The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-08-04
SUSIE SMITHS TRUNK
1t was Stolen Out of Police Headquarters
by an Unknown.


The Denver News has the following
| about Wichita woman:
Not 80 very long ago enterprising
| members Of the local A. P. A. during
| their factional scrap. entered the meet
ing hall on Larimer street, half a bloch
| from the police station and carried out
| bodily safe, to which It is claimed they
| had no right Such a theft so close to
| the headquarters Of the department
| seemed a little amusing Still there
| was an occurrence yesterday which
echpses the above twice-fold. A trunk
with its contents, valued at upwards Of
sl25, was taken from police headquar-
tiers, placed in an express wagon, and
driven to the depot, where the stranger
boarded a train for other chimes with
his treasure. It is probable that the
station house as a whole will have 10
be crewed 10 the ground TO prevent its
being carried away, il matters progress
at this rate.
The bold move was made at about s
O'Clock yesterday morning. The COW
etsd trunk is said 10 belong to Susie
Smith, now in the matron's quarters in
jail. who is alleged 10 have run away
from her husband in Wichita, Kan,
few weeks ago, TO join Frank Reynolds
or this city. Difficulties arose between
Frank and Susie which resulted In the
latter swearing out a warrant before
Justice Cowell alleging that Reynolds
had taken her trunk and contents, val
ued AT about $50, and refused TO deliv-
er up the same.
She reported the case TO the district
attorney, and the latter conferred with
he lern T.,e all =
tailed 10 shadow Reynolds and ascer-
tain where he put the trunk But Frank
was smooth and wouldn't be tracked.
So another scheme was tried and WORK
ed successfully. 1t was arranged that
Susie should agree to visit Reynolds in
the latter's room. Unconscious OF the
trick, Reynolds entertained Mrs. Smith
during the evening. Suddenly, during
the absence OF Reynolds. Duffield step
ped into the roouAand was told by Susie
that The trunk was hidden behind a
door. Duftield, who had provided an
express wagon, soon had the cumber-
some thing at headquarters. Susie then
vanished from the room
Awaiting developments, the officer
placed the trunk two feet from the door
Of the detectives Office. The rule at
the station is that all articles in dis
pute shall be placed in the charge OF
Herman Silver. custodian. and by him
locked up in a store room for that pur-
pose. But as the trunk was not brought
in until ! o'clock yesterday morning,
the custodian was not at re station.
Dufield says he informed sam Howe OF
his find, and received orders TO leave
II where he had placed II until Silver
returned. Shortly before o'clock yes
terday morning, 4 tall. long-drawn-out
individual, with a red face and saunter-
ing salt, appeared at headquarters with
an express wagon
The latter was left at the corner, while
the sim stranger. who proved 10 be
Reynolds. II the word OF Charles Law
son, the 1anitor. can be relied upon, en-
tered the room surveyed the situation,
ana then lifted the box on his shoulder. |
placng II in the wagon and took IL 20
the depot Lawson saw the trick. bu-
failed to have his suspicious aroused. |
owing 20 the perfect GOODNESS with |
whsch Reynolds proceeded about the |!
task
Yesterday morning. about 10 O'Clock. |
the inert was discovered and excite |
ment ran nigh Tor a time. Everybody !
had clews- but none PANIED out Final |
~ the Janiacr related what he saw and /
the matter was dropped In the mean
time. Susie is mourning the loss OF both |
Reynolds and the trunk. Orders were
issued last night by Acting Chief Tut
tie, 20 the effect that no portable arti
clss shall in the future be left az m.
station without first being placed under
lock and key.