Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-20
is OUT OF PRISON.
Chester w. Rowe Breathes the Air
of Freedom.
FOUND GUILTY Of ENLIGHTENMENT.

Tried, Convicted and Sentenced to
Prison-Story by the Courier's Grin
nell Correspondent.
Grinnell, Dec. 20.-fSpecial Cores
pondence) -Chester w. Rowe, the de-
faulting treasurer of Poweshiek coun-
ty is at liberty, after having seen the
interior of Mexican prison for num-
Der of years as the result of having
embezzled several thousand dollars
belonging to the county. His rapid
flight southwark was entirely success
full, so far as judicial interference was
concerned, but he unwittingly made
the mistake of purchasing Mexican
real estate which, according to their
laws, made him citizen and amen
able, to them for any acts he may have
performed. 1t was finally proven that
he had brought stolen funds across the
border for which offense he was SEN
fenced to twelve years in prison. His
reported release at this time would in
dictate that portion of his sentence
has been RENTED.
Story Of the Crime.
In April, 1895, Chester w. Rowe,
then treasurer of Poweshiek county,
left ostensibly for a visit with his par
ents at Wilton Junction. Several days
elapsed and he did not return. The
board of supervisors made an examin-
alton of Rowe's books and found an
apparent shortage of at least S25, 1000.
Searched for Rowe.
The first thing to do was to find
Rove. Inquiries were. made in Kan
sas and Colorado, in both of which
states he had been engaged in the rail
way service. Later the matter was
placed in the hands of Pinkerton de-
tectives and the officer detailed on the
case located Rowe in the City of Mex
leo, where, in company with his broth
err Richard, he was conducting sa-
| loon
| The detective learned that Rowe
had several thousand dollars in gold
on deposit in a Mexican bank. Steps
were at once taken to have the en-
bezzling treasurer brought back to
Iowa, but a snag was struck at the
very outset.
Ffsas Was a Mexican Citizen.
Rowe had purchased real estate,
which, cording ito the laws of Mex
| leo, made him citizen of that coun-
try. hence the extradition proceedings
We're Of no avail
I Forgotten Law Resurrected.
Beaten on this track another was
taken. Senior Alfero, Mexican law
yer resurrected "a forgotten statute in
which it is a crime to bring stolen
funds in the country. Under this law
Rowe was tried, convicted land SEN
lstenced to. twelve, years in Belem pris-
on. His release at this time Indicates
that he has had his time shortened
by good behavior or otherwise or
lithat he has secured rehearing of the
case, and been released on a technical
7 RoWe's Brother.
4 Richard Rowe, who was arrested as
an aceomplice of Chester, was ex-
|tradited, brought back to Iowa for
trial and convicted. He was sentenc-
ed to three years in prison, which he
has served and is now at liberty
Cost OF the Case.
The entire cost of the case to Pow
eshiek county, including the money
stolen, the pursuit, trial and capture
of both men, will aggregate not far
| from $4,000, a portion of which was
recovered from Chester's bondsmen.
Rowe Will Not Return.
[ Chester Rowe will not return to the
United States. There are several in
dictments hanging over him on the
charge Of embezzlement. He can not
plead, should he return, that he has
been put in jeopardy once, because
he was tried in Mexico on the charge
of bringing stolen funds into the re-
public and not OH the charges con-
| tanned in the Iowa indictments,
1 Attempted Burglary.
\ An amateur attempt to burglarize
the store of Gil Miles, on Broad
street, was made yesterday morning
\ at 2 o'clock. Policeman John Lee,
while passing the building noticed a
man on the inside of the building
calmly taking articles from the show
case. When the. burglar saw that the
officer had noticed him, he dropped
behind the counter and crawled to the
rear of the store, making his escape
thru the alley. There is no doubt but
that the work was done by home tai
ent and several amateurs are unded
suspicion.
Annual College Debate.
The annual debate of the Iowa col
lege students to determine who shall
represent the institution in the contest
with Cornell, was held Monday night.
The first place was won by Glysteen
whose subject was "a National Prob
lem" The second was taken by T.
Riser, subject, american Justice, .
and the third prize was carried off by
w. Brown, who chose for his subject
American Imperialism"
MarshalItown.
Recently a story was printed in the
Courier concerning a story about a
woman at Indianola who claimed that
she had been abducted from her home
in Haddam, Kas., and after being bound
and gagged she was placed in COW
cred wagon. After two days travel
she was taken to cave, in the mean
I J. L. 70