Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-10-26
LONG LOST LAPPIN.
The Defauiting Ex-Treasurer Of
State Returned--His Arrest in
Washington Territory.


About three weeks ago it leaked out
that Samuel Lappin, the defaulting ex-
treasurer Of Kansas, had been discovered in
Washington Territory, that the necessary
papers for his arrest had been issued, and
that he was on his way to Kansas in charge
of an officer. His arrival yesterday was
consequently no surprise, but created de-
sire on the part of the old settlers who
were acquainted with the facts in the case,
to refresh their memory concerning his
crime and sudden departure.
Though the incidents of the defalcation
are familiar to many, they are reprinted here
! for the benefit of others less familiar. lap
pin was elected state treasurer from Nemaha
county in 1874, and in the autumn of
| 1875 the discovery was made that he
had forged school bonds to the amount of
over $4,000. In December Of that year he
rendered his resignation, which was accepted,
and suit was Immediately brought against
him and his bondsmen for the recovery of
the money obtained by him upon the forged
bonds. Later investigations showed that
the defalcations of the ex-treasurer had
bee carried on for some time, and had
reached into the hundreds of thousands.
This discovery prompted his flight, and in
January, 1876, he was arrested in Chicago,
returned to this state and lodged in the
Shawnee county jail. He effected his escape,
as was reported and supposed, few months
later by saving through the iron grating in
the west end of the cell, with steel saw
passed in from the outside. The story goes
that his escape through this place was a
miracle indeed, as he was q very large and
portly man and the space opened between the
sawed ends of the bars and the window sill
was scarcely eight inches wide that he took
off his clothing, soaped his body, and was
assisted by two other prisoners in getting
through. His whereabouts from that event
full and stormy night were mystery. A
reward of $500 was then offered for his
recovery, $500 of which was offered nv the
state.
Two or three years passed and it WIS
learned that he was in South America.
Though his family was as silent as the grave
they occasionally heard from him. Up to
about three weeks ago his positive where
abouts were unknown by the authorities,
when an ex-member of the Kansas legis!a-
ture recognized him in town in Washing
ton Territory.
A Capital reporter was granted five min
utes' talk to the prisoner in his cell yester-
day. He seems much changed in appear
ance since he was here last, but very little
turn to a dungeon, but spoke freely of his
travels through South America, where he
went almost Immediately after his escape
He remained there about five years and re-
turned to the United States, going to CaI-
fornia about two and a halfyears ago. From
there he went to Oregon, and thence 10
Washington Territory where he remained
until arrested. He seemed anxious to know
what would be done with them, and what
the feeling was among the people. He
said he had been through a long siege
of sickness, and was not yet very strong. In
reference TO his default he said that the mon
ey had all been refunded to the state through
his estate, and that he was at present, finan-
cially wrecked. He distinctly conveyed.
through his conversation. that he had suffer
ed untold remorse and that he fully intend
ed TO return as soon rs he had earned mon
ey enough to pay his fare.
Several old acquaintance called upon
him at the Jail yesterday and renewed their
memories of the past. Gen. j. G. Caldwell,
who has travelled in South America, held
long conversation with him concerning that
country so familiar to both.
\ Capital reporter met Mr.. ii. s. Bixler,
sheriff Of Tacoma, Washington Territory,
last evening at the Dutton house. That
gentleman in answer to request for
what information he could give concerning
his arrest of Lappin said: 81 am glad you
have called on me, for the reason that peo-
pie have already gained the wrong impress
ion concerning the prisoner. | am certain
that he had no idea of getting out of the way
of justice, as he had been notified of his dis
covcry through Topeka papers. Though
followed him to Portland, Oregon, thence to
Eugene City, Junction City, and finally to
Albany, in Washington Territory, he
was pursuing his vocation honorably
was arrested. He did not try to evade me,
but knew that he would be arrested sooner
or later. The business he followed was that
of book agent, and the cause of his going
from town to town SO rapidly, was that these
towns had just been visited by agents ahead
of him. | was unacquainted with my pris-
oner then, of course, and knew not what
kind of man had to deal with, but was
satisfied before | had known him two DAYS,
that he was only too glad to return, and said
he would have done so of his own accord
had he aot been arrested. | arrested him on
the 18th inst. as he was coming out of a
house, with his little package of books I'M
der his arm. He said he expected it, and
willingly gave himself up. He had less than
$40 III money upon his person, and his
clothes, though clean and respectable, were
of poor quality. En- route east, he told me
his story, and not single sentence
of his narrative has proved untrue
He showed no desire to get away
from me, but on the contrary was very anx-
ious to have my every fear set at rest.
Though did not put him in irons after
was fully acquainted with him. my opinion
is that he would never have murmured had
| done so. He acted a perfect gentleman
while with me, and was very solicitous about
my guarding him closely, showing that he
had not the slightest desire to escape"
Mr.. Bixler expressed himself as in deep
sympathy with the man, since he had heard
his story, und hoped that no one would be-
lieve the story that he had had shot chase"
after him.
Lappin's f,,mily-his wife and daughter,
Ella-are now in Chicago, and Grover, his |
son, is serving a term in the penitentiary |
Those who knew Miss Ella when she was |
employed as mailing clerk in the |
Commonwealth Office, speak in the high |
est terms of praise of her every char
acteristic as a perfect lady. She felt deeply |
her fathers crime. but by the honorable |
portion of the community, was never looked |
upon as one disgraced. She exerted her |
every effort TO influence her brother to do |
right, but he, fired with the idea that he was
in duty bound to follow his predecessor,
became reckless, and fell in with an unpr;n-
cipled gang who led him TO disgrace. and
ultimate crime. This fact proved upon the
minds of his sister and mother. and his |
father refers to it with much pain.
The general impression is that since lap /
pin has refunded every cent appropriated |
by him, that he has suffered enough for his
crime, and is a fit subject for the mercy of
the courts. The old charge yet stands
against him. but he is responsible to the law
but for a portion of it. The reward of 500