The Louisiana Democrat., 1891-05-20


open stock farm. Finding all other
attempts to trace the horses vain, he at
tempted to learn if any farm suitable
for such purpose had been pur-
chased recently, and if so, by whom.
At one of the real-estate agencies he
found that man from the east, named
William Livingston, had been looking
for such place, and had finally pur-
chased one, but where was not known,
certainly not in Cook county, as an ex-
animation of the records proved: but
the officer reasoned that it could not be
far from Chicago, as the stock was
apparently driven instead of being
shipped.
ii, reasoned the officer, Livingston,
who was without doubt the criminal, has
purchased farm of this character, he
must buy large quantity OF tools,
harness. saddles, wagons and like goods
for its use. A careful search among
dealers in those articles revealed the
fact that liberal quantity of such
goods had recently been bought by a
Mr. William Livingston, and sent to
Du Page county, about forty miles from
Chicago, where he had bought four
small farms and consolidated them into
one handsome stock farm. Believing
detection impossible after the lapse Of
so long time, he had boldly taken his
own name, and, though almost within
the clutch of the officer Of justice, was
vet entirely unconscious of his danger.
The game was fonnd-now for its
capture. Taking four or five police
officers from Chicago, all in citizens
clothes, the party went out to the farm,
and inquired for William Livingston.
ssThe elderly, short, stout gentleman, !"
who had figured so conspicuously in the
officers search, appeared, and the cor
rectness of the pen and ink sketch inn
pressed the officer as remarkable.
The party represented themselves as
from Chicago who, having heard of his
fine farm, had come down to see for
themselves, and perhaps purchase some
| of his choice stock.
They were cordially received, hos
pitably entertained, shown over the
place, and finally dined and wined in
the spacious mansion. On rising from
the table the New York officer re-
marked: -,
"Well, Mr.. Livingston, do you like
this place and this quiet life rs well as
life in New York?"
The man was startled, looked sharply
at the officer and answered:
s'What do you mean? was never in
New York in all my life
! "Well, then" retorted the officer,
"vou will have an excellent oppor-
turnty to go there. William Living
ston, arrest you"
| Livingston turned as pale as ghost,
and gasped out:
what for?"
"For the forgery of check Oh the
City bank of New York for seventy
five thousand dollars" replied the Off
Ger, drawing pair of handouts from
his pocket and advancing toward him.
| "Stop, STRIP exclaimed the culprit.
"Stop, sir! This is an outrage" and ne
glanced around the room for some
weapon with which he could defend
himself. He was quickly surrounded,
however, and the irons fastened upon
him
| On search ing him roll OF bills
amounting to ten thousand dollars
was found in an inner pocket, many OF
them being entirely new, and on the
City bankz<the very notes which had
been paid out on the fraudulent check
some months before. After this dis
covery he was more quiet, and willing
lv accompanied his captor to New
York.
Livingston was soon after brought
to trial, convicted and escaped with
sentence of four years and half. AT
the expiration of his sentence he went
west, and when last heard from was
opening small stock farm in Iowa.
The case in all its phases ranks among
the most curious and interesting in
criminal annals. The slight clew SC
perseveringly followed, the little Incl
dents which pointed SO unerringly to-
! ward the culprit, and the sagacity with
which all these little hints were fol-
lowed to the end. places the detective
t art among the most notable and useful
of the sciences, Lawrence Leslie, II
N. Y. Weekly