The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-07
A MODERN vALJEAN.
Rich and Respected Man Arrest
ed as Convict.

Little Rock, Ark, March 7.-Hugo's
great story of the fugitive convict. risen
to honor and distinction in his new life.
only to be exposed and cast back Into
the galleys through the relentless visi
lance of the police, is duplicated in a
story revealed by the rarest of a lead
ing citizen of Casa, Ark, today.
The Jean Vatican of this story is jas.
Huddleston, who, for more than ten
years, has been known at Casa as ]. A.
Alexander He was arrested Thursday
by Deputy United States Marshal John
Mcclure on orders from Paris, Texas.
Huddleston admitted his identity, con-
fessed himself to be the man who, eley-
en- years ago, fled from Texas after be
ing convicted of passing counterfeit
money, quietly announced his readiness
to accompany the marshal, and last
night passed through here on his way
to Texas to serve a sentence in the PEN
itentiary.
The people of Casa refused at first TO
believe Huddleston could be guilty OF
any crime, and offered to aid him in
any way. He told them their good Of
fees were useless
on May Ia, 1890, James Huddleston
was convicted in the federal court IN
Texas on one count of an indictment
charging him with passing countertelt
money. The offense was not a serious
law. The jury, however, found he had
passed the counterfeit coin, and recon-
mended that he be sentenced to term
in the penitentiary.
Huddleston was then out on $1,000
bonds, furnished by relatives. The case
was given to the jury at O'Clock in
the evening, and the jurors debated over
the case and the evidence for several
hours. At II O'Clock at night the jury
returned a sealed verdict under the or
ders of the court, and was disn issed,
the judge announcing that the Verdlct
would be read the following morning.
HuddleSton had a friend either among
the jurors among the court attaches,
and, in some manner, he was informed
that he had been found guilty and
would have to serve a penitentlary SEN
tence. Before the court assembled to
open the verdict the next morning Hud-
dleston had disappeared.
A week later a stranger arrived in the
new town of Casa. He was a quiet
pleasant man. He said little to any one
of his life history, and, securing work
settled down to grow up with the WI
Iage He engaged in business and pros
pered.
of the leading citizens. He added to his
wealth rapidly, and for the last five years
the community. He never accepted any
public office, although the mayoralty ana
edly He was known for his philanthropy
and his willingness to aid any who were
of Perry county and could have the noml-
nation to congress from the district FOR the
asking. 49,.
Alexander, however, had no political as
pirationS. He continued to aid his nelgh-
bors and conduct his growing business he
did not marry. and many of his intimate
friends knew that he had some secret sor-
row which he was striving to live down.
His life was an exemplary one and ne was
considered model in the community. he
gave largely to church work. but never
connected himself with any church.
Last week the United States marshal for
the northern district of Arkansas was in
formed by the authorities at Paris, Tex,
that James Huddleston, fugitive from
Justice convicted of passing counterfeit
money, was residing in Casa under the
name of Alexander. .
The marshal sent a deputy to investi-
gate. The deputy, by inquiries, discovered
alexander had appeared at Casa shortly
after Huddleston fled from Texas. The
dissertation tailed. He reported and Dep
llty Mcclure was sent to arrest HuddleS-
ton He found the man in his office and
stated his business.
that he was the man wanted He asked
for an hour to arrange his business Inter
ests and accompanied the officer He
said the fear and expectation of arrest and
exposure had haunted him ever since he
fled.
Alexander's name is on the bonds Of
Sheriff White and several other county Of
ficials OF Perry county for large amounts.