite large sum, but the idea that took
S2O0. 900 with me on leaving New York is
ridiculous Most of the money was lost in
Wall St. but to go on with my story. At
Athens met young Epglishman who was
travelling for pleasure. and we determined
TO visit Egypt, to which country we went
in November last. At this time | was
afraid of my shadow almost, and after
stopping several weeks at Cairo took pas
sage for Bombay by way of Sucz canal
alone 1t was dreadfully lonesome. this
going about alone. and but lew Americans
were met with. From Bombay went to
Hong Kong. and then foolishly decided 10
return to America and took passage on an
Oriental steamship for san Francisco. I
was fool for doing it. but the longing
came over me and could not do other
wise.
'At San Francisco ! did another foolish
thing by writing letter to friend in
New York. which fell into Pinkerton's
hands. and he at once sent Mr.. lIaicomb,
who now has me in charge. out after me.
Before he arrived however. was arrest
ed. but escaped and fled into Arizona, but
was again captured at Prescott, and here
| am. I'm glad I'm going back to New
York. as the life have led during the
past fifteen months was killing me- As
| the story was finished the train was en-
terng Kansas City, and the Times repor-
ter accompanied the officer and his prison.
er to the dining room ut the depot for sup
per.
Ransom was not handcufied, but the Of
ficer never allowed him to leave his side,
and when the Wabash. st. Louis e. Pacific
road left for the east the two men occu-
pied a section in the Pullman car. The
prisoner realizes that he must suffer for
bis crime, and told the officer he expected
to get ten years in Sing Sing. When ar
rested he had drafts and cash on his per-
son to the amornt Of about $4,000, and
was travelling under the name of William
Allisnu = EUusUs C,f,, T,s,eo