The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-10
BAD MAN CAUGHT.
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cts but some hard work put AIr. Ger
main on the track Of Let's. Let's had
agent for the Santa Fe for two years
at Richmond kan, and had been disc
charged eight months before the crime
at Erincefon was committed Getting
evidence that Let's was at least guilty
Of stealing the tickets and the Wells
Fargo Express company's orders some
CG which he had forged ana passed
Mr. German traced him to a place in
Kansas City, Mo. Two detectives found
him at this place and arrested him on
February 5, 1904. They started for
Ottawa, kan, with him where the
warrant had been sworn out against
him and which place, by the way was
his home. Let's broke away from the
officers as they We're boarding a street
car In Argentine. Both detectives fired
heir reVoIVers at him a mum Der OF
times but he managed to get away IN
harmed. Mr.. German then traced
htm down through Indian Territory
and lost him for a while only to locate
him visiting his folks in Ottawa
Sheriff Costigan was notified and ne
lErested Let's at home For this ar
rest the sheriff got a three hundred
dollar reward. Let's was locked UP in
the Ottawa jail but he did not stay
here long He rugged up dummy
man with blankets and stuck the figure
Ia q corner of his cell. He slipped out
q the cell and as the pailer came into
tne cell room to lock UP the cells for
the night Let's ran by him and out
through the door to liberty. The Jail
Or gave chase and emptied his revolver
after the fugitive but again Let's es-
Eaped without injury
With untiring energy the Santa Fe
detectives kept UP their hunt for Let's
Ana about three months after this he
was located by Mr.. German down in
E5ranbury, Tex. Mr.. German went there
himself A couple of local deputy
Hher1tts arrested Let's in a house, while
Mr. German remained outside. AS they
PFpugnt him out Let's saw German ard
be broke away from the sherifs and
HLarted to run He was caught after a
chase Of q couple of blocks and was
brought here to Topeka and incarcerat-
aa an me local jail for HVe months While
be was awaiting trial This trial was
On g, charge Of burglary and Let's was.
convicted. His conviction occurred in
the late fan Of 1904 and was committed
to the Ottawa Jail to await sentence.
Before sentence was pronounced Let's
broke Jail. He dug his way down
through the door Of his cell, tunnelled to
the foundation wa1 If the jail removed
one Of the big stones in the foundation
ana gained his liberty. This time ne
was tribe generous and let three other
prisoners il the jail out with him.
Located In Michigan.
It was some time after this before
Mr., German got tab on slippery
again. This time he was located on
farm near Port Huron, Mich. That
was early this spring and the local
sheriff was asked to take him in Gus
today The sheriff arrested him all
right but Let's asked him for per
mission to go in the house after some
papers He went in the house and
out the back door on a dead run. The
sheriff saw him and called to him to
stop but Let's needed not He ran on
n % uH Hr @A~r
two revolvers after him. Not a single
bullet took effect and Let's reached a
woods and made good his escape.
Once more the Santa Fe detectives
took up the trail They followed him
to Canada and located him in many
places but he never stayed in one
place long enough to be caught. He
was traced to New York and several
other cities in the east but just as the
officers got the necessary papers to
arrest him he slipped away to remain
under cover for another spell. Finally
about a month ago Mr.. German To-
Gated him at Panama, South Amer
lea, working for the government on
the Panama railroad as an operator
and agent. Price and Kenny armed
with a reQuisition from the governor
Of Missouri, started for Panama and
that they have landed their man was
evidenced by the oablegram which Mr..
German received today.
The requisition for Let's was issued
fugitive is to be tried in Kansas City,
No. when he is brought there, on a
RhaFge Of forgery in connection with
his handling Of some of the Wells Fargo
Brders which he stole. Mr.. German said
hat he was going TO have. him tried in
Kansas City because he did not care to
lake another chance with the jail at
ottawa. He feels sure of conviction
n Kansas City and when Let's has
BerWed out his sentence there he VIII be
lalzen TO Ottawa and sentenced to a
term in this state on the conviction Of
burglary which is standing against him.
Let's is about 81 years old of medium
height and build and his manner is
very pleasing. He has been married
twice and both of his wives have Sc
cured divorces from him.
Mr.. German classes him as one of
the nervfest criminals he ever had
any dealings with and says that he is
as lucky as he is nervy. "This fell
low" said Mr.. German, has been
shot at thirty times and never hit
once. He has never heaitated a sec
Dnd to run in the open and broad day
light when he knew for a certainty
that he would be fred at But we
have got him now and 4 do not be-
lieVe he viii get away again. Tt has
been a long chase and an expensive
DRa but our efforts have again been
rewarded with success"
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