Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-02
TOLD OF HIS GUILT
Boy Confesses to Having
Robbed a Bank.
CALLS ON DETECTIVES
SAID HE THOUGHT OF COMMIT
TING SUICIDE.
Changed His Mind and Now Wants to
Be Sent to His
Home.
CALLS ON DETECTIVES

"A weii-dressed boy appeared in police
headquarters last night about $40 O'Clock
and asked that he be allowed to talk to
the chief of detectives He saw Cant
Boardman. to whom, ii is said, he confessed
he had stolen 1925 from the Merchants
Bank of st. Joseph, No. March 49, The
boy was searched and a beautiful gold
watch and chain, together with a .32-cali-
Der Smith & Wesson revolver loaded in
every chamber. a card of admission to the
races, a couple of small gold rings a Jew
eied cigar cutter and several fine silk
handkerchiefs were found on his person
He also had a note written upon a small
envelope which stated: Il am Richard E.
Murphy and my home is i'm St joe Mo-"
Detective Tyser asked Murphy why he had
written his name and address and placed
it in his pocket. and the reply was that
he intended blowing his brains out during
the night, but that he had later reconsid-
cred and decided to give himself over to
the police. He said that his father did not
treat him well at home and that when the
opportunity presented itself to take the
money in the bank where he worked he
helped himself to what he considered
enough to pay his passage to Europe
where he could live far away.
+. He said that his father is j. E. Murphy
and lives at 61S Lincoln street in St.
Joseph. After leaving that city on the
night of the robbery young Murphy says
he went to a small town about twenty
miles away and later caught a train for
Kansas City. and from there went to Chi
cago, where he spent several days seeing
the sights of the city. From Chicago he
went to New York CITY, when he heard that
the races were in progress in this city. He
left New York city and went to Baltimore,
and came from that city two days ago and
registered at local hotel under the name
of Thomas Delevan, Chicago.
Went to the Races.
He went to the race track to attempt to
win some money, as his funds were running
low, and he determined to take his life this
afternoon after he had lost his last money
and was penniless. but after consideration
he decided to surrender himself to the
police.
Murphy said that his father is an infiuen-
tial man in st. Joseph, and that he is the
owner of the Combe Printing Company of
that city. About two years ago the
boy was prisoner in Capt. Boardman Of
flee, having run away from his home TO
New York city, where he asked Mr.. Samue
Adams of the Adams Dry Goods Company
to cash a check for him for $50, when he
only had about s. in bank. After the check
had been passed he left New York city ana
came here. A warrant was sworn out for
his arrest and the police of this city were
notified. Detective Flather found young
Murphy in the lobby of a local hotel play
ing with one of the bell boys and aced
him under arrest. He was taken back TO
New York city and arraigned before Justice
Wyatt who ordered him sent to the New
York Catholic Protectory, where he re-
manned for over year. When ne was re-
leased from that institution he went lmme-
diately to ST. Joseph, where he obtained
employment in the Merchants Bank he
said last evening at police headquarteT
that he had written to the cashier or the
hank Mr. T. w. Evans, and that he had
received a reply from the banker, telling
him that If he would reform and become
a better boy and try to lead an honest HE
he would not be prosecuted. He also wrote
to his mother seVerai Gays ago aiiu iheh
came to this city.
He told one of the bookmakers at the
Bennng track yesterday that he was with
out funds and wanted to die, and said he
was offered money to leave town IL ne
wanted to, but he decided to surrender
here and be taken to his home.
Neat in Dress.
Murphy is very neat in his dress. and i'm
pressed the detectives last evening as being
very intelligent. Detectives Evans. War
rem. Horne and Tyser talked with him for
some time after he had been searched. and
then Capt. Boardman ordered him taken to
the first precinct station until the authori-
ties Of St Joseph can be heard from in re-
gard to the charge that is pending against
him in that city.
Murphy was straightforward in all his
statements, and said that he had had
enough of roaming about the country, and
is willing to go back home and behave him
self.
Detective Tyser late last night went to
the hotel where the boy was stopping while
in the city and took possession of his va
lise containing his clothes and other be-
longings, which were taken to police head
quarters. Capt. Boardman Immediately after
the boy had been taken to the first pre-
cnct station telegraphed to the st. Joseph
authorities announcing the boys arrest in
this city, and asking to be advised If he is
wanted in that city.