The Globe-republican., 1892-07-11

Jobp Oakburn produced the seventy
eight thousand dollars Of his employers
money. which by chance he had brought
with him, and placing it in my hands, ne
said:
Take it. 1t is the price you demand
for my sons liberation. This Is my en-
ployer's money, but l will replace 1t
with my own money, which is In my
little private safe
Then John Oakburn's little safe was
robbed on the night Of the murder!" ex-
claimed Paxton.
After this we permitted Reid Oak
burn to go away with his father. First.
however, we gave him one thousand
dollars of the marked money to con-
tinue his flight with.
In former days in Kansas City,
Kredge and Reid Oakburn were great
friends, as 1 happen to know, because
Kredge was then employed by me.
Kredge objected to taking part in any
scheme against Reid, but his love OF
money was greater than his friendship,
and he consented finally when we prom
ised him a share Of the money we wrung
from Oakburn. Now 1 have told you
the whole story, and every word OF it is
the truth.
Thus Pratt concluded.
Paxton and Stanmore were both con-
vinced from Pratt's manner that his
story was not fabrication, surprising
as his statement was.
After this Pratt wrote out dOcu-
ment which was clear and concise ex-
planation of how StanmOre had been
made the dupe Of the prime swindlers,
and which proved his entire innocence
of the swindle, at the head Of which he
had been placed by Pratt and Weeks.
When the paper had been read and
approved by StanmOre, message was
sent to Weeks, who soon put In an ap-
pearance The situation was explained
to him, and. making virtue Of neces-
sity, he signed Stanmore's vindicatiOn
with his partner.
After this the two scoundrels were per-
mitted to go.
Paxton and StanmOre at once repaired
to police station, where the man who
exchanged overcoats with Stuart Har-
land had been lodged in cell by the
agent who had arrested him.
This man was told of Pratt's confess
sion, and he confirmed the brokers' story
perfectly. In conclusion he said:
Yes, my real name is Reid Oakburn,
and am John Oakburn's son."
How came the skeleton keys in the
pocket of the overcoat you exchanged
with Harland?" asked Paxton.
Before 1 was recognized and trapped
by Pratt, / had been prowling about
Garrison's 8 office, but I had not revealed
myself to my father. l knew that he
formerly kept his money in the little
safe, with his curious weapons and coins.
and meant to rob his private safe.
Il took the wax Impressions and had
skeleton keys made for the outside and
interior door 1 also had a key made
for the big safe. l meant to blow open
the little one, for couldn't get into the
private office to take an impression.
Il was in league with band Of burg
lars, with whom l had recently formed
an acquaintance, and an experienced
safe blower was to help me do the job.
We'll, I fed from the city the night
of my fathers death. l merely did SO
to deceive Pratt and Weeks, for dis
trusted them, and feared they might
seek to betray me to the police, after
ALL
~I meant to return, and so did. after
going to Albany, where I procured a
complete disguise, from Jew, to whom
Twas recommended by one Of the band
of burglars had joined.
"Op the way to Albany it occurred to
me that Pratt and Weeks might have
had me shadowed to the depot and tele-
praphed my description ahead. 50 as .to
secure my arrest without seeming tC
have instigated it. l felt the necessity
for an immediate change Of costume
and that was why appropriated Har-
lands coat while he slept. l forgot tc
take the keys out of the pocket Of the
coat left behind.
Later, after my return to the city,
met Levi KredGe, whose cOmplicit,
with Pratt and Weeks did not suspect
and one whom 1 thought no temptation
could induce to betray me, 1 revealed
myself to him, and he carried a note t
nv ha!f-sister, Marion, for me.
-She had always been kind to me, AM
I had always hoodwinked her as to m,
real character, and thus won her sym
pathy. She sincerely thought 1 wa
more sinned against than SHINING.
After that Marion met me. but sh
had been tracked, and l fled to escape
detective. One night not long ago,
CHANGED to be at the house Of Mothe
Kits, when I discovered, much to m
surprise, that Marion was prisoner
rear room there. Unknown to Mothe
Kits, had just liberated her. and
was about to lead her out Of that house
when you appeared, Mr.. Paxton.
Il had told Marion that was fug
tive, accused of a crime which had NJ
executed, and, as took the most sOlem
oath that was innocent, she implicit
believed me.
when she saw you she whispered {
abe snatched a revolver from my ham
Flee, I'll prevent his following you
Then it was that she cOnfrOted you
the door, with the revolver levele
while escaped through rear exit.
After my escape, tried in vain
learn what had become Of Marion.
Before l knew that the money pa
to Pratt and Weeks by my father VI
marked, I gave Marion ten-dollsr no
from the money had received from t
men who betrayed me.
by Levi Kredge I had previous
sent Marion q photograph Of myse
taken while / was In disguise. 60 th
.l--..,l huaxv mo vhon ~o mot