Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-09-21
ROBBER SQUARES HIMSELF.
Returns the Stolen Money, With
Expenses, and Voluntarily
Goes Back to Prison.
MADE FORTUNE IN THE KLONDlKE
Robbed an Express Company
Was Arrested and Sentenced
and Twice Escaped From
Jail--His Romantic story.

Memphis, Tenn, Sept. 16.--Charles
o. Summers, formerly a detective, an
escaped convict from the Mississippi
penitentiary, u gold-hunter of the
klondike and man with conscience,
is again within prison walls in Missis-
sippi. He iourneyed all the way from
Dawson City, Alaska, TO New York and
from New York 10 Memphis and Mem
phis to jackson, Miss, to surrender
himself as safe.robber.
Summers arrived in Memphis Thurs
day, and called on Superintendent Agee
of the Southern Express Co. at his
office. He turned over to Mr.. Agee
81, 800 in cash, to cover the amount of
his indebtedness to the company, even
including the company's expense OF
pursuing him. He said that he would
also reimburse the State Of Mississippi
for the expense Of bringing him back
from California, which he did promptly
upon reaching jackson.
Mr.. Agee told Summers he would
trust him to 60 to Jackson unattended,
and he could leave when he got ready.
Summers left Memphis, and Superin-
tendent Agee received "a telegram dated
at jackson, containing the simple
words II have arrived" and signed
"Chares o. Summers. !"
In 1892, Summers was detective,
and in that capacity was employed by
the Southern Express Co. to capture
Eugene Bunch, who had robbed a
Southern Express car at Hammond,
La, in the spring Of 1892. Bunch was
killed, and his companions in the rob-
berry were captured. While in pursuit
OF train robbers, Summers was in and
about Meridian, Miss, great deal,
and familiarized himself with the
details Of the Office Of the Southern
Express Co. at this point. Soon after,
he returned to Chicago, and divulged
to Tom Murray, another detective, a
plan he had conceived to rob the safe
of the express company at Meridian.
Both Summers and Murray resigned
their positions, and left Chicago fol
Meridian.
Summers had, in the meantime,
made false key to the office door and
| to the safe. During the temporary
absence of the night force, in attend
ance upon train only 100 feet distant
from the Office, Summers entered the
office, aided by false keys. and alb
stracted parcel of $4,000. The money
was handed to Murray, who left on !
train for New Orleans, while Summers
retired to his hotel
When the loss was discovered, Sum
mers, known to be in the city, was
summoned to aid in tracing the thieves.
| In short while, officials and Other
| detectives arrived upon the scene, anc
began an investigation. In less thar
! As hours, Summers had been arrested
and confessed that he and Murray hao
committed the theft.
| Murray was arrested Just rs he wal
leaving an Illinois; Central train a
! Chicago, on tho third day after thu
robbery, and "a, 100lof the money wa!
recovered from his person. Both Sum
mers and Murray pleaded guilty, ant
were sentenced to five years each il
| the Mississippi State prison.
4 Summers had not been in the prison
over 20 days when he effected hi
escape. This was in April, 1883. Ii
the spring Of 1894, he was arrested il
San Francisco, and held to await tn,
| arrival of officers from Mississippi, wht
again imprisoned him. few month,
thereafter, Summers escaped again
this time briblng the guard, whom h,
took with him. His second o. cape wa
effected in August, 1894. After travel
ing around different places, he finall,
went to the KlondilSe, but, learning
that detectives were on his trial, b,
disposed Of his interests in Dawson
City, and returned to the Unitet
States. He arrived in New York Cit,
September 10th, direct from Dawson
City via San Francisco.