The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-01-24


After a Sharp Chase-Quite Crowd En-
gagged in the Pursuit - Fellow Denies
Everything, Even to Having had the
Pocketbook in His Possession.
Yesterday evening about o'clock a
very smooth piece Of work which has oc-
cupied the attention Of the police for sew
eral days past, was consummated. a
young fellow snatched pocket book
from woman and ran, but was captur-
ed by he officers in very short order.
The young fellow gave the name Of
John King at police Headquarters. He
is an industrious looking young fellow
and resembles a mechanic in many ways.
He came into this city on Wednesday
evening, and took up his abode in the
Hacker and Jackson block. Bedford
Wood learned of it and for some reason
became suspicious at once He pointed
the fellow out to Harry Sutton and Jim
my Kearns the next day and told them
that in his opinion he had a different
object in view from what ne claimed and
that he was thief or pickpocket unmis-
.akaoi
The young fellow claimed that his
mother had died short time before. and
that she had left him quite snug sum
Of money which he was anxious to in
vest In Wichita property
Bedford Wood and the other officers
kept Close watch upon his movements
and Mr. Wood said at the time that he
told his fellow officers about the fellow
that in his opinion his intention in telling
the story he did was TO gain entrance in
n Sfr ~ ha hoe h To IT.
ard by this means 70 be better acquaint-
ed With the premises for future opera
tons.
His surmises as 10 his character prov
ed correct The Santa Fe train was
standing a the depot ready to go south
" hen the robbery occurred. Several cab
drivers. bagga gemen, train porters and
bystanders besides an officer saw him
snatch the packet book from the woman,
and he depended upon his fieetuess Of
foot to escape. The crowd together with
the 6Jicers gave chase Immediately and
succeeded in capturing him. The pocket
booiz was found upon him and returned
70 the lady. When it was given TO her
King" asked her If she had lost some
thing. She answered that she had and
that he mad snatched it away from her
and ran.
The prisoner was seen at the city build
ing las night and asked few questions.
He stated that his name was John King,
and that he was from Moberly. Mo.
''Wbai is your occupation" was ask
ed him
Il am a candy maker"
I'D you intend going into business
here?"
'why. yes, 1 had thought of it." he
said.
when did you come to the city,"
81 came in day or two ago
He fingered an old book nervously
while he was being questioned and did
not seem inclined to look at his ques
toner any more than was necessary, and
he was willing to use any ruse to avoid
either being watched or avoid answering
any questions.
What have you to say about this lit
tie AFFAIR."" was asked.
Nothing was the unwilling answer.
Did you have the pocket book about
you?"
NO. didn't"
st was taken from you. wasn't it?"
NO" This in a very low voice while
his face was held down about as low
as h could get it,
What did you run for?"
No answer was given.
The police caught you, did they not?"
'No."
''rou didn't run. you say?"
NO
Flow did you come to he here them
lie did not answer TO this at all. Chief
Burt asked him if his name was not
Rogers He reiterated his statement in
a shrewd way that his name was John
King.
Say" said Mr.. Burt. ''teIl about that
affair of your selling a diamond 10 the
police judge up in Kansas City"
The fellow looked UP with an entirely
expression upon his face which |
said as plainly as words could have done
What dc you know about that
Chief Burt then went over the details
o. an affair in Kansas City, which oc-
CURED recently. in which the police
Judge desired 10 purchase a diamond. |
and a fellow had sold one 10 him which
a jeweler had passed upon as a fine
stone. He found out later that he had
purchased a stone worth about 80 cents
which had been changed for the good
stone.
The fellow stood and smiled While the
chief was telling about it. The entire |
affair came out in the Kansas City pa
pers at the time The chief then said [!
this was the fellow who sold him that |
diamond He said this in the presence /
of the fellow. and his only expression |
was 10 move about uneasily and 10 smile |
a sort of satisfied smile which spoke !
very eloquently, although he did not |
know il.
The fellow is smooth crook and it |
looks as though a couple of his years !
will be spent at Lansing with one or /
those neat-fitting. pretty stripped suits /
Of clothes on He was caught in the act. |
and il is impossible almost for him 10 (
escape Chief Burt had him spotted as |
being Rogers in short order. which did |
not seem 10. please the prisoner much.
He has the air Of one who - accus-
toned TO being in jail and acted ana
talked very easy and unconcerned ABOUT
everything else save his recent escap ade. |
ANOTHER HOG-RAISER TALKS
Submits a Remedy aud Suggests a Treat
ment Therefor.
To the Editor of the Eagle.