Wichita eagle., 1888-02-14

L
couple. He had pumped himself, and it was
certain that l had made a big catch. When
we reached the station, however, my troubles
began. There is always an ill feeling be-
tween police and private detectives. This
feeling comes almost entirely from the po-
lice They look upon the private detective
as sort of guerrilla, ready to break up the
happiest homes or to sell out to the highest
bidder. This, unfortunately, is true in many
cases. but not in all AS entered with the
prisoner the captain in charge roughly de-
manded by what right l had made an arrest
.'The right which any man has to arrest
| murderer" / replied
"a murderer! Bosh! Where did you get
himr
"At the depot"
s'Well, shan't lock him up. Let's see to
the mani, but your face Is familiar to me-"
II am Charley Short, bartender in Harri-
gans saloon"
All so you are Well, what story is this
about a MURDER
''All nonsense, sir" replied Short, who saw
how things We're drifting and sought to take
advantage. 'Iwas on a spree last night, and
this bloke saw me at the depot and wanted to
play smart"
well, you can make it cost him dear il
you will"
II propose to. Here, take these irons of
my wrists
The sachel was on the floor at my feet.
Lifting it up / said to the captain:
Gan old couple living about forty miles from
the city were murdered by this man after
midnight last night. Examine this sachel
if you want proofs
There's nothing in there but laundry
work" boldly replied Short. Il set out with
it in my hand last night, and didn't get
drunk enough to lose it. Open her up and
let the captain see"
Take the irons off this mani" commanded
the captain as he waved the sachel down.
IF he doesn't capias you before dinner he's
not the man take him to be-"
Aye! he shall pay for putting the irons
on to me- Why don't you take 'em OFF,
Was dreaming! Had made fool Of my
self! Had this man confessed murder to
Inc! | was staggered for the moment Then
tore at the sachel and burst off the poor
old lock, and as the receptacle flew open I
emptled its contents on the floor. Gold, green
backs, silver, bonds and jewelry!
Curse you" growled the prisoner as he
turned away.
The captain turned as pale as death There
We're the proofs and he stared at them for a
full minute before be could say:
well, this is go! L shall lock you up,
Short
The man was registered and taken down
stairs, and then we counted up the contents
of the sachel and made out a value Of over
Sl2,0O0 When this had been completed |
went out after Rider, and inside of an hour
he was behind the bars. He went ell to pieces
as soon Us charged him with having put up
the JOB for Short to carry out, but denied it
in the most vigorous manner.
''Short has been telling for a year" he
said what his uncle out in the country was
going to do for him. A few weeks ago the
old man found out what a bad pill his nephew
was, and since then Short has been up a tree.
He told me week ago that he'd have some
of their money one way or the other, and
when he talked about killing and robbing, /
did my best to put the idea out of his head.
He softened up a bit, and supposed he had
given over. If Charley Short says l ever
advised him to murder and rob, or that
have had my eyes on him for a week past.
he's the biggest liar on earth"
Well, curiously enough, we had a murderer
had yet been reported. / had secured the
murderer without hunt. 1t was not so easy
to find the murder. A telegram was sent to
the agent at the station where Short had
boarded the train, and he replied that be had
heard of no crime. 1t was 4 o'clock in the
afternoon before he sent dispatch, saying
that an old couple, living about three miles
away, had been found in their house with
their heads chopped to pieces with an ak.
That was the crime of which Short was
guilty and for which he was tried When he
knew that he was in for it he turned boaster,
and felt himself a hero. He was delighted
to give me all the particulars. He said:
Il lived with Uncle and Aunt Deshro until
was of age. Indeed, l was an adopted son,
both my own parents being dead l came
into the city nine years ago as a dry goods
clerk. After u time | got in with some bad
fellows, lost my place and rather went to the
dogs. For the last three years have been q
gambler, boxer, bartender and confidence
man. Uncle went back on me good while
ago, refusing to give me dollar. He had in
his hands money which honestly belonged to
me, for | had worked hard for him for thir-
teen years. went out there the other day
to see if he would not give me $500 to buy an
interest III the saloon. Aunt Mary vas for
giving it to me, but the old man was as ugly
as a Turk. We got into wrangie at the
supper table, and he ordered me out of the
house.
Il went" said Short after pause, "and it |
was only after that that got the idea of rob- |
bling the house The old man never banked |
a dollar, but kept everything in a bureau in |
his bedroom. | sat down in fence corner |
On the highway and thought it all over. l |
made up my mind that l would enter the |
house after they got to sleep and steal what l |
could lay hands on. | did go in about II .
o'clock, gaining access by q kitchen window.
| took the AK Ill with me TO intimidate them |
in case | was discovered. While nv uncle
was 90 Years old, he was vigorous hearty
nan, and capable of making strong fight.
don't know whether he suspected | might
,ome back, but | had not yet reached the
bedroom when some slight noise | made
'Oused him out of bed, and he struck a light
and discovered me.
Il want 1t to stand in court that he was the
aggressor. When he saw me he yelled out to
know what | was doing there | told him I
vas bound and determined to have $500, and
hat II he would count it ont would go away
md never trouble him for another dollar.
He had big club at the head of his bed, and
instead of stopping to argue with me. he
eized the weapon and rushed at ne l hau
o use the ak He would have killed me if
hadn't struck him down. Then nv aunt
anne out, screaming for help, and she was
lbout to escape from the house when hit her.
After had made sure they were both dead
went at ii to rob the house. and the plumber
got you found in the sachel That's the
whole story, sir, and If the lawyers can make
nything else out of it let 'em.n
Short. enrnral two lllxrnrs ,,ncantod al