Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-11
BARRED BY STATUTORY LIMITATION
william Hall md His Gang of Thieves
VIII Escnne Punishment.

When the search warrants that were issued
from Justice Cooks court were executed the
result was much more gratifying than Kim
ball Bros. and the officers had reason to
hope.
More than S40O worth of silverware and
household goods were stolen from kimbaii
Bros foundry four years ago, and the clew
to the identity of the robbers referred to
in Tho Bee on Monday has been worked fer
all 1t is worth. The officers searched the
house of William Hall on South Thirteanth
street and discovered nearly all Of the miss
ing property slowed about the place in and
in adjoining buildings. The draughting IN
struments, the accidental discovery Of which
by one of Kimball's former employees gave the
first clew, were found in Halls possession.
A set of furs and several pieces of carpet
were also found and Unidentified as part of the
stolen goods, as was likewise number OF the
pieces CT slverware
The officers continued the search yesterday
and were rewarded by finding more of the
stuff, and fastening the burglary without
any doubt upon Hall and the RachwitZ gang
Hall seemed to be about as well posted upon
the movements of the officers as they were
themselves. His suspicious were aroused
by the minute examination that KimbalPs S
man had made of the box of draughting tools,
and he hung around the Justices offices and
kept a close watch upon all that was done.
When Justice Cook was writing out the
search warrants Saturday Hall was in his
office leaning over his desk an interested
spectator of what was being written and
done. AS a. consequence when the officers
executed the warrants Hall was not around
1t is believed that he left the state Saturday
afternoon, and his present stopping place
Is unknown. Immediately after the goods
were discovered warrant was issued for
Halls arrest on the charge of larceny. AS
the proof became more positive yesterday
another warrant was issued, charging him
with the crime Of burglary. These war
rants are in the hands of officers, who are
securing the country for the fugitive. But
If Mr.. Hall is not caught he can safely re-
turn to his home and snap his fingers in
the faces Of the Kimballs and the officers.
He cannot be prosecuted for his connection
with the robbery for the reason that the
statute of Limitation has run against the
crime. Section 1851 Of McClain's code de-
fines the statute of Limitation for the crimes
OF larceny and burglary. Prosecution must
be commenced and indictments found within
three years from the date of the offense and
not afterward unless 1t can be shown that the
criminal has been out of the state. This
has been the Iowa law since 1851 without
change or modification. Hall has been liv-
ing here continuously since he committed the
burglary four years ago, and is consequently
guaranteed full immunity from punishment
for his crime. He is said to be very polite
and accommodating fellow and he will prob
ably return In a few days and assist the
Kimballs in hunting up their household prop
erty which has become worthless junk from
the long and hard usage given it by the
Hall family.
Hall is declared by the officers to be one
OF the smoothest and nerviest criminals in
the country. He is now under sentence of
two years to the penitentiary for his con-
nectlon with the Rachwitz boys in robbing
freight cars. and is out on bond pending a
decision of his case in the state supreme
court lie is the chief leader in the raids
upon the Manawa fish, and was sentenced
to pay a fine of s25 few months ago for
his connection with this work
After TnrdY Attorneys.