The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-05
THE EXTENT OF THE LAW.

Prentice Tiller, The st Louis Youth Who
was Ambitious to Become a Capitalist on
Short Notice, Given Five Years Seclusion
In Which to Illuminate Over His Folly.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, May q.
When the case of Tiller, the Express
robber, was called in the Criminal Court
this morning his attorneys pronounced
themselves as ready to proceed. The in
dictmcnt was then read to the prisoner
and he was asked to plead. To the as
constituent of the Court Tiller answered,
without a moments hesitation:
''Guilty, Your Honor!"
There was a sensation succeeding this,
but presently Judge Van Wagner
turned in his chair, ordered the prisoner
to rise, and sentenced him to five years.
Imprisonment in the Penitentiary. This
is the full penalty of the law for grand
larceny.
Mr.. Mcbride, Tiller's attorney, ap-
pealed to the court for clemency
This, Judge w. G. Jones, representing
the Pacific Express Company, opposed,
stating that there was no cause for
leniency. The defendant was in the en-
ploy of the company in position of trust
and proved himself unworthy of the con-
fidence reposed in him. In the opinion
of the prosecution the imposition of a
heavy sentence was due the employers
and the company. Taking the circum-
stances into consideration Judge Van
Wagner took the latter view of the case.
Tfller stood before the bar with his
head hung down. The news of his ar
raignment attracted a crowd from the
audience-room of the other courts. Sew
eral ladies had secured positions in the
Circuit Attorneys Office in view of the
defendants chair. When the sentence
was imposed in Judge Van Wagoner's
impressive tones, the defendant turned to
go, when his attorney suggested that the
other cases be disposed OF to-day. He
reminded the court that the indictment to
which TiIler pleaded covered the offense
in its entirety, and a nolle pros. of the
remaining charges was accordingly sug-
gested, and was granted by the Court.
This disposition of the case
fight his battle single-handed. As
TiIler walked back to the dock he
LIT CIGAR
which had been given him by his attor-
neY. After pacing the floor for awhile,
StdlGU UlllStll near LuC uOOE anu DltdS-
antly greeted a reporter. 'It'S all over
now," said he, 'and l have nothing to
say. / have no complaint whatever to
make. | think / have been treated fairly
and Justly. | don't know whether my
plea prevents me from testifying in Nc
Fadden's case or not. | expect to 90 to
the Penitcntiary, and to serve my time.
The sentence of five years will, with good
behavior, expire in three years and nine
months under the three-fourths rule. The
other charges against me have been nolie
proS'd, as the indictment to which
pleaded guilty covered all the amounts
mentioned in the other cases" To-day
Tiller showed none of that staggering
conduct which it was said characterized
his movements soon after his arrest. He
was quite polite and pleasant, and in re-
turn for pleasant word spoken by one
of the Deputy Sheriffs, Tiller returned his
thanks and gave neat expression to his
gratitude for the kindly wish. Tiller
will probably go to the Penitentiary Sat-
urday, unless he is detained by Lawyer
Mcbride for the McFadden case. Nc
Fadden was Jointly indicted with Tiller
and awaits hearing on the indictment
for embeZzlement and grand larceny.
Speaking of this case Mr.. Mcbride said:
''We intend to fight that out when it
comes up, but in the meantime this boy
will go to the Penitentiary."
TILLER's CRIME.
1t will be remembered that on Sunday
afternoon, March 8, Prentice TilIer, then
in the employ of the Pacific Express Com
pany, carried away from the Express Of
fee a satchel or satchels filed with
money packages. He remained in hiding
until Monday night, when he started for
Canada, passing through Chicago
and going thence to Milwaukee. The re-
wards offered for his arrest amounted
to nearly $4,000. He was captured
Thursday morning, March IS, at Mil
waukee, and was returned to this city the
next day and held by the company until
Saturday, when he made desperate eff
fort to escape from the Lindell Hotel, and
was then jailed. Tiller was Jointly in
dicted with one McFadden, who obtained
a severance. The Express Company re-
covered nearly all the stolen money,
amounting to about SIS, 900