St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-10-01
Defaulter Waite in Jail.

AFFECTING MEETING WITH HIS FAMILY.
On the outside of this paper we give
the account of the arrest of S. NJ. Waite,
the BrattlebOro bank defaulter, at
Omaha. Below we give the account of
his arrival at Brattleboro, taken from
the Springfield Republican of Satur-
day:
Long before the time for the arrival
of the morning train from the south
crowds had begun to gather on the
sidewalk and in the stores preparatory
to going to the depot, where they hoped
to get peep at the man whose name
has been a household word, who has in
days past been reckoned among the
foremost men in town and state. But
Receive Price, to whom is due great
credit for the capture of Waite, had
anticipated these expectations and had
telegraphed the superintendent of the
railroad asking permission to take
Waite from the train a mile below
Brattleboro, thus avoiding the gaze of
the former friends and enemies of
Waite. The crowd at Greenfield,
where the officers with their prisoner
were obliged to stop over for four
hours, was so large at the depot as to
render it almost impossible to get
through. This greatly annoyed Waite,
who remarked that the officers had bet
ter charge 10 cents a sight and thus
make him of some pecuniary benefit to
the government.
Two double and one single carriage
awaited the arrival of the criminal at
Brooks crossing, near the Vernon line
in Brattleboro, and as the train slowed
up to let him off the passengers rushed
to the windows and platforms of the
cars to get glimpse of Waite, who
jumped off ahead of the officers and
proceeded directly to the carriage, rec
ognizing no one save the driver. He
wore light mixed suit and light hat,
and though his beard had been shaved
off, leaving a mustache, and his hair
cut short, this did not change his gen
eral appearance so but that he was east
! ~ recognized. He looks stout and
hearty. He was ironed and carried a
small satchel in his hand. A reporter
was invited by the officers to ride in
the carriage, but Waite earnestly pro-
tested, saying that he had some mat
teIs to talk over which did not concern
the world. In the carriage with Waite
were Detective Newcome of the Cedar
street New York; agency, United
States Marshal Henry, and Receiver
Price, while the other carriages con-
tanned Detective Shield who had ar
rested Waite, acting District Attorney
Peck and reporter.
At Waite's urgent request he was
driven by circuitous route to the fam
lily house on Terrace street. Here he
was met in the hall by his daughter
and Immediately joined by his wife,
another daughter and two sons. The
meeting was most affecting, and for a
few moments Waite seemed to lose en-
tire self-control and wept like a child.
Presently he checked his feelings and
held brief consultation with his fami-
ly, after which he was again escorted to
the carriage, and the party started for
Newfane. During the brief halt at
Waite's house scores of towns people
had surrounded the dwelling and
watched every movement.
En- route to Newfane, Waite talked
freely of his ruin and the condition of
the bank at the time he left and for
many years prior thereto. The party
arrived at the jail-house in Newfane
soon after noon. While sitting at the
table he rehearsed a portion of his trav-
els and criticised statements which he
had read in the western papers. He
also explained at considerable length
the buying of the ranch, saying that
he had advised the purchase by his
brother-in-law who furnished One-half
the amount of the purchase money, his
son Willie furnishing $4,000 by mort
gaging the family homestead at Brat
tleboro and borrowing the balance, $4,000
of which was telegraphed from North
hampton. This ranch is eight miles
east of Fort Laramie and contains TO-
600 or III 900 acres. Its cost was 800
600, SIS, 200 of which had already been
paid 5000 head of cattle, 100 horses
and 8 mules were now on this ranch.
Immediately after dinner, the party
repaired to private room, where the
acting district attorney said to Commits
sioner Tyler, in behalf of the govern
ment, 81 suspend all proceedings for
the present." whereupon the commits
sioner turned the prisoner over to
States Attorney Stoddard, who in turn
placed him in charge of Deputy Sheriff
Phelps. Waite inquired what the state
intended to do with him, and was in
formed that there were eight indict-
ments against him, to which he was ex-
pected to plead, probably at the pres
ent term of court. This somewhat I'M
nerved Waite, who replied that it was
utterly impossible for him to get his
counsel and prepare for trial this
term. "Shall L be allowed to furnish
bail ?" asked Waite, to which the states
attorney replied, "That will be left dis
cretionary with the Judges" After
this, Waite rather dispairingly followed
the sheriff to an adjoining room, while
his son was sent to Brattleboro to tele-
graph to E. j. Phelps, who is said to be
in the far West and will be unable,
even if so disposed, to reach here before
the adjournment of court. To your re-
porter Forger Waite said: 81 left Brat
tleborO with no intention of ever re-
turning again alive. l went direct to
Greenfield, thence to Boston, Portland.
Montreal, Toronto Duluth via Tal,a