The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-01-10
THE TRUTH AT LAST.
The Tennessee Treasurer Arrested and on
His Way to San Antonio.
An Account of His Capture by a Man Con
cerned In 1t.

An Account of His Capture by Man Con-
cerned In 1t.
Special Dispatch to the EVENING LIGHT.
LAREDO, Jan. lO-United States Marshal Hal
Costing left here on special train for San An
tonic at half-past 10 O'Clock this morning, hav-
ing in charge Marsh Tate Polk, the defaulting
state treasurer of Tennessee, and Cameron, the
detective, who is charged with helping Polk in
his efforts to escape. They will arrive in San
Antonio this evening, and Polk will probably
be held there or i'm Austin till transferred to
the charge of the Tennessee authorities.
Marshal Gosling came here at the instance of
Capt. Shelly, who telegraphed information OF
the arrest and asked for instructions. Marshal
GOsling was i'm Austin when he got the tele-
grams. He started for Laredo at once and ar
rived this morning.
While here Polk and Cameron were guarded
by United States officers at the custom house.
secretary, and an italian who ac-
cOmpanied him as servant,
are declared to be in New Laredo. The belief
Is general that Van Polk has possession ISL OF
Treasurer Polk refused to be interviewed
and maintained sullen silence, though his
conduct clearly indicated that he was aware
Van Polk is tall man about thirty years of
age, with light complexion and Il brown nous
tache. He goes by the name of A. Van Leer
and represents that he lives in New York. The
Italian, Van Leers servant, Is believed to be
one of the carbOnari, a hired cut-thrOat, whose
services were secured to protect Polk in his
flight. .. ..... $40. r'
Information of Folks presence on the train
was brought To him by w. &. MOrell, the con
ductor, who had been instructed so to do by ii.
the employ of the Pullman Palace Car Com
pany.
The above dispatch was received by the
LIGHT shortly before noon to-day. Subsequent
ly the following particulars of Folks arrest
were obtained from persons who took part
in it: .. u, "a
Saturday afternoon while Cooke was stand
ing at the International depot in this city he
was approached by Van Polk and requested To
reserve two sections i'm the sleeping-car bound
for Laredo. He referred Van Polk to Mr.. Lam
dry, the ticket agent, who was standing by, and
afterwards Van Polk asked it u lame man could
sit in the car till the train started. Cooke re-
piled in the affirmative and sent the porter to
assist the man in walking. The car was then
entered by the lame man, who was none other
than Treasurer Polk, his nephew and the Italian
servant. Polk and his nephew arranged seats
comfortably and began playing seven out.
While they were thus engaged Detective Price
came up and asked if there was a One-legged
man on the train adding that he was friend
10 the man and wanted 10 see him. When told
there was, Price went into the car and said
"Mr, Polk believer
NO sir" replied Polk; that's not my name
aln Mr.. Van Leer, of New York"
Price read a Telegram instructing him TO
arrest Polk and then took Polk in
carriage to the Menger hotel. Van Polk and
the Italian accompanied them. Polk was de-
tanned at the hotel till Sunday evening when
he, his nephew, the servant, Price and Il man
in Prices employ, who calls himself Cameron
but is said to be named Hennessy. boarded Il
sOuth-bound International train. Two sections
of the sleeping car were engaged by Van Polk
but the Tennessee treasurer stayed in the
smoking car and let the more luXuriant
couches be used by his nephew and the detec
tiyes.
At COtula, Price said, where's the over
coat you promised meI"
Then said Van Polk, "AntOne give the dctec-
The coat was brought and Price put it on
Then he Twas supplied by Van Polk,
with two or three cartridges AT this juncture
NOrell came up, and asked Price where he was
going" ITO laredo" was the laconic reply.
But he got off at Cotulla and returned to this
city. On the way 10 Laredo Cameron exhibited
quantity of gold pieces, SO did Polks
Polk and detective Cameron left the train at
Webb Station, eleven miles this side of Laredo.
Van Polk and the Italian went through To
Laredo, ana perfected arrangements for Polk
escape to the interior of Mexico
When Cooke saw Polk leave the train he
requested conductor MOrel TO send an officer
tO arrest the defaulter, and then followed Polk
and the detective, whomounted horses and star
ted To the Rio GIunde, Cooke following, armed
with revolver he had borrowed tom Col.
Brewster Laredo Custom house officer on the
train. he followed che men to the river.
There they hsld Q consultation and separated,
the detective going TOWARD Laredo. lie met
Van Polk, and the two engaged three horses
ana started 10 return TO where Old man Polk
was concealed in the chapparel bushes ON the
river bank. On their way they were encoun-
tered by Joe Shelly and an assistant, Capt.
Ely, and ARRESTED. Van Polk submitted
quietly but Cameron staggered and swOre and
Mr.. Shelly thought at one time that he would
have 10 use force. They offered TO give 5000
TO Shelly IL hc would leave and say nothing OF
what be knew. He rejected the offer. The
sum was increased TO $1,000. Shelly nov re-
abouts of the abscOnder, so he asked what Sc
curity they would give. They replied that
they would take him to old man Polk. The old
man was found and was put under arrest,
Cooke was az the spot, il was now about half
past o'clock in the evening, The men were
kept I'm the chapparal till f-past | o'clock
Tuesday morning and then taken ON train to
Cotulla. There, to prevent Polk from again
on their return to Laredo, arriving there about
O'Clock yesterday morning. Van Polk was
released, and he Immediately skipped into New
Laredo, Mexico, where he was Joined by his
were taken % the custom house
and guarded there till the arrival of United
States Marshal Costing this morning. Bolk has
maintained calm demeanor. He wears a
signet-ring on which his name is inscribed.
His sleeye-buttons. set with emeralds and
cufs. The Sj,0J reward offered for Folks
apprehension is claimed by Shelly, Morell,
Cook and Price. Price declares the man would
not have been ultimately arrested if he had not
detained him here and that therefore, he is
entitled to the reward. He informed II LIGHT
repGrer this morning that he intended to
accompany Polk to Tennessee.
Ernst Restaurant ron,mar.s atrant hos Pc