The morning call., 1894-07-24

man who could do it successfully is, in the
words of Captain Lees. "As sharp as chain
lightning"
Detective Seymour reached Carlin, New,
where Melville was arrested. on sumo day
afternoon. Melville expressed his anxiety
to return without waiting for eXtradition
papers, and in fifteen minutes after his
arrival Seymour departed with his prisoner.
They arrived here yesterday afternoon
about o'clock. and when they got to
police headquarters Thomas Brown. the
cashier of the bank, and Captain Lees
we're waiting for them. The four were
closeted for nearly two hours and during
that time Melville had made his con-
fession, which was shock and surprise to
the cashier.
S. Prentiss Smith. the assistant cashier.
called to see Melville about an hour after
ward, and when Captain Lees informed
him of the confession he was dunn
founded and gave vent to his feelings in
the remark. well, he is the most modest
thief know Of"
Melville was reluctant at first to say any
thing for publication, but was finally pre-
vailed upon to talk.
"The temptation to live vel" he said,
started me on the downward path. had
a salary of S175 per month, but l found il
was not enough 10 enable me to live as |
wanted to live, so 1 took enough from time
to time for that purpose.
II did not gamble, or did | play the
races, nor spend money extravagantly on
women. l simply wanted to live well. and
that is all there is about 1t. l could not
say when | took the greatest amount.
just took it as l needed it.
THE system | adopted to deceive the
bank was simple. but no one except
banker could understand it. 81 there is no
use in trying to explain it. | was able to
cover up my deficiency and escape detec-
ton owing to my thorough knowledge of
the system connected with every depart
ment in the bank.
'Finally the amount of my populations
got too big to swing along from day to day.
| feared that some day the collections
would amount 10 so little that | could not
cover up my deficiency without detection,
so | decided 10 clear out. | thought |
could make strike for somewhere, and
after l got safely away | could square N.Y.
self with the bank.
1.-The S2760 which l took between June
90 and July 10 was disposed of in this way:
! lad to appropriate $1,000 of it TO help
cover up my deficiency. | left $500 here.
as has been already published, so that nv
mother would have some money to go on
with till ! could get into a position some
where else and help her, and l took with
me the balance of $500; so that | had
the city.
MY intention was to leave the city for
good and turned over my canoe on the
rocks to give the impression that | had
been drowned. My friends, however.
showed too much diligence in regard to
whether l was dead or alive, so my scheme
did not work.
II saw some eliminates in Stockton, but
hoped they did not recognize me. My
original intention was to get to Crocker's,
near the Yosemite Valley, and get guide
to take me over the mountains, but had
to change my mind.
"lt was when / was at the Big Trees
that first got the idea that Captain Lees
was after me. | read in newspaper that
the captain was not after me, which de-
cided me that he was so. / at once made
up nv mind to cross the mountains and
get 10 the railroad tracks as quickly as
possible.
81 learned at the Tallac House, on Lake
Tahoe, that the trains were to commence
running, so | FASTENED on to Truckee. If
the trains had not been running l would
have taken some other route.
when l got to Beowawe, small station
this side of Carin, where 1 was arrested.
took it into my head TO get off there and
get into the back country, but as my bag
gage had gone on by the first section OF the
train, changed my. mind and my arrest
followed sOOp after"
Seeing you carried rifle and shotgun
with you, would you have resisted arrest
if Detective Seymour had overtaken you !
in the mountains@
WELL" said Melville, laugningly. 81
might if had had Calling gun with
me, but not otherwise"
Melville does not seem in the least
broken down by his arrest He takes
matters nonchalantly. as if he had taken
the fatal plunge and had made up his
mind to stand the consequences.
When Assistant Cashier Smith saw him
Smith remarked as he held out his hand |
which Melville took In a hesitating man.
ner, well. VIII, l am sorry to see YOU
thus" Yes" replied Melville, II am
sorry too," and then he smiled at his for
mer superior
Detective Seymour had a wildly exeit- |
ing chase after Melville. AT Lake Tahoe
he was only six hours behind him. There
he saw three San Franciscans who had
recognized Melville and had Deputy
Sheriff IN their company. and, although
they knew he was fugitive from Justice.
they did not think of getting the deputy
to arrest him.
Seymour had to pay $40 to be taken