The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-09
TO PROVE HIS STORY
Ballard Brought Here in
Charge of Officers.
HAS A FUND OF EVIDENCE
Which Will be Used in the
Courts.

Sheriff Simmons and Officer FIeeman ar
rived in the city with Alvin Ballard late
Thursday night coming direct from Ian
sing. They slipped Ballard into the Jail,
having got off the train at the Eighteenth
street crossing and no one knew ne was
.n the city until yesterday morning, when
ne was taken 90 the preliminary trial Of
the Simpsons, Matthes and Turner, which
was called in Judge Glenn's court at 10
o clock Ballard was to have testified
against the alleged gang at the prelimin-
aTy,, but the trial was continued on ac-
count Of the slight illness Of Prosecuting
Attorney Amidou and Judge Glenn. The
trial was set for Monday afternoon at ,
clock. In the meantime the officers and
Ballard are lookn up the evidence in this
case Of horse stealing, as well as other
crimes which it is said will be fastened
on the gang. The officers and Ballard
drove to the country yesterday for the
purpose Of securing some additional evil
dence, but with what success they de-
clined TO say.
Alvin Ballard does not look the criminal
he has been pictured in print. Those who
knew him says he has better countenance
than formerly, and has grown to a better
size He was dressed very neatly, and al
though he was not anxious 10 talk, his
conversation was entertaining and his
statements were put in an honest and
Straightforward manner.
81 cannot tell you everything know"
said Ballard TO a reporter for the Eagle
I am in Ia Of
want to assist them every way L can. My
future depends on the manner in which I
prove the assertions I have made. and
rest assured I viii prove them. These
people referring to the alleged gang) are
guilty and they know It. The people will
see that I am right before we get through
with this"
Ballard said he wanted to make this
confession for several months, because,
he said. he had grown tired OF crime, and
wanted to clear everything up. When he
first told his story to Warden Lands, the
warden would not believe It at all 'He
was the hardest man to convince I ever
saw. Finally / brought such facts before
him that he was compelled to listen to me.
and when I Showed him letters from
ters from Matthe to other prisoners, the
genuineness Of which could not be dis
puted, he began to listen to my words
with interest, and now he Is the most con-
WINGED man Of the lot"
Il have made good record at the peni-
tertiary" said Ballard. 1.-THE officers
never had to speak to me and I always
had the best places to work I was in
charge of the department for fitting the
clothing and had a very easy time
Il have to admit that I am equally
guilty with these other people in all their
crimes. i was young and a pretty good
hand at the business, but let me tell you
was not a very bad boy until I got with
this gang. They are bad people and they
led me into great deal Of crime which
never would have thought of, had never
nave met them. They are smarter than
you think. This Matthe is a cunning man,
and Mrs. Matthe IS a smarter woman than
sac lets on to be. Oh, they know more
than even I could tell you" and he smiled
q knowing smile.
During the conversation a gentleman
stepped up and asked Ballard about some
articles which he had reason TO believe
the alleged gang had stolen and Ballard
told him that they had. He described the
goods in every particular. and gave the
names Of those who took them and where
they took them. This was told as readily
as II 1t had occurred but yesterday. Every
one who talked to Ballard yesterday went
away more convinced than ever OF the
truth of his story. County Attorney Ami
don said he believed Ballard. now that he
had been shown a few things
Ballard said he did not know whether
they would visit the Matthe ranch before
the trial Monday or not He said they
ought to have 4 little more time on the
case, and # the court would give them
show they would convict every one OF the
alleged gang.
After a great deal Of running around
yesterday, which Ballard seemed to enjoy
very much. he was taken back to the Jail
last night and given a cot In his old cell.