The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-10-26

afternoon. where Smith had been living I'M
der the name Of II. C. Johnson In his
lie name OF louise Soe5cer' She was lax
en- to the four Courts In q patrol wagon.
which also hauled all Of Smiths Effects.
Miss Spencer was busy writing letters
when the detectives entered the room. She
stated hat she had been engaged as 4 ste
nographer by Smith at Burlington. Ia Her
where her father. A V. Spencer. IS q mer-
chant
A typewriter which had bean rented from
a local firm was found IN the room On Il
the woman had written, at Smiths dicta-
ton, letters to him. which were to Be sent
10 many Texas towns. They were written
ElEtn Commission Company, Elgfn. Ill.
They were all commendatory OF Smiths
work as a salesman In all OF the letters
was inclosed a check
TELLS HOW HE EXPECTED
TO PASS FORGED CHECKS
Smith admitted that he was going to
Texas. At each OF the towns TO which one
OF the letters was to be cent he would get
his mail at the hotel. He would open the
letter in the presence OF tho clerk and take
out the check This he believed would have
the effect OF genuineness on the hoteI man
and would make It easy for him to get the
check cashed.
Asked II she did not suspect that some
thing was wrong with the letters Mss
Spencer declared she did IT tried TO get
49, $500 AAAA@n az - W. 40 AGRa
me almost a prisoner. He never allowed ma
to go out alone and forbade me writing
home. ! managed. however. to write to a
friend at Canton, H. but he got the reply
and was angry.
Il had gone to Burlington to take a pod
ton when 1 met Smith. He told ne his
name was Johnson He said he could give
me a lucrative position In st. Louis. and In
duced me TO come here with him. He
Shove me the big revolvers. but said he
-,--f.a 49,. g.
collected large sums Of money and 4 travel
ing salesman had the right 70 carry revolV-
ers. l did not know that he was q crook.
and never saw his check-forging devices
He never asked me TO sign q check for
smith was brought Up from the boldoveF
and confronted by Mss Spencer. BE ed-
dressed her as MY Dear and told Assist
woman had nothing TO do with the forger-
les Later when Chief Desmond sBeafed
him he declared that he had told her ali
about himself: that he was an ~ex-eoaviet
and tina he was going TO Texas to get rich
by passing forged checks.
WOMAN IN TEARS BEGS
POLICE TO- TO ARREST HER
Chief Desmond then took charge OF the
woman. She declared that Smith never had
told her about his pdst record. Smith was
t Ss she knew s9a s m sSF Prg him si rsPeA sss
maintained that she knew nothing OF It.
and bursting Into tears plead with Des-
AANAAA hSN ~ aEAG6l nEE On ACCOUNT OF the
disgrace She Was locked up and the Ke-
vance authorities oun
The private detective agencies are very
much interested IN Smiths capture. They
say IL is one OF the most important arrests
In several years, and that had Smith gotten
into Texas with his scheme he robab
would have deeced many persons.
The St Louis authorities have not de-
cided IA charge they will place against
Smith IN the courts. he can Go prosecuted
for attempts to kin. but that Is not re-
Earded By Chief Desmond as serious enough
onense- Circuit Attorney Folk may be con-
suited and as Smith has served two terms
IN the PenitenUiary the habitual criminal
law may be found 10 apply to him In case
Il Is found that he has committed forgery
before coming to St Louis. however, he viii
be taken 70 the city in which the crime was
committed 70 answer the charge He has
been out OF the Pe~nitentiary since Septem-
Der IL. and when arrested wore the suit Of
clothing given him at the Sing Sing Peni-
tertiary. a brown p~epper-and-salt goods OF
Smith Is by no means OF prepossessing ap-
p~earance. but he f. a fluent talker.
Smith offered to give Chief Desmond $50
for his. own release and 800 additional II
he would release the woman arrested with
him. The proposition was made by the pris-
oner while he vas being searched IN the
Chiefs once.