Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-12
w. A. Richards Tells Story of
His Disappearance.
WILL GO TO cREsToN
Expects to Return to Home in Near
Future-says That He Can Prove
He Had No Connection With sulli.
van Hoid-Up.

Omaha, NED, March l2.-EX-Deputy
United States Marshall W. A. Rich
ards, who is accused of having been
connected with the Sullivan holdup at
Hamilton, is stopping in this city and
has been interviewed by a Des Moines
man with regard to his disappearance
1t is stated that just as soon as mat
tiers can be arranged Richards will re-
turn to his home in Creston. Con-;
cerning the accusations made against
him Richards says:
Il am absolutely innocent of any
connection with the Sullivan robbery
and | can prove it by several reputable
witnesses that such is the case. was
not at the Sullivan home at the time
of the robbery, and its accomplishment
was without any knowledge upon my
part whatsoever. was in Hamilton
the day before the robbery occurred,
just as has been stated in the papers,
and went there to meet my brother,
who is engaged in the restaurant busi-
ness. Baird was brought to Knoxville
wounded from the effects of the shots
| fired by Sullivan that night l had
known Baird for years and was instru-
mental in sending him to the peniten-
tiary. We had been personal enemies
since that event, and when / ap-
preached him in Knoxville, whence
had gone from Hamilton, l recognized
him at once. Baird stated to me-:
Bill, am going to die. have
caused my mother great deal of trou-
BILE, and she is almost crazy now over
my wicked ways. For Gods sake, do
not tell my name, so oFthat she will not
have to suffer for this
| 81 did not promise him what I would
do, and turning around in the crowd
some one suggested that a doctor
| who would pay for doctor and stat
ed that would. ] did not tell any one
who Baird was purely out of sympathy
for the wounded man, | returned to
\ Creston the next 1nossslng and when
4 read in the papers about
1 the alleged connection that
I had with the robbery and being in
trouble over another matter l simply
lost my head and skipped. l was
short $1,000 in my accounts with the
estate for which | was administrator
have been indicted in Marion coun.
| ty and the bonds have been fixed at
$4,000. This sum is too large for me
to raise and my friends are now max
ing an effort to have it reduced. AS
soon as this takes place and the bond
is furnished l shall return and surren
der. | am not at all afraid of the out
come when the case comes up for trial
and my innocence will be clearly
shown"
have always believed that if
had made no demand for a doctor when
Baird was in Knoxville likely to bleed
to death, not the slightest suspicion
would have ever been aroused as tC
any connection with the robbery. The
mere fact that was acquainted with
Baird and did not disclose his name at
the time is all the foundation there is
or ever has been to my being impli
Gated in the robbery. l have devoted
good many years of my life to the
hunting down of criminals, and not il
single instanct has my conduct beer
otherwise than straight and honorable
!, When the trial comes up, if it evel
!, does, | can show by reputable wit
nesses where | was during my tril
from Creston to Hamilton and return
During my trip conversed with more
than fifty people. There is scarcel,
an hour of that time which cannot BIZ
accounted for. Possibly did wrong il
skipping out, but many a better MAJ
. with less trouble than had, have made
unfortunate steps of that kind | an
anxious to meet the charges. but | dt
not care to remain in Jail under bond.