The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-04-24


Pacific Depot-They Protest Innocence.
An Intellectual attempt was made last
night to blow open the safe in the Mis-
souri, Pacific freight depot near the
junction of that road with the Santa Fe
In the southeastern part of the city. Two
OF the men were captured
Last night shortly before 10 o'clock
Officer Capron whose beat is in that part
of the city started for the Santa Fe
depot to meet the midnight trains. He
heard a noise in the depot and as he
neared the place man who was sitting
on the platform jumped down and ran
around the depot Capron called
to the man to halt but he
didn't stop and another man standing
near corner of the depot Joined the first
and they ran south toward the Santa Fe
tracks.
When Capron ran around the depot
two more men ran out of the door and
also started south, and as he got closer to
the building man climbed out of win
dow and joined his pals. Capron reached
for his revolver, but it caught on his coat
and fell to the ground. He picked it up
and ran to the Santa Fe tracks. down
which the men were now running. :
They paid no attention to the COM
mands of the officer to halt, but replied
with shot from a revolver. He then
He says that he saw one man
reel as if hit and two of
his companions caught him on either
side and hurried on.Capron shot twice
more but thinks he hit no one. The
men fired twelve or fifteen shots at the
officers and one bullet grazed his leg be-
tween the knee and foot He then gave
up the chase.
The patrol wagon was sent toward
Pauline with the sheriff and detail of
police.
Officers Dagg and Capron got on the
ra1a 1alr srh fhcaf Vsuf
reached the Shunganunga two men
boarded it. They were arrested just be-
fore the train reached Pauline and were
brought back in the wagon.
A lot of tools that were probably stolen
from blacksmith shop were found in
the depot and ordinary blacksmith's
drill was used on the safe There were
but few dollars in the safe. The men
gave their names as Frank Herkert and
Frank Palmer.
They were taken before Justice Grover
today, and bound over for hearing in the
sum of $500 each until 2 o. m. Thursday.
Herket and Palmer were seen by a
JOURNAL reporter today, in their calls at
the county Jail. Their looks are against
them, but they protest their innocence.
Both men were willing to talk. Herket
said: 81 was not near the Missouri Pa
cific freight yards, and 1 never met
Palmer until last night We got on the
freight train together about Eighth
street, and when we got to Pauline
the officers arrested me. My home is in
Missouri and l came to Topeka month
ago. l went to Omaha and came back
yesterday with a friend named Charley
Martin. My father is dead; he used to
be a shoemaker by trade"
Palmer said: 81 struck town Sunday
morning and slept the first night at the
cityprison. am painter by trade and yes
terday 1 went to every paint shop in town
trying to find job. l was trying to get
to Eldorado where I have friends. I've
got lung trouble and | thought the eli
mate down there might help me.
don't know a thing about the charge
against US, except what l saw in the
paper. l didn't even hear the shots.
got on the train before it got out of the
Santa Fee yards, and l never met Herket
until that minute'