Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-03-10
LOU Houcx.
Why He is Wanted in ohio-The Gin
cinnati Enquirer's Account ofthe
Murder.

Why He is Wanted in Ohio-The Gin
cinnati Enquirer's Account ofthe
Murder.
As no little interest attaches to the
career Of Lou Houck, alias Doc Davis,
who was arrested in this city on the
9th of last month by Deputy Sheriff
Gard, on telegram from John Norris,
q member of the Ohio State Detectives,
we reproduce from the Cincinnati En-
Quirer au account of the crime for
which he is wanted to answer in that
State. Houck, our readers will remem.
Der, was taken to San Francisco by
Sheriff Currier last Tuesday, in obedi
ence to an order issued by Justice Sharp.
stein, Of the Supreme Court, to produce
the prisoner before Judge Lawler, of the
Superior Court of San Francisco. Sheriff
Currier and his prisoner were preceded
to that city by Detective Norris, who,
we understand, there received the
necessary papers from the Governor of
Ohio. properly endorsed by Governor
Stoneman, and now has Houck in charge.
The following is the Enqnirer's
ACCOUNT OF THE MURDER,
To answer for which Houck is wanted
in Ohio.
Gone day in September of the year
1877 there'were travelling on the Colum.
bus and Toledo railroad trio Of three
card monte men. One of these was Lou
Houck, well.known throughout the
country for his skill at this sort Of game
being second to none in the business
save the notorious Canada Bill. Houck's
partners name was either Houghton or
Horton. However, that is of small mo.
ment, as it is the former with whom the
present narration has to deal. The
south bound train on which these three
men were riding, had nearly reached
Delaware, Ohio. Houck had Just sue.
seeded in fleeing one Paul Lehman out
of nearly $40. The victim was CON-
mercial salesman for wholesale liquor
house in Toledo, in which city he resid-
ed with his wife and two lovely chill.
dren. When he discovered tho trick
that had been perpetrated upon him,
Lehman made
MOST DECIDED KICK,
And attempted to prevent his victimizer
from leaving the train. The latter had
reached the platform, and, seeing that
Lohpan was SO close as to prevent his
escape, turned, and drawing a thirty.
four calibre revolver from his pocket,
fred. Lehman fell, shot through the
brain, and died in few hours. The
murderer made good his escape. His
partner was captured the following day
in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and was sent to
the Ohio penitentiary where he now is.
HoucA was indicted for murder in the
first degree, but has all along escaped
capture. In his efforts to keep clear of
the authorities he has made one trip to
Spain, and from there he went to Mex
leo. The difficulties attending his cap
ture have been many. He has q brother
iu-law, Nobby Clark by name, well
known gambler in Columbus, Ohio,
who, it is claimed, has all the time kept |
him thoroughly posted as to any project
planned out by the officials for his cap.
ture. Numberless times his wherea-
bouts in Texas. New Mexico and Colo.
RADIO have been known, and while the |
necessary papersswere being drawn up |
with which to effect his capture, he has |
received the needed information and |
skipped for the old Empire just in time
to save his neck, and where an extradi- |
ton warrant would not be of any avail |
towards securing him. AT one time
some one, supposed to be friend Of the
murderer, caused to be circulated
through the papers telegraph report
that he had been killed in o row in
Texas. When John 7. Norris was ap- |
pointed detective for what is now known |
Is the Columbus, Hooking Valley and
Toledo Railroad, he received orders |
from the chief officers of the company
to be
AT ALL TIMES ON THE LOOKOUT
For Lou Houck, and to spare neither
time nor money to effect his capture. |
The County Commissioners OF Delaware |
county had likewise offered reward of |
$500, which it is believed still holds |
good. Matters ran along quietly for
fully six months. No one made any
effort to contradict the rumor that had |
gained credence concerning Houck's
death. Finally Norris arrested on sus-
picion person whom he knew to be q |
friend Of the criminal, and was 70.
warded in the venture by find
ing in his pockets letters that re-
vealed Houck's whereabouts. The de-
tective then opened correspondence
with detective Frank Whitfield, known
throughout the West as Texas Frank"
who has made himself famous by his
capture Of 'sBilly the Kid" and the no.
torious John Harding. Whitfield easily
located Houck at Albuquerque, and no.
tilted Norris to prepare the requisition,
and he would make the arrest. This
was last November. Houck heard of |
the little scheme, and again sought the
Greaser's paradise.
Texas Frank then engaged party to |
decoy the murderer once more across the |
border, and on to Lama Junction, where |
he was to meet "dove" that needed |
plucking. This was successfully ac-
complished, as already announced.
A story is told of Houck that illus
trates bis style, be it true or not 1t is
said that while here in Ohio he met
drover taking his stock to the Cincinnati
market overland. He sat down and
soon won from the drover both money
and cattle. and then engaged him by
the day to help drive the stock on
thrnuoh and dianaza Of than, ~