Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-11-26
VOL. III.
PAGES ASSASSIN.
1t Looks as Though Riley Might be the
Maa-How HE Was Kidnapped From
Wisconsin
Especial to st. Paul Globe. |

Mas-How HE Was Kidnapped From
Wisconsin.
Especial TO st. Paul Globe.
STEVENS POINT, Nov. 24.-No little excite
ment was created here last Thursday by tn
forcible abduction of John Riley, who CAM
here some time during the fore part of las
August, and who at the time of his captur
was engaged in operating house OF Ill fam,
here. 1t seems that the detective, who ha,
the matter in hand, claimed to be a cracks
man, who had a job nearly put up on a L,
Crosse bank, and only lacked good, trusty
"par" and few more tools to begin opera
tions. These latter were soon engaged
to be made at q machine shop here
and pending their completion the gentle
man from La Crosse and dis man Riley
waxed confidential. To what an extent the
latter unbosomed himself they two EEcne
know, but enough is known here to estab-
lish the following facts
Some time during the early part of August
Riley and his courtesan came to Stevens
Point. Parties here who had known him
at the State prison at Waupun, while he was
serving sentence there, recognized him.
He remained here few days and disap-
peared. Upon leaving Stevens Point he is
known to have pawned q revolver for funds
to get away With, Ito a prostitute }
Upon his return after an absence of few
days he had money in abundance and bought
a certain piece of property across the slough,
house and lot which had been sold under a
mortgage paying therefor the sum Of $3.50.
The house he proceeded to furnish and open
as house of prostitution. At the time of
his arrest last week he had something over
5000 upon his person. To the woman (who
claims to be his wife) he said upon his re-
turn from his trip IN August
that he had been to Minnesota
and that his brother frank at Austin had
helped him to some money. The same party
also states that shortly after his return he
read to her in the Chicago Times the ao-
count of the attempted assassination of
EI-Judge Page, of Austin, Mimi, and THAI
he expressed to her fear that they woulds
arrest him for the crime, as he was at Aus.
tin, Mimi, about the time. although .ls
claimed to have been on his return st tGe
time of the shooting. After his asreS.
which occurred about 4:30 on ThuFs6ay
Nov. 1Sth) afternoon, Riley sent for his
mistress and gave her what money had not
been taken from him, requesting her to seq
a lawyer. This ehs proceeded to ID,
although closely shadowed ell the time.
During the night. however, his captors took
him by team to Grand Rapids, some twenty
miles distant, and shipped him for Minneso-
ia, as already reported, thereby escaping the
writ of habeas corpus, which daylight would
have granted. No requisition was had, but
the men simply kidnapped the man and by
force confined him and fled to the friendly
cover of Minnesota, where Justice Gaskill's
will was effe:tige. As far as Stevens Point
is concerned the people feel that dangerous
character has been bagged, and the prosecu-
tor of nefarious business has been put in q
shape where he may not be likely to return
to scourge and infest society.
As to his guilt or innocence no opinion
has been expressed, as the facts of the shoot
ing are barely known here, but Riley's anti
cedents being generally bad no particular
sympathy is either expressed or felt. No
effort was made for his release, although
steps mi ht have been taken by an attorney
the following day, had he not been spirited
away. The principle, however, of kidnap-
ing prisoners is not the very best in the
world, and in case of the possible arrest of
an innocent man, would create indignation.
The result of Riley's examination will be
awaited with interest here,