The San Francisco call., 1904-10-28
RUSE TO BAIK
JUSTICE FAILS
A. A. Kratz, Whose Drown
ing at Long Beach Was Re-
ported, Is in Jail in Mexico
WILL BE BROUGHT BACK
Recognized by Secret Ser
vice Agent From Descrip-
tion in Police Circular

Judge Dunne's steadfast belief that
Albert A. Kratz was not drowned while
bathing at Long Beach on the night OF
September Is, but that plot existed
to defeat the ends of justice, has been
confirmed. Kratz is in jail at Ron
quillo, Sonora, Mexico, and Detective
T. B. Gibson left on last nights train
with papers for his extradition.
Chief Whitman had sent out circulars
with photograph and description of
Kratz. About week ago the Chief
received dispatch from G. I. Connell
of the Bureau of immigration and Sec
ret Service of Arizona that he had seen
a man answering Kratz's description
at Cananea, Sonora. The wires were
kept busy and 1T was soon learned be-
yond all doubt that Kratz was the
man. The Governor of Sonora was
communicated with and he issued a
provisional warrant for Kratz's arrest.
1t was placed in the hands of Captain
Thomas Ryning of the Arizona
Rangers. who arrested Kratz and lock-
ed him up In the Jail at Ronquillo.
When searched clippings from the local
papers regarding his supposed death by
drowning were found in his pockets.
Besides the officers mentioned, Chief
Whitman received valuable assistance
from Chief Hammill of Los Angeles.
KratZ was out on $4,000 bonds while
waiting his trial in Judge Dunne's
court on charge of felony embezzle-
ment. On the night of September Is,
about a week prior to the date fixed
for his trial, Kratz was at Long Beach.
About o'clock he hired a bathing ma
chine and 1T was said that he persisted
In bathing in the surf against the
warnings of the attendants. He was
not seen again and his clothes having
been found in the machine it was re-
ported that he had been drowned.
When the case was called in Judge
DUNES court a number of affidavits
were filed by Attorney Frank ]. Muir
ply from V. Kratz of Los Angeles,
, father OF the defendant, and attendants
at the bathing establishment and
others to the effect that the defendant
had been drowned. Judge Dunno did
not hesitate at that time and after
ward to express his belief that the de-
fendant had not been drowned and that
his disappearance was for the purpose
OF defeating the ends of Justice AS
sistant District Attorney Whiting was
of the same belief and color was given
/ to that belief when it was discovered
that the bond of $4,000 accepted by
Police Judge Fritz for Kratz's release
was missing. Fortunately 1T was later
and on Writings motion it was de-
clared forfeited. The sureties were V.
Kratz, the defendants father; Mrs
Rhoda M. White, defendants sister,
and Attorney Hugo A. Newhouse
Meantime the District Attorneys office
had communicated with Chief Whitman
and the result is the arrest of Kratz
Judge Dunno is at present taking his
vacation, but when he returns he will
have something to say judicially in re-
gard to Kratz's flight and subsequent
developments.
Kratz's brother, William, was a mem
Der of the Donandt- -Kratz Company,
commission merchants, and on Feb
ruary 13, 1903, William collected $16,-
542 75 and fled with the money. His
brother Albert was with him when he
left the office with the money. Albert
was arrested in this city and William
was located in Kansas City, where he
was living under an assumed name. He
was brought back, tried and convicted
and sentenced by Judge Dunno to serve
five years in San Quentin. The firm
had to go through the bankruptcy
court.