Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-29

Special to Times Republican
Indianola, Sept. 2s.-The jury in the
case of w. A. Richards, ex-United
States deputy marshal, founda him
guilty of breaking and entering In the
night time the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
Peter Sullivan, at Hamilton, on the
night of Jan. 81. The verdict was
found on one ballot only, and there was
no difference Of opinion In the jury as
to his guilt. Richards planned the rob-
berry OF $1,000 from the Sullivans which
was carried out by Baird and Redrup.
History Of the Case.
On the night of Jan. 2. last P. Sulli-
van and wife were attacked in their
own home by two masked robbers who
secured s1,S00 cash. Sullivan is .
farmer residing in the vicinity OF HAM
iton, a small town near the ce1ter OF
the north line of Monroe county, Mr..
and Mrs. Sullivan had a large sum OF
money in their home which they had
secured from the sale Of land. The
sum OF money and were met by fiat
REFUSAL At the point Of revolver Mr1.
Sullivan was forced to reveal the se-
|cret hiding place of the strong box
which contained the cash. The robbers
threatened torture to the woman Il she
did not tell where the money could bs
found.
Immediate after the robbery S,illi-
van started in pursuit Of the men who
had the money, firing several shots
One man was wounded Unable to ace
company his companion the wounded
man was hunted down and held for
identification. In the meantime tnan
named James Borden had besu placed
under arrest at Eddyvilie and waa 3sls-
pected of being the accomplice Of the
wounded man. The wounded nsna Nas
identihed az Baird. Of Craston. Iowa Z
man Of unsavory reputation among
criminals, and said to have been ac.
quainted with .fBill' Richards for =
number Of years. Frank Baird vas
lodged IN the Marion county Jail 1t
Knoxville. where every attempt was
made to secure a confession from him.
While in the jail he was visited BY
Richards. The deep interest which
Richards took in Baird aroused the
sus picion Of the Knoxville authorities
and on the 11th day OF last January a
warrant was issued for his arrest. This
action on the part Of the authorities
proved a sensation all over the state.
Ricahrds had been deputy United
States marshal. with good record for
service rendered, and there were Few
who would believe in his guilt
When an attempt was made to servs
the warrant Richards was missing. For
two months he safely e.uded the Off
GERS March II Richards was seen by
a representative Of the Capital in OD1-
aha, and stated that he was ready to
deliver himself to the authorities as
soon az bond could be arranged and
matters patched up 80 he would not
have to lie In Jail On the Goth Of
March Richards surrendered himself to
taken to Knoxville, where his bonds
were approved on March %.
In the meantime Frank Baird. who
after his arrest had been near deaths
door on account Of the wounds recetved
during the daring flight for libsseo
from the scene OF the robbery. recov-
cred and was placed on trial in the
courts OF Marion county. Feb. 70 he
was found guilty of completely Ia the
robbery and sentenced to q long term
in the penatentiary.
A nnal effort was made to secure .
confession from Baird before he was
taken to the penitentinry. He main-
tanned that Richards IL innocent OF the
crime charged.