The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-03

Sproat had left that place on his way
to Los Angeles
While in Toano Sproat lived with his
brother George a railroad telegrapher.
Before leaving the place the fugitive
shipped in his own name to Los Angeles
a box containing s1.711 in gold coin. The
shipping receipts for the money are
now in the hands of the detectives.
SDroats trail was taken up and he
was followed by the detective on his
way south. The police authorities were
not notified for fear that the matter
might become public and that the ac-
cused man would become suspicious
and throw his pursuer off the trail. He
did disappear as soon as he reached
Los Angeles.
In the meantime Samuel Sproat re-
turned to this city and Immediately be-
gan to consume large quantities of in
toxicating. liquor along the cocktail
route His movements were watched
by the detectives. Finally he collapsed
and was taken to the German hospital
last Saturday afternoon to be treated
for delirium tremens.
He remained in the hospital till Mon
day night and upon his release boarded
the owl train for Los Angeles. The
detectives followed him to the Oakland
mole and reported the matter to their
superior The Fresno representative of
the agency was notified by wire. He
boarded the train at that place and
traced Samuel Sproat to his mothers
residence. 826 Coronado street, Los An
geles.
WATCHED IN LOS ANGELES.
In the meantime another man was
dispatched from this end to take up
the chase in the south. The move
ments of Samuel Sproat were closely
watched, but on Wednesday night he
managed to give his pursuers the slip,
hire team and drive away in the still
of night toward the Mexican border.
While the detectives were working
on the case they discovered that Ed
ard Snrnat fayu
miles outside of Los Angeles for three
days, and that he had Joined his broth
er in the team and was making a des-
perate effort to escape. It was also
learned that the mother and sister cf
the two men were in the party, and
that they had secured a seven hours
start on their pursuers.
The detectives took up the trail with
team and followed the party all
Wednesday night and a greater part
of Thursday. They finally came upon
the fugitiveS in the little village of
CapiStrano, a few miles outside of San
ia Ana. There Edward Sproat was
placed under arrest, but his brother
| Samuel had left the party few hours
| before and taken to the hills outside of
| Santa Ana in order to divert suspicion
| He was located a few hours later,
and the sheriff of Santa Clara county
was conmun= Gated with and asked If
he had a warrant for Samuel Sproat's
arrest The sheriff wired back that
| the warrant had been issued, and asked
| that Samuel Sproat be arrested. Act
| ing on these instructions the detectives
placed Sproat under arrest and took
| him to the county jail, where he was
| locked up and placed under guard.
PLACED IN SANTA ANA JAIL.
| The detective who had Edward under
| arrest became suspicious of the surround
ingS at CapiStrano and finally had him
removed to the county Jail at Santa Ana
and placed under a heavy guard La st
night Edward Sproat was taken 70 Los
NJ pa1A md hnTd in Iao Cif mr. 1Ifafif
the departure of the owl for San Fran
| cisco. 1t was feared that the prisoners
might make desperate effort to eSca pc,
but they behaved in an orderly man
ner.
| The detectives have orders to bring Ed
ward SDroat back to this city.
! What the Sproat brothers did with the
900 which they are alleged to have
| taken away with them Is mystery
Edward Sproat will be prosecuted by
the board of trade to the full extent of
the law. He is being brought back to
can not be made binding twenty-three
other charges will be made against him.
and if necessary twice that number of
complaints will be sworn to.
were unique and original. When they
first started in business here they paid
cash for everything and became known
| to the big wholesalers about town as
| thoroughly honest business men. When
| finally the accused men asked for credit,
were granted willingly, and they secured
goods all over town and disposed of the
| wares at less than the Wholesale price,
which eventually led ne wholesalers to
| look upon them with suspicion and finally
| to demand d settlement