Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-31
"Tom" Robinson and "Jen'
White Are Arrested and
Placed in Jail
HAD LONG CAREER OF CRIME.
Robinson Regarded as One of the Most
Clever and at the Same Time Dec
perate Criminals That Ever Grad.
uated From the Des Moines School
of Crime.
Special to Tilnes-Republican

DeS.l MONIES, are held IN jail at CnaL-
tanooga, Tenn. while Sheriff Shipp Is
endeavorging to locate the owners Of
valuable diamonds found hidden In
'Jen" Whites clothing when she was
arrested. kilograms have been re-
ceived by. the local police and letters.
Neither Robinson or "Jen" are wanted
in Des Moines. The last time they
were here which is now little over
two years ago, Justice Duncan granted
them an indefinite leave of absence.
One condition of the leave Of absence
was that they should not return to
Des Moines while he was Justice of
peace. If they do, Justice Duncan
says that they will be promptly arres-
ted and various charges still on file
in his court, pressed to heNbitter end.
Letters In the hands of the local poll
ice officers say that Robinson was ar
rested several days ago while he was
in the act of relieving a large Chat
tanooga firm Of tray Of diamonds He
had no sooner lodged in Jail under the
name Harry Roberts" than a woman,
claiming to be his wife, appeared. The
woman was arrested and when search
ed was found to be loaded down with
ljewelry. Diamonds, rubies, opals and
other precious gems were sewed IN her
clothing. The police estimated that the
woman had between $4,000 and $4,000
worth Of jewelry upon her 1mmediat-
ely search was made of the apart
ments where Robinson and his alleged
wife had been stopping. Letters were
found which showed that the couple
had been in various cities under no end
of aliases.
The letters and papers found in "Jen"
Whites trunk gave the police many
clues as to cities which Robinson and
the woman have visited in recent years.
Sent Out kilograms.
kilograms were Immediately sent
out to st. Louis, Kansas City, Des
Moines and Little Rock. 1t was found
that Robinson and the woman are I'M
der bonds at Des Moines for $4,000 and
Robinson is under bonds at Little Rock
for So, 900. Charges of a $4,000 rug rob-
berry at Hort Springs, Ark.s also hang
over Robinson and the police at Sioux
City claim to have enough against the
man to land him in Jail any time that
he may show up there. Responses from
kilograms sent out showed that most
chiefs of police were more anxious not
to see Robinson than to see him.
Chief Hayes Of Kansas City has sent
a message saying that he has ascharge
of robbery against Robinson and will
send for the man. 1t is probable that
Robinson will be brought back to Kan
sas City.
Tom Robinson's long checkered ca
reer is almost equaled by the line OF
criminal events which have, marked
"Jen.y Whites life. Robinson was
raised in Des Moines. In the boom
days in Oklahoma, he secured the
gambling privileges at Lawton and
Guthrie and in company with several
other local sports made a clean up"
on the border. This success seemed to
turn the young mans head. He cana
back to Des Moines and conducted a
gambling house for some time. He
became the paramour and companion
in crime of "Jen'' White, a portly
blonde woman, who had a few personal
charms, but all the criminal instinct
to make her good pal for man who
was willing to do almost anything to
get money. Since the days when "Jen"
and Tom formed their unholy alliance
they have been known to the police Of
Des Moines. st. Joseph. Omaha and
Sioux City. Robinson was probably
the best short change man that Des
Moines ever turned out. He made one
effort to reform and that was when
- s.,&~ hy,a }no0a at
Kenosha, Wis. Business was too tame
and did not last long.
Came Nea. Being Murdered.
Both Tom and "Jen" We're fearless
in a fight. It was common talk among
police that when "Jen" had the house
at No. Sixth avenue, Tom was bust
ness manager, and was not satisfied
with his portion Of the income. 1t was
told. that fists were INDUCED and that
Gen." physically strong as she was,
held her own with her paramour and
often sent To INTO bed with a black
eye, and hump on his back.
Tom Robinson came near being a
murderer in st. Joseph little over two
years ago. In game of craps with
BILLY" Smith. the st. Joseph gambler,
an alteration arose. Tom fired into
Smith. The bullet plowed its way into
the mans back and came within an ace
of causing death. Robinson took to his
heels and was arrested in Des Moines.
He was taken back to st. Joseph.
Smith and Robinson had been pals in
several deals and when Smith recover
ed he decided that there was no use
fighting with Tom, so the affair was
sett1ed oft Of court
Robinson came back to Des Moines.
and almost Immediately got into trou-
bile with the police department.
Hardin on His Trail.
Detective Hardin decided that "Jen"
White and Tom Robinson were thieves
and that the town ought to be rid of
them. Time after time the White house
was pulled. Judge Silvara was on the
bench at the police court at that time
and Sllvara and Bracket were at
swords points. Silvara refused to fine
"Jen'' and Tom any higher than he
did the other owners of houses Of i'll
fame, and "Jen" was able to meet the
bills. One day. however, 1t was prov
ed that young girl had been entic-
ed into the place and then Silvara and
Duncan opened their eyes to the char
acter Of the place and decided that
"Jen" White must move out Of the
city.
Robinson was last seen In Iowa at
Sioux City during the carnival last
fall. Detective Hardin of this city
happened to be in Sioux City assisting