Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-03
DETECTIVE STORIES

Il II
Erie, Canada. where he had opened a hotel.
The burglar also gave Mr. Pinkerton a de-
scriptlon of man WHO. had visited Donahue
at his hotel on several occasions, and who
had the general appearance of workman.
He suspected that this man had been in
some way concerned with Donah hue in the
Susquehanna robbery; he knew that he had
resided at one time in Buffalo, N. Y. and
worked in the shops there, and he thought
that he might be then living in Susque-
hanna, Pa.
From the description, Mr.. Pinkerton was
able. on, going to SusquehaUna to identify
the suspected man with George III.
Proctor, who had formerly been foreman In
the railroad company's shops, but had re-
signed his position some months before and
moved to Buffalo. In the investigation that
was at once begun it was found that Proc
tor had recently been speculating largely in
oil and spending money freely, although
while living in Susquehanna he was known
to have had no resources besides his salary.
1t was learned further that Proctor had de-
posted money with three Buffalo banks
and had accounts with various Arms of
brokers. and also that he was paying fire.
quent visits to gambling houses and in gen.
eral leading fast life. Proctor's deposits,
Ii was learned, had at one time amounted to
about S11,O00 but most Of this sum had
been subsequently drawn out and lost in
speculation.
A more significant discovery was made a
little later. when Proctor went on a trip to
Canada, evidently on important business,
The detective who followed him found that
the men with whom he had dealings, and
with whom he passed nearly the whole
time of his visit. were professional thieves,
well known to the police.
q y
In view of all that had come to light. 1t
was decided to effect Proctors arrest. This
was made easy by his habit of coming TO
SusGuehanna every few weeks to see his
70 nd hive a,ft
there. During these visits 1t had been re-
| marked that he was especially Intimate
with employees of the railroad and express
companies who We're connected with the
ticket office.
threatened him. Proctor took the train from
Buffalo onthe night of Saturday November
10, with ticket for Susquehanna Word
was at once telegraphed to Robert Pinker-
ton, VINO, In company with e. W. Mitchell
superintendent of the United States Exnress
Company, started for Susquehanna reach
ing there Monday morning They learned
that Proctor was still In town but keeping
very closely to his house. 1t was not until
10 O'Clock in the evening that he anpea red
on the street, his purpose In going ont be-
ing TO purchase some groceries. AS he
came from the store Robert Pinkerron sfsr-
ped forth from his place of waiting and
took him into custody. He was taken to q
private house, where Mr.. Pinkerton passed
nearly the whole night In conversation
with him. Before daylight Proctor mad
made what purported TO be a fun confess
sion.
Proctor stated that he had moved to Sus-
quchanna in 1880. having resided in Buffaio
previous TO that time. While in Buffalo he
had occasionally of a Sunday visited Fort
Erie. Canada. and there had made the ac-
quaintance of John Donahue. At first he
did not know that Donahue was anything
more than the keeper of a hotel. They came
to see much of each other. and after Proc
tors removal TO Snsquehanna they kep;
up AN occasional correspondence. Proctor
I having monthly pass over the Erie RAFT.
road and being able to procure rasses or
other roads. made several trips 10 Forg
On enc OF these visits ne financed to READ
aloud 10 his friend the newspaper tecou,as
Of clever robbery ID 1InatreaI. where u