The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-27
TWO ROLES.
TheCrfminalCareer Of a Chicago
Man Named Gordon.
An Insurance Adjuster in Day
Time a Thief at Night.
LIKED THE MYSTERY.
He Enjoyed the Excitement Of q
Criminals Life.

CHICAGO, Aug 27--The man giving
his name as Gordon who participated
ia the Deer6eld holdup and su bse-
quent stirring events last Friday
night and Saturday morning and who
was identified as Billy Williams, q
well known character on the Pacific
coast, was again identified yesterday
BY responsible parties as h z. Girls
void, a we'll to- do local inspector Of
the Manchester Assurance company.
GriswOld's father is said to be q trav-
cling inspector Of the Home Fire In
Burance company Of New York, and
resides in that city. The people MAX
Ing the Identification are officials Of
the Manchester Assurance company
and they maintain they are not mis-
taken It appears to be a case of DR..
Jekyn and Mr.. Hyde.
GriswOld had no need to steal or
shoot his fellow men, but he did it APP
parently because he loved the mys-
terry and the excitement Of such life.
Crime has apparently become pas
time with him, and he is supposed to
have found an apt pupil IN Lake, a
poor, unemployed labOrer. During
the daytime Griswold filed the inn
portant position Of FIRE risk Inspector,
which he used as a cloak for his ma
rauding excursions during the night.
About five years ago GriswOld mar
ried a country girl and she became
Mrs Gordon, not GriswOld- Since
then they have lived in various parts
OF Chicago, their last residence being
at ID Curtis street. To-day the timid
frightened wife called at the police
station and gave her name as Gordon,
saying she never knew her husband
by any other
IL is believed that the police depart
ment, with the help of the railroad
companies, are running to earth in
this dual arrest a long train Of depre-
datiOns of which GrisWoId is the cen
ter. The story of Griswold's life so
Ear as known is unique. Born almost
twenty light years ago, his father
tried to give him a fair education, but
the boys instincts were wild and law
less. He eventually disappeared from
home, and was next heard of in the
West as a cowboy and ranchman-
After several years Of adventurous
life in California Oregon and Idaho.
he came to Illinois and secured
employment as brakeman at Rock
Island, Ill While there he married
and the influence of his wife caused
him to lead a. quieter life. His father
noting the Improvement in his be-
havoir. used his influence to secure
the son a position with the local
Office of the Manchester Assurance
Insurance company. Young GriswOld
grew proficient in his new position,
and soon drew handsome salary
It appears, however, the reforma-
tion was not complete, but just when
Grisvold began his double career
while in the employ ment of the as
Eurance company is not known. Fur
Their disclosures are expected at the
inquest over the remains Of Detective
Owens, which has been postponed for
a week to permit the police to make
q full investi gatiOn of Griswold's and
Lakes careers.
William Lake, who was desperately
wounded in the raid, was feeling bet
ter. 1t is said he comes Of good fam
lily and that his father is William
Lake OF Oswego, N. ", a travelling
man for a new York paper. Lake is
R caslxet trimmer and had been out of
work for months and he and his wife
had been on the verge of starvation
when, in company with Griswold. they
made the sensational raid.