The morning call., 1892-07-24
A ROMANCE OF THE NORTH.
Arrest of a Spokane Journalist for
Criminal Libel.
SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL, And lie LOVED HER.
How Criminal Brother Was Saved From States
Prison BY the Devotion Of the Sister, Who Loved
Him and Cherished Her Family Name.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

SPOKANE, Wash, July 23.-Great excite
ment was caused in this city tonight by the
arrest of w. IL. BoIee, city editor of the
morning Spokesman and editor of the
weekly Outburst. society and dramatic
journal, for criminal libel, based upon al
article that appeared In the weekly paper
to-day. The plaintiff is Belle Patchen, a
beautiful woman. and in her name the suit
Is brought by Samuel G.. Allen, ex-member
of the Legislature and now prosecutor of
Spokane County. The article upon which
Mr. BOlce was arrested appeared to-day in
the OutburSt, and Is sensational disclosure
of how Theodore Patchen, hOrsethief,
escaped from the law. The story prin ted
in the Outburst has created the most
profound sensation. and Is as follows:
"Ihe press OF Spokane, in showing up
the delinquencies Of the public prosecutor,
s. G. Allen, have overlooked the role he Is
playing in melodrama, where brothers
lust for horseiesh. sisters self-sacrifcing
love aud devotion and y prosecuting atOr-
news amOTOus ebivalry are inwOven In q real
and romantic plot The horse-stealing ex-
ploits of Theodore Patchen, his arrest, the
evidences of his guilt, his evasion of the law
and escape from the country are matters of
recent history. But the story told that he
made good his escape, as the reporters
say, through the cOnnlvance OF the prose-
cutor, is a prosac recital OF yerita-
Patchen's release. The prosecutors
ample rake-offs place him beyond the
reach of the ordinary bTibe, and all
Patchen had of earthly goods was
q small band OF horses, for which he could
not show a bill of sale. But when Theo
was In the County Jail with a penitentiary
cell staring him in the face his radiant sis
ter Belle, was planning his rescue, and the
denouement of this sisters devoted schem-
ing shows that prison bars and sberiffs'
locks, Superior courts and prosecutors are
no obstacle to the winning endearments the
devotional endurances and the inetfable
sweetness and majesty Of woman's love.
A keen instinct told her where she could
make breach in the walls that imprisoned
her erring brother. The prosecutor
the lovely girl planned to capture
those keys. Ali the arts aud graces
of charming young wOmanhOod were
brought TO bear upon the prosecutor. A
stolid wooden josh or an idol of Baal would
have fallen before this modern La TOsca.
Besides Belle was the official stenOgrapher
for the Spokane County prosecutor, aud In
such capacity doubtless became the conf
Dental custodian of facts which the prose
cutor could not permit her TO diyulge. Even
If his heart had not been smitten by her
gentle manners and the luster of her black
eyes, her sighs and her Intelligence, he
realized that hr had gone too far now TO re-
trace his steps. Ii he persisted in sending
Patchen TO the penitentiary, the sister. with
the knowledge Of the deep demert OF the
prosecutor and the unpublished secrets
OF his office, might be instrumental
In compelling him TO accompany the luck
less Theodore. But not for a moment did
this noble girl forget her canning. She did
not attempt 10 hurry the triumph of her
scheme with wheedling entreaty or mala-
drOlt tiattery. Her brothers. freedom de-
pended upon her sagacity, and her native
coQuetTy and love-en listed enthusiasm were
equal to the occasion. Ii was not long be-
fore the captiyated prosecutor was at The
feet of his typewriter. Had he been Herod
and she the daughter of Herodias he would
have been as reckless in the granting OF re-
quests as was that ancient king of
the Jews. And Belle made re-
quest, made it with matchleSs fervOr
and elOqurnce. She was irresistible and the
prosecutor accented stTawbOnd for Patch
ems release. The bondsmen we're Patchen's
own people and In fleeing the country the
bondsmen would naturally have to answer
for him but here again the sweet diplomacy
OF the girl Is accomplishing benign results.
1t is reported that to purchase liberty for
those she loves. she has become the fiance
OF the prosecutor"
When the prosecutor read this he threat
ened TO shoot BOlce on sight, but was
dlssnaded from this. and In the name of
Miss Patehen had Boce arrested for crimi-
nal libel, she claiming II was a malicious
attempt TO injure her character. w. II.
CowleS, part owner of the Chicago Tribune
and proprietor of the Spokesman. and Fl. +.
Brown, Spokane capitalist, went bonds
for the editor and Judge George Turner.
candidate for the United States Senate, will
efend him,