The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-13
.y A STAFF CORRESPONDENT

BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Union. Mo. March l2-For the first time
since they were arrested in Hartford. Ru-
dolph and Collins were brought face TO
face this morning with the heinous char
acter of their crime.
The language of the information that has
been filed against them by Prosecuting At
torney Meyersieck leaves no room for doubt
concerning the charge they will be called
upon to answer. Seated in the Circuit
Courtroom. surrounded on all sides by
guards. the two Union Bank robbers re-
after their arrival here
Slowly and without hetraying the slight
est nervousness. the men who killed Charles
= Schumacher the Pinkerton detective,
scanned the lines that charged them with
having committed willful murder. Col
Inns read rapidly. w.thou: removing his eyes
from the paper. Rudolph cast frequent
glances toward Judge William Davidson,
who sat, grim and impressive, Immediately
in front of him
When the men had finished reading the
papers. Judge Davidson explained the ma
ture Of the charge. He said that they
were not required to plead fer forty eight
hours after information had been handed
them ard stated they would be allowed to
see an attorney.
COLLINS SAID THEY
DID NOT NEED COUNSEL.
Collins was the first to grasp the courts
meaning. Quick as flash, he started to
his feet, but the foot and handouts with
which he was bound to Rudolph prevented
his rising to his full height. Half in and
half out Of his chair he said in a loud, clear
voice:
We don't need no counsel to answer that
thing. I would rather plead right now and
then be taken back TO St. Louis
Rudolph. however. appeared undecided
and the men were taken to the county Jail.
where they Will be confined until the ex-
piration of the forty-e!ght hours allowed by
law. unless they both request to plead be-
fore that time.
The scene in the courtroom was one that
will long be remembered here. There were
comparatively few persons at the station
when the train bearing the bandits and
their guards arrived.
A large bus was In waiting and the men
were driven at once to the Courthouse.
which is located in the center OF the town.
1t was here that the crowd had gathered to
see the famous robbers. Men. women and
children filled the street in front of the
building and were packed closely ten or
fifteen deep in the Courthouse yard.
WOMEN DISPLAY
MUCH CURIOSITY.
A passageway was opened through the
crowd without much difficulty. and the rob-
bers were taken to the Circuit Courtroom
on the seconf floor of the building. The
court had been cleared, but. after the pris-
oners had been seated. the Sheriff admitted
the crowd and more than 200 persons
crowded into the little room.
A strange feature was the curiosity dis
played by tho women. More than fifty were
present. and they were admitted to a place |
for them to the left Of the Judges
bench. From here they could command an |
view Of Collins and Rudolph. |
and few eyes wandered from the bandits |
turing the courts proceedings.
This conditions here are unusually quiet
the circumstances. There ap- 1
pears to DO little personal feeling against !
The prisoners. The people OF Union believe |
that the men will be punished legally and |
appear willing for the law to take its |
,ourse.
The robbers. however. are closely guarded. |
They are confined in cells in the upper tier.
iiagonally across from that occupied by |
Arthur Duestrow, who was hanged hero
about six years ago.
Inside the jail building is an armed guard,
In front of the two cells occupied
~ the robbers Outside Of the building are
wo more special deputies. who will main
ain their vigil all night.
Sheriff Bruch and Deputy Sheriff Vedder
will make frequent tours of inspection and