Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-19
KEPT NOTHING BACK
YOUNG MAN DETAILS INCIDENTS
IN HIS CAREER HERE.
Had Good Time on Fathers Cash,
but Finally Taken Into
Custody.

Persons who saw John T. Peterson enter
police headquarters yesterday morning had
not the slightest idea that he was q pris-
oner, but, nevertheless, he was in custody.
He was stylishly dressed and carried
cane, while behind him walked Detectives
O'Brien and Cornwell. each carrying a
dress suit case. A hat box completed the
young mans baggage. When questioned at
headquarters Peterson talked freely Of his
career since leaving his home at James
town. n. Y, three weeks ago. He admitted
having brought with him $500 In cash. He
had signed his fathers name to check
for the amount stated. and had obtained
the money on it in the usual business way.
Upon his arrival in the city he registered
at the Raleigh, but, it is alleged. he proved
an undesirable guest there. and was told
that he should seek quarters elsewhere.
I'm going to the New Willard" he told
the clerk as he was about to leave. A tee,
phone message reached the latter hotel
ahead Of Peterson, it is stated, and he was
told that there was no room In the mousse
for him. Then he went to the Shoreham
and deposited $50 with the clerk While
there he attempted to get check for S2oo
cashed. This caused an investigation, and
the answer from jamestown was so unsat-
isfactory that the proprietor declined to &C
cept the check. 1t was through this IN
quiry that the young mans father, VINO is
prosperous clothing merchant, learned of
his whereabouts and took the necessary
steps to get possession of him.
Captain Boardman was requested to
cause his arrest, and Detectives O'Brien
and Cornwell were sent out to find him.
They learned that he had been at the Ra-
leigh and Shoreham, and that he had d.
rected that his mail be sent to the w aidorf-
Astoria in New York. Still the detectives
doubted if he had left the city. They con-
tinued their search until they found the
young man at the Colonial.
Confides in Capt. Boardman.
Peterson made no objection to accom-
panying the officers to police headquarters,
and q few minutes later he was telling
Captain Boardman of his escapade. He
said he had but $40 left, and that he would
soon have gone home of his own accord.
During his visit here, covering about three
weeks, he stated, he had been under the
influence of liquor most of the time, al
though he had not been staggering
drunk" He had courted young lady OF
this city, he told the detectives, and was
engaged to be married tomorrow: Two
nights ago he visited the young LADY. ana
when he left the house he carried away the
iron gate from the front fence. This he
took to the hotel, where it was put in the
storeroom.s His excuse for removing the
gate was that he was tired of hearing 1t
"creak'
About four months ago, Peterson stated,
he went away from home on similar trip,
spending his time in the west. He spent
about 81 500 on that trip. On trip south,
he stated, he went to city In Florida,
where he met a number Of people and Set
up the wine. The next morning he found
that he had been robbed of his cash and
his clothes.
All that was left him was a pair of over
alls and an old pair of shoes. Shortly after
the arrest was made Captain Boardman
wired information to the Jamestown au-
thorities An answer was received from
the chief of police that somebody would
come here today for the young man.
Permits Law to Take Its Course.
A brother Of the prisoner arrived here this
afternoon from Jamestown and consulted
CAPTAIN Roardman. He informed the police
official that his father had become tired OF
taking care of Johns paper and had decided
to allow the law to take its course. De-
tectiye Summers Of Baltimore reached
Washington about the time of the arrival
of the brother from jamestown, and pre-
scented warrant issued in the monumental
city on the oath of Jonas Schloss, whole
sale clothier, alleging that he had cashed
worthless paper calling for $3.50 for the
young man under arrest. Peterson's father,
it is stated, is customer of the Baltimore
firm. This transaction is charged to have
taken place the 18th of this month. Com
plant was also made to the police that
Peterson had passed a worthless check for
500 on a local bank after he had the paper
indorsed by Mr.. Walter Tenney, friend.
Mr. Tenney, the police were informed, did
not desire to prosecute the case but would
make the amount good at the bank.