The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-02-15
MADE 4 Bic BLUFF
Al Russell Compelled a Thief
to Give Up a Diamond.
ROBBED IN A DEPOT JAM
Two Men are Locked Up
Charged With the Deed.

Two men registered as John Doe and
Richard Roe are locked up in the police
station on the charge of being the men
who stole a diamond stud from Al Rus
sell of Wellington at the Rock Island
depot Wednesday evening. The men were
arrested early yesterday morning and a
case will be made against them If Ir.
Russell will come TO the city and prose-
cute them. He has his diamond and got
it without the aid OF the police, and it
is only possible that the victim viii come
here, but if he does not the two men
will be photographed and their faces will
adorn the rogues' gallery.
Mr.. Russell. Harvey Coverdale and
VIII Lichtenberger all of Wellington,
came to this city to see the roping contest
and the latter to take Roy Snyder, who
has been in a hospital here for some
time, back to his home at Wellington.
There was q terrible jam at the depot
when the train came in and the three
men each had bundle TO take into the
train with them. Mr.. Russell was push
ing and crowding up the steps Of the plat
form and just back Of him was a little
man with a black mustache, pushing
him for all he was worth. Mr.. Russell
weight back onto the man behind and
this was the very position the little fell
low wanted, for during the push he
swiped the diamond Mr. Russell went
on into the car and deposited the bun
die and then happened to think about
the fellows that had often been robbed
of diamond shirt studs while in jam
and put UP his hand to see if the dia-
mond was all right, but the sparkler
was missing,
Mr.. Russell walked out of the car and
down the platform looking for the little
man with the black mustache, and near
the south end of the platform he located
his man. He passed him and then
touched him on the shoulder and said:
me that diamond"
The little man jumped to one side and
swelled I'D like a toad and said:
What do you mean?"
Look here, you - - - rascal, give
me that diamond"
While the man was thinking about it.
Mr.. Russell gave him a good poke in the
ribs TO stir up his thinking apparatus
and to get il to working in proper shape
The man slowly put his hand to his
mouth and gulped and then handed the
diamond to Mr.. Russell. Mr.. Russell
was almost knocked over by the sudden
appearance Of his pet sparkler and was
so nervous that he dropped the diamond
onto the platform. He reached down TO
get the diamond. but a little piece of
ice fooled him and also brought him to
his senses. as he thought that perhaps
the man would cut and run.
Mr.. Russell Strengthened up and gave the
thief another poke in the ribs, saying:
Pick it up" The thief got down on his
hands and knees and CROPPED around on
The cold pavement and finally found the
diamond and handed 1t to the owner
Then he said. Now you have your gem
Yep" said Russell.
Then you are not going to sQueal on
me, are you?' anxiously asked the pick
pocket.
You haven't heard me make a holIer,
have your" said Mr.. Russell. and then
he read him the riot act a little for try
to use better judgment next time he
made a trial and left him and got on the
train.
While this was going on the thiefs
partner came I'D and stood looking on.
but he was buffaloed as well as the man
who took the diamond.
Mr.. Russell was SO happy to get his
sparkler back that he did not think of
the police and it was only through some
people who saw the whole performance
that the officers were able to get a de-
of themn. The diamond was
worth about $3.50.
The police think the men belong 10 a
gang. with headquarters in Kansas City.
and that there were four OF them here
during the convention. but this was the
only instance where they did any work
so far as the police are able TO learn.