The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-18
Alleged San Jose Fugitive Made
the Victim of a Clever Plot.
IS DISCHARGED sYJUDoE CANN.
Then, when Separated From His At
torneys, He Is Taken Into Custody
and Held IA Close Prisoner Until n
California omcer Arrives From
Olympia with Extradftion Papers
lie Is Now Ont of the state.

Nicholas Infantino, the alleged fugitive
from San Jose, Cal, who was arrested In
this city two weeks ago by Detectives
wappensteln and Meredith. was made the
victim of n clever plot yesterday, and as
a result he II now on his way 10 Calitof-
MIA, despite his intention TO night the proc
ess OF extradition 20 the uttermost.
I~nfantino has been held In the county
JAN here on a warrant charging him with
being a fugitive from Justice. HIS near
fng on this charge was originally set TOT
Friday. but was continued until yestel-
day In order 20 give an officer from san
Jose time TO arrive In the city.
When Infantino was nrst arrested ne
ayowed HIS willingness 20 go back ana
stand trial. The charge against him was
that he had stolen $500 from a Miss josie
Wilson, n woman to whom II II claimed he
made violent love In order to gain her
confidence.
InfantIno had been in fail but n short
time. however, when he made up his mind
70 make a fight against being extradited.
Pursuant to this determination, ne re-
tanned Attorneys Morris & Shipley. and
when the case was called for hearing In
Judge cann's court yesterday morning
they were both on hand. Judge Cam
asked II the California officer had arrived,
and was told that he had not. This state
ment was literally true, but the police
knew that he was on his way from
Olympia. where he yesterday procured
requisition papers from Gov. Rogers.
The attorneys for the defendant clam
ored for his release, and Judge Cam
granted their request ~infantino. was
highly elated. lie shook hands 1unilantly
with his counsel, and even went 30 far as
TO assure Meredith and Wappenstein that
he bore them no malice.
ITS all right. old man. W~appenstein
replied. In a tone that was said by the
b~ystanders TO be one OF great d~isappoint-
ment. did our best, but you skinned
US"
Infan,ino went up to the eounty jail to
get his effects. Close on his traii was
Detective Phillips, whom he did not know
by sight. Two blocks behind Phillips
went Meredith and Wappenstein. and fol,
lowing them was a hack. Phillips waited
until Infantino had secured his effects,
and then making sure that his attorneys
were not In sight, placed him under ar
rest. The three detectives placed him In
tho cab and the whole party was driven
to a private residence on Eighth avenue
and Spring street.
Sheriff Robert ]. ~Iangford. OF San Jose.
Cal. arrived In the city on the Multno-
nah about noon. He had "A warrant for
Infantino's arrest duly signed by Gov.
Rogers, Langford waited until 2.So o'clock.
and then he served his warrant on In
fantino. Taking the man Into custody,
Lansford took the afternoon Flyer for
Tacoma, accompanied by Detective Mere
dith. IL IN supposed that he took the train
for California last night.
lnfantino Is said by Langford TO be an
e~x-convict having served twelve years OF
a t~wenty~year sentence In the state peni-
tentiary OF Massachusetts for murdaf. II
Is claimed that he and another robbed and
killed IA man who had been the b~euefactor
OF both. II In said that while In the peui-
Tertiary he met his present wife. who was
left In this city when her husband was 50
stealthily carried away yesterday She IL
charged With being an accomplish in the
crime which her husband Is alleged TO
have committed IN California. but no ef-
fort WIFI be- made to extradite her. She In
irish. and hor husband Is an Italian.
The police Justify tho measures which
they took "a send lnfantiuo out OF tho
state OF the ground that ~cXtradition lights
~" lrnF ard c0st the state a great deal
or money. az well as giving q a renufntien
~ ieiuR q safe anchorage for criminals.
They claim that the steps WhiCn they loDk
TO send tufaptino away were strictly legal,
although somewhat drastic.