The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-09
TAKEN FOR A THIEF.
Representative of Nave, McCord 6
Co. Almost Victim of Policemen's
BIunder.

It was 1:45 and the night was
dark. The electric lights cleaned here
and there, sputtered and were uneasy,
perhaps uneasy for what was about TO
happen.
Two uniformed men walked together
on the platform of the Santa Fe pas
senger depot and awaited the arrival of
the train from the east. They were
members of Henry Steele'S police force
As they paced slowly to and fro they
could be heard conversing together in
subdued tones. One of them pulled
from his pocket a telegram and they
both read it.
There was a whistle to the northeast
and the two policemen started as
though suddenly awakened from
sound slumber. The train pulled up to
the depot. The officers strained their
eyes toward the car steps ana grasped
their clubs tighter. Soon nice look
ing man of about $50 pounds weight
alighted and walked toward the hack
stand. He carried two grips and was
dressed neatly. At sight of him the Of
ficers again consulted the telegram,
Scrutin1zed the mans face and his
clothes and let him pass them. One
looked al the other and the two nodded
their heads. Then they rushed up to
the man from behind and stopped him.
Each stood with club raised and hands
near pistol pocket.
Consider yourself under arrest said
one dramatically, while the other eyed
the man SuspiciOuSly
What for?" asked the unsuspecting
stranger.
One of the policemen then produced
the telegram and read it. 1t was an or
der for the arrest of the Kansas City
diamond thief
Nv hat am l charged with p aSked the
man with the grips
with diamond robbery said one Of
ficer.
Wen. Tn always in for a good joke"
said he, but don't carry it too far.
What's the joke nOw?'
There is no joke at all" said one of
the policemen earnestly. You answer
the description exactly of that Kansas
City diamond thief. You will have to
so to the police station with u.s."
The Kansas City diamond thief was
said to be a very desperate man and
Tor this reason the Topeka officers kept
their weapons close at hand. Then it
was that the man with the grips re-
monstrated. I'm no diamond thief,
you silly" said he. Il travel for Nave
McCord of this city. Here's my order
book with my name on it and also that
of the firm if you want to see it,
wen, we will have to take you to the
station anyway until we find out what
there is to this"
At this point another man stepped up
and said: Why, old man, what's the
matter? Are you in trouble?"
The traveller replied that he had been
taken for a Kansas City diamond thief.
At this the new conner assumed a sober
face and said: why, yes, of course
you are a diamond thief I know YOU
are" At this the officers drew closer
and readjusted their clubs. Then the
latest arrival said to the officers: why
don't you know this fellow? He is Mr..
S" who travels for Nave cCord.''
The officers exchanged glanceS and
one of them said: "Weu, we may be
mistaken, but you answer the descrip-
ton"
Nov look here said the Nave-NIc
Cord man, IF you arrest me and take
me to the station on that charge I will
make you pay for it with every dollar
of property you own. I have abundant
proof here to satisfy you. Now, what's
your pleasure?"
Another of those hurried gIances ex-
changed, and one of the policemen said:
We'll, that's all right. We are satisfied
now. We are very sorry to make such
a mistake and if we can do anything
for you please let US know. That's all
right, you are free
And say" said the other officer, con-
fidentially, lit will be a special favor if
you viii not say anything about this.
We wouldn't have this known on US for
anything. You know when those re-
porters get anything about US they just
go for US. We are very sorry to cause
you all this trouble"
The -McCord man bowed and
the officers went away together and
were lost in the darkness The real
diamond thief was caught the next day
The officers were on the LeWelling po-
Tff1ea ~