The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-05-28
Prentice Tiller, the Pacific Express
Robber, Arraigned in Court
and Pleads Guilty.
he is Given Five Years to Illuminate Over
the Folly Of Stealing and Get
ting Caught.
His Alleged Accomplish, McFadden, Left
to Fight His Way Out as Best
He May.

ST. Louis, Mo, May 27.-When the
case Of Prentice Tillcr, the Express rob.
Der, was called In the Criminal Court
this morning his attorneys pronounced
themselves as ready to proceed. The In
dlctment was then read 70 the prisoner
and he was asked.to plead To the as.
constituent of the Court Tiller answered,
without moments hesitationI
"Gullty, Your Honorl"
There was u 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 Penltentiary. This
Is the full penalty Of the law for grand
larceny.
Mr. Mcbride, Tiller's attorney, ap-
peaed to the court for clemency.
This, Judge w. c. Jones, representing
the Pacific Express Company, opposed,
stating that there was no cause for
lenlency. The defendant was In the en-
ploy OF the company in position OF trust
and proved himself unworthy OF the con-
fdence 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.
Ti!ler stood before the bar with his
head hung down. The news of his ar
raignment attracted a crowd from the
audlence-rooIn 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 Tillcr pleaded covered the offense
In its entirety, and noile pros. OF the
remaining charges was accordingly sug-
gested, and was granted by the Court.
This disposition of the case
leaves George II. McFadden to
fight his battle single-handed. As
Tiller walked back to the dock he
LIT A CIGAR
which had been given him by his attor-
ney. After pacing the floor for awhile,
he seated himself near the door and pleas
antly greeted reporter. CTS all over
now said he, sand | have nothing 10
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 go to
the Penitentiary, 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 Inc 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, aud in re-
turn for a pleasant word spoken by one
OF the Deputy Sheriffs, Tiler returned his
thanks and gave neat expression to his
gratitude for the kindly wish Tiller
will probably 90 to the Penitentiary Sat
urday, unless he is detained by Lawyer
Mcbride for the McFadden case. Nc
Radden was Jointly indicted with filler
anu dNhlb- q utdl INK pu IuS lhutNt"CDt
for ENLIGHTENMENT and grand larceny.
Speak ing Of this case Mr.. Mcbride said {;
ave intend to fight that cut when 1t
comes up, but in the meantime this boy
will 60 to the Penitentary,"
THEIRS CRIME.
1t will be remembered that on Sunday
afternoon, March 0, Prentice Tiller, then
in the employ of the Pacific Express Com
pany, carried away from the Express Of
| flee 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 10, at Mil
waukee, and was returned to this city the
hext day and held by the company until
Saturday, when he made desperate eff
tort 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 $4,000.