The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-30
GOODS IN WICHITA
Confessed Mills RObber Tells
Where Silks Are.
officers Went to That City TO
Find Them.
HIS NAME is KNIFFLE.
More Discoveries About Stein
berg Check Passer.
His Stories Have Not Yet Been
Verified.

"Colonel'' z H. Brown. the man who
was arrested for attempting to pass
forged check on Abe Steinberger. has
confessed that he was implicated in the
robbery of the Mills Dry Goods COM
pany, and the police think they viii be
able TO capture the parties who were in
the robbery with him
When Brown, whose name is Knife.
was taken TO the station the police were
confident that he was an experienced
crook. and they put the charge OF as
sault against him in order that they
might hold him until they could learn
something about him. He was put in the
sweatbo1 Sunday. but they were un-
able to get anything out OF him. He
told different stories concerning his
business, but an examination Of the grip
which he had left at the National hotel
proved that all his claims as to being
a travelling man were untrue. There
was nothing in his sample case but
dirty clothes and receipts The latter
showed that his name was Kniffie.
Monday W. H. Whittou, OF the Mills
Dry Goods company. heard that the
check which had been presented to Mr..
Steinberger was signed by the same
name that was on letter he had found
in the store after the burglary, and he
at once went to the station and talked
the circumstances over with the police
Brown was again put in the SWea tbOX.
but denied ali knowledge OF the Mills
would be released if he would inform
on his confederates. He then confessed
that he knew who the burglars were,
and agreed to take the police to the
house where they were stopping
He gave the name Of VIM. Mcdonald
as one Of the men but did not know
the name Of the other two. He said
that he had been operating with them
sworn out, and Brown was taken in a
buggy to where he said the men had
been staying. The police surrounded
the house. which Is the second door
west from the corner Of Tenth and kan
sas avenues on the south side of the
street They found no one there who
answered the description Of the men as
given by Brown, and he concluded that
he had made a mistake. He said that
he had been there but once. and that
was in the night, so he could not be
sure Another house was tried, and then
the search was given up
Brown told the police that the goods
had been taken to Wichita. and told
where the house they had been taken 70
was located. He was very anxious to
accompany the officers there and show
them the place. but they decided to hold
him here and sent an officer with Mr..
| Wilton TO Wichita to look up the
goods. They left last night at II o'clock
| and nothing has been heard from them
| today
Brown asserts that he was not with
the men when the store was entered. but
says that he knew all about the plan
and helped handle the goods.
The charge against him in the police
court was dismissed today and a state
warrant was sworn out charging him
with burglary. If his story is true and
the police are able to capture any of the
burglars or find the silk he Will be re-
leased
The police do not give his story much
| credence. but they will Investigate IL
thoroughly. In the meantime it is very
| likely that they will learn that he is
wanted by the police in some other city.