Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-04-19
A PRODIGAL.
The Son of the Hon. ThOs.
Ryan in Jail Here.
A SKETCH OF. HIS CAREER.
He Drew Drafts on His Father
but They We're Dis
h0nored.

The Hon. Thomas Ryan, ex-Congress-
man from Kansas City, and who has re-
Gently been appointed Minister to Mex
leo by President Harrison, would probs-
bly, object to having anyone describe his
son Fred as ga chip of the old block, ,"
for his offspring is at present tenant OF
the prison of this city, where be Ian
xuishes on q charge of having obtained
money under false pretenses. From
childhood up, Fred Ryan has always
been what is known as chad egg," and
at the headquarters of the family, at
Topeka, Kansas, he has, on more than
one occasion, brought the blush of shame
to his parents cheek. His father,
who, although not wealthy, can
draw a check for $4,000 and still
have enough money left to live on, found
it hard work to supply the money needed
for his boys youthful extravagances and
finally closed down altogether and an
nounced his intention of cutting off his
son with the proverbial shilling.
Young Ryan was frequent visitor at
the Santa Fe offices at Topeka and when
his father sent him adrift he announced
his intention of going into the railroad
business. He struck out West and was
lost sight of altogether for some time, the
first notification his father received of
his whereabouts being a draft for a
couple of hundred dollars drawn on him
by his son in one of the West
ern towns. The old man protested
strongly against any such arrangement,
but not caring to have the family brought
before the public in an bad light, he paid
it, making the mental reservation that if
any more such documents came along he
would dishonor them. Meantime young
Ryan found his way to Los Angeles, ar
irving here in November last, and being
In that financial condition known as dead
broke, he began to look about for some
manner of raising the wind. Whilst
strolling along First street he happened
to notice in the California Bank building
the card of the Misses Bristol,
who are engaged in the real es-
tate business here. He recognized
the names as those of two sisters who
had conducted a floral establishment
near his home at Topeka, so he congrat-
ulated himself on having fallen into
clover. He entered their Office and
found the two ladies deeply engrossed in
business. He introduced himself, and
they knowing his family we'll, and in
fact being on friendly terms with them,
we're glad to see him, the bad side of his
nature not having been developed when
they dwelt in Topeka. After some con-
yersation, the visitor, with some hesi-
fancy, stated that he had unfortunately
run out of money and was in very dis
tressing situation, as he knew no
cne in town. They good-naturedly
placed their purses at his disposal,
whereupon he asked them if they
would cash draft for 1925
on his father. Thinking that everything
was all right, they did 80, and young
Ryan went away with the money. He
said that he would call around again
during his stay in town, but his shadow
darkened their door no more, and they
concluded that he had pursued his
travels.
THE DRAFT DIsHoNoRED.
They paid the draft into the bank for
collection, and it was duly forwarded to
Topeka, where, on reaching the Congress-
mans hands, he promptly dishonored it,
stating that he absolutely refused to re-
fund the money, and declared that the
Messrs. Bristol might take any proceed
ings against his son they thought fit. A
search was accordingly made for the
recreant, but he was not to be found
in this vicinity, and the
affair was temporarily shelveG. Ryan
did not 60 far away though, for or reach.
ing San Diego be made halt and taking
advantage of his acquaintance with his
railroad friends there, many of whom
had known him in Topeka, he obtained
q position in the offices of the Santa Fe
Company. He was put to work checking
cars, but found the life too monotonous
SO he sought the excitement to be OBJ
tanned in the performance of a brake
mans duties. His salary could
not keep pace with his expenses,
however, and finding himself very
soon " in the hole," he resorted to
his old artifice of playing on the family
name, and by means of it obtained $15
from Mr.. Charles Long of the Bank OF
Commerce. That gentleman, however,
made Investigations Immediately, and
finding that Ryan, Sr., was determined
to dishonor the draft, he had the young
man corraled, and under threats of GRIM
inal prosecution the money was paid
back.
TRIP UP NORTH.
Ryan had tired of his exploits in the
southern country, 30 he shook the San
Diego dust off his shoes one morning
and boarded steamer for San Francisco
From that place he went to Sacramento
and Portland, Oregon, but as to his ad-
ventures in those places no record can,
as yet, be obtained. One day last week
he decided to return to Los Angeles,
and, little thinking that he was rum
ming into trap, he purchased south
bound ticket, and was soon whirling
away to the land of flowers. He arrived
here on Wednesday morning, and, think
ing, probably, that his father had been
induced, under pressure, to settle the
draft he had given to the Misses Bristol,
he made no attempt to disguise himself.
One of them happened to see him as he
was strolling along Spring street with his
hands in his pockets, and she
at once went and notified her sister.
The two ladies decided to place
the matter in the hands of the
police, and on a representation OF
Ihe facts being made to Chief Burns, he
at once detailed Detective Glass for the
duty. That officer did not take long to
run down his man, for at 8 O'Clock in
the evening, as Ryan was standing in
fha Nadoau HouHe lobbY a hand WAS