Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-25
MAKES DASH FOR LIBERTY
EDGAR J. wALTON's DESPERATE
LEAP FROM A WINDOW.
Was Recaptured and Later Sentenced
to Penitentiary for Period
of Ten Years.

Edgar J. Walton, who was arrested late
Saturday afternoon last on the charge Of
stealing a diamond ring valued at $50 and
a gold ring worth s. from Mrs. Catharine
Whitehead Of No. 1f4O Connecticut avenue.
was today arraigned in the Police Court
before Judge Kimball and was held in 81. 500
bonds for the action Of the grand Jury. A
few minutes later he escaped from custody.
In a short time. however, he was recap
tured by Officers Sanders and Galpin Of the
sixth precinct at the corner Of 4th and E
streets northwest.
After his experience at the Police Court
Walton jumped into a passing cab. and,
hatless, directed the driver to proceed to
point on 4th street near the judiciary
Square grounds He next dispatched the
driver to the city hall building with
message to a party who had befriended
him. The message was a request for
money to aid the fugitive to escape from
the city. The reply was delivered in per
son, the party referred to OBTAINING Wal
ton until a policeman passed by, whereupon
he was delivered into custody.
Walton was taken to the station shouse
and locked up and later arraigned before
Judge Clabaugh, who had suspended SEN
tence on him for similar offenses committed
several months ago.
He was sentenced by Justice Clabaugh to
Imprisonment for a total of ten years in the
West Virginia penitentiary at Moundsville.
This action Of the court was In connection
with the two cases Of false pretenses
against Walton, in which, as stated, SEN
tence was recently suspended.
When asked by Justice Clabaugh IL he had
anything to say, Walton remarked to the
court:
II don't know why I did 1t. I had no
reason to do SO. for 1 had money in my
pocket. I didn't know l had my hands
on the things till 1 was away from the
house"
After sentence was imposed Walton gave
way to tears. He declared that he could
never serve the sentence and that he meant
to kill himself.
The Attempt at Escape.
While Walton was awaiting transporta-
ton to the Jail, Detective Peck called at
the cell room for the purpose Of having
talk with tho prisoner relative to a book
In his possession. Walton was allowed to
come out Of the cell and sit in a chair at
the end Of the corridor. while the detective
conversed with him. At the conclusion OF
the interview Walton was returned to the
cell and the detective left the building.
Before Turnkey Madigan had time to lock
the door OF the cell. in which other prison.
ers were also confined, his attention was
called to something that was going on IN
hastily placed the hasp Of the lock over
the door of Walton's cell. 1t Is stated that
although Mr.. Madigan's back was turned
but for very brief period Walton en-
through the bars and remove the hasp.
Quickly making an exit. but pausing long
enough to replace the hasp and thus pre-
vent the escape of any one else he dashed
upstairs and through the jury room. whence
he escaped through an open window. The
prisoner had been in the room for the pur-
pose of consulting with his counsel earlier
in the day, and 1t Is believed he noticed
that half way between the window and the
ground, a distance of probably thirty feet,
there was the roof of low building. At
any rate, that was the way he made his
escape for the time being.
Before reaching the ground Walton lost
his straw hat, and he ran into the house
No. 40 9Th street northwest, where he
asked to be given hat. The lady refused
to give him one and Walton ran through
the house and out to 9Th street. finally max
Ing his way to 4th and streets. where. as
before stated, he was recaptured.
An Eventful Career.
Although only nineteen years old. Wal
ton has had quite an eventful history since
he came here from Newark N. j., a few
months ago. Shortly after his arrival he
secured employment in one of the largest
stores, and after little while was detected
stealing and was discharged. Walton is
quite neat In appearance, and he had no
difficulty in getting work. Almost as soon
however, as he would get place, 1t is said
he would begin his populations, and in a
few weeks he occupied several positions. in
each of which. it is alleged, he acted dis
honestly.
Becoming alarmed, he left the city and
went to Chicago. where he was arrested by
request Of Inspector Boardman, who sent
Detective Lacy after him. Some time after
his return to Washington he was convicted
in the Criminal Court before Judge Cla-
baugh in two cases of grand larceny
Through the intercesslon of kindly disposed
persons who interested themselves in Wal
ton. Judge Clabaugh consented to suspend
sentence during the good behavior of the
accused man. He was also provided with
good position by friends. but. as has been
Several persons who were said to have been
victimized by Walton declined to prosecute
him, and 1t was not until, as alleged, he
robbed Mrs. Whitehead that he again got
into the clutches Of the law.