Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-08
PAID WITH MARKED BILLS
ARREST OF CAPT. C. w. KING AT
MOBILE.
CHARGED That He Demanded Bride
From Contractor HObsOn
of This City.

Capt. Cyril w. King a construction quar-
termaster in the United States army. to
which he vas appointed from Iowa In 1898,
at the outbreak Of the war with Spain. was
arrested yesterday at Mobile, Ala, charged
with demanding and accepting bride from
Joseph H. Hobson, a contractor OF this
c,tv with an Office at 1416 street north
west.
According to the story of Mr.. Hobson,
King. who was stationed at Fort Morgan,
demanded money from Hobson, and threat
ened to condemn material furnished by him
unless he got the money. In fact, II Is
charged, King had already begun whole
sale condemnation Of material to be used
in the construction Of new barracks ana or
ficers' quarters at Fort Morgan Hobson had
the contract for the work, and Iouno tnat
Kings interference was costing him money
with the prospect of a still greater loss. He
inquired how much King wanted. The lat
ter at first demanded 5000, but finally
agreed to accept $1,000. Hobson paid King
$500 in September, and in October paid
$500 more He agreed to pay $1,000 In ad-
dition in January. After the second pay
ment Hobson came here and reported the
matter to the War Department, declaring
farther. King had given Hobson a great
deal of trouble, having rejected fully 30
per cent of his material.
Detectives Put ON the Case.
The War Department asked Chief Wilkie
of the secret service to put man on the
case. This was done, and for two weeks
Agent McAdams Of the secret service has
been working with Hobson. 1t was agreed
but that the money should be marked. Hob
son went to a bank and got the teller to
mark 81 900 in bills, McAdams taking part.
The money was paid at the contractors Of
1faf n
and arrested him. When searched in the
presence Of witnesses the marked money
was found in his pockets.
King Held.
King was taken before United States
commissioner, who held him in $4,000 bond.
He is endeavoring to have his relatives in
Iowa furnish the money to obtain his free
dom.
Capt. King was formerly prominent in
National Guard affairs at Fort Dodge,
Iowa. After enlisting in the Spanish war
Porto Rico, and later at the barracks at
Columbus, Ohio.
The Department Not Surprised.
The arrest Of Capt c. w. King, quarter
master of volunteers, at Mobile, Ala, yes
terday created no surprise at the War
Department. Quartermaster General Lud-
ington and the other officials of the quar-
termaster generals once were evidently
familiar with all the circumstances lead
ing I'D to the officers arrest, but none of
them was willing to discuss the matter
for publication. General Ludington said
that he had asked for additional infor-
nation by telegraph and when 1t was re-
ceived he might possibly be prepared to
announce the departments action in the
matter There is no disposition. he said,
to take snap judgment against Captain
King, and the charges against him will be
thoroughly investigated before action is
taken.
Inasmuch as the case Is now in the hands
of the civil authorities, with every pros
pect of the officers trial on a criminal
charge, 1t is said at the War Department
that court-martial proceedings are unnee-
| essary. If the charge against Captain
King is sustained in the civil proceedings
| that officer will undoubtedly be discharged
| from the army without honor" by order
| of the President on the ground that his
| services are no longer required.