The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-03-22
DESPERATE
THOMAS IN
SWEAT BOX
Attorney Mcclure Puts Him
Through Rigid Examination
He TOLD A FISHY STORY
Would Give No Account of
His Past Life.

Guthrie, o. T, March 21.-There is no
doubt in the minds of the United States
officers in this city but what the man
brought here last night by Sheriff Foster
Of Perry is one Of the men wanted for the
murder and robbery at Red Rock. So far
no one has been found who can identify
the man or give his right name. He
states that he goes by the name Of Char
lie Thomas, although his name is John
son. he states, too, that he was born in
Edwards county. Kansas. but has not
been there for some time. Thomas, or
johnson, was glau to be brought to this
city to escape the mob which was after
him and wanted MIN bad. If he had been
/ captured by the citizens Of that part Of
/ the country he would lave been lynched
to avenge in part the death of Alvin
Bateman. Foster knew this, and for that
reason under the instruction of the offic-
ers in this city, brought his man to th9
federal prison. Foster and his prisoner
attracted some attention at the station
and on the streets, and the wounded cod-
dition Of the prisoner attracted much
/ comment. Foster gave q sigh Of relief
after be had landed his man in the fed
eral Jail here, and it was with a sense of
much satisfaction that his chase of two
days duration was over.
This morning the prisoner was taken 10
the nited States district attorneys Office
and while there was questioned by As
sistant United States attorney MCGUIRE.
Mr.. MCGUIRE stated to the Eagle cores /
pondeut this afternoon that there was no
doubt but that the prisoner was the man
wanted and that all that was necessary
now was to collect the evidence, and that
part of the case would be easy to do. The
desperate VIII have his hearing next
Monday before omitted States Commits
sioner Jones at Perry, and there is little
question but what he viii be helu for fur
Their investigation.
Although Thomas gives his age as 20, it I
seems that ne is nearly 60 Mcclure states 4
that when he would get cornered in the (
examination he would make an excuse p
that on account OF the hole in his head he
would have to be excused for not giving
better answers. Mcclure had his man
under examination for over two hours,
and during that time he 90 the names .
of only two men that he hal known since I
living in this country. lie admits, how
ever that he was near the scene Of tie (
murder. He states tat lie was crossing
the Otoe reservation and that during the /
storm two men on one horse approached !
linn and told him 20 throw I'D his hands /
and surrender. Thomas states That he
did not do this. b t shot at the men in
stead. They in tutn shot at HIM, causing
the wounds which re now bears. He re-
tUILed their fire, ana then they fred
again, wounding hiIn another time. This
lime homas dropr ID OF his horse and he
says that the men wanted his hat and
coat. He states that they did not want
his gun or his money. and let him go with
that. To Mcguire Thomas gave an ac-
curate description of his horse ana also
the horse being used by the two men.
The horses used y Cravens and this man
Thomas were captured by the officers and
Thomas knew this and described the ami r
mails accurately. When asked how the
men could see him on Toe reservation,
Thomas stated that ley were able to
distinguish him by the aid Of a fash of
lightning. When the man was searched
he had new cartridge belt and a good
six-shooter strapped on him. He also
had ST on his person, Hno IN answer TO
questions where this money came from,
he stated that man could get money in ;
many ways, but further than that he !
would say nothing. After an Of his cues
lioning, it was hard 70 get anything ac- .
ourate from him. but the clues cropped :
by him win lead 10 his conviction without
any doubt Thomas can not give any :
good reason for his oeing in the Indian &,
reservation. He states that he was going
10 the north and had no special mission.
More than this, nothing could be gotten
from him.
There is no question but that Thomas
8 desperate character He is Of slight
ouild He IS older tuau he looks. and he
las the desperate. oon't care look on his
ace It was found impossible to get MIN
. name any place where re had worked g
Turing the years Of his life. nor would he a
itate what he had been doing He states. @
90, Laat when ne went to the house Of j
fetherington he told them that he had j
hot himself accidentally When asked d
Why he told this story. he said that he 2
I'D not want Hetherington' people to f
ollow the men. that he could and would
ttend 10 them later on. There We're
many other things told by the prisoner Of
his nature and at his examination he !,
gill have an opportuaitv Of telling what =
.e knows about the Red Rock matter. !
Thomas claimed at FIRST that he had
nown nothing Of the affair but later
tatements from him disclosed the fact
her be did iovV sonnet hing ~h1..- f.