St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-05-09
CAUGHT ON The FLY.
Lewis o. Smith, a Trav cling
Claim Agent, Is Taken
Into Custody.
Old Business Troubles in Kan
sas City the Cause Of His
Arrest.
Alleged to Have SWindled a
Woman Out OF a Large J.
Amount.
Escaped the Detectives for
Two Years and Was Do
ing Nicely.

Lewis o. Smith, a travelling claim
agent for tie Great Northern road, was
arrested last evening by the Thiel
detective agency. The arrest was made
Oh the Great Northern train which left
st. Paul at 1880, and at 8 O'Clock Smith
was brought back to st. Paul. The
charge against Smiths swindling. Sat
urday last Manager Cooley, of the Thiel
agency in this city, received from the
Kansas City representative a letter stat
ing that lie wis D. Smith, who had been
engaged in business in that city in 1891,
and was wanted there for sWindling,
was supposed to be working for rail-
road company in Montana. Accompany
Ing the letter was a photograph of
Smith, and general description of the
man.
From in Quiry made by an operative
of the agency 1t was learned that Smith
was travelling claim agent for the
Great Northern, with headquarters in
Montana. What pleased Manager
Cooley most, however, was the State
ment that Smith was in ST. Paul on
business for the company, and expected
to leave for the West on the evening
train AS usual with this agency, as
sistance was requested from the local
police, and Special Detective Pothen
| detailed to assist the Thiel operatives
in making the arrest Smith was due
at the Office Of the company at O'Clock,
and the officers went to the place to nab
him when he showed up. For some
reason Smith did not put in an appear
ance, but shortly before the train left,
sent porter to the Office for his yaliSe
Felt H III His Bones.
The detectives went to the train, and
Just as it pulled out of the depot Smith
boarded it. He was told what was
wanted, and advised that it would be
much more pleasant for all concerned
if he made no resistance. Smith evil
IDENTITY thought SO too, for he agreed to
do as the officers advised. BY this time
the train was we'll on its way to Mime
ap0lis, and arriving at that city Smith
and the officers transferred TO return
ing train and were soon back TO St.
Paul.
From what could be learned of the
case last night it appears that Smith
was engaged in the real estate business
| in Kansas City. In addition to this he
was interested in company engaged in
! laying tile pavement. lie became i'll
volved in business troubles and left sud-
denly, owing various parties sums
ranging from $1,000 to $4,000. 1t is
charged that the manner in Which he
wound up his business was not exactly
legitimate, and one of the persons he
obtained money from, Mrs. Blake
more had him indicted by the grand
jury on Il charge of sWindling her out OF
$4,000.
Smith left Kansas City early in 1891
and had not been heard Of until a few
days gO.When the manager Of the Thlel
agency in Kansas City heard he was en-
gagged IN rallroading in Montana. Word
was sent to the agency in this city and
his arrest followed. Smith is a fine
looking man, about thirty-fiVe years old,
and is we'll connected, his father, Hon.
&. K. Smith, being prominent banker
1T LIE Sueur. Mimi. Smith was not
apartments at a hotel under the watch
full eye of a detective. lie Will be taken
to Kansas City today.
4 Weak Case.
The following special was received
late this morning:
SPECIAL to the Globe.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, May 9.-Lewis O.
Smith, arrested in st. Paul, was indict
ed here in 1891 for grand larceny in
stealing some articles from house
where he boarded. The case against
him is very weak and he will probably
not be brought back. Local officials
have not been making any efforts to find
| him