Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-09-07
THREE IDIOTS.

Highly Moral Role which the Young
MIR. Pratt Assumed smons theVl-
iagers-Digging up keg OF spccIe,
Later particulars of the arrest of the
kewanee bank robbers emphasize the
inglorious ending of what seemed to be
a boldly-planed and brilhan,ly-ex ecu,ed
scheme. When some one within the
bank is in league with the robbers the
element OF daring which surrounds the
consuma'ion of the plan is reduced to
minimum. That such was the case
in kewanee is no longer matter of
speculation. Notwithstanding the fact
that young Mr.. Pratt, the assistant
cashier, was supposed 10y his trustful
felIow-cltiaens to be entirely above re-
prosch, his own statements have at
last dispe!led that idea. The morning
after the robbery cautious inquiries by
reporters regarding the young man
were indignantly repealed by the peo-
pie Of kewanee. Their faith in him
continued mistaken, and when it be-
came known that Pinkerton's men had
arrested hun, there was talk of running
the Pinkerton force out of the village.
frats arrest was made late on Mon
day night, and the house of his family
thoroughly searched. The statement
made by WEIGH, and the finding of tel.
egrams in his valise from Pratt, led to
the arrest, Pratt maintained his limo.
cence at first, and stouty protested
that he did not know WEIGH. Tues
day afternoon he weakened when he
learned that WEIGH was determined to
SHIFT THE RESPONSIBILITY
and confessed his share in the robbery.
He stated to William Plinkerton that
the money had been divided between
the two men who did the robbery and
himself. As was surmised he had re-
moved his share from the bank the
night before and buried it in his fathers
yard. The amount was something over
Sc 600 in gold. So well had be conceal.
ed the money that the detectives were
unable to find it till Pratt showed them
the spot where he had buried the gold.
Pratts story comedies with that told by
"elch and Scott regarding the plan
ming of the robbery, with the excep-
ton that he tries to shift the RESPONSE
billty to them. He states that Welch
was in kewanee the week before the
robbery and got 5000 from him, Friday
he came to Chicago and gambled the
whole amount away. Monday he turn
ed up in kewanee, without cent,
accompanied by his confederate He
sent note to Pratt asking the name of
come man about ten miles out CT town,
who could be mentioned in hiring n
levery. Pratt enclosed him $40 and
gave the name rs requested. The leav-
ing OF the valise in the bank gave an
opportunity 10 arrange for the signal
at what time the bank should be rob
bed. This was IL peculiar arrangement
of the card used to indicate whether
the bank was opened or closed, While
the men were taking the money, after
Miss Palmer had been pounded sense
less, Pratt suggested that he had been
forgotten, and one OF the party struck
him over the head with revolver.
This did not produce sufficient effect
and Pratt himself Knocked
HIS HEAD AGAINST THE VAULT
till he was halfsenseless, and thought
he had over-done the job The further
particulars are already familiar to the
public. 1t has been learned that when
WEIGH and his companions left the
town they stuck close to the railroad,
and did not enter the timber. While
tramping and concealing themselves
near the line track they saw two or
three search parties pass. They reach
ed the line of the Rock Island railroad
aad walken to Cambridge, where they
took train
Pratt has been considered fine sam
pie OF a model young man. The son
Of the village postmaster, faithful
Sunday school teacher, and the basso
profundo OF the church choir, he has
been a prominent social figure. He
was to have been married shortly to
young lady Of kewance. WEIGH and
Scett are both provided with pretty
young wives, who have interested them
selves actively to secure Immunity for
their graceess husbands. Notwith-
standing the reputation which Pratt
maintained among the good people of
the village, the investigations made by
the detectives have shown that he was
a tolerably accomplished scoundrel
While he was not known 10 tarry at
the wine when it was red, nor to
LISGER IN TIE LAP OF VENUS,
he had an itching palm for the mate
rial things OF the world. In company
with Scott ne played good many sue
cessful games Of poker, the two having
peculiar system Of tips" by which
they managed to fleece the inexperi-
enced players One Of their victims
was young Kewaunoe jeweler, whom
they swindled TO the extent of $500.
The most considerable Of Pratt's oper-
atons was the passing Of forged checks
about year ago. The amount real
lied was 81 500, instead Of 5000, as has
been previously stated. The checks
were obtained by Scott, the signatures
forged by Pratt, and passed by Welch
TO avoid suspicion and a close exami-
nation, certificates Of deposit were
asked instead OF cash. Yesterday af-
ternoon Pratt and Welch were taken
before magistrate and waived exami-
nation In default Df 3D. 600 bail thew