The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-12
MINNEAPOLIS.
ONE OF HIS DupES
ARREST OF MORRILL,, AT PRESTON,
UNEARTHS A SENSATIONAL.
SERIES OF CRIMES.
CHARLES E. BLAKE IN JAIL.
ADMITS HAVING RECEIVED MON
ENS FROM VARIOUS
FIRMS
no AMOUNT OF FULLY $4,000.
Refuses to Give Further Details OF
the scheme by Which Embez-
elements Were Made.
CHARLES E. BLAKE IN JAIL
o AMOUNT OF FULLY $40, 900.

The arrest of one E. J. Morrill,, at
Preston, Mimi, Friday last, on sus-
picion of having been connected with
the Sherburn robbery, brings to light
q crime in which several Minneapolis
men figure, the majority of them very
much to their sorrow
f. J. Morrill, the man arrested, was
until a month ago, cashier of the Min
neapolis Dry Goods company. He had
been in their employ three years, and
In him was TepOsed the utmost conf
dence. Early in September he was
granted a vacation and left for the
East. During his absence an expert
accountant was put to work on his
books, and it was found that he was
$3.50 short. Upon his return from his
leave of absence which had lasted
twelve days, he was Immediately ac-
cused of embeZZling the amount shown
on his books to be short, and confessed.
He said he had given the money to one
Charles E. Blake, whose unindorsed
notes he had taken as security. No
steps were taken toward the arrest Of
Morrill,, and he was allowed to depart
He then left the city and for a few
weeks past has been travelling through
out Southern Minnesota in the interests
Of a mercantile house.
The fact that he did his travelling
wholly on his bicycle led to his arrest
on suspicion of being one of the Sher-
burn bandits
On Thursday evening last Charles
Z. Blake walked into the central police
station in this city and asked to be
taken into custody.
Blake was seen Thursday evening, a
short time after he had given himself
up, and had the following to say when
questioned about the affair:
Il can't see that my saying anything to the
papers can in any way help my cause. Still,
what have done today is of my own free
will l have practically been driven 10 it
by my conscience, and as a consequence
feel better this evening than l have for a
long time. Still, that don't say much for
man of my years in my position, as you can
easily judge. l think that the entire amount
OF the money that 1 have obtained will be in
the neghborhood of $40 600. l have re-
ceived from the Minneapolis Dry Goods COM
pany between 81, coo and s13, 600; from Peter
son and Anderson in the neighborhood Of
not taken with criminal intent, but was more
q matter of oversight How the money was
obtained l must refuse to say until l have
had counsel. AS have come and given nv
self up, l shall plead guilty, and trust rnat
clemency will be shown my years."
Blake furthermore stated that he was fifty
two years old; had been engaged in the insur-
ance business in New York. where he was
born, and from whence he came to Mime
apolis during the early part of 1896.
He was arraigned in police court
Friday morning and demanded an ex-
animation, which was set for Wednes-
day, with bail at $3,000 the complaint
being sworn out by the Minneapolis
Dry Goods company
Blake was seen Saturday evening
and asked if he had heard of the arrest
of Morrill,. To this he unconcernedly
remarked that he had noticed it by
the morning paper In regard to his
future prospects he absolutely refused
to talk; stating that everything had
been left to his counsel. When re-
minded Of the statement he had made
on the evening of his arrest that he
intended to plead guilty and throw
himself on the mercy of the court, he
made the short statement: 'I don't
know. My counsel knows about that.
He is looking after those things"
The prisoner seems more unconcerned
now than he did on the first day OF
being deprived of his liberty, and ex-
pressed himself as extremely satisfied
with the treatment accorded HIM at
the Jail.
The county has model institution
here. 1t is perfect in every respect,
end reflects great credit on the sheriff
and county commissioners. l feel par
ticularly grateful towards Deputies
Anderson and Johnson, who have been
Very kind to me. No man, being de-
prived of his liberty, could be better
treated than / have BEEN
The prisoner has lived here a num-
Der of years. He has been a good Re-
publican and worked for the Metropol-
tan Life Insurance company.