The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-03-17

Elmer 4. cummings HAS DeSu drIesIeu
in Chicago for a crime committed eight
years ago at Cairo, Ill.
Cummings was formerly Wichita man
having been il tue realestate business here
during the boom. He is well remembered
here today. and for fear that his memory
would be forgotten he left a monument
after him ia the unfinished double brick
building on south Market street in which,
il is said, he sunk $4,000 before he went
broke and left the town.
During the time mentioned everybody
was flush and put airs suitable to that
condition, and in this Mr.. Cummings was
not behind his fellow citizens. He lived
high while here and patroniZed all the
fads of tire day He belonged to the boat
club and other clubs, and was what the
boys call IAN all round dead sport" He
figured in some large transactions while
liz the real estate business and was quite a
rustler.
The Chicago Tribune has the following
TO say about his arrest:
SIX years ago Elmer Il. Cummings en-
bezzied S., 900 from Charles o, Painter of
Cairo, His Monday night he was arrest
ed III this city. Cummings was head
bookkeeper and confidential clerk for MIR.
Painter, president OF the New York Store
company, wholesale srocers. In the dis
charge OF his duties he handled large sums
of money. For several years he occupied
this position of trust and when he resigned
he became speculAtor in real estate. Then
when Mr., Cummings had closed his duties
with Mr.. Painter, suspicion arose that
he had not been honest and an investiga-
ton by an expert showed shortage In
Cummings accounts of IS 600.
Commlngs was at once located in st.
Louis, arrested, and taken o Cairo, where
he was indicted by the grand jury and re-
leased on bail. He at once went to South
America. While at Buenos Ayres he
married an English woman. and a year
Ego the two came to America. Six weeks
ago Mr. and Mrs. Cummings arrived in
Chicago. The wife with her children went
to Cairo a couple of weeks ago, and last
Sunday morning Cummings himself went
TO his old home TO see his father and
mother and bring his family home to
Chicago.
DID NOT DISGUISE HIMSELF.
1t is said that Cummings did not take
any pains to conceal his indemnity while in
Cairo, but at the same time it is related
that, inasmuch as an Indictment still
rested against his name, he did not take
any pains TO renew old acquaintanceS. At
any rate he was seen and recognized, and
this is what stirred up the remembrance Of
the old crime. Cummings left Cairo Mon
day morning, however, and with his father,
eX-Judge Cummings, came to Chicago.
Monday il became generally known that
the man wanted for embeZZlement had
been in the town where the Indictment
still rested, and the fact that he
had not been arrested created COM
ment. 1t was decided 90 arrest
him. The chief of police at Cairo tele-
graphed Chief Brennan IN this city asking
him TO detail nan to arrest Cummings
when be reached the city; Officers Bailey
snd Treacy were assigned TO the dnty, and
when Cummings allghted from an Illinois
Central train Monday evening he was
arrested and taken to headquarters.
Cummings at once admitted his crime
and told the romantic story OF his wander
ings in South America and the west and
his marriage to the English woman with
whom he made a tour OF Europe. Then,
he said, he went back to South America,
where be engaged in business. AT one
time since his first arrest he WAS in the
real estate business IN Wichita, Kan, and
was a prominent figure there during the
famous boom of real estate.
Hearing of the poor health of his father,
Cummings determined TO come home on a
visit. He had hoped time had softened the
feeling aginst him, but his arrest has dis
PEELED this idea.
WILLING TO STAND TRIAL.
Cummings told the Chicago officers he
was willing to return to Cairo aud stand
trial. This was telegraphed to Cairo. and
Chief MahoueY got a bench warrant under
the old Indictment and came to this city
Tuesday, leaving that evening for Cairo
with hls maE. Cummings was at once ar
raigned, and bond OF s., 500 WAS required
for his appearance at the next term of the
circuit court
This bond was furnished and Cummings
after visiting some relatives and friends
came back to Chicago last night. IL is
said Cummings has secured position in
tins city and Is making an effort to re-
trieve his reputation. The police here
however, said yesterday that Cummings
intended TO return today to Central Amer
lea. where, 1t is said, he has a large coffee
plantation.
Cummings is so years old, dresses well,
and is polished and well educated. He
thinks public sympathy in Cairo is now
in his favor aud will help him materially
in his trial. Through some technicality
the bondsmen who secured his release
when be was first arrested were released
from responsibility, and this fact. it is
believed, will have a softening effect on
the rrasanC prosecution.