Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1891-07-03
GOV. wALLER's CANE AND HAT.

Tine NO000Ot1O0t mans experience with
Hotel Thieves.
Ex-Gov. Thomas M. Waller, of Con-
necticut, one OF the men selected to go
to Europe in the interest Of the Worlds
Fair, had an experience ct the Palmer
House, Chicago. with . hotel thief
who will not DON forget the Eastern
lawyer.
Mr.. Waller Is the owner Of an Afri-
can wood gold-hesded cane which his
political admirers presented to him at
the expiration Of his term in the Exec
utive mansion Of the State Of Connect
icut. The monetary value of the stick
10 about 900, but the ex-G Governor
would mot part with it for any amount
on account Of the pleasant memories it
recalls and because he values the
friendship Of the givers.
Mr. Waller was stopping ct the
Grand Pacific, but when calling uron
one Of the Fair Commissioners he Wis
tied the public wash-room in the
Palmer TO remove some Of the Chicago
SCOT from his face and hsnds.
On three aides Of the wash-room are
lsrgs mirrors, and when . guest is en-
gaGed in washing himself he can gen
orally keep . sharp lookout on any Of
his belongings he may have left on the
| opposite side Of the room. When MI.
| Waller entered the room he removed
his dix hat and cArelessly placed it
with his valuable cane on . long mar
ble-top table.
A w~ell-dressed man observed the
careless way in which Mr.. Waller de-
posted his cane on the table and when
he saw the lawyer with his back turned
toward his property he concluded it
would be the easiest thing in the world
to make Of with tho ane So he
picked up the Bar and was about to
leave the room, whom the ext Governor,
who had observed everything, made .
dive for the thief. Mi. Walters face
and hands were covered with soapsuds,
but that did not deter him from going
after his property.
Tho fellow started to run. He ran
out into the corridor and attempted to
escape into the crowd there. But Col.
Dugeine, the mining engineer, hap
pened to be sitting in one Of Potter
Palmer's easy chairs in the rotunda,
and ~ his legs were stretched out ct
their full length the thief became
tangled Up in them when he attempted
TO rush past the Colonel. He fell
spawning on the door and the ex-Gov.
ernor immediately laid violent hands
upon him.
@You scoundrel, you attempted te
steal my cane, didn't yoaf' exclaimed
the man from Connecticut O. he grasp.
Cd the thisf BY the throat.
The fellow attempted to release him,
self, but ~ the Ex-Governor Il some
Whist Of an athlste and Il yet . man IN
his prime, the mans struggles did no,
avail him anything. Mr.. Waller, after
giving the thief , good choking, pulled
him TO his feet and gave him . severe
shaking.
The special police officer at the hote'
put in an appearance when . crowd
gathered TO $50 what was going on, bqt
Mr.. Waller did not want the man Ar
rested.
u believe / have Taught the fellow
lesson,s said the Ex-Governor q b.
looked ct the thiefs musssd-up condj
ton. He had not only choked and
SHAKEN him but had hit his head seve
ri times against the cement flooring
OF the rotunda.
During I'll this time the ex-Gover
nor had kept his weather eye upon hi
much-prissd cane and he carried
txiumphantly back TO the washroom
But here disaster awaited him. An
other hotel thief had not missed . gopt
opportunity to become the posQessor o
e9ood hat. Mr.. Walters shining sill
heedoear vss missing when he insti
tutsd : search Tor il. But the yisitqq
seys ~ has NO regrets 20 long . he /
ekfl "a possession 81 his cana.