Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-05
|OU|l|.A|N BR[II lA|[
Ring lsader Of Z Dsspsrats Band Of
Criminals Escapes from Polk
County Jail.
Accused Of Robbery Of Old Nan
Cunninghamllay b 9
Murderer.
Suspected Of Having Been the Cause
Of steckle's Death in
1893

4SeS AsAOlIles, April O.--ETeus lJalys5 the
ringleader of one of the worst gangs
that has infested this country for
years. broke Jail at Winterset last
night, where he was confined awaiting
trial Cor assaulting and robbing old
man Cunningham some six weeks ago.
1t is reported in the vicinity Of Run
nels. where the gang operated for a
number of months. that DAILY is said to
have confessed to the murder Of an old.
man by the name OF Steckel, who dis
appeared from his home more than
eighteen months ago. no trace OF him
having since been found.
Arrangements were under way for
him to make confession when the.
news came that he had made his es-
cape.
It will be remembered that DAILY was
arrested in this city by the police about
six weeks ago. thru Information from
the sheriff OF Madison county, charg-
ling him with the robbery OF old man
cunningham. When arrested he had
+ > g. y
in his charge a wagon load OF supposed
Iplunder that he had picked up thru the
lscountry. He was taken to Winterset,
indicted by the grand jury on the
l3charge of robbery and number OF adj
ditional counts and would have had a
hearing at this term Of court.
The dastardly attempt to rob old
man Cunningham was one OF the most
q
returning from the city to his home in
night six weeks ago. He had a consid-
cradle amount of money on his person.
Robbers laid in wait in dense clump
of trees and when the old gentleman
drove past he was confronted by the
armed men and told to give up his val-
lsuables. He refused and one struck him
a violent blow on the head. The un-
4 fortunate man was rendered uncon-
scious and an easy prey to his assault
lers. Something like 5000 in money and
a gold watch We're taken. The injured
man was allowed to lay in the road,
where he was discovered several hours
4 later by some friends. The crime was
reported to the authorities at Winter
set and shortly afterward the arrest
WAS made at this place, where Daily had
come directly after the robbery. His
Tpals escaped.
The disappearance OF old man Steck-
lei from his home near Runnells one
might in December, 1885, has been one
A OF the mysteries Of the authorities. He
sllived With his wife in secluded local
sliity on Camp Greek. about Ave mile.
4 tnorthsast of Runnnells. Neighbor.
\ noticed his absence the latter part o
a december and began to make inquiries
4 The old woman and DAILY, who hac
been raised by the Steckels, disavowe6
4 and knowledge whatever of him and
are said to have acted very queerly in
the matter. IA time wore on it begantr
be rurnored that Daily knew more of the
affair than he let on. and some Went
4 50 far as To openly accuse him and the
Iold lady of the crime, alleging that they
4 did it for the money Steckel is known
4 to have had at the time.
Some months after the disappearance
of old man Steckel, DAILY and Mrs.
Steckel removed to Madison county
and located in similar locality to
that they had previously occupied 1t
was at this place that a large quantity
LOT the stolen goods We're discovered and
lsafterwards recovered.
Sometime last summer, after the
IiSteckels had removed from near Run
nells, the township authorities planned
to open a roadway thru the premises
where they had formerly resided. This
/, was done and while the men were at
4 work they discovered evidences of a
newly made grave. They opened it.
4 but found nothing but shoe. The
4 grave. hoWever.Bis believed to be Steck-
l.el's and that when the announcement
was made that a road was to be opened
A the body was removed by his slayers
4 and placed in another locality.