The Topeka state journal., 1897-10-08
HE CARRIED A PISTOL.
So a Policeman Arrested Him
at Once.
Seems to Be a Case of Being
Unduly Strict.
Unpleasant Pr edicament of Frank
Thornton Who Steps OF a Train
and is Putin Jail

This morning at o'clock a small man
wearing good clothes and carrying a
vaIise, aHghted from the caboose OF a
Rock Island freight train which had ar
rived at the junction just north of the
Rock Island bridge, from the east. He
stopped a moment, and then spying q
policeman walked up to him and asked
him where the Union Pacific depot was
The policeman was PatrOlman jacob,
who is one of the newest appOlnteeS on
the force.
The man who thus addressed him was
rather good looking, and although his
clothes were somewhat dusty from
travel, his fine Van Dyke beard gave
him a look of refinement.
But the officer, who is new at police
business, did not notice this, and he
demanded of the man his name and
his business there.
My name is Frank Thornton" said
he. I have been at Kansas City and
I got broke there, and was on my way
home to Denver. I came up on this
freight with a friend of mine, and when
We got here he sent word by a friend
of his on the Union Pacific. who was
to take me on west"
Patrolman Jacob had suspicious and
he demanded:
Have you got gun on you?" at the
same time starting toward Mr.. Thorn
ton. The latter replied that he had,
and pulled it from his pocket and hand
ed it to the officer. JacObIS eyes bulg-
revolver, and he said hastily:
III have to arrest you"
Mr.. Thornton protested, but to no
avail.
At the police station Mr.. Thornton
was registered and locked the Jail room
where many dirty, diseased men were
kept
This morning in police court his case
was called City Attorney Bird called
the name. Mr. Thornton walked into
court quietly. His neat appearance
rather took the court by surprise.
rs your name Thcrnton?" asked the
city attorney.
The gentleman nodded his head and
stood before Judge AtchisOn.
You are charged with carrying con-
cealed weapons said the city attorney
severely.
y guess am guilty. I had a revoI-
yer with me when the officer arrested
me" said Mr.. Thornton.
PatrOlman Jacob sat near by, proud
OF his position.
The only thing I can do is to fine
you remarked Judge AtchisOn.
I fine you the least fine of So"
May I have a word of expIanation?''
asked Mr.. Thornton.
Certainly" said the judge.
I was in Kansas City and 7 IgOt
out of money. 1 had friend who was
a brakeman on the Rock Island and
he brought me this far with him last
night on a freight. He took me to see
the conductor on the Union Pacific
freight, ard 1 could go On with him.
I was walking back to the depot when
this policeman came up to mel haven't
any money now. All I have is grip
with some clothes in it. I was simply
carrying the revolver with me in trav-
cling and hadn't even shown it to any
one"
But the city attorney did not care to
change his intention, and the fine stood
After court Judge AtchisOn said:
"Au 1 could do was to fine that fell
low The city attorney ought to have
Investigated the case, and if it was one
which should have not been fined, he
should have so stated it. Just because
the fellow was travelling with a gun is
no reason to arrest him. But it is the
city attorneys duty to investigate"
Mr.. Thornton was locked up and the
officers shook their heads seriously, and
Tim Donovan suggested that maybe
the man might turn out to be desper-
ate criminal. Mr.. Thornton lives at
Denver.