The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-24
MINNEAPOLIS BANK DEFAULTER
QUITS THE SALTWATER
PRISON.
PARD0NED AT LAST BY CLOUGH
PAPERS I'm THE CASE PERSONALLY Y
PRESENTED BY THE Gov
ERNOR.
DEAD ReBBER HAD THE DOODLE.
All But S7Oo of the Caledonia Bank
Funds Were Re-
covered.

Special to the Globe.
SALTWATER, Mimi, Dec. 23.-Philip
M. Scheig is no longer a convict, be-
ing released from prison today by vir-
tue of a pardon granted by Gov.
Clough and brought here personally
by him today. Those who worked with
Scheig in the shops noticed the peculiar
flush on his face after he had an audi
ence with the governor, and suspected
something was in the wind, but the
pardon was not filed until shortly be-
fore the governor returned home.
No words can express Scheig's hap
piness. He was like a child, scarcely
able to converse with any one. 1t was
the moment he had looked forward to
for long time, and as the iron gate
closed behind him all he could say was,
''Well, am free again. To him these
words meant a great deal and he left
the prison full of the determination to
once more begin life on a widely diff
ferent plan. The prison officials speak
highly Of the record he has made in the
institution. He left for Minneapolis on
the evening train.
The records of the prison show that Scheig
was received Dec. TO- 1893, and that ever
since he has been a model convict, always
doing the best to live up to the requirements
of the institution. He was always pale and
emac:ated largely through worry although
his health has been very fair on the whole
The petition for Scheig's release was signed
by President Kirby of the Bank of Minneap-
oils, who was responsible for his arrest and
capture, and by great many influential peo-
pie. But Gov. Clough, as the ex-president
of the bank, and an old friend of Scheig was
perhaps anxious to see him free as any
one outside of his parents and relatives.
The Scheig case was one of the celebrated
events of 1893 Scheig and the two Mime
apolis young men. disappeared as suddenly
as if they had dropped off the earth. Scheig
had taken his wife to Chicago and left her
ST. Louis, where they had preceded him, and
were busy fitting out camping outfit, in
cluding horses new wagon which they had
built according to their special order, guns,
dogs and everything that luxurious tastes and
plenty of money could suggest
From st. Louis they went South through
Kentucky and Tennessee, and finally made
their way to Charleston, S. G. By this time
they had a high old time, and were getting
ready to change their course. They decided
to go to Brazil. In order to make the start
they had to go to New York TO catch the
steamer. They secured their passage and the
ship had started down the bay when some
part of the machinery broke and the vessel
put about for repairs.
By such a narrow thread hung the fate of
Philip NJ. Scheig. Detectives were on their
been reported in Minneapolis, and their
goods, left at Charleston. and sent in part
to New York by rail- were followed. They
had changed their clothing and their names.
The clothing was cheap and common, and
they would have never been recognized, even
by old friends, if seen on the Bowery.
Finaly they Decided to get out of the city
and take passage for England. They secured
steerage berths and once more their luck
was against them. The vessel had to put
back for repairs and one of the party was
caught. In spite Of their disguises it was
learned that Scheig and one of his COM
panions had taken passage on German
steamer and they were at sea. This was all
the clue necessary. Scheig and his COM
panion were lured from the German steamer
to the lighter at southampton, and there
arrested by a Scotland Yard detective. They
made fight, but soon saw the Jig was up.
They were taken to London, and two Minne
apolis inspectors, Hoy and Lawrence were
sent after them. On the passage over Scheig
told the whole story to the detectives.
Seheig pleaded guilty and his conviction
and sentence were made as light for him
as the gravity Of the crime would warrant.
Scheig would not, talk when reporter
called at his fathers house in Minneapolis.
He is home, but would see no one.