Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-20
ROBERT CHARLSON BACK Seems Pleased to Return, Even
 Though a Prisoner. HASN'T HAD A HAPPY TIME Located in Monterey and Enticed to San Anto no, Where He Was Nabbed and
 Brought Here.

Deputy United States Marshal F. N. Lancaster of San Antonio. Tex. arrived yesterday at noon over the Louisville and Nashville, having in charge Robert Charlson, the ex-United States commits sioner, who was convicted of presenting false claims against the government, for which he was tried and sentenced to ont year in tht Brooklyn penitentiary. Charl- son, it will be remembered, appealed the case and gave bond and skipped out for parts unknown leaving his bondSmen In the lurch to the amount of $750.
 Charlson stated to a State Herald re- porter that on leaving Alabama he went direct to Monterey, Mex, where he open ed up restaurant, and remained there until few days ago, when he went to San Antoine, Tex, from which place he intended to go to Canada. He says that those MeXicans are a very rough people, and just a few days before he left Mon terey, while taking nap at noon, he was robbed of three suits of clothing and about $20 in money. From the general tone of his conversation 1t is evident that, instead of owning large cattle ranches and doing a regular land office business, Charlson has had rather rough row to weed, and the expression of his counte- nance, as his old friends came around indicated that he was more than glad to get back, even if the penitentiary did stare him in the face. Ills health, he says, has not been good, and that he has suffered a great deal from rheumatism.
 When asked about his family. Charlson said that they were in Canada when he left Alabama and that they came back to Missouri where they lived in the coun- try, a short distance from Kansas City, and that they had since returned to their relatives in Canada. His people, he says, have not been advised as to his troubles, and he hopes that they may not be.
 Knowing that Charlson Is a man of nerve. the reporter asked him why he made no effort to prevent capture.
 "I always respect the officers of the law. and in all of my little troubles I have never resisted an officer. And, be- sides, Deputy Lancaster doesn't give fellow much chance to get away when he once gets the drop on him. Will say, however, he has been exceedingly kind to me"
 Charlson acknowledges that some friend accompanied him when he left Alabam and has been quite near him during his absence.
 Deputy Lancaster in speaking of the capture. says that he located Charlson in Monterey some two months ago; that friend of Charlson's gave him away, and enticed him to come to San Antonio; that the warrant was issued by United States Commissioner Bates February 14 and the arrest was made by Deputy Marshal A. Kilgore near the government building of that city; that Charlson made no denial of his identity, and waived the right to be taken back to Alabama and signed a paper to that effect.
 On the arrival of the prisoner United States Commissioner Wilson convened his court and made out the commitment pa- pers for. his Incarceration in the county jail. .t s9l1 es
 After arranging his papers and obtain- ing the reward of $500 offered by the bondsmen for Charlson Deputy Lancas-' ter left on the afternoon train for his home. He says the prisoner did not give him any trouble whatever and taken al- together was rather genial companion.
 Charson wore moustache when he left and is now clean shaven. but his old acquaintances say they would have rec ognized him anywhere.