Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-04-20


Lucas CHANGED, by the description,
furnished him, to apprehend the youny
thief. Seeing that he was a smar
lad and might be used to advantag
in his business, Lucas reported the
boys arrest to his mother IN England.
and made a proposition to the family
that for certain allowance he would
prevent the prisoner from being sur
rendered to the authorities, and would
instead keep him under his car
and make a useful man OF
him. Elton alleges that his mother
was only too glad for this opportunity
to keep him out of prison, and the
prospect OF his being reformed and
educated under detectives care. So
the money was forthcoming and Elton
started in to learn the
TRADE OF A DETECTIVE.
He alleges that from this time forth
Lucas used him for various crooked
purposes, always holding over him
the threat that ii he did not follow
the directions OF his chief he would
be surrendered to the authorities. He
continued to work along with Lucas
until the latter gentleman, for reasons
already made public in the courts,
Thought it expedient" to emigrate to
Los Angeles. After that he continued
in correspondence with his chief, until
he, too, finally came to this city,
where they again began
JOINT OPERATIONS
On an extensive scale. Immediately
after coming here, Elton says, Lucas
directed him where to have badge
made corresponding with the one
used by the Lucas Detective Agency.
Having procured the badge, he was
instructed to visit various houses dur
ing the hours of daylight and carry
off such valuables as he could lay his
hands on. If discovered in the act,
! he was to show his badge
and make some plausible explana-
| ton as to the purpose of his
visit. He usually managed to time
himself so that he would not meet any
one at home, but on several occasions
he had to resort to the badge to help
him out. At some places he repre-
sented himself as a canvasser. He
robbed about twenty houses in all, OBJ
tanning from each articles of more or
less value.
1.-THE swAG"
Was turned over to Lucas as soon as
stolen, and that gentleman was to dis
pose OF it and divide the profits. He
(Lucas) suggested that they would
allow it to accumulate until they pro-
cured large amount before they
turned it into cash. Being asked to
describe some of the articles stolen,
Elton mentioned diamond scarf pin,
spiral solitaire diamond stud, Rem
ington single action revolver, large
size two Smil h& Wesson double-action
,evolvers, solid gold pen and pencil,
one pair solid gold earrings, one gold
fan-shaped brooch, four solid gold
rings, one lady's beaded purse con-
tanning $25, two horseshoe watch
charms, three gold huntng-case
watches, a long silver button hook
and many other articles.
Jailor Russell reported the confes.
sion to Sheriff Rays, and he telephoned
Detectives Harris and Metzler. Elton
repeated the same story to the detec-
tives, aud as
FURTHER CORR0BORATION
Offered 10 point out the house from
which he took each article. Accord
ingly at O'Clock Wednesday evening
the two detectives, Mr.. Russell and
the prisoner, started out on a tour of
identification. Elton first led them
to house on Temple street, where he
said he got the purse and $25, half
of which amount he kept and the
other half going to Lucas and
the purse to his wife. Leaving the
prisoner outside, one or two of tho
party entered the house, and learned |
that such a robbery had taken place
there on the date, ETC., as described. !
The tour was then continued, the pri-
soner hating the party at various
places on Main, Hill and Temple
streets, to which his opera.
tons were principally confined.
In everv instance inquiry elected the
Information that thefts had been COM
mitted accordance with Elton's state
ments.
A warrant was procured and yes
terday afternoon Detectives Harris
add Metzler and Jailor RUSSELL went
to Lucas office and made
known their mission. Lucas showed
evident surprise, but when the
warrant was read, told the gentlemen
TO proceed with the search. The
search disclosed a number of the
articles described by Elton, and 9TH
ers not included in his enumeration.
The package OF letters in the An
schlag case which he had heen
o dered to deliver to the District At
torney and which he denied having
were among the booty. A number Of |
letters written by Elton prior to his
coming to Los Angeles were also cap
tured. In one of the letters Elton
speaks OF being compelled to leave a
place on account of being spotted.
The detectives and Mr.. Russell
sent Mr.. Lucas to the County Jail in
order to detain him until charge
could be made against him.
Jailor Russell offers to take upon him
self all responsibility for the begin
ming Of the action against Lucas,
claiming that Detectives Harris and |
Metzler knew nothing about the case
until after Elton's confession had been |
made. He denies positively that the
proceedings were begun by anyope
out of animosity against the accused. |