Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-03-23
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These dispositions had shown that for
the past year Erdlin had had a mine
near Salida, and that he had bought
goods in Salida and that he had paid
his debts. None of the parties maxi
ing the dispositions knew anything OF
Erdlin prior to the time that he came
to Salida something over a year ago.
1t was noticeable thing that in the
defense, no effort was made to account
for Erdlin or to show where he had
been or where he came from, prior to-
the time that he had bought the min-
ing claim at Salida.
Suspected In Colorado.
Letters received by Chief OF Police
Gray from F. l.. Hertzinger the police
marshal of Salida, show that the police
of that city strongly suspicioned Erd.
lin and that they had Swallowed him
constantly when he was in that city.
Since the trial it has been learned
that Erdlin boarded for several weeks
in Ottumwa, at the residence of j. J.
Tracy, $40 Main street. Certain
parties also state that he told
them on different occasions Of send
ing money back to his mine from this
city to continue the prospecting. He
had no apparent business in this city
than he had in the little town of Chill
licothe. 81
Sheriff Cremer and Chief Gray are
of the opinion that Erdlin has a past
criminal record that he has so far sue
cessfully shielded. They believe that
If his photograph could have been SCI
cured and published abroad 1t would
have been found that he was wanted
in many places.
James Harrison, special agent for
the Burlington railroad was on the
track of Erdlin at the time he was To-
Gated and landed by the local officers.
Harrison is confident that on the night
of December 81, 1904, Erdlin robbed
two stores and a blacksmith shop &C
Woadburn and on the following night
the Burlington station at Lucas.
Harrison tracked his man from
WOODBURY. to Cleveland and then to
Lucas, where Erdlin dropped the drill
which was one of the bits Of
evldence that came into the possession
of Chief Gray and which determined
the local officers to act on the sus-
picions of the Chillicothe people. Har-
rison also states that about the first
of the year Erdlin spent three days
and nights at Maxon.
| Through tip received from another
party held for several days in the lo-
cal city Jail, who claimed that Erdlin.
had told him of the whereabouts, Chief
Gray and Mr.. Harrison were able to 10.
cate bottle of nitroglycerin at Chari-
ton and box of dynamite caps at
Maxon. Harrison secured the bottle
of nitroglycerin and the section men
found the box of caps as directed. at
Maxon. The nitroglycerin bottle was
almost empty when found because the
cork had come out and allowed the
liquid to escape. The caps are at
present in the custody of Chief Gray.
Erdlin is believed by the local officers
to be one Of the most dangerous men
ever captured in. the city and they con-
slider that he got off with light sem
tence when Judge Roberts gave him
but two years. The opinion Of the
local officers is shared by the famous
Pinkerton Detective agency which has
asked Chief Gray to supply it all the
particulars and photographs in the
case and that it be appraised of the
! final disposition of Erdlin.