The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-08-12
Police of ST. Louis and of Sioux
City Convinced That He Has
Solved the Murder.
LETTER FURNISHES EVIDENCE.
Woman Wrote to Him From Sioux
City, Telling Him to Stay Away
Officer Is Coming for
the Prisoner.

son, who was beaten to death with a blunt
instrument in his office in Sioux City, Ia, on
the night of December %, 1899 This opinion
is based on Peytons confession and he will
be held in custody here pending the arrival
of the Sioux City officers
Peyton was taken from the holdover last
night and "sWeated" by Lieutenant John
son. He virtually admitted that 1t was he
who inflicted the injuries which caused Rob-
sons death. but he was reticent concerning
details and circumstances.
Letters found In his possession connected
him with the killing. AS socn as he learned
that he was TO be charged with more
grave offense than burglary he refused to
answer further questions.
Mrs. Peyton, the prisoners wife, became
very Ill yesterday afternoon and her re-
moval to the City Hospital was necessary.
She had been confined in the matron's room
at the Four Courts Her condition is con-
sidered by the City Hospital physicians 10
be critical on account of the nervous strain
to which she has been subjected.
Peyton told Lieutenant Johnson last night
in Captain Reynolds's private Office that
he Cracked" three safes in Sioux City in
the month of December. 1899 He admitted
that he had a desperate struggle with a
man who attempted to interfere with him
in one instance, and he declared that he
struck the man on the head several times
with a section of brass tubing.
Contractor Robson was knocked senseless
by a blow from some blunt instrument
while he was endeavoring to prevent the
lootins of the safe in his Office. He was
removed to the Samaritan Hospital, where
he died three days later. The only descrip-
tion he gave of his assailant was that he
was big man. muscularly built and very
active. Peyton answers this description.
After the interview Lieutenant johnson
said:
Il am convinced that. Peyton is guilty Of
the killing OF Robson. the Sioux City man"
An Incrfminating Letter.
Lieutenant johnson and Peyton were clos
eteG for more tHan an hour last night
Peyton told the Lieutenant Of a number of
crimes which he had committed. but the
otflcer refused to give out list of them.
livery effort possible was made by the pris-
oner to dodge the questions relative to the
Robson killing.
Peyton admitted that he had lived with a
woman in Sioux City whose first name was
kitty" A letter from her. addressed to
him at st. Paul, was found in his possession.
Dear Frank: Don't come back yet. Ev-
eryhOdy is excited over the case. You know
he died soon afterward. Stay away for a
while, and I will let you know something
else. KITTY.
The letter was postmarked Sioux City,
and was received by Peyton in st. Paul.
The police think that the woman referred
to Robson when she said You know he
died soon afterward."
with Chief Melon Of Sioux City. and was in
formed that either he or Sheriff Jackson of
Woodbury. County. Iowa, would arrive in a
decided whether Peyton will be sent to Iowa
to answer to the charge of murder, or
held here on the several charge. Of bur
will be reached when the Sioux City officers
arrive.
Since Peyton's arrest he has been grad
ualiy recovering from the effects Of the
narcotics to the use of which he has been
addicted. Several times yesterday he was
taken to the City D!spensary for treatment.
and it was not until after he had been given
a slight injection of morphine that he reused
himself sufficiently to converse inteiligentiy
At o'clock last night Republic reporter
was admitted to Peyton's cell.
Peyton's Confession.
The prisoner showed signs of nervousness
when the visitor was announced and de-
sIarsa that he had himself often
suasion he consented to talk. AS told In
The Republic of yesterday Peyton con-
fessed to bur- bIrgares In st Louis
Northwest.
When questioned concerning his Sioux
municative. The substance of the inter-
view follows:
You have confessed to the robbery OF
three safes in Sioux City, have you not?"
Yes" said Peyton. "and all of those rob-
berries we're committed in the month of De-
cember 1897
while there did you ever meet with any
resistance in an attempt to crack a safe?'
"Yes, on one occasion I was attacked by
a man who suspicioned that was a bur
gar, and it was necessary for me to use
force In order to subdue him."
With what did you strike him.
brass IT tubing. @ "a and i then % looted @ the safe in
his office. The office was located near the
Sioux City Combination bridge and within
a block of the Central Police Station. l
only got 500 on that job
Are you aware that you killed one of the
most prominent % men in the Northwest when
Yes. l knew that some guy would suffer
from the beating gave him. but it didn't
make no difference to me who it was so
wouldn't Talk of Kitty"
Peyton told Lieutenant johnson that in
most Of his operations he was assisted by
man known as Pig Eye Mason. with
concluded their work in Sioux City. He
declared that Mason was with him when the
three safes were cracked in Sioux City
sbility of the Robson killing on Mason. He
declared that he had not seen Mason since
he left him in Sioux City last December.
say nothing When shown the letter signed
by her and addressed to him he said:
She is one OF my numerous friends That
Peyton refused to answer questions con-
corning the contents Of the letter. He de-
clared that he did not know what she meant
by her instruction to stay away from Sioux
City.
! The reporter then informed the prisoner
of the critical condition of his wife and
Peyton wept bitterly.
"She Is the only woman ever loved
said he. but suppose that am separated
from her now forever The .penitentiary is
too good for me: ought to be hanged. I'll
confess to everything tomorrow Let them
do what they will to me-
With that he sank down on the wooden
couch in his cell, collapsng completely.
Even his cellmates offered sympathy and at
tempted 10 console him. but their efforts
We're devoid of result. Through the night
| Peyton raved and screamed. Constantly he
| cried in vain for morphine to quiet his
| nerves and not infrequently he mentioned
| the name of his wife.
Iowa Police Believe Peyton Guilty.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
| Sioux City, Ia, Aug. 1.-THE Sioux City
| police have accepted as the solution OF the
| mystery of the murder of Contractor .Iohn
Peyton to the st. Louis police and believe
| that Peyton is the slayer of Robson. IN
vestigation here shows that Peyton was In
Sioux City at the time of the murder and
! peared Immediately after the assault was
made public he was not suspected OF the
| crime.
| Peytons identity has been established by
crooks of the same name who have operated
! extensively in the Northwest. The Frank
+! Peyton now under arrest in st. Louis IS
; considered one of the shrewdest criminals
| The other Peyton is now in jail in Omaha.
According to Chief Melon. the Peyton now
| in st. Louis was the leader of a gang or
highwaymen who held up and robbed Frank.