The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-10-09
HAHDSHIPS OF THE CASTLES
Full History Of q Case That EKcites all San
Erancieco

London, Oct 8.-There Is an air Of
considerable mystery about the case of
Walter Michael Castle, the American
merchant; Ella Castle, his wife, and
Fred Castle, his 10-year-old son, who
were arrested yesterday at the Hotel
Cecil and were charged at the Merlbo-
rough street police station with steal
ing several sable and chichilla skins.
worth Ell, from three firms
The manager of the Hotel Cecil where
the party were stopping, says today that
the Castles arrived there on September
rs from the continent. During their
stay at the hotel, he said, there had
been absolutely nothing in their con-
duct that was noteworthy Of suspicion
They seemed to be very quiet and most
respectable people, and he was most as
tonished when the police came to arrest
them.
The Associated Press has made In
uuiries of the police authorities regard
Ing the case and has learned that no
further charges have as yet been pre-
ferred against the Castles. The police
confess themselves to be much puzzled
by the case. The evidence against the
prisoners seems to be confined to the
fact thar they had entered the shops
making the complaints, and, after ex-
amining the furs, left without buying
any The furrfers missed the goods i'm
mediately afterwards. and notified the
police. The latter claim they found
the missing furs, together with much
jewelry and some old hand-painted
china, in the Castles trunks at the Ho-
tel Cecil. Mrs. Castle Is claimed to
have said. when she was taken into
custody: MY God! we bought most Of
the things in Geneva, and one skin
we bought from a boy in the street.
Mr.. Hodson director of Phillip Morris
& Son. has taken charge of the boy,
Fred Castle. and has engaged shrswd
counsel IN the case
In addition to the many messages OF
sympathy and offers of assistance,
number of personal visits have been
paid 30 the United States embassy and
consulate In behalf of Mr.. and Mrs.
Castle. among the callers being Lord
Rothschdld. In every case the visitors
have vouched in the highest terms for
Mr. Castles Personal integrity and IL
nancia eatus.
The United States embassy first heard
OF the case from Mr.. Abrahams. The
Castles lawyer, who last evening for
maNy notified the United States Off
Gals of their arrest and requested that
an embassy official be present when
the prisoners are brought I'D on re-
madld at the Marlborough street police
courton Tuesday next.
JONES r. Roosevelt, secretary Of the |
United States embassy, visited the |
nome Office and magistrate who heard |
The case last Tuesday at the MARI |
borough street court. Mr.. Roosevelt |
wan also try to see the Castles In HoI-
soway jail.
Friends OF the prisoners say that at |
the worst it is a case of kIen.o,,,.,,,;., ,
ss1d 1T is reported that specialist viii |
examine Mrs. Castle immediately. Nr |
Aorahams believes that Mr.. and Mrs
Castle VIII be released on bail "a p,or-
row.
San rrancisco, Oct s.-The friends of
WaIhsm Michael Castle. the wealthy
San FRANCISCO merchant. who was vito,
ms wire. arrested yesterday in I,onS,n
on charge of theft. have made on
eiSeulc appeals to the state tispa,rt1ne-+
az washington for interference on Nr
castles behalf. Secretary Olnev teL.>-
sraphed that he had cabied TO Aul,as-
sador BayaId. directing hin, to investi-
gate the matter at once and report e,
hmn- The arrest of Mr.. Castle and his
wire has caused a tremendous senea-
'"Ii hee on account of their wealth |
and social prominence.
San Farneisco. OCT. S.-No word Ia.
been sent by Walter M Castt, To any Of
MS relatives here concerning his arrest
ana they Were all in ignorance Cast
night. even his brothers. Colonel Albert
r ana Arthur H Castle. having ra-
ceived no word from their brother. They
wened umfounded when shown the dis
patch and at once declared as did ot7,.-
seiauess OF Walter. that the idea that
ne or his wife had stolen eaythanx was
preposterous. and that there Was
nloeous mistake somewhere.
Walter and his wife have been sn